History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland, from A.D. 1493 to A.D. 1625 by Donald Gregory

Author:Donald Gregory
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: W. Tait

1590.] THE KING'S BREACH OF FAITH. 241

Lauchlan Maclean of Dowart, Angus Macdonald of Isla, and Donald Gorme Macdonald of Sleat, were at length induced to come to Edinburgh, on the pretence of consulting with the King and Council for the good rule of the country. While there, by a breach of faith on the part of the government, which no circumstances can excuse, and which only proves the weakness of the executive at this period, the three island chiefs were seized and imprisoned in the castle. After some time, Maclean and Angus Macdonald were brought

A D 1591 . .

to trial for the crimes already pardoned by the remissions under the Privy Seal; one of the principal charges against them being their treasonable hiring of Spanish and English soldiers to fight in their private quarrels. Both these chiefs, however, refused to plead or to go to a jury; but submitted themselves absolutely to the King's mercy, placing their lives and lands at his disposal.*

In considering the measures pursued by the King, after this time, towards the chiefs who had been guilty of such barbarities, and were now so completely in his power, we must always keep in view the pecuniary embarrassments of James VI, which were now, and continued afterwards to be, very great. The crown revenues from land had been much impaired by the improvident grants made to grasping and avaricious courtiers during the minorities of James and his mother; whilst the carelessness and extravagance of the young King, after he had assumed the government, soon involved him in the greatest difficulties. In such

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