[{144}] It appears that there was both a plot by Lennox, after the Raid of Ruthven, to seize James—“preaching will be of no avail to convert him,” his mother wrote; and also an English plot, rejected by Gowrie, to poison both James and Mary! For the former, see Professor Hume Brown, ‘History of Scotland,’ vol. ii. p. 289; for the latter, see my ‘History of Scotland,’ vol. ii. pp. 286, 287, with the authorities in each case.
[{156}] Of these versions, that long lost one which was sent to England has been published for the first time, with the previously unnoticed incident of Robert Oliphant, in the author’s ‘James VI. and the Gowrie Mystery.’ Here it is also demonstrated that all the treasonable letters attributed in 1606-1608 to Logan were forged by Logan’s solicitor, George Sprot, though the principal letter seems to me to be a copy of an authentic original. That all, as they stand, are forgeries is the unanimous opinion of experts. See the whole of the documents in the author’s ‘Confessions of George Sprot.’ Roxburghe Club.
[{181}] Colkitto’s men and the Badenoch contingent.
[{182}] Much has been made of cruelties at Aberdeen. Montrose sent in a drummer, asking the Provost to remove the old men, women, and children. The drummer was shot, as, at Perth, Montrose’s friend, Kilpont, had been murdered. The enemy were pursued through the town. Spalding names 115 townsmen slain in the whole battle and pursuit. Women were slain if they were heard to mourn their men—not a very probable story. Not one woman is named. The Burgh Records mention no women slain. Baillie says “the town was well plundered.” Jaffray, who fled from the fight as fast as his horse could carry him, says that women and children were slain. See my ‘History of Scotland,’ vol. iii. pp. 126-128.
[{186a}] Craig-Brown, ‘History of Selkirkshire,’ vol. i. pp. 190, 193. ‘Act. Parl. Scot.,’ vol. vi. pt. i. p. 492.
[{186b}] ‘Act. Parl. Scot.,’ vol. vi. pt. i. p. 514.
[{187}] Hume Brown, vol. ii. p. 339.
[{208}] The Boot was an old French and Scottish implement. It was a framework into which the human leg was inserted; wedges were then driven between the leg and the framework.
[{225}] Many disgusting details may be read in the author’s ‘Life of Sir George Mackenzie.’
[{226}] Hume Brown, ii. 414, 415.