Scotland/Scots > Minstrelsy, ancient and modern > Volume 2

34
THE FIRE OF FRENDRAUGHT.
nutely details the circumstances on which the Ballad is
founded :
“ Upon the first of January, 1630, the laird of Frend-
raught and his complices fell in a trouble with William
Gordon of Rothemay and his complices, where the said
William was unhappily slain, being a gallant gentleman,
and on Frendraught’s side was slain George Gordon, brother
to James Gordon of Lesmoir, and divers others were hurt
on both sides. The marquis of Huntly and some well-set
friends settled this feud, and Frendraught ordained to pay
to the lady relict of Rothemay and the bairns fifty thousand
merks in composition of the slaughter, whilk, as was said,
was truly paid.
“ Upon the 27th September, 1630, the laird of Frend¬
raught having in his company Robert Crightoun of Cand-
lan, and James Lesly, son to John Lesly of Pitcaple, with
some other servants, the said Robert after some speeches
shoots the said James Lesly through the arm. They were
parted, and he convoyed to Pitcaple, and the other Frend¬
raught shot out of his company.
“ Likeas Frendraught, upon the 5th of October, held con¬
ference with the earl of Murray in Elgin, and upon the
morn he came to the Bog of Gight,* where the marquis
made him welcome. Pitcaple loups on about thirty horse
in jack and spear (hearing of Frendraught’s being in the
Bog), upon Thursday, the 7th of October, and came to the
marquis, who before his coming had discreetly directed
Frendraught to confer with his lady. Pitcaple heavily com-
* From Gordon of Gight was maternally descended the late
Lord Byron.