J. F. Campbell Collection > Minstrelsy of the Scottish border > Volume 1

INTRODUCTION. XUI
of chivalry, by which his nuptials were solemnized,
Upon the waxing power of Angus he kept a wary
eye ; and, embracing the occasion of a casual slaugh-
ter, he compelled that Earl and his son to exchange
the lordship of Liddisdale, and the castle of Her-
mitage, for the castle and lordship of Bothwell.*
* Spens of Kilspindie, a renowned cavalier, had been pre-
sent in court, when the Earl of Angus was highly praised for
strength and valour. " It may be," answered Spens, " if all
" be good that is upcome;" insinuating, that the courage of the
Earl might not answer the promise of his person. Shortly af-
ter, Angus, while hawking near Borthwick, with a single at-
tendant, met Kilspindie. " What reason had ye," said the
Earl, " for making question of my manhood ? thou art a tall
" fellow, and so am I ; and by St Bride of Douglas, one of us
" shall pay for it !" — " Since it may be no better," answered
Kilspindie, " I will defend myself against the best Earl in Scot-
" land." With these words they encountered fiercely, till An-
gus, with one blow, severed the thigh of his antagonist, who
died upon the spot. The Earl then addressed the attendant of
Kilspindie : " Go thy way : tell my gossip, the King, that
" here was nothing but fair play. I know my gossip will be of-
" fended j but I wiU get me into Liddisdale, and remain in my
" castle of the Hermitage till his anger be abated." — Godscroft,
vol. ii. p. 59. The price of the Earl's pardon seems to have
been the exchange mentioned in the text. BothweU is now
the residence of Lord Douglas. The sword with which Ar-
chibald, Bell-the-cat, slew Spens, was, by his descendant, the
famous Earl of Morton, presented to Lord Lindsay of the
Byres, when about to engage in single combat with Bothwell,
at Carberry-hill. — Godscroft, vol. ii. p. 175.