Stuart dynasty

46 THE STUART DYNASTY.
Rymer's ' Fcedera,' vol. x. pp. 294-300 ; he (Rymer)
was historiographer to Charles II., and made deep
researches into Scotch history.
James I. found Scotland a veritable nest of robbers,
and cannot be blamed for the resolve to subjugate
independent chieftains, Lowland and Highland, who
carried on their lawless depreciations openly before
the world. Moreover, to effect this it was natural
that he should seek to guard himself against the
intrigues of Murdoch, Duke of Albany, his cousin,
who had for five years tolerated the complete
subservience of Scotland to England, while
Henry Y. agreed in return to retain James in
captivity.
The retribution which fell on Murdoch and his
supporters was not limited to loss of political power,
but extended to loss of life.
The King appears to have made his position sure
by means of the Lords of Articles, whereby measures
were presented to the Scotch Parliament in a prac-
ticable form after previous preparation by the Royal
Council, the Constitution enabling the King to utilise
such means before striking at these enemies of his
own household ; and if compelled to doubt the justice
of the severe reprisals which ensued, we cannot
deny the worldly wisdom of the sovereign's pro-
ceedings.
Unfortunately no record of the trial which
Murdoch, Duke of Albany, and his associates under-
went is forthcoming, so that we are left in doubt as
to the facts, while enough is known to present the
story in that outline which appears here, although