Stuart dynasty

l.'JO THE STUART DYNASTY.
with Cardinal Beaton, a fresh enterprise was entered
upon. The gathering was fixed to be at Lochmaben,
on the night of November 24, and 10,000 men did
meet there without any preliminary preparation ; the
most extraordinary part of the matter being that
James himself was to remain in Caerlaverock Castle,
while Maxwell, Warden of the Marches, conducted
the men across the Esk, as if to capture Carlisle. No
leader of recognised authority appeared amongst this
semblance of an army until they had struggled across
the river, when they were confronted by the spectacle
of an obscure favourite of James, one Oliver Sinclair,
displaying his commission as General, and being
elevated bj T the soldiers and supported by two spears.
Straying on to the Solway Moss in a disintegrated
condition, the Scots were suddenly surprised by the
arrival of 300 English cavalry under Dacre and
Musgrave, two stout moss-troopers, who, observing
the disorderly character of the Scots' advance, dashed
amongst them with a confidence which presumed the
advent of more numerous battalions. The rout was
instantaneous, and the Scots fled, one-tenth of their
number being taken prisoners. When intelligence
reached James V. of this disgraceful disaster, it is
said that he fell into a deep gloom from which he
never recovered ; but the mystery surrounding his
illness is probably subject to the explanation that the
King was stricken with some recognised malady
before he ever let loose the dogs of war, for in spite
of many shortcomings — and they have not been
shrouded here — James was one of the bravest men