Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

44 The Earls of Middlcton.
brings at this time a disgraceful accusation against
Middleton, but Gordon's version seems to clear him
from dishonourable conduct.
" Major-General Middleton," says the former,
" who was on his parole at Berwick, brake his word
and went to Scotland."
This is Gordon's account : " Middleton was de-
tained prisoner at Berwick, having obtained licence
to come thither to see his ladie ; but they sent ane
troop of hors to bring him to London, to bear his
general (Hamilton), who was prisoner, company.
By good fortune he escaped from them by the way,
and returned to Scotland, where he raised new
troubles afterwards."
The description " detained prisoner at Berwick "
sounds almost as if his parole had ceased even before
he was sent for to London. He would therefore be
at liberty to escape.
Middleton's exact reasons for turning Royalist do
not seem to be explained. Even the rigid Presby-
terians amongst his countrymen, however, wished to
preserve the royal authority, and were shocked at
the murder of the king, which took place either
during Middleton's imprisonment or soon after his
escape. How much more then must it have affected
the engagers or officers of Hamilton's army, who had
already fought and suffered in their sovereign's defence!