Series 1 > Chronicles of the Frasers

92
POLICHRONICON SEU
montory of Flambrugh, King Henry of England cause bring
him to his court, ther detained and well disciplind in all
learning. His father, heareing of his captivity, shutes him-
The Kings selfe up in his chamber, and in 3 dayes died of hunger and
griefe, at Rothsay, April 1, 1406, and at his own desire is
inhumd at Pasly. The character given to this good king by
an acurat pen was, Fuit Robertus et proceritate et totius
corporis forma et compositione nulli fere suorum aequalium
secundus. Summa vitce innocentia, et in qua nullum hominis
privati virtutem desiderares ut vere de illo did possit meliorem
virum quam regem eum fuisse. This King Robert, for tallness
of stature and for the beuty and composition of his whole
body, was inferior to non of his contemporaries. His life was
very harmless, and there was no vertuous accomplishment fit
for a privat man wanting in him, so that it may truly be
said of him that he was a better man than a King. Poor
Scotland, great is thy loss in the death of both thy King
and Queen.
The government is now by the decree of the estates entaled
settlednt upon Robert the King’s brother, haveing many things in him
worthy of that office and dignity if out of a blind greedy
ambition to rule he had not used many indirect course to
heasten to the throne; but is now annoyed on each hand.
Henry of England invades Scotland for the vexing incroach-
ment of the Borderers; Piercy, suspect of a conspiracy, is
taken and execut in England. The next yeare Donald of
the Isles, pretending a right to Rosse, and that the governour
detained it unjustly of him, convocats and rises in arms to
maintain his own right, made a descend with his army into
The battle of Ross who rise with him, reduce Murray to his obedience,
Jum: 24’. 1411. proceeds in depredations through Strathbogy, threatens Aber¬
deen, alarmes the kingdom ; Alexander Stuart, Earl of Marr,
with many of the nobles, gather a formidable army and gives
him batle at Harlaw in Garioch, a cruel and bloody day,
quherin fell so many eminent and noble personages as scarce
ever perished in one battle against a forreign enemy for many
yeares before, and yet an uncertain victory.
At this time St. Andrewes is erected into an university.
Henry the 4. of England dyed in March, and his sone Henry