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Sir Robert Forman, Ross Herald and Lyon King of Arms
by David John Forman (davidf@webone.com.au)
Contents
Sir Robert Forman, Ross Herald and Lyon King of Arms ........................................................ 1
by David John Forman ............................................................................................................... 1
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ 2
Robert Forman (abt 1497-1568) ............................................................................................ 2
Master Robert Forman, Channelkirk, about 1535 (inherited from his father?) ..................... 2
Master Robert Forman Pursuivant, 1540, and Ross Herald, 1540- 1554. ............................. 8
Robert Forman Lyon King of Arms 1555-1567 .................................................................. 21
Robert Forman Lyon King to France ................................................................................... 26
The Queen Regent occupies Perth (May 1559) ................................................................... 28
Robert Forman Obligation 28 June 1559 ............................................................................. 30
The Queen Regent attends siege of Leith September/October 1559 ................................... 30
After the siege of Leith ........................................................................................................ 45
Robert Forman gives evidence concerning the siege of Leith ............................................. 45
Robert Forman paid by Mary of Guise for services, in 1560 .............................................. 50
Robert Forman paid for later services .................................................................................. 50
Mary of Guise, queen regent, dies May 1560 and Queen Mary comes to Edinburgh 1561
(or 1562)............................................................................................................................... 51
Mary Queen of Scots arrives in Scotland 19 August 1561 .................................................. 54
Robert Forman contracts his daughter Barbara to Thomas (Towers) late 1561 .................. 55
Robert Forman presents roll of arms to Queen Mary of Scotland in 1562 .......................... 56
Robert Forman’s son, John, educated? in Paris ................................................................... 58
Robert Forman Lyon King paves way for marriage of Queen Mary to Darnley, 1564 ....... 58
Robert Forman with Queen Mary in Stirling, April/May 1565 ........................................... 61
Queen Mary marries her cousin Lord Darnley, July 1565 ................................................... 62
Robert Forman (probably) appoints son, John, Rothesay Herald before dying in 1568 ..... 65
William Stewart appointed Lyon King of Arms, 23/2/68- 2/8/68. Burnt/hanged August
1569...................................................................................................................................... 66
Robert Forman survived by his wife and his son ................................................................. 68
Figures
Figure 1. Dryburgh Abbey ruins (LHS and RHS). Photos Sara York 2008.
According to the Historic Scotland guide book, it is one of the four great abbeys
built in Scotland’s Border country during the Middle Ages................................. 4
Figure 2. LHS Channelkirk farm. The farm is close to Carfrae farm, perhaps
adjacent. RHS. Channelkirk church. Photos Sara York 2012. ............................. 6
Figure 3. Carfrae Farm. Photo Sara York 2012. ................................................... 8
Figure 4. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh. Photo Sara York 2008. .......................... 15
Figure 5. Photograph of crown of Lyon King. Source unknown ....................... 22
Figure 6. Lower Luthrie. Photo Sara York 2012. ............................................... 24
Figure 7. LHS. Shield of arms of Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie. From “The
House of Moncreiff" by George Seton, 1890. Photo Sara York 2008. Figure 7.
RHS. Arms of Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie. Photographed from a plaque in the
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Lyon Office, Edinburgh by kind permission of the Lord Lyon King of Arms.
Photo Sara York 2010.. ....................................................................................... 25
Acknowledgements
Many thanks for the unstinting help from Sara York and her sister Pennie
Briese. Sara is responsible for all the photography and Pennie made most of the
French/English translation. Ms Diane Baptie, a researcher, translated the will of
Elizabeth Creighton.
Robert Forman (abt 1497-1568)
It is reasonable to assume that Sir Robert Forman was one of the sons of Robert
Forman (d. 29 November1530), prothonotary, dean of Glasgow, chancellor of
Moray, and brother of Andrew Forman, Archbishop of St Andrews. Hence Sir
Robert would have been a nephew of the Archbishop.
A French source (see later: in Scottish History Society. Miscellany of the SHS,
3rd Series, Vol. 9, 1958, p. 108-110) supplies information suggesting he was
born in 1497.
According to information supplied by John Knox, that he died in office (see
later), the probability that Robert Forman, himself, appointed his son as
Rothesay Herald in 1568, and that Robert’s successor was appointed in
February 1568, together indicate that Robert Forman died in early 1568.
Master Robert Forman, Channelkirk, about 1535 (inherited from his
father?)
Genuki. UK & Ireland Genealogy. Channelkirk.
"CHANNELKIRK, a parish in the north-west corner of Berwickshire,bounded by Edinburghshire, Haddingtonshire, and the parish of Lauder,
and containing the head-streams of Leader Water ... The Girthgate, or road
by which the monks travelled from Melrose to Edinburgh, passes through
the western border of the parish; and on this road, a few miles due west of
the church, are the ruins of an old building commonly called Restlaw Ha',
at which, tradition says, the monks and pilgrims used to stop for
refreshment."
from the Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, edited by John Marius Wilson,
1868.
In 1535, Dryburgh Abbey was paid rental connected with Chingilkirk Church
(Channelkirk Church), see later, shared between Master Robert Forman, the
future Lyon King, and Cuthbert Cranston in 1535. It is not clear precisely
what the rental included, but Robert Forman’s share was probably inherited
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from his father, Robert Forman, Dean of Glasgow, who died 29 November
1530.
Channelkirk Church was no ordinary church being long associated with Saint
Cuthbert. There is an excellent account of Channelkirk given by REV.
ARCHIBALD ALLAN, M.A., F.S.A. Scot. , Minister of the Parish, 1900.
History of Channelkirk . James Thin, 54 and 55 South Bridge. The book is
available on the internet and the interested reader will find all the information
about St Cuthbert and the earlier history there. There is also some information
about the Cranston’s and Robert Forman.
Historical Manuscripts Commission, Appendix to 12th Report, Part 8. The
manuscripts of the Duke of Athole, K.T. and of the Earl of Home. p. 161.
LANDS OF SAMUELSTON AND OTHERS.
256. Retour of Inquest held at Lauder before Laurence of Abernethy of
Rothiemay bailie of the regality, by William Hoppringle of that Ilk, Alan
Lauder, Gilbert Lauder, John Sinclair, Hector Lauder, Nicholas Forman,
David Chirnside, John Lauder of Burngrains, Willliam Lauder, Adam
Crosby, Thomas Lauder, William Nisbet, Robert Lorane, William Leis,
William Wedall and Alexander Learmonth, who being sworn declare that
George Ker is nearest and lawful heir of his brother the late John Ker in the
lands of Samuelston, valued at 40 pounds yearly, in time of peace only,
held in chief of the Earl of Douglas, lord of the regality of Lauder, for a
white rose at Midsummer, and now in the superior’s hands for the space of
one month since the death of the late John Ker. Dated at Lauder, Monday
31 October 1440. Three seals remaining.
? William Hoppringill of that Ilk, the aforesaid died in 1458 leaving an
heiress, Mariote. Amongst the lands that passed to her were Glengelt and
Kirktonhill (both within a mile of Channelkirk), Hoppringill and
Muirhouse.
The association of the names Forman and Cranston with Dryburgh Abbey
occurs again in the following document, therebye indicating the likelihood that
the rental first came into the Forman and Cranston families back in 1466.
Liber S Marie de Dryburgh: registrum cartorum abbacie premonstratensis de
Dryburgh [edited by John Spottiswoode]. Bannatyne Club Publication no 83.
The Preface, p. xvi.
XX WALTER, abbot of the abbey of Dryburgh, granted a tack, dated 16th
November 1465, in favour of a "worschipful squear, William Haliburton of
Mertoun and Jonet his spous, of a plew of land of the Bouchicoits with
their pertinents lyand within the lordship of Smailhame, within the
sherifdome of Tevidale." On the 4th of March 1466, William Craynston
of Corsby knight, as justiciar besouth Forth specially constitute, granted a
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commission to Walter abbot of Dryburgh, to which were witnesses, Sir
Alexander Hume of that ilk, knight, James Haig of Bemersyde, Nicholas
Forman of Hutton, and Mr Jasper Cranston, rector of Fetteresso
(Crawfurd's Cardross notes, ut supra.).
The reason/s Nicholas Forman was selected to witness the granting of the
commission to Walter abbot of Dryburgh is unknown. Of course, he was the
servant of Alexander Hume. I speculate the granting of the rental may indicate
something corrupt or dodgy about either the document or the commission. But
why or if the rental of Channelkirk Church is the pay off is a mystery, unless the
Formans had an even earlier association with Channelkirk . There is some
slender evidence to suspect that this is so, and it will be the subject of another
paper or perhaps an addition to an earlier paper (see website: djforman.net in
due course).
Figure 1. Dryburgh Abbey ruins (LHS and RHS). Photos Sara York 2008.
According to the Historic Scotland guide book, it is one of the four great abbeys
built in Scotland’s Border country during the Middle Ages.
The rental may have passed from Nicholas Forman, perhaps via his wife, Janet
Blackadder, to either of his sons; Andrew Forman, Archbishop of St Andrews
who died in 1522, or Robert Forman, Dean of Glasgow, who was his heir.
Eventually I believe it passed to Robert Forman, Dean of Glasgow, and thence
to Master Robert Forman, Lyon King to be. The future Lyon King then shared
the rental of Channelkirk church until he died in about 1579. After his death
share of the rental passed to his widow Elizabeth Crighton.
It is possible, but less likely, that the rental was initiated by Andrew Forman
when he was Commendator of Dryburgh Abbey.
Wikipedia.
King James IV rewarded clerics who gave him good service by providing
them with commendatorships. The first commendator of Dryburgh Abbey
was Andrew Forman, the Bishop of Moray in 1509.[75] Forman’s primary
role was in the service of James IV as a diplomat and was employed by the
king extensively in Europe but accumulated much wealth from his
religious and other appointments. . .
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Forman gave up his rights to Dryburgh sometime after becoming
Archbishop of St Andrews and was succeeded by James Ogilvie, another
secular cleric and diplomat[75] who received the temporalities of the abbey
in August 1516.[78] He held the commendatorship for only a short time,
dying in 1518.
Robert Riddle Stodart (1881) had this to say about the rental.
Stodart, R. R. (Robert Riddle), 1881. Scottish arms: being a collection of
armorial bearings, A.D. 1370-1678, reproduced in facsimile from contemporary
manuscripts, with heraldic and genealogical notes (Volume 2), p. 90.
It is probable that Mr Robert Forman, Dean of Glasgow 1507,
Vicar-general 1508, who succeeded the Archbishop as Prior of
Pittenweem, was his relative; he sat in the General Council at Perth 1513,
and in Parliament 1526. The Dean about 1535 held half the lands of
Channelkirk, the holder of the other half being Mr Robert, afterwards Sir
Robert Forman, Lyon King of Arms, which seems an indication of
relationship. Sir Robert, usually designed of Luthrie in Fife, had been Ross
Herald 1540, and had a son, John, Rothesay Herald 1569, who was alive in
1594. In 1589 Elizabeth had a tack of half the teind sheaves of
Channelkirk.
There is considerable misinformation here. For instance, Robert Forman Dean
of Glagow died in 1530 and we know that the Forman’s paid only half the
rental. We do not know precisely what the rental was for, beyond the tithes of
the church. We do not know if the church land was included in the rental. The
rental could not have included any part of Channelkirk parish lands beyond the
church property itself. The interesting part is that Stodart relates the Dean to the
future Lyon King.
We also do not know for sure if there was a minister at Channelkirk Church for
all of the period that Master Robert Forman was due the tithes or what was
involved in collecting them. Background to all these questions is contained in
Archibald Allan’s book published in 1900.
REV. ARCHIBALD ALLAN, M.A., F.S.A. Scot. Minister of the Parish, 1900.
History of Channelkirk.
In the year 1535, the year of "bigging" of peels, the "Kyrk of
Chyndylkyrk" floats upward into light of day through the power and
buoyancy of the teinds. The monks of Dryburgh note in their "Rentals,"
"The kyrkis that payis syluer" to them; and so the "Item be Cudbart
Cranstone and Maister Robert Formane," viz., £66, 13s. 4d., comes into
their hands onward from the above date till 1580, the same fact being
noted also in the years 1540, 1545, 1555, and 1560-70.
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Figure 2. LHS Channelkirk farm. The farm is close to Carfrae farm, perhaps
adjacent. RHS. Channelkirk church. Photos Sara York 2012.
The information in the edited documents follows:Liber S Marie de Dryburgh: registrum cartorum abbacie premonstratensis de
Dryburgh [edited by John Spottiswoode]. Bannatyne Club Publication no 83,
Appendix to The Register of Dryburgh. No XXXVIII. Rentale de Dryburgh
[circa 1535]. The Kyrk of Chyndylkyrk.
Item be Cudbart Cranstone and Maister Robert Formane. ......66 pounds
13s. 4d.
Refers to Channelkirk, Berwickshire, near Lauder.
Liber S Marie de Dryburgh: registrum cartorum abbacie premonstratensis de
Dryburgh [edited by John Spottiswoode]. Bannatyne Club Publication no 83,
Appendix to The Register of Dryburgh. No XLIII. Rentale de Dryburgh [circa
1560-70]. Cheindilkirk.
Cudbert Cranstoun and Sir Robert Formane for the Kirk of Chenidilkirk.
......66 pounds 13s. 4d.
Liber S Marie de Dryburgh: registrum cartorum abbacie premonstratensis
de Dryburgh [edited by John Spottiswoode]. Bannatyne Club Publication
no 83, Appendix to The Register of Dryburgh. No. XLIV Rental of
Dryburgh [Circa 1580].
In the first the Kyrkis set for mony. Then on the next page:Cheingill Kyrk. Item set the ane half to the Gudman of Theirlstane manes
and the uther half to Forman Lyoune. Harra for the payment of ..... £66
13s. 4d.
Robert Forman died early in 1568.
The following document may be irrelevant to this study, except it could indicate
that the Forman’s were no longer involved.
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Liber S Marie de Dryburgh. Taxt Roll abbey Dryburgh, 13 October 1630.
Mr Robert Lawson of Humbie for his Kirkland in Chengilkirk estimated
in his absence to be worth of frie rent yearlie £133 6s 4d. Taxt to £3 10s
10d.
Ms Diane Baptie, a professional researcher, has had a look at the testament of
Elizabeth Crichton, widow of Sir Robert Forman, Lyon Herald.
She died in May 1594, intestate and so there is only an inventory. Her
executor dative was her son, John Forman, Rothesay Herald. The
Decreet appointing him as such was dated 13 November 1594.
Her Inventory just consisted of the contents of her house and her personal
possessions and clothing which amounted to £20. She was owed teind
sheaves (tithes) by Sir William Sinclair of Hirdmeston and other tenants
for the lands of Carfra (Carfrae) amounting to £1,048/10/-.
She owed wages to her servants and factor and rent for the lands of
Chingikirk amounting to £191/6/8d.
Her testament was confirmed on the 23 November 1594 in Edinburgh
Commissary Court.
There is another entry for her for 20 January 1594/5 which Ms Baptie did not
look at, as it will most likely be an extra part of her inventory called an 'eik'
which was discovered after her original testament had been confirmed.
Before 1600, the year ended on the 26 March and hence the date January
1594/5.
Ms Baptie has further explained:
The teinds, as you know, were tithes (1/10th of the produce of the land)
which were pre the Reformation paid by parishioners for the upkeep of the
church and for helping the poor. But, even before 1560 many had been
appropriated by laymen, leaving little for the parishes. So the fact that
Elizabeth Crighton was owed money for the teinds does not mean that she
owned Carfrae Farm.
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Figure 3. Carfrae Farm. Photo Sara York 2012.
William Maitland of Lethington, mentioned later, and his family had a
connection with Lauder and, presumably, Channelkirk.
The Scottish Nation. Maitland.
William Maitland of Lethington, was father of William Maitland of
Lethington, described as a man of great bravery and resolution, who was
killed at Flodden, with his sovereign, James IV., with whom he was in high
favour. By his wife, Martha, daughter of George Lord Seton, he had a son,
Sir Richard Maitland, the celebrated collector of the early Scottish poetry,
after whom the Maitland Club has been called, and a memoir of whom is
given afterwards. Sir Richard married Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas
Cranstoun of Crosbie, and with four daughters, had three sons, the eldest
being William, the personage so well known in the history of the reign of
the unfortunate Mary, as “Secretary Lethington.” Sir John, the second son,
was lord high chancellor of Scotland and first lord Maitland of Thirlestane.
Master Robert Forman Pursuivant, 1540, and Ross Herald, 1540- 1554.
Robert Forman was appointed Pursuivant and Ross Herald in the time of James
V of Scotland.
The Law and Practice of Heraldry in Scotland by George Seton, Appendix..
6. SIR ROBERT FORMAN of Luthrie, Co. Fife-c. 1555.
From the following entry in the Lord High Treasurer's Accounts, under
date March 24, 1540, it would appear that Forman was appointed a
Pursuivant in that year:-" Item, gevin to Maister Robert Forman to by him
ane Coit-armour, at his creatioun Persewant, at the Kingis command. . . .
xli." . . .
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Criminal trials in Scotland, from A.D. M.CCCC.LXXXVIII to A.D.
M.DC.XXIV: embracing the entire reigns of James IV, and V, Mary Queen of
Scots, and James VI: compiled from the original records and mss.: with
historical notes and illustrations (Volume 1). Author: Pitcairn, Robert, 17931855. Published in 1833. Appendix, p. 301. AD 1540.
March 24. —Item, gevin to Maister Robert Forman to by him ane (Coitarmour, at his Creatioune Perfewant, at the Kingis command, ..... . . . . £10.
According to Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 7, p. 296, 24 March
1540.
Item, gevin to Maister Robert Forman to by him ane coit armour at his
creation pursevwant, ₤10.
Grant, F. J., Sir (Ed.). Court of the Lord Lyon. List of his majesties officers of
arms and other officials, with genealogical notes, 1318-1945. Scottish Record
Society, 148, Edinburgh, 1946, p. 17.
Forman, Sir Robert, of Luthrie, Pursuivant (1540), Ross Herald 15 Nov.
1540, Lyon Depute (1554), Lyon (1555-1567), mar. Elizabeth Creichtoun
(died 16 May 1594), and had issue, John, Rothesay, Margaret, mar. Harry
Drummond. [Edinr. Tests, 23 Nov. 1594.]
Scotland. Treasury. Accounts of the lord high treasurer of Scotland, Volume 7.
Preface.
Robert Forman of Luthrie, afterwards Lyon, entered on his heraldic
career in March 1540, when he got a gift of £10 to buy ''ane coit armour."
A few months later he was made Ross Herald, and had a gift of £23 to buy
clothes on his being appointed on an embassy to the Emperor along with
Sir John Campbell of Lundy. He did not become Lyon till the death of Sir
David Lindsay in 1555.
p. 404-5. Nov. 15 1540.
In the first, the xv day of November gevin to Thomas Arthuir for furnesing
of clothing to Schir Johnne Campbell of Lundy, knycht, at the Kingis
command, quhen he depertit to the Imperatour, . . £100.
Item, gevin to Maister Robert Forman, Ros herald, to by him clathis,
passing witht the said Schir Johnne in company, ..... . £24.
Index.
Charles V., Emperor of Germany (The Imperatour), John Dicksoni, Ross
herald, sent to, 315; writings to, 400; do. from, 400, 429 ; departure of Sir
John Campbell of Lundy and Mr Robert Forman, Ross herald, to, 405.
TO GERMANY/EMPIRE (1540)-2. Sir John Campbell, Robert Forman,
Ross herald.
Departing Oct/Nov 1540.
Payments of £330 & 100 to Campbell; £24 to Forman for equipage.
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Campbell 'passing to Emperor with writings'
TA 7 pp, 400, 404-5
The following articles, although partly repetitious, have been copied to give
some background to the tasks undertaken by the Ross Herald, Robert Forman.
James V died in 1542 and the power of government sank once more to a level of
chronic insecurity, where it remained for half a century (the new Queen Mary
was then a baby).
Wikipedia.
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Aran was Regent from 1542 to 1554.
Wikipedia. Siege of Leith.
In 1542, King James V died, leaving only a week-old daughter who was
proclaimed Mary, Queen of Scots.[6] James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, was
appointed Regent and agreed to the demand of Henry VIII of England that
the infant Queen should marry his son Edward. This policy was soon
reversed, however, through the influence of Mary's mother Mary of Guise
and Cardinal Beaton, and Regent Arran rejected the English marriage
offer. He then successfully negotiated a marriage between the young Mary
and François, Dauphin of France.
Alison Weir, 2008. Mary Queen of Scots and the murder of Lord Darnley, p. 7.
The baby born to James V and his second wife, Marie de Guise, on 8
December 1542 at Linlithgow was a girl. James V died soon after and the
infant Mary became Queen of Scots at six days old.
In March 1543, parliament appointed Mary’s cousin and next heir, James
Hamilton, Earl of Arran, as Second Person and Governor of the Realm
until the Queen attained her majority at the age of twelve. Arran then 27
was a Protestant and head of the powerful Hamilton clan.
Arran’s claim to the succession was not undisputed because there was
uncertainty as to whether his parents had been lawfully married. On 1 July
1543 a treaty was concluded at Greenwich which provided for the future
marriage of Mary and Prince Edward, five year old son of Henry VIII.
But the Catholic party in Scotland, lead by Marie de Guise and Cardinal
David Beaton, were opposed to the treaty. They removed Mary from
Arran’s care, took her to Stirling Castle, and had her crowned there in the
Chapel Royal, on 9 September. In December a Catholic-dominated
parliament repudiated Mary’s betrothal and renewed the ancient alliance
with France.
Wikipedia. From Solway Moss to Ancrum
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. . . . the English diplomat Ralph Sadler reported Adam Otterburn's words
to him on the Scottish opinion of the marriage;
"Our people do not like of it. And though the Governor and some of the
nobility have consented to it, yet I know that few or none of them do like
of it; and our common people do utterly mislike of it. I pray you give me
leave to ask you a question: if your lad was a lass, and our lass were a lad,
would you then be so earnest in this matter? ... And lykewise I assure you
that our nation will never agree to have an Englishman king of Scotland.
And though the whole nobility of the realm would consent, yet our
common people, and the stones in the street would rise and rebel against
it.[8]
In Scotland civil war ensued with the Regent opposed by the Douglas
faction in the East and Matthew, Earl of Lennox in the West at Glasgow.
With this internal background, the Scots then faced the anger of Henry
VIII, after the Scottish Parliament renounced the Greenwich treaty in
December 1543. Five days later, on 20 December, war was declared in
Edinburgh by the messenger Henry Ray, Berwick Pursuivant.[9] Henry
had released a number of Scottish noblemen captured at the battle of
Solway Moss on licence, hoping they would build consensus for the
marriage. . . . .
According to Williams, 1996 (Stewart Style, 1513-1542: essays on the court of
James IV, Janet Hadley Williams Ed, East Liston, Scotland, p.300).
Robert Forman, was Ross Herald (Ross Herald of Arms from the Court
of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh) from 1540 to 1546 and undertook diplomatic
journeys to England in 1544. He later succeeded David Lyndsay of the
Mount as Lyon King of Arms.
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 8, 1541-1546, p. 244, December
1543 (Mr Robert Forman, Ross herald, payments to).
Item, to maister Robert Forman, quha be the post raid to Lundoun for ane
conduct to the ambassatouris, and his wage, ₤44.
p. 257. 20 January 1544 (Mr Robert Forman, Ross herald, payments to).
Item, to Maister Robert Forman, herold, quha be the post raid to
Lundoun, and his wage in 30 crounis of the sonn, ₤33.
Hamilton Papers, vol 2, 1543-1590, p. 263-264. January 1544 (Arrives at
Darnton with Arran’s and Betoune’s letters, passed on by Suffolk (25 Jan).
. . . yet nevertheles the rode of the West Marches, to be made against the
Maxwelles and there frendes, shalbe done with all spede.
At the same tyme arrived here Rosse the harralde of Scotlande, with
lettres of the Governour and the Cardinall to the Kinges majeste, and a
lettre of the Governors to me the Duke of Suffolk, which I sende
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herwith,— leaving with me his said lettres, and desiringe to have passage.
And bicause in your lordships lettre of the 20th of this monethe, ye wrote
that if it fortuned any personages to be sent to the Kinges majeste to sue for
peax in the name of the lordes of bothe parties,— in case they shalbe sent
frome all the lordes together, as well of the Kinges majestes partye as of
thother,— that then ordre shulde be taken, that they shulde repayre to the
Kinges highnes, I the Duke of Suffolk therfore not knowinge theffecte of
the said lettres, whedyr they came from all or not, openyd the said lettres,
and in the Governours lettre I founde that where heretofore there hath bene
debate emonge the lordes of Scotlande for treatyes betwixt bothe the
realmes, and nowe all the lordes on both sides be agreyd, he in the name of
theim and the hole realme, sendes to aske a salfconduite for the Busshop of
Orkeney, the Lorde of Saint Johns, Sir John Cambell, and Sir Adam
Ottirburne, knightes, or for thre of theim, to make perfyte peax betwixt
bothe the realmes for the wealth of theim bothe; and the subscription is—
'James Governour your cousyn with lefull service.' The Cardinalles lettre
dothe conteyne his excuse, that he hath bene wronge reported not to favor
the Kinges majeste nor the peax, wherof no man wolde be more glad then
he. Wherupon consideringe that the Governor saith that all the lordes be
agreyd, and that he sendes in the name of all at this tyme, and the
owtwarde dedys of lainge in of hostages of the Kinges frendes unto him
shewith he saith truthe,—albeit at this same tyme, thErle of Anguisshe
secretarye and servaunte do afferme the contrarye, that they be not agreyd
in harte, and walde that in no wise thies ambassatours shulde be suffred to
come, but the Kinge to entre Scotlande with a mayne armye, sainge also
that the hostages that were layd in, be nowe at large againe, and also that
the Lorde Somervell was at large,—I the Duke of Suffolk therfore thought
convenient not to stoppe the said harralde, but to suffre him to go to the
Kinges presence with the said lettres, to which his majeste by his high
wisdome may make suche aunswer as shall stonde with his highnes
pleasure.
And wher I the Duke of Suffolk do perceyve by your lettre of the 22nd of
January, that ye have dispached Richmonde the harralde to go to the
perliament in Scotlande to demaunde the Kinges prisoners: it may like
your lordships to call to your remembraunce that it wolbe the 18th day of
February before the lordes of the parliament do assemble; wherfore in the
meanetyme I can not se his repayring thider can do any good, seinge
Henrye Raye was aunswered by the Governor, bicause he arrived after the
parliament was departyd, that he coulde have none aunswer to the
parliament did assemble againe, as we have written unto your lordships
heretofore. Wherfore we desire to knowe whedyr the said Richemonde
shall go into Scotland before the parliament or no?—Seinge that all the
lordes of the parliament be gone, every man to his owne house, and shall
13
not mete before the said 18th daye. Also the said Jerden servaunte to thErle
of Anguisshe, shewed to me the Duke of Suffolk when he tooke his leave
of me, that the Lorde Maxwell hath bene with thErle of Anguisshe, and
asked him forgivenes that he causyd his sonne to faile him, sainge that he
did it for feare of his lief, and that they wolde have striken of his hed els
furthwith; wherfore he prayed him pardon, and said he wolde never
forsake him, but go with him at all tymes, thoffe he shuld followe him on
foote. And thus we bydde your good lordships most hartely fare well.
Frome Darnton the 25th of Januarye. Your good lordships assuryd lovinge
frendes. (Signed) Charlys Soffolk, Cuth. Duresme.
Post scripta: The said Jerden thErle of Anguisshe servaunte, demaunded
the monethes wages for the said Erle and his brodyr, of me the Duke of
Suffolk; to whome I gave gentle wordes and put him of for this tyme.
Albeit he said he wolde be here shortely againe; wherfore I wolde be glad
to knowe what aunswer I shall make unto him.
Addressed. Indorsed: ‘1543.' Seal lost.
Hamilton Papers, vol 2, 1543-1590, p. 272-273. 1544 (The council’s reply sent
to him by Arran, etc, 5 Feb. 1544).
A memorial of the answer made by the lordes and other of the Kinges
majestes privie counsaile, to Rose heraulde of Scotlande, whiche he shal
declare and shewe to all the lordes and nobles of Scotlande.
The Kinges majestie hathe consydered the sute nowe made unto his
highnes by thErle of Arrayn (Arran's name inserted instead of ‘certaine of
the nobles') in the name of the nobles of Scotlande, to obteyne a
saufeconduyte for the repaire of ambassadours from thence to his majestes
presence; and wheras the like sute was made of late unto his majestie, and
therunto answer was given by my Lorde of Suffolk the Kinges majesties
lieutenaunte in the northe parties, beinge of this effecte,—that in case they
from whome the suyte was then made, wolde joyne with the rest of the
lordes and other of the hole bodye of the Parlyament of Scotlande, to
perfyte the treatie lately concluded with his majeste by thErle of Arraine as
Governour, and the parliament, and laye in sufficyent hostages according
to the purporte of the same treatie, and sende therupon from them all
togithers, ambassadours for conclusion, the saide Duke of Suffolke thought
the Kinges majestie might be induced by thier sute to give some eare
therunto; but in case thErle off Arraine and Cardynal shal (Dyd in fair
copy) repute the treaties alredy concluded invaylable, and wolde for delaye
of tyme go aboute by thier ambassadours to intreate for eny other treatie
then that is alreadye concluded, his majestie wold in no wyse give eare
unto them, ne graunte any saufcondyte for suche purpose, and that if the
former treatie concluded shulde be estemed of no force, there can non
other be made of force, so as the repare of newe ambassadours shulde be
14
frustrate and in vayne.—Forasmoch as this hathe not been by, the partie of
Scotlande throughly consydered, or if they have in dede noted every parte
therof, they have not now facioned their sute for ambassadours so clerely
and openly, as it may appere what they meane, but set forthe in wordes so
couched with a towardnes in generalites and otherwise of other sorte, as it
maye be probablie doubted what is by them ment or intended,—the Kinges
majestie thincketh goode therfor to answer by his counsail unto this theyr
last sute in maner folowyng.—That is to saye if they shal consydere what
hathe been doone by them and is now answered by the Kinges majeste to
this sute, and therupon declare playnly to his highnes by theyr writing
wheder they woold send theyr ambassadours for the perfeccion of the
treaty allredy concluded or eles to entre a new treaty, so shal such answer
be made unto them agayn theruppon as shall apperteyne. And in the
meanetyme, wheras thErle of Arrayn for whose commoditie and at whose
sute in the tyme of trouble within the realme of Scotland, delaye of entree
of the Kinges majestes prisoners was for a season graunted, doth nowe
confesse in his lettres an unitie and commen quiet and agrement within that
realm, it shalbe nowe the sayd Erle of Arrens parte to cause the sayd
prisoners to make their entre for discharge of their oune fayth and the
declaracion of his true meaning in that behalf.
Draft corrected by Wriothesley (?Wolsey). Fair copy of the foregoing.
There are slight variations. Indorsed: 'Copy of ‘the memoryal delyvered to
Roos herald.'
Henry VIII also wrote to Cardinal Betoun making it clear that wheras the
Cardinal now said he had always been in favour of the treaty he had
‘practised all the ways youe can devise to have the contrary.’
Wickipedia. From Soway Moss to Ancrum.
In March 1544, he (Aran) sent his Richmond Herald to the Privy Council
of Scotland to demand their return.[10]
Major hostilities began with an attack on Edinburgh on 3 May 1544,[11]
led by the Earl of Hertford and Viscount Lisle. Hertford had instructions to
burn Edinburgh and issue Henry's proclamation of 24 March 1544, which
laid the blame on Cardinal Beaton's "sinister enticement" of Regent
Arran.[12] Hertford had also considered establishing an English garrison at
Leith but the Privy Council had vetoed this plan. Henry VIII had also
asked him to destroy St Andrews, but Hertford pointed out the extra
distance would be troublesome. After burning St Mynettes on the north
side of the Forth and taking fishing boats for landing-craft, the English
army landed at Granton, then occupied Leith.[13] Hertford parleyed with
Adam Otterburn who was Provost of Edinburgh but he had been instructed
not to make terms. The next day the troops entered Edinburgh's Canongate,
and set the city on fire. Edinburgh Castle was defended by cannon-fire
15
commanding the Royal Mile. Hertford decided not to lay siege but
thoroughly burn the city. According to the English contemporary account,
all the houses within the suburbs and city walls were burnt including
Holyroodhouse and the Abbey. The English ships at Leith were loaded
with looted goods and sailed with the captured Unicorn and Salamander.
The army returned to England by land, burning towns and villages along
the way.[14] Soon after the English force landed, Regent Arran released
the Earl of Angus and George Douglas of Pittendreich who had been
imprisoned in Blackness Castle. Although they had been supporters of the
English marriage, Arran now needed the support of the Douglas family
against an English invasion.[15] Following this attack, Sir William Eure
and Ralph Eure made a number of raids across the border from Berwick
upon Tweed, burning houses and buying the loyalty of Scots who became
"assured men."
Figure 4. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh. Photo Sara York 2008.
It is possible that Robert Forman’s second cousin, William Moncreiff, helped
him in his careeer.
Burke's landed gentry of Great Britain.
William Moncreiff of that Ilk supported the Red Douglas (the Earl Of
Angus) at the battle of Manuel 1526, was fined for refusing to sit on the
assize that condemned Lady Glammis to be burnt as a witch 1532, was
captured at Solway Moss and imprisoned in the Tower of London, being
apparelled at Henry VIII's expense in a gown of black damask, a coat of
black velvet and a doublet of black satin, as mourning for his own King,
16
James V, 1542, was one of the 16 captured peers and lairds who signed the
Articles of Agreement with the English King at Hampton Court, relating to
a marriage between the king's son and the infant Mary, Queen of Scots
1542, took part with 10 other Moncreiff gentlemen on the side of the 4
earls who were arrayed in battle at Leith against the Regent Arran 1543/44,
and again with Lennox against Arran on the Muir of Glasgow 1544, fought
for the master of Master of Ruthven against Lord Gray in their private
battle on the Brig of Perth 1544, became a protestant at the Reformation,
acting unsuccessfully as their emissary to his cousin Adam Forman, Prior
of the Charterhouse of Perth, before the mob despoiled the place 1559, had
a blood feud with Lord Oliphant from 1560, was among the Barons who
subscribed the Articles in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
1567, was forfeited by the Queen's Parlt in Edinburgh, but sat at Stirling in
the King's Parlt at Stirling that forfeited the Queen's supporters 1571., m. c.
1526, Margaret, dau. of Sir Andrew Murray of Balvaird (see MANSFIELD
& MANSFIELD, E.), and d. 15 Dec. 1579, having had, with other issue, . .
William Moncreiff might have helped Adam Forman to become Prior of the
Carthusian Monastery of Perth in about 1546.
Wickipedia. From Solway Moss to Ancrum.
Against these English incursions, the Scots won a victory at the Battle of
Ancrum Moor in February 1545.[16]
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 8, 1541-1546, p. 330, 4 November
1544 (Mr Robert Forman, Ross herald, payments to).
Item, to Maister Robert Forman, Ros herold, letters direct furth of
Edinburght to Sanquhair chargeing the lord thairof under the pane of
tressoun to cum to Edinburght to the Parliament, and his wage, 24s.
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 8, 1541-1546, p. 344, January 1545
(Mr Robert Forman, Ross herald, payments to).
Item, to to maister Robert Forman, Ros herold, siclik lettres to the
maister of Maxwell, laird of Lochinvar, laird of Garleis, laird of Bomby,
laird of Johnstoun, laird of Blairquhan, laird of Drumlangrig, laird of
Closeburn, abbottis of Glenluce, Drundrennan and Corsragvell, and his
wage, ₤3 6s.
The following looks like a reward for service (see 1549 document that follows).
Robert Forman must have done something meritorious, perhaps his work in
London.
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 9, 1546-1551, p. 8, 1546.
17
Et de ₤93 6s. 8d. in patem solutionis compositionis relevi et maritagi . . . .
Roreson, fillii et heredis quondam Roreson de Bardannocht, consessorum
Magistro Roberto Forman.
According to Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 9, 1546-1551, p. 261,
1548.
Item, to Maister Robert Forman, Ros Herold, direct in France with
writtingis of his gracis to my lorde ambassatour thair, ₤112 10s.
According to Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 9, 1546-1551, p. 309, ?
May 1549.
Item, to Maister Robert Forman, direct to Sanctandros siclik to borrow
sylver, and to await upoun the allosing (unloading) of the sex prysis
(prizes, captures) laidnit witht tymmer takyn be Maister Jhonne Arnote,
and his wage, 3s.
This document seems to confirm that Robert Forman had been rewarded for his
services back in 1546.
RSS4, 1548-56, p. 49-50, 292. At Edinburgh, 6 June 1549.
A letter made to Mister Robert Forman alias Ros herald giving him the
ward and nonentres of all the lands, annual rents etc belonging to the
former Andro Roresoun of Bardannoch who having died now belonged to
the queen and being in her hands by reason of ward or nonentres with all
rents etc. See entry for 1546 above).
Ane Lettir maid to MAISTER ROBERT FORMAN alias Ros herald, his
airis and assignais, ane or ma,— of the gift of the warde and nonentres of
all and sindrie the landis, annuell rentis and uthiris quhilkis pertenit to
umquhile Andro Roresoun of Bardannoch, and now throw his deceis
pertening to the quenis grace and being in hir handis be resoun of warde or
nonentres with all males (etc.) of all yeris and termes bigane (etc.) sen the
deceis of the said umquhile Andro or ony uthiris (etc.); and siclike of all
yeris and termes tocum ay and quhill (etc.); with the releif thairof quhen it
salhappin: With the mariage of Thomas Roresoun, sone and air of the said
umquhile Andro and failyeing of him (etc.); with all proffittis of the said
mariage. With power, etc. Compositio: 240 markis. Per Signaturam. 23,
17.
Acts of the Lords of Council in public affairs, 1501-1554, p. 592-3, 21
September 1549. Edinburgh. MARY,
Registered tack (Edin., Sept. 21) by Master John Leslie, parson of
Kynnoule, to Master Robert Forman, Ross herald, and his spouse (for
good deeds and in particular 400 merks Scots "for my releif of divers greit
taxationis, dettis and auld actis for the quhilkis 1 wes oblist and actit undir
18
the pane of tinsale of my henifice, and als for. . . . releving of me of certane
soumes for byrunnin pensionis and for my subsid") of his teind sheaves for
three years from Beltane last, and thereafter from three years to three years
during his life, paying 100 merks annually at Beltane, with warranty of the
tack in case of exchange of benefice, and in case of failure £1000 for
profits lost through the said exchange together with all sums received from
the grantees beforehand: also assigning "the anna of the forsaidis teind
schaves of that yeir immediatlie followand my deceis," and consenting to
registration for execution in the books of Council and of the official of
Lothian.
This could be a, rather disguised, reward. Notice it is from Mary.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE .SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.
VOL. III. PART i. p. 64-68.
II. NOTICES OF THE KERS OF SAMUELSTON, ETC., IN ILLUSTRATION
OF THE PREVIOUS DEEDS. COMMUNICATED BY THOMAS
THOMSON, ESQ., W.S., F.S.A. SCOT.
There is another charter by George Lord Home, dated 24 August 1531, in
favour of "Janet Home, daughter of umqle Alexander Lord Home his brother
german and the heirs male gottin betuixt her & John Hamilton her promised
spouse son natural to the Earl of Arran of the lands of Samuelston with the
tower manor place & tennandries of ane part thereof set to James Ker in feufarm
for vii merks Scots 12 capons 2 carriages 7 dairges yearly lying in the shire of
Edinr & Constabulary of Hadington Reserving to Elizabeth Home sister to
George Lord Home her liferent."The following receipt by the tenants or feuars
of Elizabeth Home Lady Samuelston, is taken from the Protocol Book of Alex.
Symson, younger: - "6 April 1542 John Wilson burges of Hadington grantit him
to have ressavit fra the Lady Samuelston the sum of thre scoir xviii li. xvi". gud
and usuale monye of Scotland, of quhilk sum he resaivit twenty lib. fra George
Ker in Chirnside and viij lib. xvi? fra Sir William Tod and James Ker in part
payment of ane mair sowme awin be the said Lady to him &c." Then follow the
Instrument under the hands of Sir John Knox, before inserted, a Copy Contract
between James Ker and Janet Home Lady Samuelston, disposing of James Ker's
feu-right to her, which is dated "20 March 1545," and an Instrument of
Resignation ad remanentiam by James Ker, completing this conveyance to Janet
Home Lady Samuelston, his superior. This instrument is dated "18 Decr 1550,"
and the resignation is made "apud Samuelston in domo seu loco habitationis
dicti Jacobi Ker hora circa secunda postmerediem presentibus Roberto Forman
Jacobo Skynner Dno. Roberto Douglas et Dno. Willielmo Ogle Capellanis cum
diversis aliis." This Instrument was followed by another Instrument under the
hands of John Castellan, N.P., dated the penult of Jany 1554, whereby the said
James Ker in Samuelston ratified the said Resignation, and he did so "in Capella
Sancti Nicholai de Samuelstoun." On 1st April of the following year, 1555, he
19
executed a further Instrument under the hands of the same notary, whereby,
providus vir, "Jacobus Ker in Samuelston exoneravit et quitclamavit nobilem
mulierem Jonetam Home Dominam de Samuelston ex omnibus et singulis
pecuniarum summis rebus et bonis sibi Jacobi per earn promissis et deben pro
resignatione suarum terrarum de Samuelston in bossis silvis nemoribus edificiis
et suis pertinentiis adremanend in manibus domine sue superioris earundem &c.
According to Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 10, 1551-1559, p. 31,
1551.
Item, to Maister Robert Formane, Ros herald, in consideration of his
expenss preparand himself to have past to Londoun in his graces service in
10 crounis, ₤12.
Michel, Francisque, 1809-1887, 1862. Les Écossais en France, les Français en
Écosse (Volume 2), p. 319.
— Nous craignons de nous être trompé en écrivant Foreman au lieu de
Forman. Voyez, sur ce prélat, non-seulement le Catalogue historique des
évêques écossais, de Keith, mais Dempster, Historia ecclesiastica gentis
Scotorum, liv. VI, n° 541, p. 287. Dans l’Histoire de la Réforme de John
Knox (édit. de M. Laing, vol. I, p. 440), on voit en 1552 "maister Robert
Foirman," héraut d'armes du nom de Ross, chargé de se rendre en France.
The Law and Practice of Heraldry in Scotland by George Seton, Appendix..
6. SIR ROBERT FORMAN of Luthrie, Co. Fife-c. 1555.
. . . He filled the office of Ross Herald in 1551, and in that capacity, on the
7th of May 1552, he was 'direct fra the Counsale with certaine articulis to
be schawand to the King of France and fra him to the Empriour." The same
day the Treasurer paid him the sum of £400 " to be his expensis in his
journay." . . .
National Register of Archives for Scotland. Treaties with the Low Countries,
1427-1552. SP9/8. 7 May 1552.
Commission to Mr Robert Forman, Ross Herald, to declare to the
Emperor Charles V that the alliance between Scotland and France had
existed for about 800 years and therefore to take part with France was no
violation of the treaty with the Emperor in which the French alliance was
reserved. [Signed by James, Earl of Arran.]. [Queue with fragment of
Great Seal appended].
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 10, 1551-1559, p. 84, 7 May 1552.
Item, to Maister Robert Forman, Ros herold direct fra the counsale with
certane articulis to be schawne to the King of France, and fra thir to the
Empriour, and to hym to be his expensis in his jornay, ₤400.
20
TA 10 p.84. Index.
TO FRANCE (1552)-3
Robert Forman, Ross herald, departing May 1552; prob arrived 29; sent
back on or after 4 June
£400 prepayment. To take articles from SC C to k of Fr & EM; sent back
with letters for D'Oysel.
TA 10 p.84.
TA 10 p. 84. Index.
TO GERMANY/EMPIRE (1552). Robert Forman, Ross herald.
May 7 1552 – prepayment. £400 for journey expenses.
Ross H sent by SC C with certain articles to be shown K of F &, then on to
the EM.
TA 10 p. 84.
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 10, 1551-1559, p. 161, 16 February
1553.
Item, Maister Robert Forman, Ros herolde, directed witht oure
Soverane Ladyis, supplicatioun to the King of Englande for ane conduct to
my lorde of Kilwynnyng to pass throughe Inglande to France, . . . .
RPCS 1148-51. Index.
TO ENGLAND (1553). Ross herald. Departing after 18 Sept.
To deliver instructions to Nicholas de Neufville, sieur de Villeroy, FR AM
in London so that he can complain about English raids into SC, about
pasture and fishing rights and if he can get EN PC to agree to a border
commission, he is to hand over a list of SC commissioners.
RPCS I 148-51.
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 10, 1551-1559, p. 210, 19 September
1553.
Item, Maister Robert Forman, direct with wryttingis of my lord
governoures and the Quenis to the counsale of Inglande, and his wage,
₤66.
Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh, 1898. Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh.
[Publications] (Volume 31), Protocol Book of Gilbert Grote. p. 3.
12. Memorandum narrating that Robert Forman (being in readiness by
the command of the Queen's grace to pass to Flanders) for the love, favour,
and kindness which he had to Elizabeth Crychtoune, his spouse, and his
bairns, disponed and renounced all his lands, possessions, goods, etc. In
her favour, for her use and that of their bairns in case he should be "vesyit
21
be deceis or his hame cuming," but that otherwise they were to be reserved
to himself as before. Done on 30th May 1554 in his dwellinghouse in the
burgh of Edinburgh. Witnesses, James Hendersone, John Murray, Mungo
Fairlie, Patrick Ronaldsoune, royal messenger, and Alexander Lacprevic,
notary public, 3.
13. Memorandum narrating that the foresaid Elizabeth Crychtoune,
uncompelled and of her own free will, disponed and renounced in favour
of her said spouse, for his own use and that of their bairns, in the event of
his returning alive and she herself being dead, everything conveyed to her
by the above memorandum. Same date, place, and witnesses as above, 4.
Robert Chambers, 1874. Domestic Annals of Scotland.
Mary of Guise was made Queen Regent to Queen Mary in 1554, during
her absence in France).
According to Wickipedia. Mary of Guise was queen regent from 1554 to 1560.
Robert Forman Lyon King of Arms 1555-1567
The Law and Practice of Heraldry in Scotland by George Seton, Appendix..
6. SIR ROBERT FORMAN of Luthrie, Co. Fife-c. 1555.
From the following entry in the Lord High Treasurer's Accounts, under
date March 24, 1540, it would appear that Forman was appointed a
Pursuivant in that year:-" Item, gevin to Maister Robert Forman to by him
ane Coit-armour, at his creatioun Persewant, at the Kingis command. . . .
xli." He filled the office of Ross Herald in 1551, and in that capacity, on
the 7th of May 1552, he was 'direct fra the Counsale with certaine articulis
to be schawand to the King of France and fra him to the Empriour." The
same day the Treasurer paid him the sum of £400 " to be his expensis in
his journay." He was appointed to the office of Lyon-King on the death of
Lindsay in 1555, and is mentioned under that title in the " Diurnal of
Occurrents," in 1563. Buchanan also thus refers to him as acting under the
instructions of the Regent in 1559:-" Misit Robertum Formannum,
principem fecialem (vulgus Regem Armorum vocat), cum his mandatis,"
etc. (History of Scotland, Bk. xvi. chap. xliii.). According to a MS. in the
Advocates' Library (A 2. 18), Forman "was allowed his fee by Queen
Mary, out of the lands of Rathellet, which the Lyon King ever since has
possessed ; being the King's propertie within the Stewartry of Fyffe." He
held the office of Lyon-King till 1567, but does not appear to have died till
several years afterwards. On the 18th of February 1594, John Forman,
Rothesay Herald, was served heir in general of his father " Domini Roberti
Forman de Luchrie, niilitis, Leonis Regis Armorum." (Will of Dame
22
Elizabeth Creichtoun, who died in May 1594, spouse of umquhile Sir
Robert Forman, Lyon Herald, in Edinburgh Conf. Testaments, 1596.)
Robert Forman of Luthrie, Knight, was made Lyon King of Arms in
Edinburgh. Sir David Lindsay of the Mount was Lord Lyon King of Arms from
1530 to 1555 and may have been his immediate predecessor.
According to John H Stevenson’s Heraldry in Scotland, he was Lyon King from
1555 to 1567. Events show that Sir Robert’s appointment lasted at least from
1558 or 1559 to 1567. He then became the last of the really important Forman’s,
although his son seems to have carried some residual power until 1579 or even
later. His downfall may have been his association with the Roman Catholic faith
and Mary Queen of Scots.
Figure 5. Photograph of crown of Lyon King. Source unknown
Unknown source.
In past centuries the Lord Lyon King of Arms was solemnly crowned upon
his appointment with a facsimile of the Crown of Scotland. The Lyon’s
coronation was a great state occasion when the great and good of Scotland
gathered for the celebration which concluded with a feast, the whole event
being paid for by the Exchequer. The crown itself was probably silver gilt
and was a perquiste of office for the new Lyon. As a personal largess,
these crowns never formed part of the permanent regalia of the office.
Scots Heraldry.
the chief of Scotland’s heraldic and genealogical executive is the Lord
Lyon King of Arms, a great officer responsible for many important
functions. Great officers were the King’s “familiar daylie servitors”. The
Lord Lyon is one of the five high officers who are the King’s Lieutenants.
He was also a Privy Councillor. The Lord Lyon has the title “Right
Honourable” and his person was so sacred that to strike or deforce him is
23
high treason. He was invariably knighted on appointment, and before his
State coronation. As a great officer the Lord Lyon uses the first person
singular, but on certain special occasions the Lyon King of Arms puts We,
Us, Our, and has to be received “regally”. According to Heraldry in
Scotland, a Scottish armorial which appears in the Workman or Forman ms
in Lyon Office, was considered by the late Mr George Burnett, Lyon, to
have been executed probably between 1508 and 1530.
Lindores Abbey and its burgh of Newburgh : their history and annals. Published
in 1876.
63. Luthrey. The Barony of Luthrie and Kinsliffe anciently belonged to
Kinloch of Kinloch in Collessie parish. 'Not later than 1529 Sir David
Lyndsay on his inauguration as Lyon King of Arms had assigned to him as
his ordinary fee, four chalders and nine bolls of victual out of the King's
Lands of Luthrie in Fife.' —David Laing’s Memoir of Lindsay. Poetical
Works, Ed. 1871. The estate of Luthrie, or at least a part of it, therefore
belonged to the Crown in the beginning of the 16th century. On the death
of Sir David Lindsay, Sir Robert Forman, who is designed of Luthrie,
succeeded Lyndsay as Lyon King of Arms in 1555. 'According to a M.S. in
the Advocates' Library, Forman was allowed his fee by Queen Mary out
of the lands of Rathillet, being the King's property within the Stewartry of
Fyffe. On the 18th of February 1594, John Forman, Rothesay Herald,
was served heir in general to his father Domini Roberti Forman de
Luchrie militis Leonis Regis Armorum.'—Seaton's Law and Practice of
Heraldry, p. 481. Sir Robert and his descendants could only have
possessed a part of Luthrie, as in 1549 the estate was much sub-divided. In
1549 a family of the name of Clark possessed the sixteenth part. In the
17th century, families of the names of Kinloche (possibly descendants of
the ancient proprietors) and of Corbie, possessed each a sixteenth part; and
one of the name of Barclett a thirty-second part. Luthrie is now the
property of the heirs of David Cook, and Upper Luthrie belongs to John
Russell, Esq.
Rathillet is close to and west of Kilmany, on the road between Kilmany and
Luthrie.
24
Figure 6. Lower Luthrie. Photo Sara York 2012.
Bruce A McAndrew. Scotland’s Historic Heraldry, p. 360.
One name associated with fish is that of Forman, the key personages in
the family being Andrew Forman, Archbishop of Bourges before being
translated to St Andrews 1514-1521 and his relative, Sir Robert Forman
of Luthrie, Lyon King of Arms 1555-67, and compiler of a number of
important Scottish heraldic manuscripts. An early seal of a member of the
family, dating from 1426 and belonging to Adam Forman, displays A
chevron between three salmon heads hauriant (SHS 36002), while the
archbishop’s earliest seal displays a camel’s head (SHS36004). Thereafter
both charges are found quartered together and it is difficult to know which
is the paternal coat of Forman. Sir Robert Forman’s escutcheon appears
among the additional coats in Lindsay of the Mount: Quarterly, 1 st and 4th,
Sable, three camel’s heads erased or; 2nd and 3rd, Azure, a chevron between
three fish hauriant argent (DLM492). 50 years on in the Hague Roll, is
found Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Azure, three fish interlaced in triangle argent;
2nd and 3rd, Argent, a camel’s head sable, langued gules, belled azure
(HR382).
25
Figure 7. LHS. Shield of arms of Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie. From “The
House of Moncreiff" by George Seton, 1890. Photo Sara York 2008. Figure 7.
RHS. Arms of Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie. Photographed from a plaque in the
Lyon Office, Edinburgh by kind permission of the Lord Lyon King of Arms.
Photo Sara York 2010..
According to Mrs. C.G.W. Roads, MVO., Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the
Records, Court of the Lord Lyon, HM New Register House, Edinburgh, EH1
3YT.
We do have a certificate of proclamation of relaxation of the Earl of
Lennox in 1564 by Lyon Sir Robert Forman which has a seal, sadly now
unclear but obviously that described in Stevenson & Wood Scottish
Heraldic Seals as:FORMAN, Sir Robert, of Luthrie, knight, Lyon King of Arms, 1555-1567
First seal. A shield of arms bearings: Quarterly, 1 and 4: Three camel
heads couped, collared and belled; 2 and 3: a chevron between three fishes
haurient. No legend. Diam 13/16in. Used as official seal of Lyon on
certificate of proclamation 22 Sept. 1564.
Possibly Great Seal of Scotland, vol 4.
Robertus Forman 1557, Leo Armorum Rex.
RH11 Records of Local Courts in Scotland. RH11/1 Records of the Lyon Court.
National Archives of Scotland. RH11/1/1. Lyon Court Register, 1557/15581563.
Volume entitled `Liber curiarum et processus honorabilis viri Domini
Roberti Forman de Luthre militis, Leonis Regis Armorum, fact 'at
Edinburgh, 14 January 1557. The volume consists of a few folios only
recording Lyon Court proceedings and lists of heralds, pursuivants, macers
and messengers, irregularly entered and of various dates from 1557/8.
26
Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles, 1895. Armorial families, a complete peerage,
baronetage, and knightage, and a directory of some gentlemen of coat-armour,
and being the first attempt to show which arms in use at the moment are borne
by legal authority, p. ix
Whatever may have become of the official registers previous to the date of
the commencement of the present one, it is certain that many collections of
Arms were from to time made, both by the Officers of Arms and others.
Sir Robert Forman, Lyon (1555-1567), presented to Queen Mary a roll
containing 267 Scottish coats-of-arms.
The register of the Great Seal of Scotland, v. 5, 1580-1593. 68. At Palatium de
Halyrudhous, 21 December 1580.
REX confirmavit cartam (confirming charter or letter) Jacobi Oswald,
capellani insule S. Michaelis archangeli infra ecclesiam parochialem de
Falkirk,— [qua,—cum consensu M. Roberti Forman Leonis regis
armorum, Joannis Patersoun et Adami Makculloch, heraldorum regine,
patronorum dicte capellanie,—ad feudifirmam dimisit JOANNI OSWALD
filio et heredi quondam Roberti O. de Saltcoittis fratris sui, heredibus ejus
et assignatis,—croftam terre cum vasto loco et horreo infra territorium et
libertatem burgi de Striviling (inter lie Gallowhillis ex occidentali, terras
Jo. Aitkin ex boreali, lonyng inter fossas lapideas ad pontem de Forth
conducen. ex orientali, tenementum cum hortis Alex. Schaw de Sauchtie
ex australi), aliam croftam ibidem (inter dict. passagium ex occidentali,
terras Tho. Lawsoun alias Litiljhone ex boreali, croftam Marie Virginis ex
orientali, croftam domini de Kilcreuch ex australi), aliam croftam ibid.
(inter Muschetland ex occiden., interlireum B. V. M. ex boreali, locum
Fratrum Predicatorum ex orientali, lie Govenehillis ex australi), 2 interlirea
terre ibidem (inter terras de Schiphauch quond Jo. Murray de Touchadame
pertinentes ex occidentali, terras Jo. Brydy de Eister Kenneth ex boreali et
australi, iter ad monast. de Cambuskynneth ex orientali):—REDDEND.
annuatim dicto capellano 20 bollas ordei infra burgum de Striviling (vel 10
sol. pro qualibet bolla), et 2 modia ordei (vel 5 sol.) in augmentationem
rentalis; necnon duplicando feudifumam in introitu heredum; et si duo
termini currerent (running) in tertium solutione minime facta, hec locatio
nullius esset roboris:—cum written order sasine directo Jacobo Andersoun:
—TEST. Adamo Bell, Alex. Oswald seniore, Rob. Wilsoun, Pat. Suerd,
Arch. Heriot, Alex. M'Culloch, Pat. Runsiman, nunciis:—Apud Falkirk, 1
Apr. 1557]:—TEST. ut in aliis cartis &c. RMS 5, xxxv. 403.
Robert Forman Lyon King to France
According to Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 10, 1551-1559, p. 210,
27
abt 7 February 1558.
Item, to Maister Robert Forman, Lyon King of Armis, for support of his
expensis to pas in France witht the lordis comissionaris, ₤160 (Also for the Ros
Herold, Alexander Ross, to go).
Preface, Treasurers Accounts, 10, 1551-1559, p. 68.
There is no allusion in the accounts to another abortive scheme of the
Regent, an invasion of England which, after an army had been assembled
at Kelso, she had to give up on account of the strenuous opposition of the
nobles. After this a letter was received from the King of France requesting
that Commissioners should be sent to that country in view of the
approaching marriage of the young Queen of Scots to the Dauphin.
In consequence of this, Commissioners were named in the persons of
Beaton, the Archbishop of Glasgow, Robert Reid, Bishop of Orkney and
President of the Session, the Earl of Cassillis, the Treasurer, the Lords
Fleming and Seton, the Prior of St. Andrews and Erskine of Dun. They
were accompanied on their journey by Robert Forman, Lyon King of
Arms (who had not long before succeeded Sir David Lindsay in that
office), and by Alexander Ross, Ross Herald. The former got £160 for his
expenses and the latter £80. The Commissioners were aboard their ship off
Kirkcaldy early in February, and all the ships that were ready to sail from
the east of Scotland at that time were ordered to be in readiness on the 6th
of February, "and to await upoun the Admiral be schote of gun," in order to
convoy the Commissioners to France. They probably started next day, as at
the last moment the Kintyre Pursuevant, who was sent with " ane mass of
writings " to the Commissioners, had to pay twenty shillings for the hire of
a boat to the ship "to mak hastie expeditioun."
At the same time other embassies were sped on their way. Dessalebile, the
Flemish Ambassador, had been treated with great attention, got the present
of a chain of gold which cost £400, and many of the lairds of Midlothian,
East Lothian and Berwickshire were bidden to put themselves under the
orders of the Earl of Morton to convoy the Ambassador to England. Young
Maitland of Lethington, within a few months to be Secretary and so begin
his political career, was sent in February on an embassy to London, for
the expenses of which he got £765.
Much correspondence was at this time going on between Mary of Scotland
and her namesake of England, chiefly about Border troubles, than which
few subjects occupied more of the Queen Regent's attention or gave her
more trouble (See Register of the Privy Council, 14). It must be
confessed that much of this trouble arose from the conduct of the Scots
themselves and their French allies, though no doubt there were reprisals on
the other side. These Border raids, conducted by Borderers themselves, had
gone on from time immemorial, and were reckoned to some extent as
28
manly pastimes, in which the youth and men of the districts on both sides
of the Border had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves. While it
might be too much to say that there was a sort of kindly feeling on both
sides regarding them, it is at all events true that such raids were not
actually considered an overt act of war between the two countries. But
when foreigners like the French came into the game, and when troops were
gathered from all parts of the country to take part in the operations, matters
assumed a very different aspect. It has been mentioned above how the
Queen Regent had failed to induce the Scottish nobles to carry out an
invasion of England, even though an army had been assembled near the
Border. She was, however, determined to harass that country, against
which war had been declared in France. She took the opportunity,
therefore, of sending D'Oysel with a body of French troops to rebuild and
garrison the fort at Eyemouth, which had been originally erected by the
English in the late wars, but which, in pursuance of the terms of the treaty
of peace, had been dismantled, with the undertaking that it should not be
rebuilt by either party. The fortress was situated not far from Berwick, and
it was apparently determined to make it a considerable place of arms. In
the first place, the artillery that was lodged at Hume Castle was to be
transferred to the new fort, and, in consequence, the inhabitants of
Berwickshire were required to furnish no less than sixteen score of oxen to
assist in the transit of the guns. The furnishing of the fort with provisions,
building material and other necessaries went on for the next few months,
and a detailed account of these will be found on pp.. 421-431. Altogether,
the sums expended on this Eyemouth fortification during the period of this
account amounted to £1861 17s. What the number of the garrison was is
not stated, but it must have been considerable, to judge by the amount of
supplies which were lodged there. At the same time it is evident that there
was much. . . .
The Queen Regent occupies Perth (May 1559)
Anderson, William, 1867. The Scottish nation, or. The surnames, families,
literature, honours, and biographical history of the people of Scotland.
Patrick, third Lord Ruthven and Dirleton, the eldest son, born about 1520,
and educated at St Andrews, has acquired an historical name as the
principal actor in the murder of Rizio. Like his father he was a staunch
supporter of the Protestant doctrines, and in 1559, when the queen regent
requested him to suppress the new religion in Perth, of which town he was
provost, he sent back the answer that he could make the bodies of the
citiiens come to her grace and prostrate themselves before her, but he had
no power over their minds or consciences. She said, in great fury, that he
was too malapert to give such an answer, and threatened to cause him and
29
them both repent (Calderwood, vol. t. p. 488.) On the approach of her
forces to Perth soon after, his lordship, anxious, with the other leading
reformers, to prevent extremities, went to the regent, but finding her full of
deceit and falsehood, with the earl of Argyle and Lord James Stewart,
afterwards the regent Moray, the earl of Menteith and the laird of
Tullibardine, he left her, when they entered into an engagement for the
defence of each other and the establishment of protestantism. Lord
Ruthven with the cavalry formed the van of the army of the Congregation
stationed on Cupar muir, and after a truce for eight days had been agreed
to, with Argyle and other leaders, he marched to Perth, to expel from that
city the French left there by the Regent. The earl of Huntly, chancellor of
the kingdom, hastened to entreat them to delay their purpose for a few
days, but knowing this to be but artifice on the regent's part, they refused,
and having regularly invested the town, twice summoned the garrison to
surrender, without effect. On the night of the 25th June, Lord Ruthven, on
the west quarter, gave orders to open the first battery on the town, which
was speedily followed by others, and the following day the garrison was
compelled to capitulate. He was one of the commissioners sent by the lords
of the Congregation to confer with the queen regent, and also with the
commissioners appointed by her to meet with them, but their conferences,
owing to the duplicity of the regent, came to nothing.
Uncertain source. Possibly John Knox’s History of the Reformation of Scotland.
Index.
Forman, Sir Robert of Luthrie [succeeded Sir David Lindsay of the
Mount as Lyon King of Arms 1558], when Brethren of Cunningham and
Kyle set off for Perth in support of the Brethren there, he commands them
at Glasgow to return to their homes under pain of treason (May 1559) –
see later.
John Knox’s History of the Reformation of Scotland. Index.
“when Brethren of Cunningham and Kyle set off for Perth in support of the
Brethren there, he commands them at Glasgow to return to their homes
under pain of treason (May 1559), i. 171; ordered by Queen Regent to
charge all men to avoid Perth on pain of treason, i, 175; publicly proclaims
same (28 May 1559),i, 175; sent (21 Oct. 1559) by Queen Regent with her
answer to letter of the “council” of the congregation (19 Oct. 1559), i 249;
he is detained while Act of Suspension is determined upon against Queen
Regent (21 Oct. 1559), i, 249; is dismissed, with answer to Queen Regent
(23 Oct. 1559) i, 255. The text of Knox’s History (vol. I, p.171) tells us
that when Sir Robert, in his coat armour, commanded all men under the
pain of treason to return to their houses, by public sound of trumpet in
Glasgow, none of them obeyed, and they went forward.
30
The Reformation in Scotland, Vol 1.
These our Letters being divulged, some men began to reason whether of
conscience they might invade us or not, considering that we offered due
obedience to the Authority; requiring nothing but the liberty of conscience,
and our religion and fact to be tried by the word of God. Our Letters came
with convenient expedition to the hands of the brethren in Cunningham
and Kyle, who convened at the Kirk of Craigie, (near Ayr) where, after
some contrarious reasons, Alexander, Earl of Glencairn, in zeal burst forth
in these words, "Let every man serve his conscience. I will, by God's
grace, see my brethren in Saint Johnston (Perth): yea, albeit never man
should accompany me, I will go, and if it were but with a pike upon my
shoulder; for I had rather die with that company, nor live after them."
These words so encouraged the rest, that all decreed to go forward, as that
they did so stoutly, that when Lyon Herald, (Sir Robert Forman of
Luthrie) in his coat armour, commanded all men under the pain of treason
to return to their houses, by public sound of trumpet in Glasgow, never
man obeyed that charge, but all went forward, as we will after hear. When
it was clearly understood that the Prelates and their adherents, suppressing
our petitions so far as in them lay, did kindle the fury of all men against us,
it was thought expedient to write unto them some declaration of our minds,
which we did in this form following:
"TO THE GENERATION OF ANTICHRIST, THE PESTILENT
PRELATES AND THEIR SHAVELINGS WITHIN SC0TLAND, THE
CONGREGATION OF CHRIST JESUS WITHIN THE SAME, SAYETH,
...
Robert Forman Obligation 28 June 1559
Calendar of Deeds, vol III, p. 261.
John Haitlie of Mellerstaines, principal, and Thomas Williamson, and
Adam Purves, wright, burgesses of Edinburgh, cautioners to Sir Robert
Forman of Luthrie knight, Lion king of Arms – Obligation 28 June 1559.
The Queen Regent attends siege of Leith September/October 1559
Wikipedia. Seige of Leith.
Meanwhile the Protestant Scots became increasingly restless, particularly
after the marriage of Mary and François in 1558. A group of noblemen,
styling themselves the Lords of the Congregation, had appointed
themselves leaders of the anti-French, Protestant party, aligning
themselves with John Knox and other religious reformers. They raised
12,000 troops in an attempt to oust the French from Scotland. Arran
31
changed sides at this point, joining the Lords of the Congregation.
Meanwhile, Henri II of France was accidentally killed in a jousting
tournament and Mary's husband became King of France on 10 July 1559.
During 1559 the Lords of the Congregation dominated most of central
Scotland and entered Edinburgh, forcing Mary of Guise to retreat to
Dunbar Castle.[12] However, with the aid of 2,000 French troops, she
regained control of the capital in July. A short-lived truce was made with
the Articles of Leith on 25 July 1559. Guise received further military aid
from France, thanks to the influence of Jacques de la Brosse and the
Bishop of Amiens.[13] The Lords considered this assistance a breach of
the Leith articles. Châtellerault wrote to summon other Scottish lords on 6
October 1559 to resolve their situation.
Wikipedia.
The Siege of Leith ended a twelve year encampment of French troops at
Leith, the port near Edinburgh, Scotland. The French troops arrived by
invitation in 1548 and left in 1560 after an English force arrived to assist in
removing them from Scotland. They finally left under the terms of a treaty
signed by Scotland, England and France.
Mary, Queen of Scots' Parents: James V of Scotland & Marie of Guise. Internet
site.
With the death of Henry II in August 1559, Mary lost a powerful ally. The
Lords who were already complaining of changes to Scottish laws, Frenchstyle taxation and the appointment of Frenchmen to important offices of
state were overjoyed by the arrival of Châtelherault's son, who had
inherited his father's title of Earl of Arran. Châtelherault had once again
switched sides and was preparing to take up arms when Mary decided to
fortify Leith. Mary's attempts to win over Châtelherault and her step-son,
Lord James were of no avail and her circle of supporters diminished daily.
On 15 October, the Protestants marched to Edinburgh but Mary had
already escaped to Leith. On 21 of October, the Lords announced that her
Regency was suspended. But Mary knew that they were not the powerful,
united force that they would have had her believe. On 7 November, Mary
entered the capital once more after D'Oysel successfully drove them off.
Although Mary set about restoring order, she fell gravely ill a fortnight
later from chronic heart disease. By December she had recovered and the
French had driven back the Protestant forces to St Andrews.
Anderson, William, 1867. The Scottish nation, or. The surnames, families,
literature, honours, and biographical history of the people of Scotland.
The queen regent having employed her French troops in fortifying Leith,
the Protestant lords, and among them Lord Ruthven, on the 29th
32
September, addressed a letter to her from Hamilton, expressing their
astonishment at her conduct, but to this remonstrance no answer was
returned. Collecting their forces at Stirling, they marched to Edinburgh,
which they entered on the 18th October. The regent now used every
means in her power to conciliate the principal leaders of the Congregation,
but without effect. To Lord Ruthven, she sent the lord-justice-clerk with
large promises to induce him to join her faction, but to no purpose. She
was compelled to place herself under the protection of the French troops at
Leith, when the lords again addressed her; but their messenger was
dismissed without any answer. A few days afterwards she sent Robert
Forman, lyon herald king of arms, who commanded the Congregation to
leave Edinburgh, and disperse themselves, under the pain of high treason.
It was now resolved to deprive her of her authority, and accordingly, at a
convention of the nobility, barons, and burgesses, held at Edinburgh on the
21st October, at which Lord Ruthven took a prominent part in the
proceedings, an edict was passed and sent to her, suspending her
commission of regency and removing her from the government At the
head of 600 horse, Lord Ruthven, . .
Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Volume 50). Author: none.
Index. p. 224.
Forman, Robert, Lyon King of Arms, sent by Queen Regent with her
answer to a letter from the 'Council' of the Congregation, 91, 92 and n,
100, 107, 109; sent back to Queen Regent with terms of Act of Suspension,
92, 107; his molestation by the Congregation, 94 and n, 100, 107, 109,
112, 114; his deposition on charges against the family of Hamilton, 10810.
Agnes Strickland, 1851. Lives of the queens of Scotland and English princesses
connected with the regal succession of Great Britain (Volume 2). Mary of
Lorraine. p. 213-8
. . . . These were indeed augmented by sickness and the treachery of her
perfidious Secretary, Maitland of Lethington, who was in secret
correspondence both with the insurgent lords and the Queen of England, to
whom he betrayed all her secrets.
The Queen-Regent wrote to the Duke of Chatelherault and the Lords of the
Congregation, inviting them to come to a peaceful convention at
Edinburgh, to hear the commission of the two French envoys. But they
replied, " that, as long as any French soldiers remained in garrison in
Scotland, they would not hazard themselves on her credit ; and that, unless
she would desist from fortifying Leith, and send away her Frenchmen, they
would not take her for a mother of their commonwealth." She then wrote to
the Prior of St. Andrews, requesting, in the most endearing terms she could
33
devise, his good offices in that matter, in behalf of the Queen, his sister. He
replied, with characteristic coolness, "that he had laid her Highness's letter
before the Congregational Council, having taken, like all the others, a
solemn oath to hold no private communication with her; but when the rest
of the nobles should convene, he would do what was in his power for the
quietness of the realm—providing," he adds, "that the glory of Christ Jesus
be not hindered by our concord: and if your Grace shall be found so
tractable as now ye offer, I doubt not to obtain from the rest of my brethren
such favors toward your service as your Grace shall have just occasion to
stand content." This style of answer convinced her of what she ought to
have been previously aware—that she had nothing to hope from that
quarter. She had transferred, however, her suspicions of his intended
usurpation of her daughter's crown to the Earl of Arran, whose designs
were so unmistakable that she could not refrain from telling a gentleman,
who repeated the same to Sir Ralph Sadler, "that the first rising of the
Congregation was, she believed, on the matter of religion, but now she saw
they shot at another mark—that the Duke and his son intended to usurp the
crown of Scotland; but she would defend her daughter's right as well as she
could; therefore, having no power herself to take the field, she, for the
safety of the poor Frenchmen who had come to her aid, had taken the
resolution of fortifying Leith, intending to remain there herself, and trusted
to keep it till the succors, for which she looked to France, should arrive."
She declared it was well victualed, and made very strong, having made the
best of the short time they had been about it. She showed herself in earnest
by removing every thing she had out of Holyrood House into Leith, and
declared her intention, "if need required, to retreat to Inchkeith. She is
surely in great perplexity,"continues our authority," and is also very weak
and sickly, so that as some think she can not long continue." (Sadler's State
Papers). Randolph, the celebrated English statesman, who had
accompanied the Earl of Arran to Scotland as his political tutor, and also as
a spy and reporter to Queen Elizabeth's minister, Cecil, reports the state of
the Queen-Regent's health in these terms: "Some say she is very sick; some
say the devil can not kill her." (Sadler's State Papers). James V had
certainly lain down and died under a burden of regal toil and care, light
indeed in comparison to the difficulties through which his widowed
consort had, up to this period, steered her course. But she was now fighting
a losing game, literally "kicking against the pricks" —a state of things
impossible to continue long. The weather was very bad at this time, and
great fears were entertained that the late harvest would not be got in at all.
The apprehension of a famine increased the general gloom and misery of
the people, who had been alternately rendered homeless by the aggressions
of friend and foe, invaders and allies. The sick Queen, hearing on the 18th
of October that the Congregationalists were advancing in great strength to
34
Edinburgh, withdrew to Leith, and shut herself up within her newly raised
fortifications. The next day the Lords required her by letter, in peremptory
terms, to dismiss her garrison and all foreigners, and leave the town of
Leith free to the King and Queen's lieges. (Knox).
The spirit of the royal widow rose superior to bodily weakness, and the
disastrous aspect of her affairs. Undismayed by the threatening tone of her
antagonists, she sent for her Lord-Lion Herald, Robert Forman, and gave
him by word of mouth her instructions to reply to the insurgent nobles, in
the following words: "First of all," said she, "you shall declare to them my
surprise that any other person should claim any power here, besides my
son-in-law and daughter, from whom my authority is derived.
The former conduct of the nobles, and their present requests, or rather
commands, do sufficiently declare that they acknowledge no authority
superior to themselves. You shall require the Duke of Chatelherault to call
to mind what he promised me by word of mouth, and the King (Francis II.)
by letters, that he would not only be loyal himself, but would take effectual
care that his son, the Earl of Arran, should not mix himself in these
tumults. Ask him whether his present conduct corresponds with those
promises. To their letters, you shall reply, that, for the sake of public
tranquillity, I will do whatsoever is not contrary to my duty to God and the
King." (Buchanan, vol. ii p. 358).
Mary of Lorraine next proceeded to vindicate herself in mild, but forcible
terms, from the charges that had been brought against her: "As for the
destruction of law and liberty, it never entered into mine heart, much less
to subdue the kingdom by force. For whom should I conquer it, seeing my
daughter doth as lawful heiress possess it? As for the fortification at Leith,
you shall ask whether I ever attempted any thing therein before they, in
many conventions, and at length by mutual conspiracy, had openly
declared that they rejected the Government set over them by law; without
my consent or advice—though I held the place of chief magistrate—had
broken the public peace at their pleasure, by taking of towns, and had
treated ' with the old enemy' for establishing a league. What reason have
they, it may be inquired, to judge it lawful for them to keep up an army at
Edinburgh, and yet it must not be lawful for me to have some forces about
me at Leith for my defense ? Their aim is to compel me, by often shifting
of places, to avoid their fury as I have hitherto done. Do they discover any
way to renew peace and concord? By what indication do they manifest that
they are willing these tumults should be appeased ? Let them color and gild
their pretenses as they will, it is plain they intend nothing less. They
themselves are not ignorant that the French, at the command of their King,
had long since quitted Scotland, if their conduct had not occasioned their
longer stay; and if they will now offer any honest conditions, which may
afford reasonable hope that the majesty of the Government may be
35
preserved, I shall not refuse any means of renewing the peace, nor omit
any thing necessary for the public good." She told the herald also to notify,
" that the King of France had sent two noble persons as his commissioners
for the accommodation of differences, but that they had neither vouchsafed
to see them nor to receive their letters." In conclusion, her majesty bade the
Lord Lion require the Duke of Chatelherault and the other nobles to
separate themselves from the insurgents, and leave Edinburgh forthwith,
under penalty of being proclaimed traitors. Lofty language this, for a
fugitive Princess to send from her sick chamber to the formidable
opponents who had only three days previously driven her out of her
metropolis. The following letter, with which she accredited the
courageous gentleman who ventured to undertake her errand, is a notable
specimen of a queenly laconic, in which, without condescending to the use
of a single offensive epithet, her royal displeasure is strongly manifested:
"After commendations, we have received your letter from Edinburgh the
19th of this instant, which appeareth to us rather to have come from a
Prince to his subjects, than from subjects to them that have authority—
whereof we have presently directed unto you this bearer, Lion Herald
King-of-Arms, sufficiently instructed with our mind, to whom ye shall
give credence.
"At Leith, October 21st, 1559 (Signed) Marie R."
The haughty tone of civility adopted by her Majesty in her credence,
appears to have been more displeasing to those to whom it was addressed
than if she had given way to angry passion, and condescended to bandy
invectives with them in reply to the coarse language they had applied to
her. They proceeded, by the advice of their preachers, Knox and Willock,
to pass a unanimous vote for suspending her from her authority as regent
of the realm; and proclaimed this, their sentence, by sound of trumpet at
the market cross of Edinburgh, in the name, and, as they somewhat
incredibly asserted, by the authority of their sovereign lord and lady, her
daughter and son-in-law, Francis and Mary. This done, they sent their
reply to her message by the Lord Lion, informing her of their resolution to
obey her no longer, and requiring her to withdraw her person and French
soldiers from Leith in the course of twenty-four hours. (The particulars of
the debate and the letter will be found in Knox at length. He has abridged
the message sent by Mary of Lorraine, but we have quoted it in full from
Buchanan.) They next proceeded to summon the garrison of Leith to
surrender within twelve hours, which being disregarded, a defiance was
given and preparations made for an assault. The hastily raised fortifications
of Leith were reported as untenable by traitors within, and it was believed
that Mary of Lorraine would retreat with her ladies from the terrors of the
storm to her wave-surrounded fortress at Inchkeith—cold quarters for a
dropsical invalid at that gloomy season. Her residence at Leith, however,
36
could not have been the most agreeable, according to Sir Ralph Sadler's
report of the 25th of October: “Many of the French steal daily away, and
four or five were hanged that were taken going. They are at their diet [short
commons], which we hear is very spare, and her friends very few." He
mentions in another dispatch of the same date, that in a skirmish between
the Congregationalists and the French at Leith, "Kirkcaldy of Grange slew
a Frenchman, whereby the Protestants had the first blood, which they do
take for good luck"—a national superstition derived, no doubt, from their
pagan ancestors, who thought to propitiate Mars, Woden, or whatever
fiend they honored as their battle-god, with a sacrificial oblation of human
blood. Sir Walter Scott makes effective use of this idea in The Lady of the
Lake, where Brian delivers the oracular couplet—
" Who spills the foremost foeman's life,
His party conquers in the strife."
An augury that was not, however, fulfilled as regarded the cause of
Congregation versus Queen; for the scaling-ladders, which had been
prepared in the aisles of St. Giles' Church by the carpenters of the former,
proved too short, and the assailants of Leith were repulsed with loss. Then
£4000 of English money, which the Laird of Ormiston had received from
Crofts and Sadler for the use of the Congregation, was intercepted and
captured by James, Earl of Bothwell, who had commenced his political
career as one of that party, but now deserted to the Queen-Regent. (Knox.
Sadler’s State Papers. Lord Heries History of Mary.) She had just before
been deserted by her perfidious secretary, Maitland of Lethington, who not
only betrayed her plans and resources to her implacable foes, but did his
utmost to inflame their minds against her, by assuring them "that she was
made up of craft and falsehood, and never intended to keep faith with
them." It appears strange that no one has had sufficient discrimination to
notice that the faults of Mary of Lorraine, in swerving from the
conventional decencies of political faith, first occurred while this
perfidious statesman acted as her prime-minister, and for these he ought
really to bear the responsibility, though he has shifted the blame on her.
Time, the great mother of truth, in the course of the next ten or twelve
years unvailed the depths of falsehood and iniquity of which Lethington
was capable. Yet Mary of Lorraine, a foreign Princess imperfectly
acquainted with the Scotch dialect and its mysterious implications, remains
burdened with the reproach which justly belongs to her subtle secretary,
the man who acted the part of Achitophel in the season of her prosperity,
and deserted, betrayed, and calumniated her in the hour of her distress, in
order to become the agent of selling the independence of Scotland to the
English Sovereign. The fortunes of Mary of Lorraine, which were at the
very lowest ebb, and judged desperate at the epoch when Lethington left
37
her to join the Congregation, began to amend as soon as her councils were
freed from his espionage.
The Provost of Dundee, James Halyburton, one of the most able military
commanders of the Congregation, had, with the assistance of a chosen
band of his townsmen, raised a battery on the Hawk Hill, above Leith, with
the intent of storming the Queen-Regent in her little city of refuge. His
position was well chosen for that purpose, and he had all the cannon of the
Lords of the Congregation and the good town of Edinburgh at his disposal,
save and except that belonging to the Castle, which Lord Erskine, the
Parliamentary keeper of the royal fortress, held in strict neutrality,
independently of either party. Nevertheless, Halyburton had quite enough
to have effected his purpose in the course of a few days. But while the
beleaguered Queen and her ladies were looking, with anxiety which may
well be imagined, toward the progress of the formidable preparations on
the heights above them, expecting momentarily the commencement of the
connonade, she received information from one of her secret adherents in
Edinburgh, of the name of Clerk, that all the leading men of the
Congregation, both civil and military, were gone to attend the preachings
one morning, and there was reason to believe that the said preachings
would occupy their attention for many hours, as indeed it befell. No sooner
was this intimation received, than her Majesty animated a chosen party of
her French guard to make a sortie from Leith and seize the artillery, which
...
Knox, John, ca. 1514-1572, Published in 1761. The history of the reformation
of religion within the realm of Scotland: containing the manner and by what
persons the light of Christ's gospel has been manifested unto this realm, after
that horrible and universal defection from the truth which has come by the
means of that Roman anti Christ. Together with the life of the author, and
several curious pieces ...
The 21st of 0ctober came from the queen regent Mr Robert Foreman,
lion king of arms, who brought unto us a writing in this tenor and credit;
'After commendations, we have received your letter at Edinburgh, the 19th
of this inftant, which appeareth to us, rather to have come from a prince to
his fubjefts, than from fubjefts to them that bear authority: for anfwer
whereof, we have prefently direfted unto you this bearer, lion herauld king
of arms, fufficiently inftructed with our mind, to whom ye fhall give
credence. At Leith, October 21st, 1559.
Sic fubfcribitur, Mary R.’
His Credit is this,
‘That the queen wonders how any durft prefume to command her in that
realm, which needeth not to be conqueft by any force, confidering that it
was already conqueft by marriage: That Frenchmen could not juftly be
called ftrangers, feeing that they were naturalized; and therefore, that fhe
38
would neither make that town patent, neither yet fend any man away, but
as fhe thought expedient: fhe accufed the duke of violating his promife; fhe
made long proteftation of her love towards the commonwealth of Scotland,
and in the end commanded, that under the pain of treafon all affiftaries to
the duke, and unto us fhould depart from the town of Edinburgh.'
Herries. Mary Queen of Scots. Abbotsford Club, 1836, p. 43-4. 1559.
The Queen Regent sent Robert Forman, King at Arms, to the
Congregation (Lords of Congregation), with answers to their letters. She
said that their commands meant they had assumed more power to
themselves as befits subjects. This she commanded the Herald to speak by
word. She commanded him also to ask the Duke if he remembered his
promise of fidelity and obedience.
How was it lawful for them to keep an army in Edinburgh yet not lawful
for her to keep one in Leith? – (French soldiers).
She commanded the Herald to charge the Duke and the rest of the lords to
go home and if they refused to denounce them as rebels.
23 October. They returned answer by Robert Forman and they saw her
obstinacy against the true church of god and therefore religion. They tell
her to leave government alone and they do not recognise her authority as
regent or a lawful magistrate. That they would banish the French and
recover Leith. After this there was open hostility between them.
16eng http:/ /eee.uci.edu/~papyri/scothist/16eng.html 9/11/2003.
Refers to events in 1559.
34. About a month after, they sent an answer from a Convention at
Edinburgh to the same purpose, withal adding this to their former requests,
that she would demolish all the new fortifications and send away all
strangers and mercenaries, that so the town might be free for traffick and
mutual commerce. Which if she refus'd to do, they would look upon it as a
sure argument that she was resolved to bring the kingdom into slavery,
which mischief they would do all they could to prevent. The Regent, three
days after, sent Robert Forman, principal herauld (King of Arms, as they
call him), giving him these commands in answer to them: "First of all, you
shall declare to them that I am mightily surpriz'd and look upon it as an
unexpected thing that any other man should claim any power here besides
my son in law and daughter, on whom all my authority depends. The
former actings of the Nobles, and these their present postulations
[requests], or rather commands, do sufficiently declare that they
acknowledg no authority, superior to themselves. That their petition, or
rather their threats, though guilded over with smooth words, were not at all
new to her. Next, you shall require the Duke of Castle-Herault to call to
mind what he promis'd to me by word of mouth, and to the King by letters,
39
that he would not only be loyal to the King, but also would take effectual
care that his son, the Earl of Arran, should not mix himself in these tumults
of his country. You shall ask him whether his present actings do
correspond with those promises. To their letters you shall answer that, for
the sake of the publick tranquillity, I will do, and so I promise, whatsoever
is not contrary to piety towards God or duty towards the King." As for the
desucletion of law and liberty, it never entred into her heart, much less to
subdue the kingdom by force. "For whom (said she) should I conquer it,
seeing my daughter doth now, as lawful heiress, possess it'? As to the
fortifications at Leith, you shall ask whether ever she attempted any thing
therein before they, in many conventions and at length, by a mutual
conspiracy had openly declared that they rejected the govenunent set over
them by law, and, without her advice or notice, though she held the place
and authority of a chief magistrate, had broke the publick peace by taking
of towns, and had treated with old enemies for establishing a league; yea,
that now many of them kept English in their houses.
.35. "So that, to omit other arguments, what reason have they to judg it
lawful for themselves to keep up an army at Edinburgh, to invade those
who are in possession of the govennnent'? And yet it must not be lawful
for me to have some forces about me at Leith for my own defence? Their
aim is principally this, to compel me, by often shifting of places, to avoid
their fury, as I have hitherto done. Is there any mention in their letters
about obedience to lawful magistrates? Do they discover any way to renew
peace and concord? By what indication do they manifest that they are
willing that these tumults should be appeased and all things reduced to
their former state? Let them colour and guild their pretensions how they
please with the shew of publick good, yet 'tis plain that they mind nothing
less. For if that one thing were a remora [obstruction] to concord, I have
often shewed the way that leads thereto. They themselves are not ignorant
that the French, at the command of their own King, had long since quitted
Scotland if their actings had not occasion's their longer stay. And therefore,
if now they will offer any honest conditions which may afford a probable
ground of hope that the majesty of the government may be preserved and
that they will with modesty obey their superiours, I shall refuse no way of
renewing peace, nor omit any thing relating to the publick good; neither
am I only thus affected towards them, but the French King is of the same
mind too, who hath sent over an illustrious knight of the Order of St.
Michael, and another prime ecclesiastical person with letters and
commands to that purpose, whom yet they had so slighted as not to
vouchsafe them an answer, no, nor audience neither. And therefore you
shall require the Duke, the other Nobles, and country-men of all sorts
presently to separate themselves, otherwise they shall be proclaimed
traitors."
40
36. To this letter the Nobles sent answer the day after, 'which was October
23, to this purpose: "We plainly perceive by your letters and commands,
sent us by your herauld, how you persist in your disaffection to God's true
worship, to the publick good of the whole country, and to the common
liberty of us all, Which that we may preserve according to our duty, we do,
in the name of our King and Queen, suspend and inhibit that publick
administration which you usurp under their names, as being fully
persuaded that your actings are quite contrary to their inclinations and
against the publick good of the kingdom. And as you do not esteem us a
Senate and publick Council, who are the lawful inhabitants of this
kingdom and country, so we do not acknowledge you as Regent in
supream authority over us, especially since your government (if you have
any such entrusted to you by our princes) is, for weighty and just reasons,
abrogated by us, and that in the name of those Kings to whom we are born
Counsellors, especially in such things as concern the safety of the whole
common-wealth. And though we are determined to undergo the utmost
hazard for the freeing of that town wherein you have a garison from
mercenaries which you have hired against us, yet for the reverence and due
respect we bear you as the mother of our Queen, we earnestly intreat you
to withdraw your self', whilst necessity compels us to reduce that town by
force which we oft endeavour'd to gain by fair means. And withal we
desire that within the space of twenty four hours you would withdraw
likewise those who challenge [claim] the name of embassadours to
themselves, and forbid them either to decide controversies or to manage
civil and martial affairs; and also that all mercenary souldiers in that town
would retire likewise, for we would willingly spare their lives and consult
their safety, both by reason of that ancient amity which hath interceded
betwixt the Kings of Scotland and France, and also by reason of the
marriage of their King with our Queen, which doth equitably ingage us
rather to encrease our union than diminish it."
37. The same day, the herauld also related that the day before in a full
assembly of Nobles and Commons it was voted that all the Regent's words,
deeds, and designs tended only to tyranny, and therefore a decree was
made to abrogate her authority, to which all of them subscribed as most
just. Moreover, they did inhibit the trust her son-in-law and daughter had
committed to her. They also forbad her to execute any act of publick
government till a general Convention of the Estates, which they
determined to summon as conveniently they could. The 25th day, the
Nobles sent an herauld to Leith to warn all the Scots to depart out of the
town within the space of twenty four hours, and to separate themselves
from the destroyers of publick liberty. After these threats, horsemen made
excursions on both sides and the war began, yet without any considerable
slaughter. In the beginning of this action there fell so great and sudden a
41
terror upon the cause of the Reformed, which did mightily disturb them for
the present, and also cut off all hopes of success for the future. For the
Regent, partly by threats and partly by promises, had wrought off many
who had given in their names to the Reformers from the faction of the
Nobles. And besides, the camp was full of spies who discovered both their
words and actions; yea, those which they thought were concern'd to be kept
most secret to the Regent. And when James Balfure's servant was taken
carrying letters to Leith, the suspicion lighted on a great many, and the fear
diffus'd it self over the whole body. And moreover, the mercenary
souldiers mutinied because they had not their pay down upon the nail, and
if anyone indeavoured to appease them, he was grievously threatned by
them. But men did less admire the sedition of such men, who had neither
religion nor honesty, than they did the imbecillity and faintheartedness of
the Duke of Castle-Herault, who was so amazed at the fear of his
neighbours that his terror discouraged the minds of many. Those who were
most couragious endeavoured to apply remedies to these miseries, and
their first consultation was to appease the mercenaries. And, seeing the
Nobles which remained could not make up a sum sufficient to quiet and
pay them, some declining through covetousness, others pleading inability,
at last they agreed to melt down all their silver plate. And when the Paymasters were ready to assist therein, the mint or stamps, I know not by
whose fraud, were taken away.
Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Volume 50). Author: none.
Index. p. 224 shows Forman, Robert, Lyon King of Arms, sent by Queen
Regent with her answer to a letter from the 'Council' of the Congregation, 91, 92
and n, 100, 107, 109; sent back to Queen Regent with terms of Act of
Suspension, 92, 107; his molestation by the Congregation, 94 and n, 100, 107,
109, 112, 114; his deposition on charges against the family of Hamilton, 10810.
The following document is in medieval French. As available on the internet, it
had been scanned and had lost punctuation etc in the process. No dates are
given. Ms Pennie Briese, who knows only contemporary French, has made a
tentative translation into English, with a little assistance from me. The
translation follows the original French version below.
Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Volume 50). Author: none.
DE LA BROSSE AND D'OYSEL, p. 91-2. (clearly 1559).
(Index shows: Forman, Robert, Lyon King of Arms, sent by Queen Regent
with her answer to a letter from the 'Council' of the Congregation, 91, 92 and n,
100, 107, 109.)
[Article] iii. Les XIX, XX, et XXIemes Jours dudit moys lesdits conte son
filz et leurs complices feirent conventions et conseil dheure a autre en
42
ladite ville de dinbourg escripvirent une lettre a Ladite dame en datte du
dixneufiesme Jour dudit moys signee desdits conte son filz et aultres de
leur conseil par le Jeune s r de camot surnomme Metz [? Morton] Lequel
fut envoye de la part dudit conte et de sesdits complices avecques Ladite
lettre pour faire des sommations. Et le XXIIIe ensuyvant en escripvirent
une autre aladite dame par Lyon roy darmes qui avoit este envoye envers
eulx de la part dicelle dame (See Knox, Hist. Ref., i, 249, n. i ; cf. F.C.E.,
ii, no. 109. 21 October. Credit sent by Robert Forman, Lyon King of
Arms. See below, pp. 108, 109, for deposition by Forman.) par laquelle
Ilz luy mandoient quilz avaient suspendu sa regence et que dedans XXIIII
heures elle eust a vuyder ladite place avecques tous ses soldatz francois et
gens de guerre estrangers Et que a faulte de ce Ilz estoient deliberez
lassaillir et poursuyvre par armes Et a ceste fin feirent faire gabions
eschelles provision de fascynes et aultres choses qui pourroient servir a
leur entreprise.
Tentative English translation made by Ms Penie Briese.
On the 19th, 20th and 21st days of the said months the earl, his son and their
accomplices made a bargain and advice from the hour to another in the
said town of Edinburgh writing a letter to said lady dated the 19th day of
the month signed on the part of his son and other of their council by the
young ?earl named Metz (?Morton), which was sent by the said earl and
his accomplices with this letter to make demands. And the 23 rd following
by writing another to said lady (See Knox, Hist. Ref., i, 249, n. i ; cf.
F.C.E., ii, no. 109. 21 October. Credit sent by Robert Forman, Lyon
King of Arms. See below, pp. 108, 109, for deposition by Forman.) who
was sent by ? on the part of this lady, by whom he mandated that he had
suspended her regency and that within 24 hours she would have to leave
that place with all her French soldiers and foreign war people, and that if
she didn’t she would be chased out by the army and they would confiscate
anything that could help them serve their task.
The earl is Arran. The lady was the queen regent.
Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Volume 50). Author: none.
DE LA BROSSE AND D'OYSEL, p. 94. Probably October 1559.
Index. “his molestation by the Congregation, 94 and n, 100, 107, 109, 112,
114”.
p. 94. [Article] x.
Item ont detenu prisonnier Jehan Patasonne Patric thomesonne heraultz
Wiliame hardy Wiliame brisonne [133r] david ramsey et aultres messaigers
sergens poursuyvans et officiers darmes en executant les lettres et
commandemens desdits sr et dame Mesmes audit lieu dedinbourg en
la grand rue en plain marche ont despouille et oste la cotte darmes (coat of
arms) au premier herault nomme lyon (Robert Forman, Ross herald and
43
then Lyon King of Arms in succession to Sir David Lindsay (Knox, Hist.
Ref., ii, 404)) lequel Ladite dame y avoit envoye pour faire quelque
proclamation.
Briese tentative translation follows.
Item. – detained/took prisoner John Paterson, Patrick Thomson (heralds),
William Hardy, William Bryson, David Ramsay, and other messengers,
sergens?, pursuivants, and officers of arms in (for) executing the letters and
commands of the said ? and lady herself, in open step/place in the main
street of Edinburgh, have spoilt and taken the coat of arms of the first
herald named Lyon (Robert Forman, Ross herald and then Lyon King of
Arms in succession to Sir David Lindsay (Knox, Hist. Ref., ii, 404)) who
the said lady sent there to make some proclamation.
Index. p. 224 shows Forman, Robert, Lyon King of Arms, 100, 107, 109; sent
back to Queen Regent with terms of Act of Suspension,
p. 100. Clearly refers to events in 1559.
Sur le IIIme article Luy a este representee la lettre qui fut envoyee par ledict
conte son filz et complices par le jeune sr de Camot (On folio 131v the
surname is Metz (?Morton). See Knox, Hist. Ref., i, 247, 248. 'These our
letters received, our messenger was threatened and withheld a whole day.
Thereafter he was dismissed without any other answer.") surnomme
Mortonn dont II a Recongneu les seings dudict conte daran son filz aisne et
aultres leurs complices. Et diet quil estoit present quant elle fut apportee a
la royne regente ou estoient plusieurs seigneurs Que La royne feit responce
quelle sesbaissoit que luy qui estoit subiect se faisoit porteur dune [141r]
telle lettre Et fut baillee [sic] en garde au sr de sarlabus maistre de camp Et
parcequil ne fut renvoye presentement vers ledict conte daran II envoya
ung trompette Ainsi que ledict sr archevesque entendit Et quil fut rapporte
a la royne luy present pour faire entendre a ladicte dame que si on ne luy
renvoyoit ledict gentilhomme sur lheure II y pourvoyroit bien avecques
beaulcoup daultres parolles arrogantes. Ladicte dame le lendemain envoya
ledict camot sans autre responce Et tost apres depescha Lyon Roy darmes
pour faire advertir Ledict conte et aultres seigneurs tant en particulier que
par proclamation de laisser les armes et Recongnoistre les roy et royne
Leurs souverains Ledict herault feit son rapport quil avoit este despouille
de sa cotte darmes Et que apres avoir dict ledict commandement quil avoit
de la royne quil fut arreste Et quelque temps apres Ilz le renvoyerent
avecques responce par une lettre signee dudict conte daran et ses complices
en datte du 23rd doctobre. Laquelle a este recongneue par ledict sr
archevesque Contenant La destitution de la regence et administration.
The tentative Briese translation follows.
In the 3rd article he was presented with the letter which was sent by the said
earl, his son and accomplices by the young sr de Camot (On folio 131v the
surname is Metz (?Morton). See Knox, Hist. Ref., i, 247, 248. 'These our
44
letters received, our messenger was threatened and withheld a whole day.
Thereafter he was dismissed without any other answer.") of whom he
recognised in the committee the earl of Arran and his oldest son as well as
others of their accomplices. And said that he was present it was carried to
the queen regent where there were many men that the queen ?......? which
was ?.....? bearer of such a letter made her sweep? on guard to Sr of
Sarlabus minister of camp and because he wasn’t sent immediately back
to the said earl of Arran he sent a trumpeter? as well as the said Sr
archbishop ?? heard and that man sent to the queen should be sent back
within the hour ?...? with many more arrogant words. The said lady sent
the said Camot (?Morton) another response the next day. And after the
Lyon King of Arms warned the said earl and other men in particular by
proclamation to leave the army? and recognise the king and queen as their
sovereigns his coat of arms was despoiled and he was arrested (this is a
very free attempt at translation). Some time after they (he?) returned with a
reply by a letter signed by the earl of Arran and his accomplices dated 23rd
October. The letter was recognised by the said archbishop containing the
dismissal of the regency and administration.
Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Volume 50). Author: none.
DE LA BROSSE AND D'OYSEL, p. 94. Probably October 1559.
Index. “his molestation by the Congregation, 94 and n, 100, 107, 109, 112,
114”.
p. 107.
Sur Les VII VIII IX X et XImes articles Dict avoir entendu les
emprisonnemens de Levesque de domblane des heraultz et officiers darmes
par leurs Rapportz mesmes Et tant de ce que des aultres choses contenues
en lesdits articles La commune renommee est telle par tout ce Royaulme.
The tentative Ms Briese translation follows:
In the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th articles said to have heard the imprisonment
by? The Bishop of Dunblane the heralds and officers of arms by their
reports ?...? as well as other things contained in these articles. The
commune renamed as such by all the kingdom.
Robert Forman is paid for his courageous acts
It looks as though Sir Robert Forman was being paid for his endeavours,
although I question whether he ever got to enjoy this “gift”.
712. At Leith, 20 October 1559. a letter made to Sir Robert Forman of
Luthrie, Lyon King of Arms and Elizabeth Creichtoun, his spouse, their
heirs and assignees, the gift of eschete of all goods which pertained to
Thomas Monypenny, burges of Perth, and now pertaining to her majesty
by reason of eschete, by reason of Thomas being a convict or fugitive from
45
our sovereigns laws or at the horn for partaking with the rebels against our
sovereign in various ways).
Ane Lettir maid to SCHIR ROBERT FORMAN of Lutherie, knycht,
lyoun herald king of armes, and ELIZABETH CREICHTOUN, his
spous, thair airis and assignais, ane or ma, of the gift of the eschete of all
gudis (etc. ut supra No. 114), quhilkis pertenit to Thomas Monypenny,
burges of Perth) and now pertening, or (etc.), to oure soveranis be ressoun
of eschete, throw being of the said Thomas, or (etc.), convict or fugitive fra
oure soveranis lawis or at the horne for arte and partetaking with the
personis rebellaris contrare oure soveranis authorite, callit the
congregatioun, in cuming fordwart contrare thair hienes in plane battell at
sindrie tymes bigane, assisting to thame, ayding, fortifeing and suppleing
of thame contrare thair graces authorite, and in setting forwart of the
purpois of the said congregatioun aganis oure saidis soveranis, committand
thairthrou, or in ony point thairof, oppin and manifest tressoun aganis thair
hienesis. With power, etc. [Compositio:] gratis. Per Signaturam. 30 15.
After the siege of Leith
William Anderson, 1877. The Scottish nation, or, The surnames, families,
literature, honours, and biographical history of the people of Scotland (Volume
3), p. 419-20.
At the head of 600 horse, Lord Ruthven, with Lord James Stewart and
Kirkaldy of Grange, annoyed the French by incessant attacks, intercepted
their provisions, and beat off their straggling parties. In January 1560,
Lord Ruthven was engaged against, a party of the French troops who were
fortifying Burntisland. The following month he was one of the
commissioners selected by the lords of the Congregation to meet with the
duke of Norfolk at Berwick, to arrange the conditions on which the
assistance of Queen Elizabeth was to be given to the reformers in Scotland.
Robert Forman gives evidence concerning the siege of Leith
Probably 1560 which means RF was born in 1497.
Scottish History Society. Miscellany of the SHS, 3rd Series, Vol. 9, 1958, p.
108-110.
Index p. 244 shows: “his deposition on charges against the family of Hamilton,
108-10”.
DE LA BROSSE AND D’OYSEL.
Dudict Jour
Messire Robert forman chevalier lyon roy darmes (Lyon King of Arms)
aage de soixante troys ans (63 years age?) ou environ tesmoing adjourne
46
produict receu et apres serment par luy faict de dire verite sur les sainctes
evangilles ouy et examine sur le premier desdits articles Dict et deppose
avoir entendu de plusieurs quil se faisoit une convention a hammylton Que
au moys doctobre dernier Il receut de la main de La royne une coppie de
lettre mentionnee audict article Et veid Loriginal mesmmes Lequel Luy
estant represente Il a Recongneu estre signe dudict conte pour lavoir veu
plusieurs foys signer. Et dict luy avoir este baillee ladicte coppie quant Il
fut envoye de petitlict vers la congregation affin destre myeulx Instruict de
ce quil avoit a dire audict conte daran et aultres seigneurs ses complices.
Sur le second article Dict avoir veu ledict conte arriver en La ville de
dinbourg avecques le nombre de plus de quatre mil hommes en armes et de
la se retira ledict depposant en la ville de petitlict pour faire service a la
royne regent.
Sur le IIIe Quil estoit presellt quant le Jeune Camot presenta une Lettre a
ladicte dame de la part du conte daran (earl of Arran) et aultres ses
complices Quil est bien souvenant et memoratif du contenu en ladite letter
quil a veue et leue et Luy estant exhibee en a Recongneu les seignz. Que
tost apres la reception de Ladicte Lettre Il fut envoye par la royne regent en
la ville dedinbourg [145v] devers lesdicts conte daran et aultres ses
complices vestu de sa cotte darmes Quil trouva Ledict conte son filz aisne
et aultres seigneurs assemblez attendans la responce de la lettre par eulx
envoyee a la royne par ledict Camot Ausquelz Il commanda de Laisser les
armes se retirer en leurs maisons et faire le debvoir de bons subiectz
avecques quelques aultres commandemens que Luy avoient este baillez par
escript Ce quilz Refuserent faire.
Sur Le IIIIe Dict avoir veu les escaramouches les hommes blessez et les
escripteaulx qui furent tirez dedans petitlict.
Sur Le Vme Que ledict conte daran James hammylton son filz aisne et
aultres leurs complices estans assemblez en conseil signiffierent audict
depposant quilz avoient delibere de suspendre La commission et pouvoir
donne par noz souverains a la royne regente Et que depuys Il a entendu de
plusieurs que Ladicte suspension a este proclamee en la ville de dinbourg
et aultres Lieulx de ce royaulme Diet aussi Ledict depposant que Ledict
Conte son filz aisne et complices luy feirent entendre que non seullement
IIz suspendoient la reiente mais defendoient a tous officiers et signamment
aux heraultz et a luy de ne plus obeyr a ladicte dame et ne venir vers eulx
de sa part portans charges ou commandemens Et que ledict conte daran
prenant la parolle Luy dict que sil revenoit vers eulx de La part de Ladicte
dame que ce fust comme gentilhomme prive sans cotte darmes pour les
particuliers offices dicelle dame et non aultrement Ou ce seroit a ses perilz
et fortunes.
Sur le VIme Dict avoir este present au contenu dudict article veu tirer de la
montaigne de Cragingalt dans petit lict ou estoit La royne regente assiegee
47
amener une piece de fer de fonte dans ledict petitlict Et quelques
prisonniers Et que ce fut le Jour de toussainctz.
Sur le Xme Dict que Jehan patrisonne snowdon herault [146T] fut pris en la
ville de perth par les prevost et baillifz dicelle complices dudict conte
pierre Thomson ylay herault en la ville de glasgw par les serviteurs dudict
conte Williame hardy unycorne poursuyvant fut pris en la ville de Cuper
en fyff (Cupar in Fife). Et fut mene Jusques au chasteau de sainct andre ou
lors estoit James hammylton filz aisne dudict Conte Et le prieur de sainct
andre William bryssone massier et david Ramsay messaiger darmes furent
pris a dondy Le scait parce que tous les dessus dict a leur retour se sont
adresssez a luy pour le prier leur estre aydant a trouver remede des tortz et
Injures a eulx faictz Lesquelz luy ont rapporte par serment avoir este
emprisonnez et detenuz faisans leurs offices et mectant a execution les
lettres et commandemens des Roy et royne noz souverains Desquelles
lettres ayans este spoliez et de ce quilz estoient saisiz avoient este renvoyez
Et quant audict depposant dict quil est vray questant alle devers ledict
Conte daran son filz aisne et leurs complices avecques sa cotte darmes par
le commandement de La royne regente Ilz luy feirent despouiller Le
requerant de Loster Ce quil fut contrainct faire Luy mesmes pour esviter
plus grand Inconvenient.
Du----septiesme Jour dudict moys James carmichel bourgeoys de la ville
dedinbourg age de quarante huict ans ou environ tesmoing adjourne
produict receu et apres serment sur les sainctes evangilles par luy faict de
dire verite ouy et examine sur le premier desdicts articles Dict et deppose
quil a entendu de plusieurs que lesdictes conventions ont este faictes Et
que la lettre y mentionnee a este envoyee a lit royne et le tient pour chose
notoire et commune a tous.
[146v] Sur le second Dict quayant entendu la venue dudict Conte daran et
ses complices en armes en la ville dedinbourg Il en partit deux Jours
devant leur arrivee Et ny retourna Jusques a ce quilz en furent hors Mais
quil a entendu par gens de bien dignes de foy le contenu audict article Et
est chose commune et publicque.
Ms Briese tentative translation.
Said day.
Robert Forman, knight, Lyon King of Arms, aged 63 years or
thereabouts, witnessed, after having sworn to tell the truth and nothing but
the truth, that he had received, from the hands of the queen last October, a
copy of the letter from Hamilton mentioned in the said article. He saw the
original and he recognised the signature of the said earl as he had seen him
sign many times. And questioned on the first of the said articles, agreed he
had many times carried a convention to Hamilton. And ?...? the said copy
when he was sent from Leith to the congregation after (detailed
48
instructions?) as to what he had to say to the said earl of Arran and other
men his accomplices.
In the second article he said he had seen the said earl arrive in the city of
Edinburgh with more than 40,000 men at arms and the retirement of the
deponent to Leith for service to the queen regent.
On the third (article) he was present when the young Morton presented a
letter to the said lady on behalf of the earl of Arran and his accomplices.
He rembers well the contents of the letter he saw and read and recognised
the signature. After the reception of the said letter he was sent by the queen
regent to the earl and his accomplices in Edinburgh dressed in his coat of
arms. He found the earl, his oldest son and other assemble men waiting the
response to the letter. He commanded them to leave their arms and go back
home and be good subjects with some other orders that he had been ?...? by
the writing that they refused to do.
On the fourth (article) said to have seen the skirmish, men hurt and the
(escripteaux?) who fired in Leith.
On the fifth (article) the earl of Arran, James Hamilton his oldest son, and
their accomplices were assembled in council where they decided to
suspend the commission and power given by our sovereigns to the regent
queen and that since he had from many that the said suspension was
proclaimed in Edinburgh and other places in the realm. The said
disposition made by the earl, his oldest son and their accomplices said that
not only had they suspended the reign but that all officers, particulary
heralds, must no longer obey the said lady nor go to her and carry out any
of her charges or orders. The earl of Arran gave parole on condition that if
he goes to her that it is as a private citizen (gentleman) without a coat of
arms for the particular offices of that lady and not otherwise or it will be at
his risk and peril.
On the sixth (article) said to be present, in the contents of the said article,
saw the fire from Mount Cragingait onto Leith, where the queen regent
was seated, to bring a shot deep onto Leith and some prisoners. And that
this was All Saints Day (traditionally November 1).
On the tenth (article) said that John Paterson, Snowdon Herald, was taken
in Perth by the provost and bailiffs said to be accomplices of the said earl.
Peter Thomson, Ilay Herald, in Glasgow by the servants of the said earl.
William Hardy, Unicorn Pursuivant, was taken in Cupar, Fife and made to
lead to the castle of St Andrews where was James Hamilton the oldest son
of the said earl, the prior of St Andrews. Willliam Bryson, messer, and
David Ramsay, messenger of arms were taken at Dondy (Dundee?). It is
known because all the above said on their return to him to pray? that they
find a remedy for the wrongs and injuries done to those who by the word
had been imprisoned and detained doing their jobs carrying out the letters
and commandments of our sovereigns the king and queen. Of those letters
49
having been destroyed and of those that were seized having been returned
and as for those disposed of it is true that he carried them to the Earl of
Arran, his oldest son and their accomplices wearing his coat of arms by
commandment of the queen regent. They were to be destroyed by Loster?,
but he decided to do that himself to avoid great inconvenience.
On the 7th day of the said month. James Carmichael burgess of Edinburgh
aged 48, or thereabouts, witnessed ?...? and after swearing before almighty
god that he would tell the truth and questioned on the first article deposed
that he had heard from many that the said conventions were made and that
the letter mentioned was sent by envoy to the bed of the queen and the
contents were well known to all.
On the second article he said he had heard of Earl Arran and his
accomplices in arms in Edinburgh. He left there two days before they
arrived. On his return he heard from well dignified people of faith that the
contents of the article were well known to all.
Index (ctd) Forman, Robert, Lyon King of Arms, his molestation by the
Congregation, 94 and n, 100, 107, 109, 112, 114.
p. 112. [147v] Sur le Xme Dict que durant le temps de lemprisonnement des
heraultz et officiers darmes y mentionnez Il estoit en angleterre envoye par
ladicte dame Et qua son retour Il a entendu deulx leurdict emprisonnement
Et quant au roy darmes dict quil estoit avecques luy au moys de Juing
(June?) dernier passe en la ville de dinbourg quant les seigneurs de la
congregation qui sont les principaulx et conducteurs des Rebelles dont le
conte daran (Earl of Aran) est maintenant le chef et premier. Requirent
ledict lyon roy darmes de despouiller sa cotte Ce quil fut contrainct faire.
p. 114. Sur le Xme questant envoye par la royne regente pour executer
certaines lettres et commandemens de noz souverains en la ville de dondy
II fut pris et constitue prisonnier par les officiers de ladicte ville et Illec
detenu par lespace de dixneuf Jours Que le prevost de ladicte ville nomme
Jacques halyburton Lun des complices dudict conte daran Luy osta ses
Lettres et ledict depposant trouvant la commodite de se saulver eschappa
de leurs mains Et quant a lemprisonnement et detention des aultres
officiers darmes croy Indubitablement les articles pour Lavoir ainsi
entendu deulx. Quil estoit present en la ville dedinbourg au moys de Juing
dernier quant lyon Roy darmes fut contrainct despouiller sa cotte (his
coat) a la requisition daulcuns seigneurs de la congregation maintenant
complices dudict conte daran.
Ms Briese tentative translations. Presumably further testimony from James
Carmichael.
P. 112.
50
On the 10th (article) said during the time of the imprisonment of the heralds
and officers of arms that he was in England sent by the said lady and on his
return he heard of their imprisonment. And as for the King of Arms he was
with him in Edinburgh last June. As for the men of the Congregation who
are the rebels of which earl Arran is the leader. Forcing the said Lyon King
of Arms to destroy his coat which he had to do.
p. 114.
On the 10th (article) sent by the queen regent to carry certain letters and
orders of our rulers in the town of Dundee?, he was taken prisoner by the
officers of the said city and he was detained for 19 days by the provost of
said city named James Halyburton one of the accomplices of the earl of
Arran. He found a way of escaping. As for the imprisonment and detention
of the other officers at arms he has no doubt the articles are true as he has
also heard of them. That he was present in Edinburgh last June when the
Lyon King of Arms was made to destroy his coat at the request of certain
men of the congregation now accomplices of the earl of Arran.
Robert Forman paid by Mary of Guise for services, in 1560
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 11, (Queen Mary from 31 December
1559 to 5 March 1561) 1559-1566, p. 34.
April, May 1560. Item, gevin be speciale command of the Quenis grace
regent to Lyoun, Ilay Snawdown, and Bute heraldis, and James
Drummond, trumpetour, remanend witht hir grace in the castel of
Edinburgh fra the first day of Aprile to the tent day of Junii next thairefter,
for the supporting of the expensis maid be thame during the tyme foresaid,
gevand ilk ane off thame ten pundis; summa ₤50.
Robert Forman paid for later services
Possible payment?
Calendar of Deeds, vol III, p. 420.
Mr Alexander Chalmer, Chalmerlane to my Lord of Holyrood House, and
Frances Jonstoun, Messenger; to Elizabeth Crighton, spouse to Sir
Robert Forman of Luthrie knight – Acquittance. 1 November 1560.
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 11, 1559-1566, p. 101, 3 January
1561. Item, to Lyoun King of Armes, herauldis, and pursevantis, for thair
dewteis for Zule (Yule?) 1560 and Pasche and Zule 1561, ₤36.
51
Mary of Guise, queen regent, dies May 1560 and Queen Mary comes to
Edinburgh 1561 (or 1562)
? Source.
The 1560’s began with the reformation forced on an unwilling crown by
rebellious lords and people. After Mary of Guise died in June 1560,
management of affairs fell into the hands of a body of nobles, styled Lords
of the Congregation, who had struggled for the establishment of the
Protestant faith. The chief of these was Lord James Stewart an illegitimate
son of James V and brother of the Queen. Queen Mary returned to
Edinburgh in August 1561 and allowed Lord James to continue to act for
her. Her government was far from unpopular. She created her brother, Earl
of Moray. According to Smout (1885), Queen Mary accepted the change to
a Protestant church as a fait accompli. However, she never ratified the
legislation or altered her own devotion to the Catholic faith. The position
of the reformers was therefore highly ambiguous until her deposition by
another rebel army in favour of her son James V1 (born 1566) in 1567.
Scotland's 'Auld Alliance' with France, 1295-1560, Elizabeth Bonner,
University of Sydney.
To a greater or lesser degree all historical phenomena have their realities
and myths, the facts and fables that surround them and are inherent within
them. But the 'Auld Alliance', as the Scots referred to their relationship
with France, is more than usually endowed with fable, while the facts have
often been obscured, selectively refined or omitted altogether. The 'Auld
Alliance' has generally been held to have ended with the death on 5
December 1560 of Mary, Queen of Scots' first husband, Francis II, who
was the first and last king of both France and Scotland. The origins of the
Anglo-Franco-Scottish relationship are to be found in 1295 when the Scots
formed the first defensive/offensive alliance with France against the
English king, Edward 1. But from its very shaky beginnings, as a mutually
offensive/defensive military alliance against England, the 'Auld Alliance'
gradually developed other familial, personal, social and cultural
associations which did not die with Francis 1I, nor entirely ever
disappeared. However, it was the advent of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the
Anglo-French competition for her hand in marriage; the treaties, alliances
and military engagements this provoked; the resulting role of France in the
government of Scotland, culminating in the union of the French and
Scottish crowns; and the effects of the Habsburg/Valois conflicts of the
1550s, which inevitably included England and Scotland, which ultimately
led to the end of the formal military 'Auld Alliance' in 1560.
Robert Forman commissioned to examine and supervise all heralds etc,
52
April 1561.
16 April 1561. Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie commissioned to examine
and supervise all heralds, pursuivants, etc.
This was before Queen Mary left France for Scotland.
The register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, v 5, 1556-1567, p. 191-2.
817. At Johanvile (Perth?), 16 April 1561. Marie be the grace of God
quene of Scottis, To all and sindrie oure liegis and subdittis quhome it
efferis quhais knawlege thir oure lettiris sal cum, Greting. Forsamekle as
we, understanding the greit inormiteis and wrangis usit and done be oure
officiaris of armes, sick as herauldis and pursevantis, in creating of
messingeris at thair awine handis in the tyme of umquhile oure maist
derrest moder, lait quene regent of oure realme of Scotland, being in Leith
and in oure castell of Edinburgh, and sensyne, nocht havand oure king of
armes speciall licence to that effect, and maissouris at that samyn tyme and
presentlie nocht usand thair dewitie towart us, and utheris, hes borne and
beris oure mais, and usis the office thairof, nocht beand admittit be oure
said king of armes, nor maid thair aith of fidelitie to him in oure name, nor
hes oure said king of armes testimoniall for using of the samyn, and sindrie
beris oure greit armes and usis the office of messingerie, nocht havand
oure said king of armes admissoun thairto and beand depryvit for
oppressioun of oure subjectis be him of before; Thairfore we have gevin,
grantit and committit and be thir oure lettiris gevis, grantis and committis
to oure lovitt SCHIR ROBERT FORMAN of Luthrie, knicht, lyoun king
of armes, full power, expres bidding and charge to summond, warne and
charge oure saidis herauldis, pursevantis, maissouris and messingeris to
compeir befoir him and his collegis at sic ane day and place as the said
Schir Robert plesis to assigne and appoynt to that effect, and to ansuer
before him, and he to take tryale and cognoscence of oure feallis, (officials
in receipt of fees) herauldis and pursevantis alswele anent thair behavingis
in oure said umquhile maist derrest moderis tyme as in creating
messingeris than or sensyne nocht havand his speciale licence to that
effect, and siclike maissouris in using thair bodeis at that sam self tyme or
sensyne and bering oure mais, using the office thairor, nocht maid thair
aithis to the said Schir Robert in oure name nor havand his testimoniale
for using of the samin, and gife ony or oure foirsaidis herauldis,
pursevantis or maissouris havand feis of us beis fund gilty or culpable or
onye cryme to be laid to thame be the said Schir Robert that he
incontinent thairefter deprives the saidis offendaris of thair offices and
thair bodeis to oure constable or his deputis to be punist at his discretioun,
and the saidis offendaris haill gudis, movable and unmovable, be eschetit
to the [said] Schir Robertis use for thair contemptioun, and he to elect and
53
creat in the rowmes and places of the saidis offendaris (beand oure feallis)
utheris famous, honest and qualifeit personis, and the said Schir Robert to
mak intimatioun to oure coimptrollar heirof to the effect that nane be
ansuerit of oure feis bot thai quhome he sall present to him; and anent the
saidis messingeris berand oure greit armes gevis and grantis power to oure
said king of armes to tak knawlege gire onye or thame hes borne or beris
oure armes nocht beand admittit nor creatit be him as said is, that
incontinent efter the tryall thairof he deliver thair bodyis to the said
constable or his deputis to be punist with rigoure in exempill of uthiris for
thair contemptioun, and thair haill gudis to be employit to oure said king of
armes use for thair abusioun. With power to the said Schir Robert to
discharge oure haill messingeris and creat of new the maist honest, famous
and qualifiit personis beand admittit of before to the nowmer of fourtye
sex, and to tak thair aithis in oure name for trew administratioun of thair
offices in tymes to cum to all oure subjectis, and geif thame oure armes
and his testimoniall of the last dait abonewrittin for thair using of the
samin, and that the said Schir Robert mak intimatioun heirof to oure
sessioun that we will nocht that na man beir oure mais nor use the office
thairof afore thame saufand theis onlie quhome oure king of armes admittis
and presentis thairto. Gevin under oure prive seile. Per Signaturam. xxx.
41.
Robert Forman carries on as Lyon King waiting for Queen Mary to arrive
According to Wickipedia. Mary of Guise’s daughter, Mary Stewart, was Queen
consort of France from 10 July 1559 to 5 December 1560.
Topography and antiquities of the shires of Aberdeen and Banff, p. 502.
Testimonial of Armes. From the General Register House, Edinburgh. —(A.D.
1561.)
To all and sindry quhome it afferis to quhayis knawlege thir presentis sall
cum greting in God euirlasting We Schir Robert Forman of Lathie knycht
Lyoune King of Armes in the realme of Scotland hawand consideratioun of
the requeist maid to ws be ane honorable gentilman Maister Doncane
Forbes of Monymusk in the name of Katerine Forbes dochter to vmquhyle
Williame Forbes induellar in the town of Elchinuwir within the realme of
Denmark Schawand that the said vmquhile WilIiame fader to the said
Katerine ves gentilman borne and discendit lynalie of the honorable houss
of Petslego bot quhat armes sche aucht and suld beir sche is vncertane
Thairfour hes requirit ws to assigne to hir the saidis armes mettill and
cullour thairof as appertenis ws of our office to do We hawand
consideratioun that thar is sindry gentill men landit beand of that surname
of Forbes within this realme berand armes with differens aither fra vthir
54
Oure attentik Registaris bukis of Armes beand sersit and ryplie auisit with
be ws findis the said vmquhile Williame fader to the said Katerine lenalie
discendit of the said honourable howss of Petslego and sche aucht and suld
beir the armes of the samyn in all tymes cuming as fallowis Azur thre
beirheidis siluir mussalit sable with ane freis of the heidis in the middis as
is heir vnder depaintit without reproche of ony persoune quhilk we tak
vpone ws be this our testimonial subscriuit by? our hand our sele of office
is hingin heirto. At Edinburgh 3 June 1561.
Mary Queen of Scots arrives in Scotland 19 August 1561
Wickipedia. Mary Queen of Scots.
Mary returned to Scotland nine months after her husband's death, arriving
in Leith on 19 August 1561.[60] Mary had lived in France since the age of
five, and had little direct experience of the dangerous and complex political
situation in Scotland.[61] As a devout Catholic, she was regarded with
suspicion by many of her subjects, as well as by Elizabeth, her father's
cousin.[62] Scotland was torn between Catholic and Protestant factions, and
Mary's illegitimate half-brother, the Earl of Moray, was a leader of the
Protestant faction.[63] The Protestant reformer John Knox also preached
against Mary, condemning her for hearing Mass, dancing, and dressing too
elaborately.[64] She summoned him to her presence to remonstrate with him
unsuccessfully, and later charged him with treason, but he was acquitted
and released. . . .
To the disappointment of the Catholic party, however, Mary tolerated the
newly established Protestant ascendancy,[66] and kept her half-brother Lord
Moray as her chief advisor.[67] Her privy council of 16 men, appointed on 6
September 1561, retained those who already held the offices of state and
was dominated by the Protestant leaders from the reformation crisis of
1559–1560: the Earls of Argyll, Glencairn, and Moray. Only four of the
councillors were Catholic: the Earls of Atholl, Erroll, Montrose, and
Huntly, who was Lord Chancellor.
The register of the Great Seal of Scotland, v. 5, 1580-1593.
891. At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, 31 October 1561. (The queen states
that some of Sir Robert Forman’s officials were causing the office to be
slandered and evil spoken of it. She charged Sir Robert to cause all heralds,
maiseris, pursuivants and messengers to appear before him and his brother
heralds to answer questions about the conduct of their office and to report
any misconduct to her grace so that they can be punished). Ane Lettir
maid, makand mentioun that the office of King of Armes of this realme in
her predecessouris tymes hes bene sa honorabillie estemit that nocht onlie
broukit thai that office with all privilegeis thairto belangand, bot ala that
55
commissioun wes grantit to thame fra tyme to tyme to tak ordoure with the
rest of oure soverane ladeis officiaris berand hir armes committand onye
offence in thair offices as appertenit, and knawing that hir grace servitoure
SCHIR ROBERT FORMAN of Luthry, knycht, Lyoun King of Armes,
hes usit the said office in hir umquhile derrest moderis tyme according to
hir directioun in sic sort that hir officiaris were keipit under obedience, and
now hir grace understanding that he inlikewyis is myndit to do the like
service in tyme cuming, and that sindrie of hir saidis officiaris berand the
greit armes hes nocht sa behavit thame in thair office as become thame
according to thair aith and vocatioun, bot hes usit sic manifest oppressioun
aganis the liegis of hir realme sua that nocht onlie is the said office
sclanderit and evill spokin of, bot als oure soverane lady be thair occasioun
and misusing of thair office dishonorit: For remeid quhairof hir grace
gevis, grantis and committis full power, expres bidding and charge to the
said Schir Robert Forman of Luthrie, knycht, Lyoun King of Armes, to
call and caus be callit and summond all oure herauldis, maiseris,
pursevantis and messingeris to compeir before him and his brether
herauldis at sic dayis and places as thai sall assigne to ansuer before thame
to sic thingis as maye be laid to thame tuicheing the executioun of thair
office and to heir and see tryall and cognoscence takin be thame thairupoun
as efferis, and gife onye of the saidis herauldis (etc, ut supra) beis fundin
giltie or culpable in ony poynt tuicheing the executioun of thair office that
thai incontinent efter the samyn be lauchfullie and sufficientlie provin and
tryit report the samin togidder with the names of the personis cautionaris
for the detfull using of thair office to oure soverane ladie, that hir grace
may tak ordoure for representing of uthiris in thair places and causing of
hir thesaurare to uptak the panis fra thair cautionaris conforme to thair
bandis as accordis, and thairefter that thai deprive the offendaris of all
forthir executioun of thair office and deliver thame to the constable and his
deputis to be punist for thair demerritis, etc. Per Signaturam. 30 61.
Robert Forman contracts his daughter Barbara to Thomas (Towers) late
1561
NAS. B22/1/21 - 14 November 1561 –
Sasine to Thomas Cowris and Barbara Forman, his future spouse, daughter
of Robert Forman, Lord Lyon King at Arms –
It involves a tenement on the south side of the High Street.
Calendar of Deeds, vol V, 120.
Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie knight, Lyon King of Arms, and Barbara
Forman, his daughter, on one part, and Thomas Towris, son and heir of the
56
late John T., burgess of Edinburgh, on the other -- Contract of marriage 15
Nov 1561.
Robert Forman acquires a tenement in High Street, Edinburgh, 1562?
NAS. B22/1/22 - 15 February 1562.
recorded Robert Forman and his wife, Elizabeth Creichtoun acquiring a
tenement which had belonged to the deceased Andrew Mowbray the north
side of the High Street.
Robert Forman presents roll of arms to Queen Mary of Scotland in 1562
Riddell, John, 1860. Comments in refutation of pretensions advanced for the
first time, and statements in a recent work The Stirlings of Keir and their family
papers, with an exposition of the right of the Stirlings of Drumpellier to the
representation of the ancient Stirlings of Cadder, p. 151-2.
The writer may first here adduce a long extended parchment roll of arms,
preserved in the Advocates" Library, Edinburgh, entitled, " Ye cotts of 267
Knights, .... landed geutlemen of ye Kingdome of Scotland as they ver
(were) presented to our Soverane Lady Marie, by the grace of God, Queine
of Scotland and Dowager of France, by Schir. . . . Forman, Lyone King of
Arms, in anno 1562." It proves to be a copy by Sir James Balfour, Lord
Lyon to Charles I, formerly mentioned, from the original, that must have
been made out under the auspices of Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie, the
Lord Lyon, as stated, the above year, and as will afterwards be proved.
. . . All writers agree that Queen Mary, then Dowager of France, returned
to Scotland, after the death of her royal spouse, in August 1561, though
the precise day be uncertain.
It was but natural, from every motive, that the elite of Scotland, embracing
those in Forman the Lyon's roll, would be anxious to be presented to and
greet their sovereign on her arrival, after so prolonged an absence from it,
since her very infancy. She was admitted at the time, even by her foes, to
have been in the meridian of a beauty heightened, by inherent graces and
endowments, beyond the power of a French education,—to such extent, to
use the words of Buchanan, afterwards a bitter enemy, that (in her respect)
"natura rudis> ars videatur inops;" and being naturally of a kind
disposition, when not politically warped (and even then she could politely
dissemble), could not but on this occasion be graciously disposed to
receive the former. And how could the reception be more adequately and
formally adjusted than by the above-mentioned Sir Robert Forman, the
Lord Lyon (who certainly held that high and courtly office in 1561 and
1563, hence including 1562*), and by his preliminary announcement to the
Queen, through the roll, of their respective names (bating Keir's) and arms,
57
so much prized by their owners, and that were in part afterwards to be
displayed before her on public festivals and at tournaments, which she
gaily and warmly patronised. Pressing business, doubtless, and the
perplexing cabals of the austere clergy, might have delayed the reception
immediately upon her arrival in 1561; therefore 1562, the very next year,
might have been more suitable, and, accordingly, was that of the
presentment of the roll. (see further on).
Sir Robert Forman, Lyon King of Arms, sent to France to "Our Sovrane
lady Marie, by the grace of God Queen of Scotland and Dowager of
France," probably in 1562, a roll of the arms "of two hundred and sixtyseven knights and landed gentlemen of the kingdome of Scotland." The
original is not known to exist, but in the Advocates' Library there is an
imperfect copy in trick, executed by Sir James Balfour, Lyon King of
Arms 1630-54. It only gives two hundred and four shields, and of these
fifty have been selected and reproduced in colour. 1532 is given as the
date, but this must be a mistake ; Sir Robert Forman was appointed Lyon
in 1555, and Francis II. died in 1560. This roll is referred to as F. The coats
given from this and the other MSS. are distinguished in the notes by an
asterisk prefixed to the name; the letter L. indicates that the arms are in Sir
David Lindsay's MS.
McMath, Frank Mortimer, 1898. Memorials of the McMath family, including a
genealogical account of the descendants of Archibald McMath, who was born in
Scotland about the year 1700 (Volume 1)
p. xiv, Introduction.
"Sir Robert Forman, Lyon King of Arms, sent to France to 'our Sovrane
lady, Marie, by the grace of God, Queen of Scotland and Dowager of
France,' probably in 1562, a roll of the arms 'of two hundred and sixtyseven knights and landed gentlemen of the Kingdome of Scotland.' The
original is not known to exist, but in the Advocates Library there is an
imperfect copy in trick, executed by Sir James Balfour, Lyon King of
Arms, 1630-54. * * * 1532 is given as the date, but this must be a mistake;
Sir Robert Forman was appointed Lyon in 1555, and Francis II. died in
1560."
"Scottish Arms," by R. R. Stodart, 1831, I. Introduction V.
Brydall, Robert, 1889. Art in Scotland, its origin and progress, p. 29. Source:
Internet Archive.
A collection in the Advocates' Library bears the date 1630-1654, copied by
Sir James Balfour, Lyon King, from an earlier work by Sir Robert
Forman, who was sent on an embassy to France to "our Sovrane lady
Marie" about 1562.
58
Robert Forman’s son, John, educated? in Paris
Scottish Record Society. Protocol book of Mr Gilbert Grote, 1552-1573, p. 612.
255. Instrument narrating that Mr. David Hendirsoun, vicar of Rossy,
campeared in presence of the notary and—in consideration of certain sums
of money and on the narrative that Hugh Hering of Haltoun of Esse
(cessioner and assignee of John Campbell of Lundy, son and heir of the
late Sir John Campbell of Lundy, knight, in and to a letter of reversion for
redemption of the lands aftermentioned) had granted him, in terms of said
letter of reversion, a lease (dated at Edinburgh 27th May 1563) of two
parts of the lands of Mylnhill and two parts of the mill thereof with mill
lands, etc., and the lands of Langforgund, commonly called Byrflat, lying
in the barony of Lundy and sheriffdom of Perth, for the term of 11 years,—
nominated and ordained William Hendirsoun, his brother-german, his
cessioner and assignee in and to (a) the said lease (which he delivered) for
the period yet to run; and (b) all his moveable goods, debts, and sums of
money, and specially 16 "oxin," 6 "ky," 1 9 "auld scheip," 24 "zoung
scheip," 60 "bollis quhete," 70 "bollis beir," 240 "bollis aittis," 30 "bollis
peis," and 10 "bollis benis," on the lands of Mylnhill, 210 crowns due by
James Thorntoun and Williame Moncur, Laird of Moncur, for the teinds of
Vnthank, for the years 1547, 1548, and 1549, 30 merks by Williame
Bonar, Laird of Rossy, 19 chalders "meill and beir" by Johnne, Lord
Glames, I8 chalders "ferme meill and beir" by the men of Lunros, for the
lands of Lunros for 3 years, 72 "crownis of the sone" by Mr. Andro
Oliphant, 40 "crownis of the sone" by Petir Thomsoun, Ylay Herald, for
the fruits of the Baky for the years 1550,1551, and 1552, £43 by Mr. Henry
Blaikwoid, 63 crowns by Mr. Dauid Creychttoun, £12 by Mr. Thomas
Creychtoun, £40 by Mr. Thomas Marioribankis for the balance of his
expenses in Pareis, £6 10s, by Mr. Clement Mauchane conform to
obligation, £7 by Mr. Thomas Ker, who was acted in the consistory books
of Lothian, £15 by the Lyon Herald for his son's expenses in Pareis, £18
5s 3d and 8 "hors and meris" by Williame Wachop, younger, Laird of
Nuddry, conform to his obligation, and £13 2s 3d Scots, by Lady Methven
for her son's expenses in Pareis, with power to intromit therewith, etc.
Done on 15th September 1563 in the notary's writing-booth on the north
side of the High Street of Edinburgh. Witnesses, John Andirsoun, James
Henryson, butcher and burgess of Edinburgh, Mr Henry Balfour, parson of
Kildaltane in the Ill, and Richard Hendirsoun, burgess of Edinburgh.
Robert Forman Lyon King paves way for marriage of Queen Mary to
Darnley, 1564
59
Wikipedia. Mary Queen of Scots.
Mary turned her attention to finding a new husband from the royalty of
Europe. However, when her uncle the Cardinal of Lorraine began
negotiations with Archduke Charles of Austria without her consent, she
angrily objected and the negotiations foundered.[74] Her own attempt to
negotiate a marriage to Don Carlos, the mentally unstable heir apparent of
King Philip II of Spain, was rebuffed by Philip. . . .
Riddell, John, 1860. Comments in refutation of pretensions advanced for the
first time, and statements in a recent work The Stirlings of Keir and their family
papers, with an exposition of the right of the Stirlings of Drumpellier to the
representation of the ancient Stirlings of Cadder. Footnote p. 152.
*Chalmers, in his notices of Sir David Lindsay, and edition of his works,
quotes a Commission by Queen Mary, upon record, 16th April 1561 (thus
before her arrival in Scotland), to "our lovit Schir Robert Forman of
Luthrie, Lyon King of Armes;" and on March 10, 1561 (that is, at the end
of the year, it then beginning on the 25th of March), " Mr Robert Forman,
of —, Knycht, Lyoun King of Arms, protested against the cognisance of
the Supreme Civil Court in a question between him and their macers. And,
lastly, we may here adduce this passage from the Pollock Diurnal of
Events: "Upon the 22 of September" (1563, from what precedes), "Matho,
sumtyme Erle of Levinax, wes, be oppin proclamatioun at the Mercat
Croce of Edinburgh, relaxit fra the proces of our Soverane Ladie's home be
Schir Robert Forman of Luthrie, Knycht, Lyoun King of Armes, and all
the officiaris of armes, and deliverit the wand of peax to Johne Erle of
Athole, wha ressavit the samyn in the said Erlis name." This was the noted
restoration of the Lennox family, after their forfeiture, that paved the way
to the marriage of the Queen with Darnley. Sir Robert Forman must thus
also have been Lord Lyon in the intervening year of 1562; and what might
be more material about him could be adduced if required.
Diurnal of occurrents in Scotland, 1513-1575, p. 77.
On the 22 September 1563, Mathew some time earl of Levinax, was by
open proclamation at the mercat cross of Edinburgh, relaxit from the
process of our sovereign ladies horne, by Sir Robert Foirman of Luthrie,
knight lyoun king of armes, and all the officers of armes, and delivered the
wand of peace to Johne earl of Athole, quha retsavit the same in the said
earls name.
According to Mrs. C.G.W. Roads, MVO., Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the
Records, Court of the Lord Lyon, HM New Register House, Edinburgh, EH1
3YT.
60
We do have a certificate of proclamation of relaxation of the Earl of
Lennox in 1564 by Lyon Sir Robert Forman which has a seal, sadly now
unclear but obviously that described in Stevenson & Wood Scottish
Heraldic Seals as:FORMAN, Sir Robert, of Luthrie, knight, Lyon King of Arms, 1555-1567
First seal. A shield of arms bearings: Quarterly, 1 and 4: Three camel
heads couped, collared and belled; 2 and 3: a chevron between three fishes
haurient. No legend. Diam 13/16in. Used as official seal of Lyon on
certificate of proclamation 22 Sept. 1564.
Agnes Strickland, 1858. Lives of the queens of Scotland and English princesses
connected with the regal succession of Great Britain (Volume 4). p. 56-7.
Mary's secret inclination to marry Darnley was so thoroughly concealed by
her apparent desire to wed the heir of Spain, and the continuation of the
correspondence in that quarter, that Elizabeth, for the purpose of diverting
her from entering into that alliance, not only granted Lennox permission to
proceed to Edinburgh, but furnished him with credentials and a letter to
Mary, interceding with her for the reversal of his forfaulture, and the
restoration of his estates. Lennox, after an exile of twenty years, arrived in
Edinburgh early in September, 1564, and as the Queen was not yet
returned from her northern progress, accepted in the interim an invitation
to visit the Earl of Atholl.
Mary was at Dundee September 9, as she dates from that place a short
letter to the Duke of Savoy, whom, as the consort of Margaret of Valois,
aunt to her deceased husband, Francis II, she addresses as "mon oncler''
(Diurnal of Occurrents). As soon as she heard of the arrival of the Earl of
Lennox, she returned to Holyrood, and qualified him to appear in her
presence by a process, which is thus quaintly recorded : "On the 22d day
of September, Mathew, some time Earl of Lennox, was, by open
proclamation at the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh, relaxed fra the process of
our Sovereign Lady's horn by Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie, knight,
Lion-King of Arms, and all the officers, delivering the wand of peace to
John, Earl of Atholl, who received the same in the said Earl's name."
(Diurnal of Occurrents). The next day Lennox rode in state to the abbey of
Holyrood, preceded by twelve gentlemen clothed in velvet coats, with
chains about their necks, upon fair horses; and behind him thirty other
gentlemen well mounted, wearing gray livery coats, and entered the
lodging, which had been most honorably prepared for him, in the house of
Mary's brother, the Lord Robert, Commendator of Holyrood, beside the
said abbey. The Queen, who was holding an especial Court for this
purpose, sent a formal requisition for his attendance by a deputation of her
officers of state, by whom he was conducted into her presence. She
received him with the testimonials of affection and respect due to the
61
husband of her father's sister, the kiss and embrace of welcome,
displeasing as it was to many of the nobles in the courtly circle to see such
demonstrations bestowed by their Sovereign Lady on the traitor who had
sold her and her realm, in her helpless infancy, for English gold. The Duke
of Chatelherault, finding his ancient foe, his rival in the regal succession,
and the sworn opposer of his legitimacy, brought back on the political
arena, after twenty years of well-deserved outlawry, believed the ruin of
his house, so long decreed by the Earl of Moray, was now to be
accomplished in good earnest.
Robert Forman with Queen Mary in Stirling, April/May 1565
According to Preface in Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 11, 15591566 . . . “law for certane pointis of lesemajestie." He did not appear; Moray
took good care of that; and he fled back to France for a time.
April (1565) was spent by the Queen mostly in Stirling, but she appears to have
come back to the capital once or twice on flying visits. The Skyre Thursday
feet-washing ceremonies were probably one reason for her return. It is curious
to find her hiring a pair of carriage horses for her journey back to Stirling, as the
Royal stables were excellently furnished with horse flesh. One interesting letter
was sent this month from the Queen to the Bailies of Musselburgh, "chargeing
thame to tak diligent heid and attendence that the monument of grit antiquitie
new fundin be nocht demolisit nor brokin downe." This is probably the first
instance of State interference for the preservation of ancient monuments in
Scotland. The relic in question was an altar to Apollo Grannus which, with
other Roman remains, was discovered within what are now the grounds of
Inveresk House. Randolph wrote as follows to Cecil describing the find: "The
Cave found besyde Muskelbourge seemeth to be some monument of the
Romaynes by a stone that was found with these words graven upon him:
'Apollini Granno, Q. L. Sabinianus Proc. Aug.' Divers short pillers, sette upryte
upon the grounde, covered with tyle stones large and thyucke, torning into
dyvers angles and certayne places lyke unto chynes to avoid smoke. This is all
that I can gather thereof" The Queen's well-meant effort at preservation had
only a temporary effect. The worthy magistrates of the "honest toun " had
within the next few years matter to occupy their attention which seemed to them
of far greater importance than the preservation of what, in their opinion, was
mere ruinous rubbish. The relics were probably thought to be a "monument of
idolatrie"; at all events by 1593 they \vere "utterlie aboloshit," and have now
entirely disappeared.
Preface, Treasurers Accounts:
There is not much to chronicle in May (1565), during which month the
Queen remained at Stirling surrounded, it would appear, by all her Court,
62
as Lyon King of Arms and his heralds got £60 for their expenses there.
The Lyon at this time was Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie, who had been
appointed in 1555, after having been Ross Herald for fifteen years
previously. He was an able and accomplished herald, and has left us an
interesting armorial MS., which is still in the Lyon Office.
According to Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 11, 1559-1566, p. 363,
19 May 1565.
Item, be the Quenis grace written command, to Lyoun King of Armis and
to his brethir herauldis and pursevantis, for thair expensis and chargis
remanand in Striviling (Stirling) upoun hir graces effaris, as thair
acquittance schawin upoun compt beris (bears?), ₤60.
Queen Mary marries her cousin Lord Darnley, July 1565
Christopher Lee, 1997- This Sceptred Isle 55BC 1901,
. . she married her cousin, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, after only a few
years in Scotland. This was a disaster and the old feudal factions seized
Scotland in their grip. Mary’s power melted slowly and steadily away. In
desperation she connived at the murder of her husband who had become a
tool of her opponents. Then, in 1567, she married his murderer, James
Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. Defeat and imprisonment followed. She was
forced to abdicate, naming the earl of Moray as regent for her son. Mary’s
abdication or demission was signed on 24 July 1567 (Burton, The History
of Scotland). The infant king, James V, was crowned at Stirling on 29 th
July 1567. In 1568, she escaped into England. Within five years, her
supporters in Scotland were mopped up and a succession of Protestant,
Anglophile regents ruled on behalf of her son. After one plot too many,
Queen Elizabeth had Mary executed in England in 1587.
Preface, Treasurers Accounts:
In June, Mary was at Perth. A convention of the nobles was to meet there
on the 15th "to allow her marriage with the Lord Darnley." It was,
however, from causes which need not concern us here, postponed till the
22nd. A new horse was purchased for the Queen this month at a cost of
£33, and history tells us of several excursions she had while at Perth, on
which occasions she probably rode this new steed.
The fateful month of July (1565) saw, towards its close, the celebration of
the Darnley marriage, but the only direct mention of it in the accounts is in
an item of £10 paid to the gunners in Edinburgh Castle for firing a salute
on the occasion. Perhaps the considerable sum of £76 paid to a goldsmith
called Ginone Loysclener, "for certain furnesing maid be him to hir grace,"
may have had something to do with the wedding, but details are not given.
63
Meanwhile, Moray had broken with the Queen and joined the Lords of the
Congregation: he was summoned by Ilay Herald on the 19th "to compeir
and present himself befoir hir grace in the palice of Halierudehous withtin
thre dais," but this we know he did not do. Immediately after the marriage
Mary summoned her lieges to meet her at Edinburgh "with all possible
haist," "weill bodin in feir of weir" with provisions for a fortnight. On the
2nd of August Moray was again summoned to appear, and on his failure
was declared a rebel, though the proclamation in the latter connection does
not appear in the accounts. Before, however, proceeding to note the more
public events of the time, so far as these accounts are concerned with them,
we may consider the domestic details relative to the Queen's household
immediately after the Darnley wedding. The infatuation which Mary had
for that foolish youth is to some extent shown by the numerous expenses
which were lavished on him. His cabinet was hung with green, a colour of
which the Queen seems to have been. fond, as many of her own rooms had
green carpets or hangings. An armourer in the Canongate called Thomas
Hunter furnished him with "jakis and doublettis of plait," and no less than
seventy-three ells of "holand claith" were bought for his shirts, ruffs, and
nightcaps at a cost of over £90. His towels or "rubbing claithis" were of
"smale quhite cammes," but six ells of this seem to have been considered
sufficient. His tailor, William Hoppringle, made clothes for him, of which
the material consisted of black velvet, black satin, black taffety, and black
silk, together with £73 worth of silver lace trimming. To attend him, he
had three pages of honour and two lacqueys, all costumed in yellow
stemming and crimson velvet, the Royal livery colours. They may have
been very grand and gay, but when we look into details we find that these
do not make for comfort. In the case of their hose, for instance, each pair of
hose had four ells of "lyning," that is to . . . .
Alison Weir, 2008. Mary Queen of Scots and the murder of Lord Darnley.
Published by Vintage. P. 75.
The marriage to Darnley.
Between the hours of five and six in the morning of Sunday 29 July 1565,
Mary was conveyed by Atholl and a triumphant Lennox to the chapel royal
at Hollyrood.
Bote Frauchtis.
According to Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 11, 1559-1566, p. 524,
1566.
Item, be the King and Quenis gracis speciale command, to Lyoun King of
Armes and remanent herauldis, passand of Edinburgh to Striviling and
Glasgow and thair remanand upoun thair heiness, during the space of that
army, ₤60.
64
Item, to Lion King of Armes for his ordinar, passand of Edinburgh to
Dunfreis and thair awaitand upoun oure Soveranis be the space of 11 days,
ilk day 40s; summa, ₤22.
Item, be the Quenis graces speciale command, to Lyoun herauld King of
Armes, for expensis maid be him upoun the warnyng and convening of the
haill messingeris of this realme, hoc anno tantum, ₤12.
Records of the parliament of Scotland. At Edinburgh, 22 August 1567.
Procedure: acceptance of the regency by the earl of Moray.
The which day, in presence of the lords of secret council, nobility,
spirituality, commissioners of burghs and barons convened within the
tolbooth of the burgh of Edinburgh, was presented a commission,
subscribed by [Mary], the queen's majesty, our sovereign lord's dearest
mother, and under her highness's privy seal, of the date at Lochleven, 24
July last, which was openly read, the tenor whereof follows: Mary, by the
grace of God, queen of Scots, to all and sundry our judges and ministers of
our laws, lieges and subjects whom it concerns, to whose knowledge these
our letters shall come, [greeting]. Forasmuch as after long, great and
intolerable pains and labours taken by us since our arrival, etc., as is
expressed at length in the act above-written, made on 25 July last.
After the public reading of the said commission, and invocation of the
name of God, the said noble and mighty lord James [Stewart], earl of
Moray, etc., received and accepted upon him the office of regency of our
sovereign lord, his realm and lieges, and gave his oath for dutiful
administration thereof, after the form and tenor of the said commission in
all points, of the which oath the tenor also follows: . . .
Unceretain source.
Profession: Lyon King of Arms in Edinburgh. A Scottish armorial, portion
of the Workman or Forman ms in Lyon Office was considered by the late
Mr George Burnett, Lyon, to have been executed probably between 1508
and 1530. An official book is the Register or Scroll Register of Blazons of
the time of Sir Robert Forman, Lyon King, dated 9 February 1566. It is
in the Lyon Office and contains arms of the nobility and gentry of
Scotland, and portraits of the Kings and Queens.
An official book is the Register or Scroll Register of Blazons of the time of
Sir Robert Forman, Lyon King, dated 9 February 1566. It is in the Lyon
Office and contains arms of the nobility and gentry of Scotland, and
portraits of the Kings and Queens. Two excellent examples of Patents of
Arms were issued on 2 April 1567 under the seal of Queen Mary’s Lord
Lyon, Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie.
65
Forman of Luthrie, Sir Robert, Lord Lyon King of Arms, Scottish Noble
(c.1567).
Arms: Quarterly: 1 & 4, Three Boar's heads erased (Forman): 2 & 3, A
chevron between three fish erect palewise.
Crest: A Boar's head couped (?).
(Seal, 1567).
Wikipedia. Mary Queen of Scots.
James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, was generally believed to have
orchestrated Darnley's death, but he was acquitted of the charge in April
1567, and the following month he married Mary. Following an uprising
against the couple, Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle. On 24
July 1567, she was forced to abdicate in favour of her one-year-old son by
Darnley, James. After an unsuccessful attempt to regain the throne, she
fled southwards seeking the protection of her first cousin once removed,
Queen Elizabeth I of England. Mary had previously claimed Elizabeth's
throne as her own and was considered the legitimate sovereign of England
by many English Catholics, including participants in a rebellion known as
the Rising of the North. Perceiving her as a threat, Elizabeth had her
confined in a number of castles and manor houses in the interior of
England.
Index. Lyon king of arms (Lyon herald), his expenses at the Prince’s coronation
at Stirling, 7, 67.
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, vol 12, 1566-1574, p. 67, 11 July 1567.
Item, be the lordis of secrete counsale speciale command to Lyoun king of
armes, herauldis and pursevantis convenit to the coronatioun of the Prince
in thair expensis in Striviling (Stirling).
Robert Forman was still Lyon King.
His wife, Elizabeth Crighton, is mentioned in the Great Seal of Scotland (712)
for 1567.
Robert Forman (probably) appoints son, John, Rothesay Herald before
dying in 1568
Sir Robert Forman probably appointed his son, John, to the position of Rothesay
Herald in early 1568, just before he died.
Court of the Lord Lyon, Francis Grant, Scottish Record Society, Edin, 1945, p.
17.
Forman, John, Rothesay 1568, re-ap. April 1569, deprived 1571, restored
1581, son of Sir Robert Forman, Lyon, died before 1594. Margaret, his
66
illegitimate daughter has letters of Legitimation, 13 April 1587. [Edinr.
Tests, 25 July 1597.]
John Knox (see following) seems to have been the only author to indicate that
Robert Forman died in office. The appointment of John Forman as Rothesay
Herald in 1568 and the appointment of Robert Forman’s successor on 20th
February 1568, suggests that Robert Forman died early in 1568.
John Knox works, vol 6. Additional notes and corrections.
Page 334. — In the footnote relating to William Stewart, in place
of the words at the end, that his fate was somewhat uncertain, read, "his
fate was very striking, and in some respects unaccountable." Without
entering into minute details, it may be noticed that, soon after returning
from one of his missions, as Ross Herald, to Denmark, he received, on
the 20th of February 1567-8, a commission, constituting him Lyon
King-at-Arms, in the room of Sir Robert Forman, deceased; and, two
days later, he was inaugurated in St. Giles's Kirk, in presence of the
Regent and Nobility. Yet, in the month of August following, Stewart
was deprived of his office, and sent a prisoner to Dunbarton, on the charge
of conspiring against the Regent. After twelve months' imprisonment,
he was carried to St. Andrews, and the conspiracy being disproved, he
was tried for witchcraft and sorcery, and sentenced to be burnt. The
proceedings of his trial are not preserved, and there appears something
vindictive in the Regent Murray's conduct towards him. His widow
obtained a grant of the escheat of all his goods and property falling
to the Crown, "throw being of the said umquhile William Stewart,
sumtyme Lioun King of Armes, convict and justifiet to the dead for
certane crymes of witchcraft, nigromancye, and utheris crymes committit
be him." — (Reg. Seer. Cone, vol. xxxviii. fol. 76.).
I do not know which Robert Forman the following refers to.
Geneanet. B. ROBERT FORMAN's Monument Ibidem.
Stay passenger, consider well,
That thou ere long with me most dwell;
Since thou on earth hast but short stay,
Remember then to watch and pray,
To honour God with fear and dread;
Learn thou this lesson from the dead.
William Stewart appointed Lyon King of Arms, 23/2/68- 2/8/68.
Burnt/hanged August 1569
The Great Seal of Scotland for 20 February 1567/8.
67
Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie Knight Lyon King of Arms. William
Stewart was appointed Lyon king on 23 February 1567/8, presumably
following the death of Sir Robert (A little Latin translation is needed to
clear this up).
158. At Edinburgh, 20 February 1568. The Great Seal of Scotland. William
Stewart, Ross Herald, was appointed Lyon King of Arms. In Latin.
Treasurers accounts: 9 June 1568.
William Stewart is Lyoun King of Armes.
George Chalmers, 1822. The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots: Drawn from the
State Papers, with Subsidiary Memoirs (Volume 3), p. 391-2.
On the 20th of February 1567-8, William Steuart, Ross-herald, received a
commission; constituting him lion-king-at-arms, in the room of Sir Robert
Forman. On the 22d of the same month, he was inaugurated, in the kirk,
after sermon, in the forenoon, in presence of the Regent, and nobility
(Birrel's Diary, 14). On the 2d of August 1568, Sir William Steuart, the
lion-king, was sent, from Edinburgh to Dunbarton-castle; being suspected
of a conspiracy against the Regent's life. On the 19th of August 1568, Sir
William Steuart, wrote, from Dunbarton, the following letter (Cot. Lib.
Calig. B. ix. fol. 272), in justification of his own innocence. Here he
remained a twelvemonth, while Murray was in England; but, he was
removed to St Andrews, in August 1569; where he was tried, and
convicted, and executed, not for imagining the death of the Regent, but for
witchcraft, and necromancy (Hist, of K. James, 48-66. He was put to death,
in August 1569: There is the note of a letter, to this effect, from Lord
Hunsdon to Secretary Cecil, dated, at Berwick, on the 30th of August
1569; saying, "Paris was put to death a fortnight since; and so was Stewart,
who was King of Heralds, who had determined, to kill the Regent: but, he
was forgiven, for that, and was burnt, for conjuration, and witchraft."
Laing's Dissert. App. 269. In other words, the prosecutors had no evidence
against the Lion King; and therefore, they charged him with an imaginary
crime, for which he was burnt).
On the 22d of August 1568, Sir David Lindsay, the younger, was
inaugurated, as Lion King, in the room of Sir William Stewart. On the
13th of September 1569 however, a grant was issued to Dorothy Crunae,
the relict of the late William Stewart, Lion King, of the escheat of all his
property, which fell to the King, by the said William being convicted, and
put to (death, for witchcraft and necromancy} He was put to (death, then,
without being convicted of any offence. He had, however, Lord Fleming,
for his lord, and master, which was no doubt, a crime, in the Regent's
contemplation. Though he never conspired, nor consented to the Earl of
68
Murray's death; yet, he spoke of his faction, as monstrous, and treasonous.
It is upon the whole apparent, that he fell under the axe of a tyranny, which
put him to death, not for what he had done, but for what he wished to do.
His widow was, probably, protected by Secretary Maitland, who, perhaps,
owed something to the husband, which he now repaid to the widow.
The letter that was written is contained in the book but is not repeated here.
The regent, the earl of Moray, had the new Lyon King of Arms, William
Stewart, hanged in Saint Andrews for divers points of witchcraft and
necromancy in May 1569, so he lasted a little over a year. Also, John
Hamilton, archbishop of St Andrews, a Roman Catholic, was taken
prisoner during the capture by the King’s party of the castle of Dumbarton.
He was dragged to a scaffold and put to a dog’s death (Chambers, 1874) at
the mercat-cross of Stirling. He was a partisan of the Queen and suspected
of crimes against the Protestant cause.
Robert Forman survived by his wife and his son
NAS. Register of Deeds?, Inquisitionum… etc. Vol 11. MDCCCXI,
Inquisitiones Generales. (8418).
Johannes Forman, haeres Domini Roberti Forman de Luthrie militis,
Leonis Regis Armorum, patris C. 268.
The following document appears to refer to his son, John.
Calendar of Deeds, vol XVI, 297.
John Purves, son and heir of umquhile John P. merchant and burgess
of Edinburgh; now 21 years of age, to John Forman, his mother’s
brother – Interdict ratifying a previous interdiction 16 Oct 1577.
Commissariot of Edinburgh, Register of Testaments: Dame Elizabeth, spouse to
umquhile Sir Robert Forman of Luthrie, knight, Lion-herald 23 Nov 1594 and
20 Jan 1594-5.
1514-1600.] Commissariot of Edinburgh.
John Rothsay herald 25 July 1597 and 28 Dec. 1598
Sir Robert, of Luthrie, knight. See Crichton, Dame Elizabeth.