Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

anxious to gain Blair Castle in Athole, the two armies, on Saturday, the 27th July, 1689, found themselves facing each other at the head of the Pass of Killiecrankie. Dundee had under command 2000 men, and Mackay had about double that number. Mackay's men were disposed in the haughs, with the Garry in the rear, and behind the Garry the inhospitable mountains. He was in a trap from which only victory could deliver him. This was Dundee's game. He had got the army into a position where it could not only be beaten, but annihilated. To prevent outflanking movements, Dundee's army occupied the hillside. Lochiel was strongly opposed to Dundee taking personal part in the fight. Claverhouse begged that, like the commonest clansman, “he might be permitted to do a harvest-day's darg for the King." Dundee delivered a brief address to his troops. The sun set. The clansmen cast off their brogues and plaids. The pipes sounded, and the clans came down the hill. As they descended, slowly at the first, Mackay poured into their ranks a hot fire. When they came to the level ground the Highlanders discharged their muskets. Then, throwing their fire-arms away and drawing their claymores, with a terrific yell they burst, with the impetuosity of one of their own mountain torrents, on the ranks of the foe. The charge was so rapid that Mackay's troops had no time to fix their bayonets when the broadswords were among them dealing death at every stroke. The onset was irresistible, and the Southrons fled like sheep. They were butchered in the Pass. They were drowned in the Garry. man could do. He stood firm. attempted to rally his men; in

Mackay did all mortal But it was in vain he vain he spurred his

charger into the thick of the flashing broadswords. Mackay left 2000 men dead on the field. Dundee's loss

is estimated at 900. Had the Highlanders not been attracted by the prospect of loot, it is probable Dundee's game would have been played out, and not more than a score or two of the Government army been left to tell the tale. The battle of Killiecrankie was, on the part of Dundee, a finely planned and bravely executed piece of military work. But it was not the will of Providence he should reap from his victory anything beyond posthumous renown. As he waved his troops to the attack, a random ball struck him beneath the armpit, and wounded him fatally. That the shot was fired by one of his own troops, namely William Livingston, who had become possessed of a passion for his wife, is merely a popular delusion. At that moment that gentleman was lying a close prisoner in the Tolbooth in Edinburgh. Lady Dundee bore her husband one son, who died in infancy. It was thus Viscount Dundee passed to his rest and his account, a man in the inscrutable Providence of God a terror and a scourge to the people of Scotland.

CHAPTER VI.

The First Laird Livingston-The Second Laird-The Third Laird -Flodden-The FIRST BARONET--Darnley and MaryBanishment-Restoration-A Juryman in the Morton Trial -Earl of Lennox Arrested-Kilsyth Befriends Him-Divorced -THE SECOND BARONET-His Accomplishments-Fits out a Fleet-His Estates and Wealth-The FIRST VISCOUNT KILSYTH AND LORD CAMPSIE-Defends his Castle-Overpowered by Cromwell-Disgraceful Conduct of Cromwell's Troops-The Castle Burnt-The Supplication of the PeopleCromwell's Act of Pardon--Cromwell and the Provost of Glasgow—Charles raises Sir James to the Peerage—The SECOND LORD KILSYTH-Changed Opinions-In Parliament -Resigns Commission - Resigns his Estates-His Vacillation and Character.

THERE have been four lairds, four baronets, and three viscounts in the Livingston line, proprietors of the Kilsyth estates.

The First Laird :-The noble house of Kilsyth was founded by William Livingston, the younger son of Sir John Livingston of Callendar, who fell before the prowess of Hotspur at Homildon Hill in 1402. He was established in Kilsyth by his father, who bestowed upon him the lands of Wester Kilsyth. Marrying Elizabeth, daughter of William de Caldcotis, a relation of his own within the forbidden degrees of consanguinity, he had to obtain a dispensation from the Pope before his nuptials could be consummated. Along with this lady he obtained the estate of Greden in Berwickshire.

The Second Laird :-William, the first proprietor, died in 1459, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward,

[ocr errors]

commonly called Edward Livingston of Balcastle. He married a daughter of Thomas, Lord Erskine, and died October, 1486.

The Third Laird :-Edward was succeeded by his

[graphic][merged small]

SEAL AND AUTOGRAPH OF WILLIAM, SIXTH LORD LIVINGSTON. From original Charter at Colzium House, dated 15th March, 1560-1.

oldest son, William Livingston, who appears to have been a man of considerable mark. In cases of dispute his

counsel was often sought after.

He was slain in the

memorable but disastrous battle of Flodden. The right wing of the Scottish army was under the charge of the Earls of Lennox and Argyll. It was under the former that William Livingston marched, and while fighting beneath his standard that he fell.

"The English shafts in volleys hail'd,

In headlong charge their horse assail'd;
Front, flank, and rear, the squadrons sweep
To break the Scottish circle deep

That fought around their King.

But yet though thick the shafts as snow,
Though charging knights like whirlwinds go,
Though billmen ply the ghastly blow,
Unbroken was the ring :

"The stubborn spearmen still made good
Their dark impenetrable wood,

Each stepping where his comrade stood
The instant that he fell.

No thought was there of dastard flight,
Linked in the serried phalanx tight
Groom fought like noble, squire like knight,
As fearlessly and well:

Till utter darkness closed her wing

O'er their thin host and wounded King."

The Fourth Laird :-Having married a daughter of the House of Montrose, the hero of Flodden was succeeded by his son, William Livingston, who having married a daughter of Sir Duncan Forrester of Garden, and dying in 1545, was succeeded by his grandson Sir William Livingston, first baronet of Kilsyth.

The First Baronet:-The first baronet occupied, if not a great, still a most respectable and prominent place amongst the men of his time. The baronetcy arose out of that dark affair, the connection of Darnley with Mary Queen of Scots. On the 15th May, 1565, the Queen

« AnteriorContinuar »