Allan Boyd

“ Rymer desired him to make no noise, assuring him that he had not the least intention to hurt him.—"You have a good character, said he, among your neighbours; but you must expect your life will be cut short, if you are so wicked as to continue the freedoms you took with me. Hold your hand, here are 30 shillings to buy leather; husband it well, and set your children a laudable example." ”

“ By means of these artificial improvements, joined to the natural strength of the ground, the Scotch army stood as within an entrenchment, and the invisible pits and ditches answered to the concealed batteries of modern times. Amongst the other occurrences of this memorable day, historians mention an incident of a singular nature.—As the two armies were about to engage, the Abbot of Inchaffery posting himself before the Scots, with a crucifix in his hand, they all fell down upon their knees in act of devotion. ”

“ SIR Thomas Learmant commonly called, Thomas Rymer, was born in the east corner of Fife, of a good family. His Prophesies have been more credited than any that were ever recorded in the Scots Chronicle, as they have been well attested, what of them is past, and what they allude to, in this present century and period, and of his dark sayings yet to come.
He told many mystical prophesies anent all the kings of Europe, and what fell out according to his prediction, in this ancient kingdom of Scotland; what is past, present and to come. ”

“ Hereabout was the only place where the river could be crossed in any order.—A large body of cavalry advanced to attack him in front, while another fetched a compass to fall upon his flank and rear, but before they could come to a close engagement, they fell into the snare that had been laid for them. Many of their horses were soon disabled by the sharp irons rushing into their feet, others tumbled into the concealed pits, and could not disentangle themselves. ”

“ The day preceding the battle, a strong body of cavalry, to the number of 800, was detached from the English camp, under the conduct of Lord Clifford, to the relief of that garrison. These having marched through some hollow grounds, upon the edge of the Castle, had passed the Scots army before they were observed. The King himself was the first that perceived them, and desiring Thomas Randolph, Earl of Murray, to look towards the place where they were, told him, that a rose had fallen from his chaplet. ”

“ There is plainly pointed out, that in his time, a great battle should be seen in Fife,
Where saddled horses should be seen,
Tyed unto the trees green.
Not only in Fife, but the four chief rivers of the realm, there should be a battle on each of them, that should make the rivers run with blood, viz. Tweed, Clyde, Forth and Tay.
Last of all, a bloody desperate battle in Northumberland on the river Tyne.—Also great havock and slaughter about the broad walls of Berwick. All these things are yet to come to pass: and when the first appears, the rest will icon follow after. ”

“ Thou Dalkeith and Leith, famous, the one for a Cromwell, and the other for a Monk, thy Forts shall be brought low and desolate. Leith shall be brought to servitude, Dalkeith to poverty; only they shall reserve a day in the week, to spend what they gain the rest of the days. Pharisees shall build altars in thee and broils will continue for a time in thee. But there shall rise a noble Buck, whose family will be had in great esteem ”

“ King Edward himself escaped with much difficulty, being closely pursed, for above forty miles, by Sir James Douglas, with a party of light horse: He was upon the paint of being taken prisoner, when he was received into the Castle of Dunbar by the Earl of March, who conveyed him to England, by sea, in a fisher's boat; his immense army being entirely discomfited. The Scots lost only four thousand men, while the loss of the English amounted to above 30,000. ”

“ The explication of the foregoing prophecy, concerning Hempe being come, and also gone, and leaving Scotland and England joined in one, is fulfilled in the late King William, who came out of Holland, which in old times was vulgarly called the land of Hempe: and the joining of the two nations together, signifies the Union.
These things were foretold by the two Scots Prophets, in the reign of King Arthur. First, by the marvellous Merling, who is said to be got by a Devil, who ravished a young Woman, his mother, in a wood near Coldstream, in the South of Scotland. ”

“ As for Preston, thy fields shall run with blood; and the day will come, when thy inhabitants shall dig for their living in the bowels of the earth: And likewise thou shalt make clay thy principal trade ”

“ Then Scotland in peace and quietness,
pass joyful days for ever.
But that the curious may be more fully informed concerning the foresaid predictions, with respect to their being exactly fulfilled, they are referred to the Scottish Histories. ”

“ In the year 1262, when Scotland was long afflicted with a severe famine, Rymer returning from a summer's evening walk, accompanied with only a page, was accosted by a man, who presented his pistol, and in a manner far from hardened resolution, asked him for his money. Rymer observing that he came to the wrong person, and that he could obtain but little from him, said, "I have but three shillings, which are not worth a scuffle; so much good may they do you ”

“ Randolph considering this as a reproach, because he had the charge of that part thro' which the English had marched, immediately set out after them with a party of 500 horse, and coming up with them in the plain, where the small village of New-House now stands, a sharp action ensued, in sight of both armies, and of the garrison of Stirling. It was fought with valour or both sides; and it was for some time doubtful where victory should turn. ”

“ After this, they formed in order of battle, in a track of ground called Nether Touchadam, which lies along the declivity of a gentle rising hill: This situation had been previously chosen, because of its advantages. ”

“ There is also mention made of a Lord with a lucken or double hand; which certainly is of royal blood, and will breed great stir and confusion in Britain. This man is alive in this very present age, and of the Stewarts race, now in Italy. ”