The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

and yet before the next day at noon (which was Tuesday the thirteenth of June) their number passed three thousand men, which by Gods providence came unto the Lords from Lothian the Lairds of Ormeston, Calder, Hatton, Lestarrig, and Colston, who albeit they understood at their departing from their own houses no such trouble, yet were they by their good counsel very comfortable that day. The Lord Ruthven came from Saint Johnston with some Horse-men with him: The Earle of Rothesse Sheriff of Fife, came with an honest Company. ⟨p. 151⟩The Townes of Dundee and S. Andrews declared themselves both stout and faithful. Cowper, because it stood in greatest danger, was assisted with the whole Force. Finally, God did so multiply our number, That it appeared as men had rained from the clouds. The enemy understanding nothing of our Force assured themselves of Victory. Who had been in Falkland the night before, might have seen embracing and kissing, betwixt the Queen, the Duke, and the Bishop: But Master Gawin Hamilton, gaper for the Bishopric of S. Andrews, above all others, was lovingly embraced of the Queen; For he made his solemn Vow,¹ That he would fight, and that he would never return till he brought those Traitors to her Majesty, either quick or dead. And thus before midnight did they send forward their Ordnance, themselves did follow before three of the clock in the morning. The Lords hereof advertised, assembled their company early in the morning upon Cowper-moor; where by the advice of M. James Haliburtoun Provest of Dundee, was chosen a place of ground convenient for our defence: For it was so chosen▪ That upon all sides our Ordnance might have beaten the enemy, and yet we have stood in safety, if we had been pursued till we had come to hand strokes. The Lord Ruthven took the charge of the horsemen, and ordered them so, That the enemy was never permitted to espy our number; the day was dark, which helped thereto. The enemy (as before is said) thinking to have found no resistance, after that they had twice or thrice made show unto us, as that they would retire, marched forward with great expedition, and approached within a mile before that ever their horsemen stayed, and yet they kept betwixt us and them a water, for their strength. It appeared to us, That either they marched for Cowper or S. Andrews:

and yet before the next day at noon (which was Tuesday the thirteenth of June) their number passed three thousand men, which by Gods providence came unto the Lords from Lowthiane the Lairds of Ormeston, Calder, Hatton, Lestarrig, and Colston, who albeit they understood at their departing from their owne houses no such trouble, yet were they by their good counsell very comfortable that day. The Lord Ruthuen came from Saint Iohnston with some Horse-men with him: The Earle of Rothesse Sheriff of Fyfe, came with an honest Company.