The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

We took purpose therefore to retire towards the Town, and that in haste, left that the former Company of the French should either have invaded the Town before that we could have come to the rescue thereof, or else have cut us off from the entry of the Abbey of Halyrud-house; as apparently they had done, if that the Laird of Grange, and Alexander Whitlaw, with a few Horse-men, had not stayed both their Horse-men and Foot-men. The Company which was next us perceiving that we retired, with speed sent forth their skirmishers, to the number of three or four hundred, who took us at a disadvantage, before us having the mire of Lestarrig betwixt us and them: and we were enclosed by the Park ditch, so that in no wise we could avoid their shot. The Horse-men followed upon our heels, and slue divers. Our own Horse-men over-rode our Foot-men; and so by reason of the narrowness of the place, there was no resistance made. The Earle of Arran, the Lord James, in great danger, lighted amongst the Foot-men, exhorting them to have some respect to order, and to the safety of their brethren, whom by their flying they exposed to murder, and so were criminal of their death. Captain Alexander Halyburnetoun, a man that feared God, tarried with certain of his Soldiers behind, and made resistance, till that he was first shot, and then taken; but being known, those cruel murderers wounded him in divers parts to the death, and yet as it were by the power of God, he was brought in to the Town, where in few, but yet most plain words, he gave Confession of his Faith, testifying, That he doubted ⟨p. 205⟩nothing of Gods mercy, purchased to him by the Blood of Christ Jesus, neither yet that he repented that it pleased God to make him worthy to shed his blood,¹ and spend his life in defence of so just a Cause. And thus, with the dolour of many, he ended his dolour, and did enter (we doubt not) into that blessed Immortality, within two hours after our departure. There were slain to the number of twenty four or thirty men, the most part poor. There was taken the Laird of Pitmillie, the Laird of Pharnie younger, the Master of Bowchane, George Cuwell of Dundee, and some others of lower rank, John Dumbar Lieutenant to Captain Movet, Captain David Murray had his horse slain, and himself hurt in the leg.

We took purpose therefore to retire towards the Towne, and that in haste, left that the former Company of the French should either have invaded the Towne before that we could have come to the rescue thereof, or else have cut us off from the entry of the Abbey of Halyrud-house; as apparantly they had done, if that the Laird of Grange, and Alexander Whitlaw, with a few Horse-men, had not stayed both their Horse-men and Foot-men. The Company which was next us perceiving that we retired, with speed sent forth their skirmishers, to the number of three or four hundred, who took us at a disadvantage, before us having the mire of Lestarrig betwixt us and them: and we were enclosed by the Park ditch, so that in no wise we could avoid their shot. The Horse-men followed upon our heels, and slue divers. Our own Horse-men over-rode our Foot-men; and so by reason of the narrownesse of the place, there was no resistance made. The Earle of Arran, the Lord Iames, in great danger, lighted amongst the Foot-men, exhorting them to have some respect to order, and to the safety of their brethren, whom by their flying they exposed to murther, and so were criminall of their death. Captain Alexander Halyburnetoun, a man that feared God, tarried with certain of his Souldiers behinde, and made resistance, till that he was first shot, and then taken; but being known, those cruell murtherers wounded him in divers parts to the death, and yet as it were by the power of God, he was brought in to the Towne, where in few, but yet most plaine words, he gave Confession of his Faith, testifying, That he doubted