The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

They had skirmishing almost every day, yea, some days from morning to night. The French were four thousand Soldiers, besides their favourers and faction of the Country. The Lords were never together five hundred Horse-men, with an hundred Soldiers, and yet they held the French so busy, that for every horse was slain to the Congregation, they lost four French Soldiers. William Kirkcaldy of Grainge, the day after that his house was cast down, sent his defiance to Monsieur Dosell, and unto the rest, declaring that to this hour he had used the French favourably, yea he had saved their lives, when that he might have suffered their throats to have been cut; but seeing they had used him with that rigour, let them not look for the like favours in time to come. And unto Monsieur Dosell he said, He knew that he should not get him in skirmishing, because he knew he was a very coward: but it might that he should quite him a common either in Scotland, or else in France. The said William Kirkcaldy, and the Master of Lindsay, escaped many dangers. The Master had his horse slain under him; and William was almost betrayed in his house at Halyards. But yet they never ceased, for night and day they waited upon the French: They laid themselves in a secret place with some Gentlemen before the day to wait upon the French, who used commonly to issue in Companies to seel• their prey: And so came forth one Captain Batu with his hundred, and began to spoil; whom the Master, after Lord Lindsay, and William suffered, without declaration of themselves, or of their Company, till that they had them more then a mile from Kinghorne, and then began the horse-men to break; which perceived, the French altogether drew to a place called Glames house, and made for debate; some took the house, other defended the Court and Yards: The hazard appeared very unlikely, for our men had nothing but Spears, and were compelled to light upon their feet: The other were within ditches, and every man had a Culverin; the shot was fearful to many, and divers were hurt, amongst whom was Robert Hamilton, and David Kirkcaldy, brother to the said Laird, who both were supposed to have been slain: the said Laird perceiving men to faint, and begin to recoil, said, Fie, let us never live after this day, that we shall recoil for French scybalds and rascals.

They had skirmishing almost every day, yea, some days from morning to night. The French were four thousand Souldiers, besides their favourers and faction of the Countrey. The Lords were never together five hundred Horse-men, with an hundred Souldiers, and yet they held the French so busie, that for every horse was slain to the Congregation, they lost four French Souldiers. William Kirkcaldie of Grainge, the day after that his house was cast down, sent his defiance to Monsieur Dosell, and unto the rest, declaring that to this hour he had used the French favourably, yea he had saved their lives, when that he might have suffered their throats to have been cut; but seeing they had used him with that rigour, let them not look for the like favours in time to come. And unto Monsieur Dosell he said, He knew that he should not get him in skirmishing, because he knew he was a very coward: but it might that he should quite him a common either in Scotland, or else in France. The said William Kirkcaldie, and the Master of Lindsay, escaped many dangers. The Master had his horse slain under him; and William was almost betrayed in his house at Halyards. But yet they never ceased, for night and day they waited upon the French: They laid themselves in a secret place with some Gentlemen before the day to wait upon the French, who used commonly to issue in Companies to seel their prey: And so came forth one Captain Batu with his hundred, and began to spoyle; whom the Master, after Lord Lindsay, and William suffered, without declaration of themselves, or of their Company, till that they had them more then a mile from Kinghorne, and then began the horse-men to break; which perceived, the French altogether drew to a place called Glames house, and made for debate; some took the house, other defended the Court and Yards: The hazard appeared very unlikely, for our men had nothing but Spears, and were compelled to light upon their feet: The other were within ditches, and every man had a Culverin; the shot was fearfull to many, and divers were hurt, amongst whom was Robert Hamilton, and David Kirkcaldie, brother to the said Laird, who both were supposed to have been slain: the said Laird perceiving men to faint, and begin to recule, said, Fie, let us never live after this day, that we shall recule for French scybalds and rascals.