at the king about
three o'clock in the afternoon, sent his own letter to William Balfour
lieutenant of the tower, commanding him to see the lord Loudon's head
struck off, within the tower, before nine the next morning, (a striking
demonstration of the just and forgiving spirit for which by some king
Charles is so much extolled). Upon this command, the lieutenant of the
tower, that his lordship might prepare for death, gave him notice of it;
which awful intimation, he (knowing the justice of his cause) received
with astonishing composure and serenity of mind. The lieutenant went
himself to the marquis of Hamilton, who he thought was bound in honour
to interpose in this matter. The marquis and the lieutenant made their
way to the king, who was then in bed. The warrant was scarce named, when
the king, understanding their errand, stopped them, saying, By G--d it
shall be executed. But the marquis laying before him the odiousness of
the fact, by the violation of the safe conduct he had granted to that
nobleman, and the putting him to death without conviction, or so much as
a legal trial, with the dismal consequences that were like to attend an
action of that nature, not only in respect of Scotland, which would
certainly be lost, but likewise of his own personal safety from the
nobility. Whereupon the king called for the warrant, tore it, and
dismissed the marquis and the lieutenant somewhat abruptly.--After this,
about the 28th of June, this noble lord (upon promise of concealing from
his brethren in Scotland the hard treatment he had met with from the
king, and of contributing his endeavours to dispose them to peace) was
liberated from his confinement, and allowed to return home.

But things being now ripened for a new war, the king put himself at the
head of another army, in order to suppress the Scots: On the other hand
the Scots resolved not to be behind in their preparations, and entered
England with a numerous army, mostly of veteran troops, many of whom had
served in Germany under Gustavus Adolphus[117]. A party of the king's
forces disputed the passage of the Tyne, but were defeated by them at
Newburn; whereupon the Scots took Newcastle and Berwick, pushing their
way as far as Durham. Here the noble earl of Loudon acted no mean part,
for he not only gained upon the citizens of Edinburgh and other places,
to contribute money and other necessaries, for the use and supply of the
Scots army, but also commanded a brigade o