oppression. The rest delyvered pledges for their good demeanare in tymes
to cum."[84]

There can be little doubt that Armstrong was cruelly betrayed, not by his
brother, but by the King--a circumstance which seriously reflects on his
honour and good name.

The suggestion has been made that this expedition against the laird of
Gilnockie was undertaken by James at the instigation of Lord Maxwell, who
was then a ward in Edinburgh. It is certainly a somewhat suspicious
circumstance that three days after Armstrong's execution Maxwell received
from the King the gift of all the property, moveable and immoveable, which
pertained to "umquhill Johne Armstrang, bruther to Thomas Armstrang of
Mayngerton, and now perteining to our souverane lord be reason of eschete
throw justefying of the said umquhill Johnie to the deid for thift
committed be him."[85]

As might be expected, when all the circumstances were taken into
consideration, the execution of Armstrong and his followers produced a
profound sensation, and a deep and bitter feeling of resentment. It was
long believed by the peasantry of the district that, to mark the injustice
of the deed, the trees on which they were hanged, withered away. On purely
abstract grounds it may be argued that Armstrong and his men richly
deserved the punishment meted out to them, but this fact does not
exonerate the King from the charge of treachery and deceit which has
justly been brought against him. The measures he adopted to capture the
quarry were unworthy of a puissant monarch with eight thousand well armed
men under his command. He might well have paid more respect to the
principles of honour and fair play.

It is interesting to find that the version of Armstrong's capture and
execution given in the famous ballad agrees substantially with the
accounts of Pitscottie and Anderson. There, we are told, that the King
sent a "loving letter" to Armstrong, inviting him to a conference.

The King he wrytes a luving letter,
With his ain hand sae tenderly,
And he hath sent it to Johnie Armstrang,
To cum and speik with him speedily.

This communication evidently excited no suspicion, and extensive
preparations were at once made to extend to his Majesty a kind and hearty
welcome. It was even hoped that he might be induced to dine at Gilnockie!

The Eliots and Armstrangs did convene;
They were a gallant cumpanie--
"We'll ride and meet our lawful King,
And bring him sa