[1] Whileſt the realme of Scotlande was thus diſquieted and troubled with ciuill diſcorde, Fo|thadus the greate Biſhop of Scotland, a man of right approued vertue and clemencie,The great Bi|ſhop of Scot|lande. ſore lamen|ting to ſee his countrey thus deuided & rent, as it were in peeces, got him into his pontificall ve|ſtures with a multitude of other reuerend prieſts and eccleſiaſticall miniſters, in humble wiſe com|ming and preſenting themſelues before King Grime, who with great reuerence receiuing them,Fothadus ſee|keth to take vp the matter. [figure appears here on page 224] willed to vnderſtand the cauſe of their comming. Then Fothadus anſwered, that he was come as the ſeruant of Chriſt, the authour of all peace and concorde, beſeeching him by way of humble ſup|plication to take ruth and pitie of the great trou|ble and miſerie fallen to the realme, ſith the tyme [page 225] he had taken the gouernance vpon him, the ſtate of things being ſuch, as if ſome redreſſe were not founde in all ſpeedie wiſe, the vtter ruyne of the common wealth muſt needes enſue, by reaſon of the ſundrie debates and factions dayly ryſing a|mongeſt the people of all ſortes and degrees, ſo that murthers,The fruites of [...]ail warre. robberies, reife, with al other kinds of iniuries and miſchiefe were ſtill put in prac|tiſe without reſtraynt or puniſhment in ſuch ly|centions ſort that no man coulde aſſure himſelfe of his owne: for whether it were within doores, or without, the Robber was as readie to lay handes on it as the owner. Neyther was there hope of any reformation ſo long as the ciuill warres la|ſted. Therfore if it might ſtande with the pleaſure of king Gryme in reliefe of the poore commons of Scotlande, to condiſcende vnto ſome neceſſa|rie agreement with Malcolme, Fothadus of|fered to vndertake to conclude a peace betwixt them in ſuche wyſe as ſhoulde in no maner of behalfe be preiudiciall to his honour and royall Maieſtie.Fothadus vn|dertaketh to conclude a peace betwixt the parties.