Whilest these things were thus slowlie performed, in that the towne of Edenbrough was with no more heat sought to be recouered, a miserable misfortune happened in an other part of Scotland: for a great flaughter was in the north end of the realme occa|sioned by this means. There were in that countrie A conflict be|twéene the Gordons and the [...]. two families of great power and authoritie, both valiant and wise, both harboring deadlie food of long rooted betweene them. These two were of the sier|names of Gordon, and of Forboise, whereof the first liued with great concord and amitie amongst them|selues, EEBO page image 408 and by the kings sufferance had manie years gouerned the people adioining vnto them, whereby they purchased both strength amongst themselues, and the helpe of other men towards them: when contrarie, the Forboises were at wars one with an|other, The Forboi|ses disagrée among them|selues. dailie impaired their owne strength by their owne slaughters, and in the end wrought their owne confusion, for euerie diuided king dome cannot long continue. But yet though this secret rancor did still remaine amongst these families, they did not in ma|nie yeares before attempt anie open warres the one against the other; rather liuing in secret emulation, than open enuie, bicause they had (in waie of some shew of reconciliation) by marriage intermingled both their families togither. Among these Forboises there was one called Arthur (a man of singular wit, and of no lesse readie hand to performe his deuise) Arthur For|boise. who had alwaies followed the kings part to his vt|termost, from the first time of these discords. This man therefore supposing this to be the time (now or neuer) wherin he must honor himselfe and his name, increase the substance of that part which followed him, & suppresse the rage of the Gordons, first labou|red to bring his familie to vnitie and mutuall loue, for all vertue gathered into it selfe is greatest strength. The which if he might compasse (as by anie possible meanes he would leaue no stone vnturned that might further it) he was then in so good safetie as he desired. For then was there not anie faction or familie in those parts whatsoeuer, whose wealth or strength he doubted, and whose state or authoritie he did feare.

For furtherance of which vnion, when daie and place was appointed to assemble the Forboises togi|ther, Adam Gordon, the brother of the earle of Hunt|leie (deuising by all policie he might to hinder the Adam Gor|don disap|pointeth the vnion of the Forboises. same, and hauing priuie intelligence thereof by his kin, fauourers, and followers) came with a great power of armed men vnto the same place (at the time appointed for the assemblie of the Forboises) to breake off their vnion. And although there were two troopes of the Forboises, which presentlie appée|red in their sight, yet before they could ioine their strengths, Adam Gordon speedilie set vpon the one armie (not readie to be succoured by the other) and in the middle thereof did kill this Arthur Forboise; who being the hope of all that race and now slaine, his Arthur For|boise slaine. death did so amaze the other, that foorthwith the rest were soone ouerthrowne, scattered, and fled each one as he might best shift for himselfe. In which vnhappie conflict some persons of name were presentlie kil|led, The For|boises put to flight. and manie others taken and reserued for ran|some. Whervpon the residue (fearing more crueltie should be vsed vpon the prisoners, loath to haue anie more of their race to be cut awaie, and giuing place to the time present) withdrew themselues from the fight, and neuer attempted anie thing afterward in the reuenge of their ouerthrow. Which feare and wise suppression of reuenge grew not without iust cause, supposing that their aduersaries (if they were further vrged) would shew no more mercie to such The house, great bellied wife, and chil|dren of Alex|ander For|boise burnt. as they had prisoners, than they did to the house of Alexander Forboise before time, which they burnt with his great bellied wife and the other of his chil|dren.

The eldest brother of Arthur (who was the chiefe of that familie) hauing his house so spoiled, and him|selfe hardlie escaping from his enimies hands, hast|ned to the court, from whense (though the matter was in great extremitie) he was by the king to be releeued. For which cause there were appointed two hundred footmen to such of the nobilitie as fauoured The For|boises receiue aid from the king. and followed that faction, with letters to the adioi|ning nobilitie to associat themselues to the part of the Forboises. These thus confeder at and come to|gither to the rest of the Forboises, with certeine other families of their affinitie & neighbours, so aduanced the spirit of this Alexander, that he now thought himselfe sufficientlie fensed against all the forces of his aduersaries. But as their number increased, so there wanted amongst them one person sufficient to inioy the place of a capteine, whome the rest might follow, sith all the principals and heads of the fami|lies were almost yoong men, and scarse one better than others in degrée of calling. Wherefore the as The For|boises follow seuerall lea|ders. Iohn Keth departed. Alexander Forboise go|eth to Aber|den. semblie being drawen into diuerse companies (for they were inforced to follow seuerall leaders) Iohn Keth with fiue hundred horssemen departed to his house not far from thense. Alexander Forboise with his retinue and two hundred footmen went to Aber|den, to expell Adam Gordon from thense, and to re|pare his armie in the iournie.