Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

THE SCOTTISH BORDER. 435
Dark Morton, girt with maivj a spear.—P. 428. v. 4.
Of this noted person, it is enough to say, that he was active
in the murder of David Rizzio, and at least privy to that of
Darnley.
The wild Macfarlanes plaided clan.—P. 428. v. 4.
This clan of Lennox Highlanders were attached to the regent
Murray. Holinshed, speaking of the battle of Langsyde, says,
" in this batayle the vaUancie of an heiland gentleman, named
" ]\Iacfarlane, stood the regent's part in great steede ; for, in
" the hottest brunte of the fighte, he came up with two hun-
" dred of his friendes and countrjonen, and so manfully gave
" in upon the flankes of the queen's people, that he was a great
" cause of the disordering of them. This JVIacfarlane had
" been lately before, as I have heard, condemned to die, for
" some outrage by him committed, and obtayning pardon
" through suyte of the Countess of Murray, he recompenced
" that clemencie by this piece of service now at this batayle."
Calderwood's account is less favourable to the Macfarlanes.
He states that " Macfarlane, with his Highlandmen, fled from
" the wing where they were set. The Lord Lindsay, who stood
" nearest to them in the regent's battle, said, ' Let them go
" :'
I shall fill their place better and so, stepping forward, with
" a company of fresh men, charged the enemy, whose spears
" were now spent, with long weapons, so that they were driven
'' back by force, being before almost overthrown by the avaunt-
" guard and harquebusiers, and so were turned to flight."
— !
Calderwood's MS. apud Keith, p. 480. Melville mentions
the flight of the vanguard, but states it to have been commanded
by jMorton, and composed chiefly of commoners of
the barony of Renfrew.
Gleiicairn and stout Parkhead were nigh,
Obsequious at their regent's rein.—P. 428. v. 5.
The Earl of Glencairn was a steady adherent of the regent.
George Douglas of Parkhead was a natural brother of the Earl