Six north country diaries - The MAN & Other Families

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the king over the Tweede to his new trench, it beeing his usiiall
custonie by 5 a clock eveiT morning to ride over thither, and round
about the canipe.
The same afteinioone come the Lord Rothesse, Lord Dumfarling,
Lord LowdiMi, and Sir AVilliam Douglasse, sherift'e of Tivydale, as
commissioners from the Scotts, to treat with whom the king should
appointe, about the differences and mistakes betweene them.
The king, notwitlistanding their secret dislike of the lord generall,
commanded the meeting to hee in his tent and his privy counsell in
generall (there present with him) to treate with them, and hee himselfe
came in person to the counsell table. Onely the Marquisse
Hamilton and duke of Lenoux absented themselves both from this
meeting and all that ensued.
The first receiving of the Scotts (as they reported in the army)
was noething gracious from the king but with frowning and disdaine,
as men of rebellious intentions, yet upon their humble demeanor
and dutifuU speech and addresse to his majestic, hee began to let fall
his anger and enter into the buisines : soe they were dismissed for
that time.
[June] 13. On Thursday, the 13th, the same persons came againe
to the lord generall's tent and brought Mr. Alexander Henderson, the
prolocutor of their assembly, with them.
[June] 15. The 15, Saturday morning, they came againe, and
Sir William Douglas was absent. Then they dined with the lord
generall, and kissed the king's hand, and concluded upon certaine
propositions of
paciticacion.
[June] 18. On Teusday, the 18, they mett againe and brought
the articles signed by their principall covenanters and they were
allsoe to bee signed by the king and his councell.
I remember at first (it was sayed) they desired to bee excused for
not comming to the canipe upon the king's princely word for their
safetie, but they desired to have it in writing under his hand and
signet, before they would adventure. During the treaty, ^entlemeue
of both armies went every day to visit each other's campe, and they
used one annother like countreymen and fellow-subjects lovingly and
freindly.
[June] 19. On Wednesday the 19th I went to the Scotsh army.
It was pitched upon a hill called Dunce-law^s (because it is the execucion
place) neare Dunce on the north side. It was a place of extraordinary
advantage, beeing very steepe, and soe not easily to bee
assaulted, thougli they were not entrenched, (and because wee were,
they imputed it to us for a dishonour). On the topp of the hill it was
somewhat levell, yet not without an easie descent round about. The
army lay round the hill, soe that they made a front every way, and
"^ For a graphic description of the Scottish encampment on Duns-law, see
Terry, Life and Campaiijiif of Alexander Leslie, p. 72.