Vol 10 - Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian ...

26 Transactions.ihave been particularly enumerated, defined, and confirmed to themin the following year by a crown charter, dated at Edinburgh,the 26th of February, 1509, wherein the motive, reason, and causeof the gift is mentioned to have been on account of certain aidsafforded to King James the Second, his grandfather, when he wasengaged in the active and arduous service of the reduction ofThrieve, the great castle and stronghold, key to theconquest ofthe whole of the ancient noble and imperial lordship of Gallowayof old time. There were hardly less important services to KingJames the Fourth himself in times of then still recent memory anddate, when that monarch was at open enmity and war with thewhole of the native nobility of his realm of Scotland at large.Copy of an original Letter from Richard Gough, Author of" Sepulchral Monuments," Editor of " Campden's Britania," &c.,to George Paton,Antiquary H.M. Customs, Edinburgh, describinga remarkable oil painting of King James the Fourth, and hisQueen Margaret, the sister of King Henry the Eighth of England,and who after the battle of Flodden married secondly Douglas,Earl of Angus. We believe the picture is now at the Palace ofHolyrood." Enfield, 29th July, 1784." In the Queen's Library in the Green Park are two portraitsof James the Fourth of Scotland and Margaret of England, brotfrom Kensington Palace. They are 7| feet high and three feetwide, serving as doors to an altar piece. The outside of the righthand door has Saint Andrew with his cross supporting a very richCrown over the King's head, who kneels with his book before him,under a crimson canopy : a youth kneels in another part drest ina scarlet robe, and rich ermine mantle, the arms and crest of Scotlandover his head. Perhaps this is the King's younger brother.On the inside of this door is the Trinity represented by the Deityholding a dead Christ, and the dove above. On the other door aQueen kneels in the same Church, richly crowned and coifed andloaded in jewels exquisitely painted, habited in cloth of gold, abook before her.Saint George waves the Banner of England overher, in the foldings of which is an inscription. On the inside ofthis door is a priest at his devotions, wearing a ring- on the fourthfinger of his left hand, though neither the King or Queen haverings. An angel with a fillet or nimbus of precious stones roundhis head plays, while a young man blows the bellows of an organ