The family of Burnett of Leys, with collateral - Electric Scotland

DEESIDE BURNETTS: XIII. SIR THOMAS. 51
on either side, Burnet of Craigmyle and Gordon of Straloch, anxious to
avoid bloodshed, endeavoured to bring about a peaceful settlement, and
for that purpose had an interview with the Earl Marischal. Over con-
fident in the success of the negotiation, the Barons disbanded their army ;
and next day Aberdeen was occupied by the Earl Marischal, immediately
followed by Montrose, their combined force numbering 6000 horse and
foot, besides artillery. Montrose, who had obtained written evidence that
the citizens were ready on the first opportunity to repudiate their accept-
ance of the Covenant as having been obtained by force and fear, imposed
on them a fine of 10,000 merks, and gave his soldiers free permission to
pillage. A rumour having arisen of an invasion by sea of the King's
party, the authorities were commanded to block the harbour by sinking
ships on the bar ; but the order was recalled in consequence of a strong
remonstrance made by a few of the nobles and gentry of the county and
inhabitants of the burgh, one of the signatories being "Alexander Burnet
younger of Leyis."
On the 6th June, Aboyne, with a commission as King's lieutenant,
arrived by sea with a body of followers at Aberdeen, which had been
previously evacuated by Montrose. His army, of course, plundered the
houses of citizens believed to be Covenanters. Several leading Covenan-
ters were captured in the Mearns by his " outwatchis," among them James
Burnet of Craigmyle, who, however, got his liberty on taking the oath of
allegiance. Aboyne's army, marching out of Aberdeen, encamped on
the I4th at Muchalls, which house, says the parson of Rothiemay, "was
rifled by them the next day in ther returne ; and the night that they lay
ther the cornes abused and anything else, as ther humors served them,
whereupon they could lay their handes, for many of the countrye people
were fledde, and ther best goods transported into the stronge holde of
Dunnoter, not far distant." Next day a battle was fought near Stonehaven,
where Montrose was victorious ; and four days later he was again
master of Aberdeen, after a fierce struggle at the bridge of Dee.
Montrose had a warrant from the Tables to give up the town to
indiscriminate pillage, and reduce it to ashes, and while he hesitated to
give effect to it, news arrived of the pacification of Berwick, on receiving
which he restored the keys to the magistrates, and, after exacting a
tribute, took his departure.
The peace was of short duration, and the Covenanters preserved their