July 5th 1617

James 6th's valedictory visit home

Before James 6th left Scotland to assume the throne of England he attended a service in the High Kirk of Edinburgh. After the service finished he addressed the congregation. It was an emotional deliverance. “As I have ane body as able as ony king in Europe, I shall vizzie you every three years at the least, that you yourselves may see and hear me, and frae the meanest tae the greatest have access tae my person and pour out your complaints in my bosom. This shall ever be my course. Therefore, think not of me as a king going from ane part to ane other, but of ane king, lawfully called, going from ane part of the isle to ane other, that sae your comfort may be the greater; and where I thought to have employed you with your arms I now employ only your hearts to the gude prosperity of me in my success and journey. I have nae mair to say, but pray for me.” There were, it is said, tears and loud lamentations from the congregation. (Not a dry eye in the house?)

The promise of a “vizzie every three years at least” proved to be mere rhetoric and it was fourteen years before James made his next and only return to Scotland. Even then, there is the suspicion that the main purpose was to persuade the General Assembly to adopt the principles of Episcopacy. Whether or not this was so there is no doubt that the Scottish Privy Council was determined to ensure that the Royal visit was a success.

Towns where he was to stay were commanded to keep a plentiful supply of cattle “that there might be abundance of flesh when the King came to the Country.” The Privy Council sent a letter to “our richt traist friends, the Provost and Baillies of Perth.” The purpose of the communication is made plain early on . The civic leaders are commanded to demonstrate “such shows of ornament, comeliness and civility as may give unto his Majesty contentment and may make the strangers that are to accompany his Majesty perceive and see that this country is not so barren of formality, order or civility as they ignorantly apprehend……”

More specific instructions are given. “Ane speech shall be made unto his Majesty by some person (not being of the ministers of the town) in name of the haill town, congratulating his Majesty’s coming to the town, and making his Majesty heartily welcome, and that this speech be delivered in sensible, ticht and gude language.”

There were also instructions that “his Majesty’s arms be engraven and set up both within and without and that they be overgilt in the best fashion.”

Three days later another letter arrived from the Privy council with more requests regarding “the decoring of the ports of your town with his Majesty’s arms,” and the contents of the speech of welcome. “He shall set forth his Majesty’s ain praise by innumerable comforts and blessings, whilk this Country has had both in Kirk and Policy under his Majesty’s most happy government, and, last, as far as modesty may permit he shall speak to the praise of the town……the willingness of the present inhabitants, by their best endeavours to serve his Majesty in all and everything lying in their possibility and the constant and firm resolution of the town to continue in all dutiful obedience to his Majesty and his Royal progeny and successors in all time coming.”

A month later there was yet a third missive from the Privy Council suggesting that “ane honourable propyne (present) should be given to King James.” This was immediately agreed to and it was decided that “ane thousand merks and silver keys overgilt” should be presented to the King “by fifty persons with black gowns.”

The Town Council had also been engaged in promoting various entertainments for the great occasion. The Glovers were instructed to provide a sword dance; the Baxters the Egyptian dance; and “the schoolmaster and bairns to dance to his Majesty.” The wappenshaw or military strength of the town was also to parade on the North Inch. Lastly, a proclamation was made making it an offence for any beggars or vagabonds to be seen on the streets at the time of the visit. Nothing was to be seen that might cause offence to his Majesty.

In spite of all the preparations made for his visit, the King seemed strangely loath to come to the town and though he reached Edinburgh on May 15th, it was July 5th before he actually arrived in Perth. Even then he paid but a brief visit. All apparently went well, the oration was delivered by James Stewart, a Latin poem was recited by Henry Anderson, and the proceedings finished with another Latin offering by Adam Anderson.

While on his visit the King revisited Gowrie House, where died the Earl of Gowrie and his younger brother, the Master of Ruthven. Survivors of the incident had been ordered to be present. As might have been expected they all corroborated, point by point, the King’s version of the affair. Finally all were enjoined to kneel and the King “with tears of contrition for his sins to God, and thankfulness for his mercy, using many pious ejaculations, embraced all those actors in the tragedy.”

It was believed by many that this particular pantomime was put on for the benefit of the English nobles accompanying the King, for the official version of the affair was widely disbelieved in England as well as in Scotland.

Next day the King went a second time to Falkland Palace. A month later he crossed the boarder and was never again seen in Scotland. It had been a long visit taken up largely with hunting, feasting and receiving the loyal greetings of his subjects. It had also been an extremely expensive visit which laid a heavy burden on the people of Scotland.

There was a general sense of relief when James returned to England.