20 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
the order of the Blue Blanket was indituted by Pope Urban II., about 1200, and so is
older than any order of knighthood in Europe. According to this author, vast numbers of
Scottish mechanics having followed to the Holy War, took with them a banner bearing
the inscription- “ In bona voluntate tua ed9center muri Jerusalem,” which they styled
the banner of the Holy Ghost, though, from its colour, familiarly called “ The Blue Blanket;
” and this, on their return, they dedicated to St Eloi’s altar in St Giles’s Church.
Whatever foundation there may be for this remoter origin, it is undoubted that James
111. at this time, in requital of the eminent services of the burghers, confirmed them
in many privileges, and bestowed on them this ensign, with their heraldic bearings
embroidered by the Queen’s own hands. It has eYer since been kept in the charge of the
kirk-master or deacon-convener of the crafts for the time being ; every burgher, not only
of the capital, but of Scotland, being held bound to rally at the summons, when it is
unfurled.
Within a brief period after the incidents related, the Duke of Albany being confined a
prisoner in the Castle, succeeded in effecting his escape in a very daring fashion. His rivals
having just obtained their own deliverance, “ counselled the King to justfy the Duke
his brother ; ” which being known at the court of France, a French ship arrived in Leith
Roads the very day before his intended “justification,” the captain of which sent a
messenger to the Duke, offering to supply him with a stock of wines ; and a confidential
servant being thereupon sent for “two bosses full of Malvesy ; ” they were returned by him,
the one containing a letter informing him of the design against his life, and the other filled
with cord to aid him in his escape. Acting on this advice, he invited the captain of the
Castle to supper, and so liberally dispensed the supposed new supply of wine among his
guard, that watching his opportunity, he and his faithful attendant succeeded in overpowering
them, and putting them to the sword; and escapiug to an unguarded wall of
the Castle, they let themselves down by the cord, and so escaped to the French ship ; the
Uuke carrying his attendant on his back, his thigh having been broken in dropping
from the wall. So that his escape was not discovered till the nobles arrived on the following
morning to wait on the King-then himself residing in the Castle-and to witness
the execution.
During this and succeeding reigns, the Parliaments continued to assemble generally at
Edinburgh, although Stirling Castle was the favourite residence of‘ James IIL, where he
retired from the cares of the state ; and there in particular he found opportunity for displaying
that love for “ building and trimming up of chapels, halls, and gardens,” ’ with which
Drummond charges him, as a taste that usually pertains to the lovers of idleness. His love
of display seems to have been shown on every opportunity during his residence at Edinburgh.
We learn from the same authority, he acquired an easily won character for devotion,
by his habit of riding in procession from the Abbey of Holyrood to the churches in
the high town, every Wednesday and Friday.
King James 111. was slain on the 8th of June 1488, by his own rebellious nobles,
on the field of Stirling, nearly on the same arena as had been the scene of Scotland’s
greatest victory under the Bruce. Whatever view the historian may take of this Monarch’s
character and influence on the nation, he contributed more than any other of the
,
Put to death. Hawthornden, p. 81.
THE STUARTS TO THE DEATH OF JAMES III. 21
Stuart race towards the permanent prosperity of the Scottish capital. By favour of his
charters, its local jurisdiction was left almost exclusively in the hands of its own magistrates
; on them were conferred ample powers for enacting laws for its governance ; with
authority, in life and death-still vested in its chief magistrate-an independence which
was afterwards defended amid many dangers, down to the period of the Union. By’his
charters also in their favour, they obtained the right, which they still hold, to all the
customs of the haven and harbour of Leith, with the proprietorship of the adjacent coast,
and of all the roads leading thereto ; as well a8 many special privileges conferred on the
craftsmen, which they were not slow to protect from encroachment; its his descendant
James VI. points out to his son Prince Henry, in the Basilicon Doron--(‘ The craftsmen
think we should be content with their work, how bad soever it be; and if in any thing
they be controuled, up goes the Blue Blanket ! ”
Bishop Kennedy’s Arms-from the choir of St Giles’a Church.
