98 JOURNAL OF JOHN ASTON, 1639 



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 and dutifull 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 pacificacion. 



[June] 18. On Teusday, the 18, they mett againe and 

 brought the articles signed by their principall covenanters 

 and they were alsoe 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 campe 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, gentlemene 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^*^' (because 

 it is the execucion place) neare Dunck on the north side. 

 It was a place of extraordinary advantage, beeing very steepe, 

 and soe not easily to bee assaulted, though 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 the conveniency of the ground by theire generall's 

 direction affoorded them very commodious hutts, and dry. 



^'^ For a graphic description of the Scottish encampment on Dans-law, 

 )e Terry, Life and Campaigns of Alexander Leslie, p. 72. 



