Murderous Manners of 17th Century Europe

Among the reports in issue numb. 12 of the Oxford Gazette is this one:

“Edinburgh, Dec. 15. Yesterday four young Fellows were whipt by the common Hang-man through the City, their Ears burn’d, and they afterward delivered to be Transported to the Barbado’s, for abusing one Mr. James Scot, Minister at Ancran, in Sermon time. Six Heads were set upon Gallows betwixt Leith and Edenburgh, for a Murther committed on the Laird of Murlle and his Brother, both young Men of great Estate, led on by Alester Mackull, one of the Lairds own Vassals : The Offenders being required by the Privy Counsel to come over and make answer to their Accusation, slighted the charge, and gave no obedience; whereupon, the Councel ordered a Glan that lived by them to take Arms, and to bring over their Heads, which accordingly was performed. This Alester and his Comrades, killed and wounded near 80 Men before they were taken.”

This report was featured on page 1 of Miscellaneous Anecdotes Illustrative of the Manners and History of Europe During the Reigns of Charles II, James II, William III and Queen Anne, by James Peller Malcolm, published in 1811. Under the subtitle “Antient Scots Customs” appeared this entry:

“A very dreadful circumstance occurred in 1665, which affords a striking picture of the peculiar manners of the Clans at that period. Alester Mackull, one of the vassals of the Laird of Murlle, having received some offence or injury from the above chief, conspired with others, and murdered the Laird and his brother. The Privy Council commanded the offenders to surrender themselves to take their trial, without effect; upon which an order was issued to a clan residing in their neighbourhood, requiring them to bring in the heads of Mackull and his associates. This they accomplished, but with the loss of near eighty persons killed and wounded; when the heads were exposed on the gallows between Leith and Edinburgh. Four young men were whipped through the streets of the latter city by the common hangman about the same time, and afterwards transported to Barbadoes, for interrupting and abusing Mr. James Scot, Minister of Ancram, when preaching.”

Below is the actual report, along with news of the Plague that followed, as printed in the December 21 to 25, 1665 edition of the Oxford Gazette.