and on the 20th explained that his reason for seizing the provost and other magistrates was that they ‘were well known to have been scandalous fomenters of a dangerous distraction’ (ib. pp. 332-3). On the 24th he entered the city at the head of 240 horse, and on the 28th plundered the town of its arms and ammunition (ib. pp. 330-1). Before leaving the city he drew up a band disclaiming the covenant, and binding all who signed it to the service of the king against the covenanters (ib. p. 334). A party of his followers afterwards made an attack on the town of Montrose, but retreated northwards to Aberdeen on the approach of the forces of the covenanters under Argyll. Huntly, notwithstanding the resolute words of his own band, did not await Argyll's appearance, but, though urged by his followers to give battle, left the city on the last day of April, ‘contrary to the expectation of many’ (ib. p. 353). On Sunday 12 May 1644 his excommunication was read from the pulpit of Old Aberdeen (ib. p. 361). Argyll then advanced into his territories, but already Huntly had disbanded his followers, and shut himself up in Auchindown. Learning Argyll's approach he went to the Bog of Gight, and, having taken a supply of gold and silver and other necessaries, crossed over to Sutherlandshire in a boat. He then rode to Caithness, and went by sea to Strathnaver, where he remained till 5 Oct. 1645 (ib. p. 367). During his absence Argyll marched to Strathbogie and spoiled his lands (ib. pp. 417, 428). Huntly's sudden collapse and flight was not altogether occasioned by the advance of Argyll, but by disinclination to co-operate with his old enemy Montrose, who had now joined the king's party, and had been appointed lieutenant-general of the forces in Scotland. ‘The Marquis of Huntly,’ says Gordon, ‘could never be got to join cordially’ with Montrose, ‘or swallow that indignity’ (Scots Affairs, ii. 238), and Guthry affirms that Huntly ‘did his utmost to spoil the business in Montrose's hands’ (Memoirs, ed. 1749, p. 206).
But Huntly's conduct was entirely passive. On the appearance of Montrose in Strathbogie the Gordons withdrew before him, and as all his efforts to open up communication with Huntly himself were vain, it was impossible to induce them to join the standard of the king. After the defeat of Montrose at Philiphaugh (13 Sept. 1645), Huntly, who had some time previously returned to his territories, raised a force of sixteen hundred foot and six hundred horse, with which he stormed Aberdeen; but with his usual indecision he soon returned again to Strathbogie. In December of the same year Charles sent Robert Leslie, brother of General David Leslie, to Huntly, informing him of his desire to escape from the Scots army to the north, and asking him to levy a force to maintain his cause. This Huntly proceeded to do, but his preparations were to no purpose, as the king remained a prisoner in England. Huntly was excepted from the general pardon of 12 March 1647, and a reward of 1,000l. was offered for his apprehension. General David Leslie was despatched against him, and on his approach Huntly fled to the Lochaber mountains. After evading pursuit for several months by constantly changing his hiding-place, he was at last, in December, captured by Lieutenant-colonel Menzies at midnight, as he was retiring to bed, at Dalnabo in Strathdon. The capture was effected after a severe struggle with the ten gentlemen and servants who were in attendance on him, six of whom were slain in their efforts to defend him. On the news of his capture becoming known, about five hundred men under Grant of Carron assembled to effect his rescue, but Menzies, for greater security, carried him to the castle of Blairfindie in Glenlivat. Huntly, on learning their intentions, also sent them a message, dissuading them from the enterprise. When news of his capture reached the committee of estates, it was debated whether he should be immediately executed or reprieved till the meeting of parliament, and the latter motion was carried by one vote. After remaining two days at Leith, he was delivered up to the magistrates of Edinburgh, and sent to the Tolbooth. There he remained till 22 March 1649, when by order of the Scots parliament he was beheaded at the cross of Edinburgh. On being asked by one of the presbyterian ministers who attended him whether he wished to be absolved from the sentence of excommunication that had been passed against him, he answered ‘that as he was not accustomed to give ear to false prophets, he did not wish to be troubled by him.’ Although he refused to admit that he had acted contrary to the laws, or had done anything to deserve death, he declared that he freely forgave those who had voted for his death. His body was brought to Seton, and was interred in the burial-place of that family (Balfour, Annals, iii. 393). By his wife, Lady Jane Campbell, eldest daughter of Archibald, seventh earl of Argyll, he had five sons and five daughters. His eldest son, Lord George Gordon, killed at the battle of Alford in 1645, his second son, James, viscount Aboyne [q. v.], and the third son Lewis, who succeeded as third marquis, and was father of George, fourth marquis [q. v.], all distinguished themselves in the defence of the royal cause. The fourth son, Charles [q. v.], was
