"when the quarrel commenced between the houses of York and
Lancaster, and became absolutely incurable but by the total
extinction of one party, James [II, the king of Scots], who had
now risen to man's estate, was tempted to seize the opportunity, and
he endeavored to recover those places which the English had formerly
conquered from his ancestors.
"He laid siege to the Castle of Roxburgh in 1460, and had provided
himself with a small train of artillery for that enterprise: but his
cannon were so ill framed, that one of them burst as he was firing
it, and put an end to his life in the flower of his age."
I can imagine the reaction of the Castle's defenders. I would have
died form laughter.