losse more vehemently prouoked to reuenge summond the Ballioll thrise to compeare before him at Newcastle and because he compeared not at all hee sent for Bruce and promised him the Kingdome if hee would write to his friendes either to leaue their King or to flee in battell The King with all diligence past toward Barwike where finding the towne strongly garnished with men and comming small speed in his pursute hee fained a retreat and caused some of the Bruces faction sparse brutes that the Ballioll with a great Oast was euen there at hand whereupon the most notable men of the towne supponing themselues to bee free of the common enemie ran foorth for to receiue their King honourably and so both horse and foote went out of the towne confusedlie But Edward had appointed a number of horsemen to wait vpoÌ„ that turne who cutted them off easilie from their companies beeing vshed so confusedly and out of order and comming to the next Port entred in the towne the King with his foot-hoste following made miserable slaughter vpon all sorts of people increasing in multitude sent a part of his armie to besiege Dumbar himselfe within few dayes receiued the Castell of Barwike which the keepers randred despairing of reliefe then joyning all his forces together at Dumbar encountred with the Scots hoste which came hither with a great battell to raise the siege the victorie enclined to the English side The chiefe men of the Nobilitie fledde to the Castell but the Captaine not hauing Viuers sufficient to sustaine such a multitude randered and all kinde of crueltie execute vppon the captiues But when the Bruce desired the Kingdome in recompense of his trauell and according to promise Edward answered him in French haue we nothing ado but to purchase Kingdomes for you Dumbar and some other Castles vppon the Border beeing randred Edinburgh and Striuiling were deliuered also from Striuiling Edward passed Forth and marched towards Forfare where the Ballioll was when without impediment hee came to Monrosse The Ballioll by perswasion of Iohn Cummine of Strabogie randred himselfe the Kingdome into King Edwards hands whom he shipped sent into England Edward returned to Barwike by sharpe edict summond all the Scottish Nobilitie to come thither such as came were compelled to sweare obedience vnto him William Dowglas a man of Noble blood and valiant refusing to sweare was cast in prison where within few yeeres he died Thus all things succeeding to his wish hee appointed Iohn Warreâ— Erle of Surrey Viceroy Hew Cressingham Thesaurer and leauing them behind him hee returned to London where hee warded Iohn Ballioll when hee had reigned 4. yeeres But hee within a short space at the request of the Bishop of Rome was sent to France leauing his sonne Edward in pledge for him Afterward Edward with a great army tooke shipping to passe in France The Scots in esperance of liberty hee being absent chused twelue Regents and by all their aduises Iohn Cummine Erle of Buchan with a sufficient armie was sent in England The English Garrisons left in Scotland dispersed heere and there durst not stirre so hee without impediment spoyled Cumberland and Northumberland Albeit this voyage somewhat incouraged the Scots yet did it but small help to the whole warre for all strong holds were fortified by the enemies garrisons But while as Noblemen lacked both strength and sufficient courage to enterprise greater matters VVilliam VVallace a man of Noble and ancient Family who did Actes in those Warres not only aboue all mens exspectatioÌ„ but also incredible being a man of great bodily strenght high courage He hardened his body against injuries of Fortune and confirmed his courage by perillous attempts to enterprise higher and greater euen with danger he gathered vnto him some companie of Men and herewith not only slew any Englishmen he met with but often times aâ—so with few foght with great numbers in sundrie places where he met with them slew them In short space his fam filled both the Realms so they that had lik causes as he had not vnlike loue to their Countrey gathering together swarmed to him from all parts and within few moneths he amassed an indifferent Army Noblemen for feare or lashnes lying still Wallace was proclaimed Gouernour and as Lieutenant for Ballioll commanded as lawfull Magistrate Hee tooke not this name of pride or of desire to Empire but only like another Sampson vpon compassion and loue of his Countrey-people After this he essayed with open force tooke many Castells either not sufficiently furnished or not weill guarded or negligently kept and razed them His Men of Warres minds were so confirmed that vnder his conduct they feared no perrill for that his hardiment lacked neuer wisdom nor his wisdome the wished euent So in short space he wan all the Forts that Englishmen possessed beyond Forth King Edward hearing these rumours and hauing all his Army with him in France he wrote to Henrie Pearsie Lord of Northumberland to William Latimer to raise quickly Forces out of the next adjacent Countrey and joyne themselues with Cressinghame to suppres the Scots Wallace in this time besieged the Castle of Cowper in Fyfe to the end his men of warre should not be idle attending the coming of the English army his enimies now cuming neare marched directly to Striuiling The Riuer of Forth hath no foords at Striuiling Yet there was a vvoodden bridge ouer the vvhich Cressinghame past vvith the great part of his aâ—mâ— the rest following so thick the bridge being ouerburthened vvith so hudge a weght brak in pieces The Scots charged these that vvere past before they could be Arayed slew their leader droue backe the rest in the water with so huge a slaughter that almost the whole were either slain by the Scots or drownd in the riuer Wallace after this so followed his fortune that he left not an Englishman in Scotland except prisoners This victory was obtained vpoÌ„ the Ides of Septemb. 1297. Hereafter followed great Famine for not manuring of the ground and Pest followed Hunger wherof greater destruction was feared than of the Warre Wallace to remedy this aswell as he might charged al sensible men to come vnto him at a certain day caried them with him into England vvhere liuing in vvinter in their enemies lands they spared Viuers at home vvhere he remained from the kalends of Nouember vnto the kal. of Febr. and no man durst match him And then hauing inriched theÌ„selfs vvith their enemies spoyls returned with great glory As this journey augmented Wallaces fame and authority among the people so it increased the Noble mens enuy against him vvhereof Edw. being priuy setting things in France in order as time would permit leauing his old souldiers beyond sea amassing a very great army vpon the sudden of nouices he marched toward Scotland but wheÌ„ in the plain of Stanemure both armies stood in order of battel about half a mile from other Edw. viewing Wall hoste
his skil and order of battell albeit he had a greater number of people yet durst he not hazard returning his standerds softly retired but Wallace for feare of ambushment durst not follow This victory obtained without blood against a most potent King The enemies of Wall more sharply assaulted him raising brutes through the countrey that he openly shot at the Kingdom So they conclude by all means to subuert Wall authority These deuises not vnknown to King Edw. he raised a great army of English Scots vvho had remained constaÌ„t in their promise made to him the next SoÌ„mer came vnto Faw-kirk vvhich village is builded vpon the very ruins of Seuerus Wall distant from Striuiling 6 myles The Scottish host abade not far from thence strong enough indeed for they were 30 thousand if the Rulers had agreed amongst themselues The Rulers were Iohn Cumming Iohn Stewart Will. Wallace the former two in blood puissance the last in Marshall glory most flourishing of al Scotland While as the 3 battels stood in redines to fight a new contention was added to the former enuy Who should lead the Vanguard neither of them giuing place to the other the Englishmen ended the strife vvho in order of battell vvith displayed Banners came vpon them with expedition Cummine with his company fled vvithout stroke Steward enuironed both behind and before vvas slaine with his hoste Wallace being sore set vpon in front and Bruce comming about a Knowle to charge him on the backe contained his men together in such order as in such state he best could and returned backe ouer CARROVN Water vvhere he defended himself hauing gathered together those that were fled and Bruce desiring to speak with him he refused not wheÌ„ these two alone stood right ouer against other at a deep narrow part of the Riuer Bruce first said he wondred at him that being caried with the facile fauour of the people would hazard himself in so many perils againe a King most puissant of that age assisted also with great support of Scots that without any hope of recompence of his pains For albeit he vanquisht Edward the Scots would neuer allow of him to be King and if he were ouerthrowne he had no refuge but in the mercy of his enemy To whom Wallace answered I said he neuer tooke these paines to purchase to my self a Kingdom for that is vnagreeable with my condition and my mind couets it not but seeing my Countrey-men through your cowardice to whom the Realme rightly appertains destitute of Rulers hereby casten into their most cruel enemies hands not only in bondage and slauery but euen to the shambles I pittied their case haue enterprised the defence of their cause forsaken by you whose liberty I shall not forsake befâ—â—e my life forsake me And so the confereÌ„ce ended either of both returning to their owne After this vnhappy Battell Wallace returned to Perth and there skailed his army giuing place to the enuy born against him and after that day enterprised nothing for the Realm and renounced the name of Magistrat albeit he left not off the inuading of the English Nation wheresoeuer he could be their master Edward after this wasted by all warlike calamities the Lands beyond Forth euen to Perth subduing those that in respect of the present misery durst not stir so retired with his army into England The Scots that were carefull for the liberty of their Realme a little refreshed after the enemies departure made Iohn Cumming younger Regent who by the aduise of the Counsell sent Ambassadours to Philip Valloys King of France to trauell with him that by Mediation of his Sister who was then affianced to Edward they might at least obtaine Truce By her trauels they obtained Truce for seuen Moneths but not obserued bona fide for Englishmen tooke the Ambassadours that were directed to Bonifacius the eight and imprisoned them The Scots in the meane time who could not abide the tyranny of Englishmen nor culd by no punishment satiat Edwards cruell mind neither yet obtaine peace vpon just conditions prepared themselues with obstinat minds to fight it out without all hope of pardon First they droue all Edwards Captains foorth of all Towns and Fortresses and vexed the Scots of the English factioÌ„ vvith all the force they might vvhile as the stat of matters thus coÌ„tinued almost two years Edward sent Rodolph Confrey with a puissant Army to suppresse this rebellion of the Scots and to put an end to those Warres This Army without impediment wasted all to Rosling a place in Louthian foure miles distant from Edinburgh to destroy farther within the Countrey diuided their Army in three Iohn Cummine and Iohn Fraser the most wealthy men in Tweed-dale gathering to the number of 8000 men marched towards the enemy of purpose either to keep in the enemy that he should not run at randon to spoyl the Country or if they found better occasion to follow Fortun. Better occasion was offered then they looked for For Englishmen fearing nothing lesse than the comming of their enemies so often ouerthrowne behauing themselues more losely than was expedient in their enemies ground by sudden comming of the Scots vpoÌ„ the first of their Camps were ouerthrown with a great slaughter they that escaped raised great tumult in the secoÌ„d camp where th' alarm was fearfully raised euery man exhorting his Mate to support their own they prepared theÌ„selues for reuenge The conflict was terrible as betwixt these that were fiers throgh victory these that were enraged by thirst of reuenge in end th' Englishmen discomfist chased victory albeit not vnbloody yeelded to the Scots the third host which had bin furder off affraid the Scots for many being wounded most part wearied with trauels in 2 late battels foresaw manifest danger to ensue by fighting assured destruction by flight at length the Heads commanded to slay al captiues left while they were occupied with th' enemy they shuld come vpon their backs they armed their seruants vvith slain mens armor so made shew of a greater army to their enemies the battel begun vvas keenly foghten on both sides the fight being doutfull for a while the scots by exhortatioÌ„ of their leaders calling to mind their late doble victory renewing their streÌ„gth ran so fiercely vpoÌ„ their enemies that their aray broken they gaue backs It was foghten at Rosline the 6 of the kal. of March 1320. The more notable that this victory was 3 hosts in one day ouerthrown by one the more sharply Edw. set his mind to deface this ignominy and once to put an end to their longsome Warre He amasseth a greater army than euer he did before persued Scotland both by land sea to the vtter most borders of Ros. No man in warfare durst hazard him self against so puissant an army except Wallace with his few folks somtimes behind somtims before somtims vpon their wings chopped at such as
share off and the shoulders al 's Hee rushed downe all desily The two that saw so suddenly Their Fellow fell effrayed were And start a litle backermare The King with that blenked him by And saw the two men sturdely Against his men sik mellie ma With that hee left his owne twa And to them that fought with his man A loupe right lightly made hee than And smote the Head quite off the one To his owne two syne is hee gone That came on him right sturdely Hée met the first so egerly That with the sword that sharply share The armes hee from the body bare What strakes they gaue I cannot tell But to the King so sore befell That though hee trauell had and paine Hee of his foes foure hes hee slaine His Foster-brother efter soone The fist hes out of his dayes doome And when the King saw that all fife UUas on this wise brought out of life To his fellow can he say Thou hes helped right well perfay It likes you to say so quod he But ouer great part to you tooke ye Ye slew foure of the fiue alone The King said as the glée is gone Better than thou I might it do For I had more leisure thereto The two fellowes that delt with thée UUhen they me saw assembled with thrée Of me right no kin doubt they had For they weind I was straitly stad And for thy that they dred me nought Noy them more than thou I moght But let vs thanke GOD of his grace That fra our foes vs deliuered hes UUith that the King looked him by And saw of Lorne the company Well néere with their sloothhound cuÌ„mand Then to a UUood that was néere hand He went with his fellow in hy GOD saue them for his great mercy How the King scaped fra his faes And how the sloothhound slaine was THE King toward the Wood is gane Wearie for sweit and will of wane Into the Wood soone entred he And held downe toward a vaillie Wherethrough the Wood a water ran Hidder in great hy went he than And begouth for to rest him there And said he might no further fare His man said Sir that may not be Bide ye ought long ye sall soone sée Fiue hunder yarning you to sla And that is monie against vs twa And sen we may not deale with might We man help that we may with slight The King said sen that thou wilt so Goe foorth and I sall with thée go But I haue heard oft times say That who endlong a Water ay Would wâ—â—de a bowdraught he sould gar Both the â—â—â—thhound and his leidar Tyne thâ— Seâ—t that men gart them ta Prooue 〈◊〉 iâ— it will now doe swa For 〈…〉 deuilish Hound away I rek 〈◊〉 all the â—eâ—ue perfay As he deuised so haue they done And entred in the UUater soone And held downe endland it their way And syne vnto the Land yéede they And held their way as they did aire And Iohn of Lorne with greit efféere Came with his rout right to the place Where that his fiue men slaine was Hée méened them When hee them saw And after said in a litle thraw That hée should soone reuenge their dead But otherwise the gaming yeede There would hée make no more dwelling But foorth in hy followed the King Right to the Burne they passed were But the Slooth-hound made stinting ther And wauered long time to and fro That he no certaine gate could go UUhile at the last that Iohn of Lorne Perceiued the Hound the Sent had forne And said we haue tint this trauaile To passe further may not auaile For the Wood is both long and wide And he is far foorth by this tide Therefore is good we turne againe And wast no more trauell in vaine With that resyed he his Menyie And his way to the Oist tooke he THus escaped the Noble King But some men sayes his escaping Upon another maner fell Then through the waiding as they tell That the King a good Archer had And when he saw his Lord so stad That he was left so anerly He ran on side alwayes him by While he into the Wood was gone Then said he to himselfe allone That he right there a rest would ma To looke if he the Hound might sla For if the Hound might last on liue He wist right well that they might driue The Kings trace while they him ta And he wist well they would him sla And for he would his Lord succour He put his life in auentour And sate into a bush knéeland While that the Hound came to his hand And with an arrow soone him slew And to the Wood syne him withdrew But whether his escaping fell As I told first or I now tell I wate not but without leesing At that Burne escaped the King What maner that the thieues three Made to the King slight lawtie THE King is foorth his wayes tane And Iohn of Lorne againe is gane To Sir Aymer that fra that chase UUith his Menyie repaired was That sped but litle in their chasing And thought that they made following Full egerlie they wan but small Their foes were escaped all Men sayes Sir Thomas Randell than Chasing the Kings banner wan Wherethrough in England with the King He had great prise and hie louing UUhen the chasers relyed were And Iohn of Lorne had met them there He told Sir Aymer all the cace How that the King escaped was And how that he his fiue men slew And to the UUood syne he him drew UUhen Sir Aymer heard tell in hy He sained him for this ferly And said he is greatly to praise I know none liuing in thir dayes That at mischiefe can helpe him sa I trow he sall be hard to ta And he were bodin euenlie On this wise spake Sir Aymerie And the good King held foorth his way Betwixt him and his men while they Passed out through the Forrest were Then in a Moore they entred are That was both hie long and brad And by the halfe they passed had They saw on side thrée men cummand Like to light men and wauerand Swordes they had and axes al 's And one of them about his Hals A meekle bound in Wedder bare They met the King and hailsed him faire The King againe them hailsed yald And asked them whether they wald They said Robert the Bruce they sought To méete with him if that they mought Their Man-rent to him would they ma The King said If that you will swa Hold foorth your wayes now with mée And I shall gar you soone him sée They perceiued by his speaking And his efféeres hee was the King They changed countenance and late And held not in the first estate For they were foes to the King And thought to come into talking And dwell with him while that they saw Their point and bring him out of daw They granted to his Speake for thy But the King that was aye witty Perceiued well by their
plaine harbrie Here followed King Robert in hight The English King with all his might THe King of England and his men That saw their harbreours come then Rebuted on that great maner Annoyed in their hearts they were And thought it was a great folie Into the wood to take harbrie Therefore by Dryburgh in a Plaine They harbried them and syne againe Are went to England but delay And when the King Robert heard say That they were turned home againe And how their harbreours were slaine In hy an Oast assembled he And went foorth ouer the Scots sea Eightie thousand he was and ma And eight battels he made of tha In ilk battell were ten thousand Syne went he foorth to England And in haill rout he followed fast The English King while at the last He came approaching by Byland When at that time there was lyand The King of Englanâ— with his men King Robert that had witting then That he lay there with méekle might Tranoynted so on him one night That on the morne by it was day Commen to the plaine field were they Fra Byland a litle space But betwixt them and it there was A craig bra streiked well lang And a great Path vp for to gang Otherwise might they not haue way To passe to Bylands Abbay Bot gif they passed far about And when the méekle English rout Heard that the King Robert was néere The most part of them that were there Went to the Path to take the bra There thought they their defence to ma Their Baners there they gart display And their battels in brade array And thought well to defend the place When King Robert perceiued hes That they them thought for to defend Efter his counsell hes he send And asked what was best to do The Lord Dowglas answered him to And said Sir I will vnderta That in short time I sall doe sa That I sall win yone place plainely Or then gar all yone company Come downe to you into this Plaine Or ye sall neuer trow me againe The King then said great GOD thée spéed And he on foorth his wayes yeede And of the Oast the most partie Put then into his companie And held their way toward the place The Erle of Murray Sir Thomas Left his battell and in great hy But with few men in company Came to the Court of the Lord Dowglas And ere he entred into the place Before them all the place tooke he For he would that men sould him sée And when the good Lord Dowglas Saw that he so commen was He praised him thereof greatly And welcommed him honorably And to the place can togidder ga When Englishmen saw them doe sa They lighted and against them yéed Two Knights that doughtie were indéed Thomas of Struthers heght one to name And the other Sir Ralph of Cowbanâ— Thir two Knights of good degrée Came downe before all their Menyie They were both of full great bountie And met their foes right manfullie There might men sée well other assaile And men defend with stout battaile And arrowes flee in great fusioun And they that aboue were tumbled doun Stones vpon them from the hight But they that set both will and might To wiâ— the Path and preassed sa That Sir Ralph Cowbane can ta The way right to his Oast in hy And left Sir Thomas manfully Defending with great might the place UUhile that he so supprised was That he was tane through hard fighting And therefore syne while his ending He was renouned the best of hand Of one Knight was in all England For this ilk Sir Ralph of Cowbane In all England he had the name For the best Knight of that land And for Sir Thomas dwelt still fightand Where Sir Ralph as before said we Withdrew him abone him prised was he The discomfiting of Englishmen At Bylands Path into the Glen THus were they fighting in the place And when King Robert that was UUise in his deedes and eke worthie Saw his men ay so doughtelie The Peth vpon their foes ta And saw his foes defend them sa Then gart he all the Irishry That were into his company Of Argyle and Iles alswa Spéede them in hy vnto the bra He bade them leaue the Peth haillely And climbe vp on the Craiges thereby And speed them fast the hight to ta And in greit hy they haue done sa And clambe as Gaites vp to the hight And left not for their foes might Magre their foes they bare them sa That they are gotten abone the bra Then faught they wonder fellounlie And rushed their foes right sturdelie There was a right perilous bargaine For a Knight heght Sir Iohn of Britaine That lighted hes abone the bra With his men greit defence can ma But the Scottishmen can so assaille And gaue to them so feill battaile That they were set in sike effray That they that flée might fled away Sir Iohn of Brittaine there was tane And most part of his MenÈie sâ—aine Of France there were tane Knights two The Lord of Sowllie was one of tho The other was the Marshall Britaine That was a right greit Lord at hame The laue some dead were and some slain The remnand fled were euerilkane And when the King of England As yet at Byland was lyand Saw his men discomfist plainlie Hée tooke his way in full greit hy And Southward fled in all his might The Scots men chased him hard I hight And in the chase hes mony slaine But hee quicklie away is gane And the most part of his MenÈie Walter Stewart of greit bountie Set ay vpon hie Cheualrie With fiue hundreth in companie To Yorke Yates a chase can ma And there some of their men can sâ—a And abade while neere the night To see if ony would ish to fight And when hee saw none would ish out Hée turned againe wiâ—h all his rout And to the Host they went in hy That then had tane their harbery Into the Abbay of Byland And Rewes that were neere by lyand They dealâ— among them that was there And gaue the King of Englands geare That hee had left into Byland All gripped they into their hand And made them glad and eke merrie And when the King had tane Harberie They brought to him their prisoners All vnarmed as it affeeres And when hée saw Iohn of Brittaine Hee had at him full greit disdaine For hee of him would speake highly At home and too dispitefullie Hée bade haue him away in hy And looke hee kéeped were straitlie And said were it not that hée were A Captiâ—e as hée then was there His words hee should full deare aby And hée full fast can cry mercy They let him foorth withoutten maire And kéept him well white that they were Commen home to their owne Countrie Long efter syne ransomed was hee For twentie thousand pound to pay As I haue heard among men say WHen that the King this spéech had made The French Knights they taken had Were brought there
had rashly run forth froÌ„ the host Edw. preast by great promises to mak him his own but in vain his answer was ay to all men that hee had auowed his life to his Countrey Thus things atchieued Edw. adjoyned himself to his son Edward whom he had left at Perth took in sundry Strengths Forts Striuiling after 3 moneths siege the rest rendred for fear Edward held a ParliameÌ„t in Sainct-Andrews vvher he made most part of the Nobility for fear to swear to be his true subjects Wall always excepted who for fear to be betrayed of the nobility withdrue himself to his old lurking places Edw. appointed LieutenaÌ„ts and Magistrats throughout Scotland past home to England and left no Monuments Histories Books Lawes nor learned men vndestroyed or transported with him thinking therby to exterminate the name of that NatioÌ„ He left Odomare Valentine Vice-Roy to extinguish all innouations if any begin to peepe But now Wars arose where he least meaned Among the rest of Scottish Nation with Edward was Robert Bruces son who conteÌ„ded with Ballioll for the Kingdome and Iohn Cummine cousen german to Iohn Ballioll late King of Scots Edw. had spoken often times seuerally long time holden them in the hals vpoÌ„ vain hope of the Kingdom and so used their means in the conquest of the same being both meÌ„ of great power and friendship but the deceitfull mockage at length manifested there was nothing more desired of either of them than occasion to be reueÌ„ged vpon Edw. falset against promise trust to both but emulation whereby the one suspected the other was the stay that neither durst coÌ„municat his counsell to the other Now Cum. perceiued these doings miscoÌ„teÌ„ted Bruce vehemently deplored vnto him the misery of their Countrey beginning from the ground thereof and inueighing greatly against the King of Englands persidie accused first himself then Bruce by whose assistance and trauels their people were brought to this misery proceeding further from this beginning of speach euery of them promising secrecy to other vpon their Faith and honesty They agreed betwixt themselues thus That Bruce should bee King and Cummine should resigne his Right in his fauours Cummine should haue all Lands that Bruce possessed in Scotland he had many faire and fruitfull Lands and Cummine should be second in honour next vnto the King These things sworn writteÌ„ sealed Bruce vvaiting opportunity of change past to the Court of England leauing behind him in Scotland his wife and brethren After his departure Cummine either repenting his former aduise or els he thought by craft to cut away Bruce that therby he might more easily come by the kingdome He bevvrayed these secrets to Edward and to purchase credite herein he sent him the Contract signed by both Bruce was summoÌ„d to a day for treason charged not to depart from Court quiet keepers appointed vnto him commanded to spy both his vvords and deeds The cause why the King protracted time in this so manifest a turne was that his brethren might be apprehended before the brute of his execution should arise Bruce in the meane time was informed of the suddeÌ„ danger by his old freind the Earle of Gomera vvho durst not counsell him by letter to flee but warning by example sent a pair of guilt spurs with som pieces of gold as if he had borrowed them the day preceeding Robert as men in danger are most tenty not ignoraÌ„t what was meant by the propine called for a Smith in the night caused shoo three Horses backward lest the print of the Horse feet in the snow might bewray their flight that same night might be espied accompanied with other two took journey vpon the 7 day thereafter themselues and their horses weary came to a Castle of his own standing beside Lochmabene there finding his brother Dauid Robert Fleming and taking them with him scarcely opening vnto them the cause of his flight chanced vpon a Messenger carying letters from Cummine to Edward bearing That Robert should be executed with diligence for delay brought danger lest a Noble man â—auoured of the people and therewith also wise stout should raise new troubles c. The Cummines treason also by this testimony tried Robert inflamed with rage of ire past directly to Drumfreise wher he vnderstood his enemy was finding Iohn Cummine in the Gray-Friers Kirke produced his letters reproued him bitterly while as he impudently stood to the deniall therof but he impatient in wrath strak him in the belly with his Dagger and left him for dead When he was horsing again Iames Lindesay his cousen and Roger Kirk-Patricke his friend perceiuing his countenaâ—ce chaÌ„ged inquired the cause He told them in a word He belieued Cummine was dead What said LINDESAY Hast thou left so dangerous a deed in doubt therwith he entred into the Kirk not only slew him but also Robert Cummine his kinsman preassing to support him This murther was committed the 4 of the Ides of February 1305. about this time William Wallace was taken and betrayed by Iohn Menteith his familiar companion corrupted by Edwards Mony in the bounds of Glasgow where he lurked for the time sent to London where by Edwards command he was vnhonestly beheaded and quartered his members tâ— terrifie others hung vp in most publicke places in England Scotland This was the end of this most worthy mans life who for high spirit in interprising dangers for fortitude in execution comparable in deed to the most famous Chiftains amongst the Ancients for loue to his natiue Countrey second to noâ—e he onely free the rest slaues could neither bee bâ—ught with benefites nor compelled by force to leaue the publicke cause which he had once profest whose death appeared more to be lamented that being inuincible to his enemie he was betrayed by his Familiar that in no cace should haue done so The Bruce staying only till he had obtained pardon of the Bishop of Rome for the murther committed in holy Church In the next month of Aprile 1306. passing to Scone hee was crowned King First knowing well the great puissance of his enemie hee amasseth all the forces he could from all parts although the whole clan of Cummines the greatest in Scotland that euer was before them or since in puissance withstoode him and his assisting of Edward offended many and the greater part of the Realme beside lay quiet for feare of English force hee notwithstanding of his few number hazarded against Odomar at Meibwen with the losse of a few was put to the worst The like bad successe hee had in passing from Atholl to Argyle where the Cummines beset him and forced him to fight at Dalry his men fleeing to saue themselues in places of greatest suretie From this time with one or two in companie thinking himselfe in that state more sure with few than many Hee wandred in the wildernes like a wilde man and albeit hee would haue assayed Fortoun hee saw
and other moe That his partie were holdand Were tane and led into England Were put into felloun prisoun And how good Christall of Setoun Was slaine gréeting shée told the King That was sorrowfull of that tithhing And said when hée had thought a thraw The words that I shall to you shaw Alace hée said for loue of mee And for their méekle léele lawtie They Noble men and they worthie Are destroyed so villanouslie But if I liue in liege poustie Their death right soone shall venged bée Yea whether the King of England Thought that the Kinrike of Scotland Was all too litle for him and mée Therefore I will it mine all bee But of good Christall of Setoun That was so worthie of Renowne That hée should die were greit pitie Where ony worship might préeud bée THe King thus sighing made his mane And the Lady her leaue hes tane And syne went home to her winning And feill syes comfort shee the King Both with siluer and with meate Sik as shee in the land might get And hee oft ryoted the land And made all his that euer he fand And syne he drew him to the hight To stint better his foes might In that time was the Percie With a full simple companie In Turnâ—berise Castle yet lying For the King Robert sore dréeding That hee durst not ish foorth to fare Fra thyne to the Castle of Aire That was then full of Englishmen But lay lurking in a Den While the men of Northumberland Should come armed with strong hand And conduct him to his Countrie For to them send his Poist hath hée And they in hy assembled then Passing attour a thousand men And asked counsell them amang Whether that they should dwell or gang But they were stonisht wonder saire So far in Scotland for to fare For a Knight Sir Gawter de Lile Said it was too greit perill So néere these Souldiers to goe His spéech discomforted them so That they had left all the voyage Were not a Knight of greit courage That Sir Roger of Sainct Iohn hight That them comforted with his might And sic words can to them say That they together held their way To Turnebery where the Percy Lap on and went with them in hy In England his owne Castle till Without distroublance or more ill Now in England is Percy Where I trow he a while shall ly Or that hée shape him for to fare To weirray Carrik ony mare For hee wist that he had no right And al 's hee dred the Kings might That in Carrik was dwelland In the most strengths of that Land ¶ Where Iames of Dowglas on a day Came to the King and can him say Sir with your leaue I would goe sée How that they doe in my Countrie And how my men demained are For it annoyes mee wonder sare That the Cliffurde so peaceably Brookes and holds the Senyeory That should be mine with all kin right But while I liue if I haue might To lead a Yeaman or a swane Hée shall not brooke it but bargaine The King said Certes I cannot see How that yee yet may sikker bee Into that Countrie for to fare While Englishmen so mightie are And thou wat not who is thy friend Hee said Sir needlesse I will wend And take the auenture God will giue Whether it bee to die or liue The King said Sen that thou wilt so And sik a yarning hes to goe Thou shalt passe foorth with my blessing And if thee happens ony thing That annoyous or skaithfull bee I pray thee speed thee soone to mee Take wee together what euer may fall I grant hee said and therewithall He louted and his leaue hes tane And is toward the Countrie gane The first winning of the Castle of Dowglas NOw takes Iames his voyage Toward Dowglas his heritage With two men withoutten ma This was a simple store to ta Castle or land of wéere to win But fast he yarned to begin To bring his purpose to ending And good helpe lies in beginning For good beginning and hardie Gif it be followed wittilie May gar oft syes vnliklie thing Come to right good and fair ending So did he here for he was wise And saw he might not on no wise Wearie his foe with euen might Therefore he thought to worke with slight In Dowglasdaill his owne Countrie Upon an Euening entred he And then a man winned thereby That was of frends right mighty And rich of monie and of Cattell And had bene to his father léell And to himselfe in his Youthhead Had done mony a thankfull déed Thomas Diksoun was his name perfay To him he send and can him pray That he would come allanerlie For to speake with him priuilie And but danger to him he gaes But when he told him what he was He grat for ioy and for pitie And him right to his house had he Where in a chamber priuilie He held him and his companie That none of him had perceiuing And meat and drinke and other thing That might them ease they had plentie So wrought they with their subtiltie That all the leele men of the land That with his Father were dwelland This good man gart come one and one And make him manâ—ent euerilkone And he himselfe first homage made Dowglas in heart great gladnesse had That the good men of his Countrie Would this wise to him bounden be He spéered the conuéene of the land And who the Castle had in hand And they him told all haillelie And syne among them priuilie They ordainde that he still sould be In hiddles and in priuitie Till Palmesunday that was néere hand The third day after followand For then the folke of that Countrie Assembled at the Kirk would be And they that in the Castle were Wold al 's be there their Palmes to beare As folke that had no dréed of ill For they thought all was at their will Then sould he come with his two men Before that folke sould not him ken He sould a mantle haue old and bare And a flaile as he a Taâ—ker were Under the mantle not for thy He sould be armed priuilie And when the men of his Countrie That sould all boun before him be His Ensenyie might heare him crie Then sould they all right enforcedly Right in mids the Kirke assaill The Englishmen with hard battaill So that none might escape them fra For therethrough trowed they to ta The Castle that beside was néere And when this that I tell you here Was deuised and vndertane Ilkone home to his house is gane And held this speake in priuitie Untill the day of their assemblie How Dowglas in Sanct Brydes Kirke With the Englishmen can wirke THE folke vpon the Palmesunday Held to Saint Brydes Kirk their way And they that in the Castle were Ished out both lesse and maire And went their Palmes for to beare Except a Cooke and a Porter Iames of Dowglas of their comming And what they were had good witting And sped him to