THE ACTES and life of the most Victorious Conquerour Robert Bruce King of SCOTLAND WHEREIN also are contained the Martiall deeds of the valiant Princes Edward Bruce Syr Iames Dowglas Erle Thomas Randel Walter Stewart and sundrie others Newly corrected and conferred with the best and most ancient Manuscripts EDINBVRGH Printed by Andro Hart. ANNO 1620. The Printers Preface to the Reader THere is nothing vnto which the minde of maÌ„ doth more aspire thaÌ„ to renown immortality therfore it is that no time hath bene so barbarous no countries so vnciuile but they haue had a care to preserue worthie actions from the iniurie of obliuion and laboured that the names of these that were vertuous while they liued should not perish with their breath And amongst all the strange and diuerse fashions of remembring the dead no record hath bene found to bee compared to that of bookes and amongst all bookes none so lasting as these in verse which how so euer rudely done yet seeme to haue striuen with dayes and euen to compasse time beeing the first remembrances that either Greece or Rome haue and apparantly shall be the last Howe curious our Antecessours in this Isle haue bene to extend their memorie to after ages many olde monuments yet to be seene can beare witnesse but more than any that fame of which many yeers since was amongst forrainers of their ancient Poets the Bardes who wrote in verse the deedes of their most valiant men and song them in the wilde Forrests and mountaines with which though long time after the manie records wee haue of the ancient defenders of our Countrie may bee brought forth and amongst all the rest this storie of the valiant BRVCE is not the least it speaketh the language of that time if it spake ours it would not bee it selfe yet as an antique it is venerable To speake somewhat of the occasion of those warres that the Historie may the better appeare Alexander the third of that name King of SCOTLAND departed this life suddenlie without succession to the crowne except Margaret his Neece daughter to the King of Norway who beeing left the vndoubted heire to the Kingdome King Edward of England desired her in mariage to his sonne Prince Edward whereunto our Scottish Nobilitie easilie condescended but shee beeing dead before the ambassadors arriued they returned with sorrowfull hearts wherevpon arose great tâ—oubles and contention amongst the Nobilitie who should succeed to the Crowne and albeit there were manie contendents yet at leÌ„gth came onely betwixt the Bruce Baliol. The Nobility to auoide further strife conueened themselues to decide who should haue the vndoubted right but because they could not agree both the parties being so great that their power could not make the parties stand to their arbitrement they with one voyce referred the deciding thereof to Edward of EnglaÌ„d supponing that he should deale most sincerely therein considering how willingly they had condescended to the marriage of his sonne with Margaret the Neece of King Alexander who accepting very gladly of the matter hoping to atchieue by craft that which hee and his predecessours could neuer obtaine by force left off his Iourney to the Holie LAND hoping to speede better at home for the enlarging of his Dominions beeing a man greatly inclined that way called the parties before him at Barwike protesting heere withall that hee called them not vpon any presumption that he pretended ouer them but as they had chosen him to be arbiter in the cause so hee called them to the deciding of the matter and to collour his purpose hee had conueened a number of learned Lawyers out of France and other Countries pretending that he would doe nothing without law and reason yet the moste parte of the Doctours there conueened as namely Mr. Siluius Mr. Rainerius Decius Mr. Severius de Florentia mentioned in the Pluscadin Chronicle and in Scotichronicon condescended that Robert Bruce had the best right quòd propinquior in gradu debet succedere and therefore Robert Bruce in respect hee was uno gradu stipiti propinquior and was also the first Male albeit begotten on the younger sister But King Edward had his owne decinct not regarding their arbitrement called first secretly the Bruce vnto him to whome he was well inclined promising to decide in his fauours if he would hold his Kingdome in homage of him But Bruce being a man of Heroik spirit refused absolutely to subject a free Realme to the seruitude of any forraine Prince whomsoeuer The King highly offended turned himselfe frowardly in great anger froÌ„ the Bruce called Iohn Ballioll also secretly promised him the same coÌ„ditions the man being blinded with ardent desire to reigne not regarding what hee did promise so hee might haue Soueraignitie condiscended easily to whatsumeuer Edward required and so by him was nominate King sent home to Scotland where hee was conueyed to Scone and there crowned and all except Bruce swore to him obedience Shortly after there fell out a slaughter of Makdulffe Erle of Fife by the Abirnethies men at that time in great authoritie and wealth and because Makdulffe his brother suspected the King to bee partiall in judging summond him to bee judged before King Edward The Ballioll being there present and sitting beside King Edward in the conuention of Estates and being called thoght to answere by a Procutour was compelled to arise and defend his cause at the Barre wherewith being sorely grieued albeit hee durst not peepe for the time yet returning home in a maruelous chaufe reuoluing in his minde how hee might cast off this yoke and bondage whereunto foolishly hee had subjected himselfe and as hee did meditate vpon this a profitable dissention for his purpose interueened betweene France and England which immediatly brast foorth in warre so that at a Conuention in Scotland both the Kings Ambassadours were present The French to renue their olde league with the new King the English by the recent surrender of the Realme desired assistance in that warre Both the Ambassadours were referred to the Parliament the Nobilitie prone to cast off the late yoke of England decerned the French petition just and the English vnjust for that league with France was made fiue hundreth yeeres agoe by the consent of the whole Realme inviolably obserued to that day but that surrender was but new throwen out of the King against his will which albeit hee had beene willing to doe yet neither was the King nor the Realme bound to bide at it seeing it was done without the consent of the Estates in Parliament without whose consent the King could doe nothing These Newes comming to King Edwards eares hauing taken some Moneths truce with France hee sent his Nauie that was bowne to France into Scotland thinking to ouerthrowe the Scots before they were prouided and to keep Barwike vnvittalled The Scots encountring this Nauie at the Riuer mouth of Tweed wanne eighteene shippes and chased the rest King Edwards wrath was by this 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
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
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
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