Scotland as also for the better strengthning of his estate to whome the same kingdome should be by him adiudged wherevnto they all agreed by writing also vnder their seuerall hands and seales as followeth A toux iceulx c. To all those which this present writing shall see or heare Florence Earle of Holland Robert de Bruce Lord of Annandale Iohn de Balliol Lord of Galloway Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeuennie Iohn Cumin Lord of Badenawe Patricke de Dunbarre Earle of Marche Iohn de Vescie insteed of his Father Nicholas de Sules and William de Ros send greeting in our Lord. Because that of our owne willes and common consents without all constraint we doe consent and grant vnto the noble Prince the Lord Edward by the grace of God king of England that he as superior Lord of Scotland may heare examine define determine our claimes chalenges petitions which we intend to shew and proue for our right to be receiued before him as superior Lord of the land promising moreouer that we shall take his deed for firme and stable and that he shall inioy the kingdome of Scotland whose right by declaration shall best appeare before him whereas then the sayd king of England cannot in this maner take knowledge nor fulfill our meanings without iudgement nor iudgment ought to be without execution nor execution may in due forme bee done without possession and seisme of the said lands and castels of the same We do will consent and grant that he as Superior Lord to performe the premisses may haue the seisure of all the land and Castels of the same till they that pretend title to the crowne be satisfied in the sute so that before he be put into possession and seisure he find sufficient surety to vs that pretend title to the wardens and to all the cōmonaltie of the kingdome of Scotland that he shal restore the same kingdom with all the royaltie dignitie signorie liberties customes rights lawes vsages possessions and all and whatsoeuer the appurtinances in the same state wherein they were before the seisme to him deliuered vnto him to whom by right it is due according to the iudgemēt of his Maiesty sauing to him the homage of that person that shall bee king And this restitution to be made within two months after the day in which the right shall be discussed and established the issues of the same land in the meane time shall be receiued laid vp put in safe keeping in the hands of the Chamberlaine of Scotland that now is of him whom the King of England shall to him ioyne and assotiate and this vnder their seales reseruing and allowing the reasonable charges for the sustentatiō of the land the Castles and officers of the kingdome In witnesse of all the which premises wee haue vnto these set our seales giuen at Norham the wednesday next after the feast of the Ascensiō of our Lord in the yeare 1291. Besides these two former deeds from the competitors themselues he receiued the like assurance from all the principall officers and Magistrates of that realme So as by a free and generall consent he was acknowledged their supreame Lord and was accordingly intituled in sundry Proclamations and publique Edicts directed forth in his name King Edward hauing receiued at their hands these instruments of allegiance as their proper and voluntary deeds and also their seuerall homages either in his owne person or by his deputies according to the order giuen in that behalfe he was finally put in full possession of the realme of Scotland and hauing occasion to returne presently into England to solemnize the exequies of his Mother hee committed the gouernment and custodie of the realme in his absence to the Bishops of Saint Androwes and Glascoe and to the Lords Iohn Cumin and Iames Steward who before had giuen the King possession At his returne out of England at Midsomer following hee sent out sommons to all those that made claime to the Crowne of Scotland to repaire vnto him and hauing heard what each one could say for himselfe hee perceaued that the question rested onely betweene Iohn Balliol and Robert Bruce so as that all the rest were thenceforth vtterly excluded and barred from all further title or claime These two deriued their titles from Dauid Earle of Huntington brother to William late King of Scottes in this maner This Dauid had issue by Mawde his wife one of the daughters of Hugh Bohune Earle of Chester as is aforesaid three daughters Margaret the eldest was maried to Alaine Lord of Galloway who had issue together three daughters also of whom the eldest named Dernagil was maried to Iohn Balliol the parents of this Iohn Balliol one of the two competitors Isabell the second daughter of the foresaid Dauid was married to Robert Bruce betweene whom was begotten this Robert Bruce the other competitour He claimed the Crowne as next heire male the other made claime in the right of his mother who was the next heire in bloud and as wee say in England heire at the common-lawe Bruce alleadged that hee was to bee preferred before the Mother of Balliol because the heire male must carry away the inheritance of a kingdome from the heire female meeting in the selfe same degree of bloud as in this case it stood betweene him and Dernagill To this end he alleadged a late president in the like controuersie about the Duchie of Burgundie which the Earle of Neuers claimed in the right of his wife grand-child to the last Duke by his eldest sonne which notwithstanding the brothers inheritance was adiudged to the Dukes yonger sonne King Edward hauing heard the allegations and answeres of both parties caused then to be inrolled but because the matter was of the greatest importance life onely excepted and therefore required good deliberation hee referred the further proceeding therein till Michaelmasse following and returned into England In the meane time for his better instruction he acquainted the most learned Lawyers as well of France as of this nation with the whole state of the cause and receaued their generall resolution therein At the time prefixed he repaired againe into the North-parts and comming to Berwicke hee called thither the two competitours together with the greater number of the Lords of Scotland to receiue there a finall end of this controuersie Out of this great assembly of the most graue and best experienced personages of both Nations hee made choise of a certaine number as well English as Scottish to whom as to a Iurie royall sworne and admonished to deale vprightlie the King gaue full authoritie to name him that vnto them appeared vpon the examination of their seuerall titles and the resolution of the Lawyers therevpon which was deliuered vnto them to haue the better right vnto the crowne of Scotland These men being put a part by themselues and hauing examined considered and sufficiently debated the prooues allegations and whatsoeuer could be said on either
atchieue any fortunate interprise against the Scots As though all that nation could not afford his fellowe That hee was the very Atlas and supporter of their happy estate True it is that the deceassed king had reason to commit more trust to him then to anie other of whose loyalty and sufficiencie he had not the like tryall But it followeth not thereof that if king Edward could dispatch him out off the waie there had beene none left to haue resisted his attempts against that nation But admit he was the man they make him it is well knowne that King Edward being then not much aboue eighteene yeares old was not only ouer yong to contriue such a practise but was then still directed by his Mother Queene Isabel so consequently by Mortimer Earle of March her chiefe Counsellor both so great fauourers and maintainers of the peace with Scotland as that hee lost his life shortlie after for the same It is further affirmed That this Monke stealing secretlie out off Scotland assured the King that the Gouernor could not possiblie liue beyond a prefixed day in which time the poyson was to worke his effect and that King Edward presuming thereof gathered a mightie and puissant armie wherewith comming to the borders hee purposed to inuade Scotland had he not knowne when he came thyther that the gouernour was not only lyuing but ready in armes to haue resisted his approach Now of all this preparation and iourney there is not one word to be found amongst all our Croniclers But to the contrarie it appeareth that besideÌ„s the coÌ„firmation of the former peace vpon the admittance of this Earle to the Regency the sommer next before his death was so vnseasonable as that it caused a great dearth in England all the yeare following so as it was impossible to make prouision for such an army neither could those more Northen partes afford it of their owne store For it is sayd that in some places of the realme especiallie North-wards by reason of the coldnesse of that climate wheate was not gathered into the barne till hallontide nor pease vntill the ende of Nouember Moreouer King Edward wâ—s in France well neere all the month of Aprill next before the gouernours death and after his returne thence hee had so little meaning to make preparation of warre as that hee held solemne iustes and turney at Dert-forde which exercises hee renewed againe at London in September following How can all this agree with the surmised preparation of warre with Scotland at that time Now to the last poynt touching the burning of this Monke whereof some of them for the vnlike-lihood-haue not spoken it is incredible that a religious man a deuout Monke as they were then accounted should bee either murthered or executed for not keeping promise in the performance of an vnlawfull and vnchristian act But where when on whome or by whome was this vnusuall execution made to no one of these interrogatories doth any man answere saue that hee was a Monke or begging Frier For they will not vouchsafe to giue him other name though hee had beene a long time verie familier in the gouernors house These bee therefore great slaunders farre vnbeseeming the reputation of him that not long sence hath made no conscience to report the most part of this fable for a truth This yeare Roger Mortimer Earle of March was attaynted of high treason and executed for the same on Saint Andrewes eauen Amongst other matters where-with hee was charged hee was found giltie of secrete practise with the Scottes at Stanhope-parke whereby they escaped as is aforesaid and that hee receiued there of the Lord Iames Dowglas a great summe of money for the good seruice done by him at that time and to bee still continewed towardes that Nation whilest his authoritie should stand them insteede Hereby also afterwardes hee brought to passe that vnaduised peace with the Scottes at Northampton as is before declared About this time Edward Balliol thorough the perswasion of Laurence Twine a Scotish fugitiue came ouer out off France where hee had alwayes liued before to intreat the King of England to assist him in the recouery of his right to the Crowne of Scotland which was giuen by a ward vnto Iohn Balliol by king Edward the first promising withall that if it were his good hap to attaine it he would acknowledge to hold the same in manner as his Grand-father held it of the others Grand-father But before this motion was made to the king of England Balliol sought the fauour of the Lord Henry Beumont a Frenchman borne that had maried the daughter and heyre of the Earle Buquhan and likewise of the Lord William Cumine the lord Dauid of Strabouee Earle of Atholl and the lord Geffrey de Mowbraie These and some others that were banished the Realme of Scotland by the late King Robert le Bruse now liued in England hauing in hope of preferment ioyned heartes handes with Balliol in this quarell obtained this fauour of king Edward that as many of his subiects as of themselues were willing to assist them in this enterprise should haue good leaue to follow them therein For though the young king of Scots had beene affianced vnto king Edwards sister who in respect of that alliance should not haue beene easilie drawne into this action neuerthelesse he held himselfe so mâ—ch disgraced and absued in his minority by the deceitful practise of Mortimer that nothing now pleased him that together with that mariage was then yeelded vnto at that dishonorable composition made with the Scottish king at Northampton as before you haue heard Neither was that contract of marriage so firme but if either partie misliked thereof when they should come to lawfull age of consent the same might safely bee dissolued Edward Balliol hauing now assembled by the helpe of the other two Scottish Lordes his confederates some foure hundred horse and about two thousand Archers and other footemen tooke shipping at Rauen-spurne in Holdernesse from thence directing his course North-ward hee entred into the Scottish fourth and arriued neere to the towne Kingorne on the first daie of August where being incountred by Alexander Seaton hee slew him in the field together with the greater number of his people and put the residewe to flight This good beeginning put such corage into these venterous companions in armes fighting for no lesse then a kingdome that with in some fewe daies after their forces beeing now increased to the number of about ten thousand one and other they attempted to assaile the Earle of Muerry then Regent of Scotland by night where hee laie incamped in the middest of his armie the same beeing ouer great otherwise to bee delt withall and tooke him on such a sodaine that they put him to flight making great slaughter vpon his people The next day the fight was renewed on both sides but in the ende the victory fell to Balliol This battaile was fought at Dueplin on the
instrument being first signed and sealed by king Alexander himselfe and afterwards by his Nobilitie was sent to the King of England at Christmasse following by the Prior of Tinmouth who had trauelled diligently and faithfully in this businesse to the honor and good liking of both parties And for further confirmation thereof another writing was sent to Rome to the end that this agreement accord might receiue the more strength frō his Holines This solemne league was established in the yeare of our Lord 1244. Whereupon Berwick was restored to the king of Scotland Carliele which had bin taken by the Scots in the raigne of king Iohn was likewise restored to king Henry the antient limits of the two kingdomes were bounded out by the Kings crosse in Steanmore as before at the agreement made with the Conqueror The often intermariages of the one nation with the other which is the surest band of friendship caused this good agreement so long between them for when at any time occasion of vnkindnesse was offered by eyther of the two kings the Nobilitie of both sides were so lincked one with the other in such an indissoluble vnion that they would not suffer the same to breake out into any hostilitie But to consummate and perfect as it were this Gordian knot within two yeares after the death of king Alexander the father which happened in the yeare 1249. his sonne Alexander that succeeded about eight yeares old when his father deceased was within two yeares after brought to Yorke where King Henry on Christmas day honoured him with the order of Knighthood and the day following he gaue him in mariage his Daughter the Lady Margaret according to the former agreement At this meeting the young King did homage in maner as before his father had done and the League was renewed betweene the two Nations which continued without any tainte many yeares after In the meane time at sundry meetings of the two kings and their Queenes much kindnesse and friendly demeanour passed betweene them to the great reioycing of their subiects on both sides And as occasion required the one would ayde and assist the other For during the troubles betweene King Henry and his Barons king Alexander did send vnto his ayde fiue thousand Scots vnder the leading of Alexander Cumine and Robert Bruis of whom the greater number was slaine in the quarrell of the Father and Sonne against their rebellious subiects King Henrie deceasing in the seauen and fiftie yeare of his raigne Anno 1272. the Scotish king and Queene came into England to the Coronation of king Edward his brother in law where hauing passed the time in great iollitie and acknowledged his allegiance hee was honourably attended into Scotland Shortly after his returne thither Queene Margaret his wife deceased and not long after her death their two sonnes Dauid and Alexander dyed also the elder brother hauing lately maryed the daughter of the Earle of Flanders but left no issue behind them The heauie hand of the Lord ceassed not here but finally inflicted well nere an vtter ruine and desolation on that kingdome by taking out of this world about twelue yeares after the king himselfe and his whole progenie if it bee true that is reported in the History of Scotland this calamitie may seeme to be prefigured in a prodigious apparition at the second marriage of king Alexander for as he was leading the Queene his Bride in a dance according to the manner of such solemnities there appeared to the whole assembly the similitude of an humaine Anatomy following and closing vp the traine of the Lords Ladies that accompanied them The same yeare viz. Ann. 1285. king Alexander was throwne frō off his horse and in the fall brake his necke At his death none remained liuing of his line saue onely one infant the daughter of his daughter Margaret Queene of Norway King Edward vnderstanding what had hapned in Scotland began to thinke with himselfe how exceeding beneficial it would be to both nations if by any good meanes they might bee vnited and made one monarchie wherevpon forthwith hee dispatched Ambassadors thether to make offer of mariage betweene the yong Lady the heire of Scotland his sonne Prince Edward heire apparant to the Crowne of England This was no sooner moued to the lords but forth-with euery mā gaue free consent esteeming it so happy a thing for that kingdome as nothing could be wished more The mariage was therefore readily concluded vpon these conditions That the Scotishmen should be gouerned by their owne Lords and lawes vntill the issue proceeding of them should be of age to take the gouernment vpon them And if it hapned that no issue should thereof spring or should die before ripe age to gouerne then the kingdom of Scotlād should descend to the next in bloud to the King last deceased Herevpon certaine Noble-men of Scotland were presently sent into Norway for the safe conduct of the yong Lady but it pleased not God at that time to giue so great a blessing to this Islād for at their returne home they brought heauy newes of her death also The posteritie of king William of Scotland grand-father to the last King being now extinguished great dissention arose about the title claime to the crowne The realme by this occasion being diuided into sundry factions was in great danger of an vtter subuersion This controuersie hauing depended a long time it was thought fit sithence there was none amongst themselues of powre authority to decide a matter of so great importance to refer the same to the hearing and award of the king of England generally reputed of all the competitors a fit iudge to determine thereof according as law and equity should direct him K. Edward being willing to bestow his trauell to so good purpose and holding himselfe in a sort bound therevnto in regard of his right of superioritie ouer that nation easily consented to their petitions appointing time place for the performance of his best indeuore to effect their desire In the meane time to the end it might appeare to the world that he tooke not this office in hand vpon warrant onely of the competitors intreaty hee caused all the ancient Chronicles records that could be found either in England or Scotland to be perused that if any question therof should arise his pretended interest in this action might be sufficiently approued But although this was made so manifest out of Marianus the Scot William of Malmesbury Roger Houeden Henry Huntingtō Ralph de Diceto others as none then liuing could gainsay it neuerthelesse the Scotish writers haue since that time much depraued the credit thereof by their bare surmises And therefore it shall not be impertinent for the better cleering of this point before I proceed any further in declaratiō of the matter in hand to examine how truely one of the best learned amongst thē hath not long since peremptorilie affirmed that there is nothing to show
was surrendred vpon the like condition The Castle of Striueling at the kings approach beeing left desolate and hauing the gates set wide open offered it selfe vnto his entrance King Edward following his good fortune passed from hence ouer the forth and about Midsomer came to the Towne S. Iohn While hee remained there king Iohn now dispayring to recouer by force his manifold losses sought by intreaty to be reconciled and receiued into grace which at length was granted so as king Iohn and his Nobilitie acknowledging their error resigned the kingdome of Scotland into the hands of king Edward in māner following Iehan per le grace de Dieu c. Iohn by the grace of God king of Scotland To all those that these present Letters shall see or heare sendeth greeting Because that wee through euill counsell and our owne simplicitie haue grieuously offended our Soueraigne Lord Edward by the Grace of God king of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine in many things that is to say In that whereas wee being and abiding vnder his faith and homage haue bound our selues vnto the king of France which then was his enemy yet is procuring a marriage with the Daughter of his Brother Charles de valois And that wee might vex our sayd Lord and aide the king of France withall our powre by warre and other meanes we haue at length by aduise of peruerse counsell defied our sayd Lord the King of England and haue put our selues out of his allegiance and homage and sent our people into England to burne houses to take spoiles to commit murther with many other damages and also in fortifying the kindome of Scotland which is of his fee putting armed men into townes Castells and other places to keepe the Land against him defraud him of his fee. For the which transgressions our sayd soueraigne Lord the king entring into the realme of Scotland with his powre hath conquered and taken the same notwithstanding all that we could do against him as by right hee might do and as appertained to a Lord ouer his fee because that wee did render vnto him our homage and yet neuerthelesse made the foresaid rebellion Wee therefore it being yet in our powre free-wil do surrēder vnto him the realme of Scotland and al the people of the same with the homages In witnesse whereof wee haue caused these our letters patentes to be drawne Giuen at Brechin the tenth day of Iuly in the fourth yeare of our raigne sealed with the cōmon seale of the kingdome of Scotland This done king Edward hauing receiued the Son of Balliol in pleadge of his fathers fidelity passed on further to see the moūtaine Countries the Bishop of Durham euer keeping a daies iornay before him after hee had passed thorowe the land of Murrey and was come to Elghin perceiuing al the Country quiet he returned to Berwicke whether he sommoned all the Noblemen of Scotland of whom he receiued their seuerall homages confirming the same vnder their hands and seales in forme following Atouz ceux qui cestes lettres verrent c. To all those that these present letters shall see or heare We Iohn Cumin of Badenaw c. Do hereby vowe and promise for vs and our heires vpon paine of body and goods and of all that we haue that wee shall serue the most Noble Prince and our dearest Lord Edward by the grace of God king of England c. well and truly against all men which may liue and die at all times when we shal be required or warned by our said Lord the king of England or his heires And that we shall not know of any hurt to be done vnto them but the same wee shall let and impeach with all our power and giue them warning thereof And these things to hold and keepe we bind vs our heires all our goods And further do receiue an oth thereof vpon the holie Euangelists And after all wee and euery one of vs haue done homage vnto our soueraigne Lord the king of England in these words I become your liedge man of life members earthly honour against all men which may liue and die And our sayd soueraigne Lord the king receiued this homage vnder this forme of words We receiue it for the land of the which you bee now seased the right of vs or others saued except the lands which Iohn Balliol sometime king of Scotland graunted vnto vs after that we did deliuer vnto him the kingdome of Scotland if happily he hath giuen vnto you any of those landes Moreouer al we and euery one of vs by himselfe haue done fealty to our sayd soueraigne Lord the king in these words I as a faithfull and leidge man shall keepe faith and loyaltie vnto Edward king of England and to his heires of life member and earthly honour against all men which may liue and die And shall neuer for any person beare armoure or shal be of counsell or aide any person against him or his heires in any case that may chaunce but shall faithfully acknowledge and do the seruice that belongeth to the tenements I clame to hold of him as God mee helpe In witnesse wherof these letters pattents are made and signed with our seales Giuen at Warke the 24. of March in the yeare of the raigne of our sayd Lord the king of England fiue and twentieth King Edward hauing appointed Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey warden of Scotland Hugh Cressingham Treasurer and William Drusbie chiefe Iustice and sent a conuenient companie to attend and safe conduct Iohn Balliol and some of the principall Lords of that realme into England he followed soone after him selfe Balliol had liberty to take recreation within the circuite of twenty miles about London the rest were charged on paine of death not to passe out of England till the king had made an end of his warre with France which now he was to vndertake and to that end after his returne home about the latter ende of summer hauing prepared all things fit for that iorney hee passed ouer into Flanders where hee remained vntill the next spring and then returned backe againe by reason of a rebellion allreadie begun in Scotland a little before his going ouer and now by his absence was growne more dangerous then it was at the first thought it could proue The chiefe Captaine hereof was one Wallais a Scotishman whose meane estate had well neere worne out the memorie of his ancestry yet neuerthelesse showed himselfe euen in his greatest penury of courage not incident to a vulgar and base spirit This gallant wearied with his obscure and abiect condition of life hauing nothing to loose besides it neither valewing the same at anie great price beganne to pluck vp his benummed spirites and to be-thinke him-self how to make way vnto the atchieuement of some famous and valorous exploite fortune was so fauorable vnto him that he was sodenly aduanced beyond al mens exspectation for the extraordinary
assembled some fewe small forces where-with â—e approched the towne S. Iohns purposing there first to make trial of his fortunes but the Earle of Pembrooke by chance had first entred the towne with some 300. horse-men besides foote-men Bruse sent him word that he was come thither to fight with him and all his partakers if hee would come forth The Earle answered hee would rest that day being the Sabaoth but on the next morning he would accept of his chalenge Bruse herevpon with-drew his armie a mile backe againe from the towne meaning to be-take himselfe and his people that night to their rest but he was disquieted sooner then he looked for the Earle issuing out of the towne a little before night about the beginning of the Calends of August assailed them so sodenly as that he had slaine a great numbee before they could get armour and weapons for their defence so as after a little resistance the Scots with their new king were put to flight The Earle following the chase pursued them vnto Kenter and vnderstanding that Bruse was entred a Castle ther-about he besieged presently tooke the same wherin he found his wife his brother Nigell with some others but Bruse him-selfe was fled vnto the mountaines these he sent presently to Berwicke This Lady was the daughter of the Earle of Vlster in Ireland who had lately before sent ouer vnto K. Edward two of his sonnes to remaine in England for pledges of their fathers fidelity for whose sake she found great fauor Shortly after was the castle of Lachdore takeÌ„ by th' English-men in it Christopher Seton that had married the sister of Bruse by birth hee was an English-man and had before slaine a Knight of England in some bad manner for the which fact especially he was by the kings coÌ„mandement executed at Dunfries where the same was committed the like execution was also made at Berwicke vpon Nigell Bruse and the rest of his companions But the Earle of Atholl who was also taken about the same time was remoued to London where he was beheaded and his head set on a pole ouer London-bridge Though Bruse in the meane season was put to many hard shifts wandring in desert places like a forelorne man not-with-standing hee would not giue ouer so good a cause but after a little breathing began a fresh to bestur him so as what by entreaty threats he gathered some few troops of horsmen about him and whilest hee was thus occupied himselfe in one place he sent two of his brothers the one a Knight the other a priest into other parts of the country to procure what aide they could But as they were thus busied they were both taken condemned of treason and for the same executed These misfortunes stil following one in the necke of another little or nothing allaied the thirst of a kingdom for he knew his cause was iust and that howsoeuer his sinnes had deserued especially the murther he committed at the very entrance into this actioÌ„ yet should he die if it came to that in a good quarel Hauing therefore happily reconciled himselfe to God whom 〈◊〉 had therein greeuouslie offended with 〈…〉 courage hee fully resolued to pursue his 〈…〉 Beeing now some what better strengthned with the aide of the Ilanders hee incouâ—â—â—â— the Earle of Pembrooke and put him to 〈…〉 like hap shortly after hee had against the Earle of Glocester These small hartnings did incourage Bruse to attempt greater aduentures so as within short time he recouered diuers Castels but being not able to man them hee cast them downe to the ground King Edward hauing knowledge of these his proceedings in Scotland by his letters directed into certaine countries fittest for that seruice gaue commandement that as many as were able to vse a weapon should within three weekes after Midsomer attend him at Carliel But before the appointed time was come the king fell sicke there from whence being remoued to Brough on the sand he departed out of this life in the 35. yeare of his raigne An. 1307. By the death of King Edward the state of the affaires betweene these two Nations was much altered for his sonne and successour king Edward the second being now not about â—â—ree and twentie yeares olde was giuen after the manner of youth more to follow his plâ—â—sures then the cares and trauels of 〈…〉 And therefore neglecting his businesse 〈…〉 gaue fitte opportunitie to his 〈…〉 and little 〈◊〉 off the 〈…〉 which his father by his valiancie had brought them So as while this youthfull King sought nothing more then to spend his time in voluptuous pleasure riotous excesse making such his familiers and chiefe minions about him as best fitted his humor Bruse on the other side wholy indeuored by all possible meanes how to restore his country to her former liberty and quiet estate now wel nere brought to the brinke of an vnrecouerable downfal And by his good fore-sight and singuler manhood hee so much preuailed as that in the space of three or foure yeares he recouered his kingdom for hauing bin much inured with hardnesse trauel together with his long experience in managing the affaires of state as well in time of peace as of war he had no small aduantage thereby of the other The father dying not aboue a weeke before his intended iorney once againe into ScotlaÌ„d the king his sonne finding all things in so good readines was aduised to make triall with these forces that were then come to Carleil what intertainment hee should finde at the Scotishmens hands Being come to Dumfries hee summoned the Scotish Nobility to repaire thither vnto him where diuers of them acknowledged their allegiance homage But here he could not now tary being hasted homewards to make preparation for his iorney into France where shortly after he maried the Lady Isabell daughter to K. Philip surnamed the faire At his departure he committed the wardenship of Scotland to Iohn de Britaine whom withal he created Earle of Richmond Amongst all the Scotish Lordes that tooke part with England none was so great an enemy to Bruse as the Lord Iohn Cumin Earle of Buquhan for the murther committed vpon his Ancestor as before you haue heard now therefore to bee reuenged as also to show his forwardnesse to performe some acceptable seruice for the King of England hee gathered such forces English and Scotish as hee could make and there-with approched his enemie Bruse beeing yet barely recouered of a late sicknesse vpon a boun-courage incountred him at a straite and in the end discomfited his armie making great slaughter of his men This victorie did so reuiue Bruse his feeble and languishing spirits as that from thence forward hee still preuailed in all his interprises So as following his good fortune in short time he reduced the conntries of Anguile and Galloway vnder his obedience King Edward not well brooking these daily losses raised a mightie powre wherewith about the middest of August
appointed for seruice which not long before had beene prepared as was giuen out to transport the king into Siria against the infidelles This nauy should haue beene presented vnto the French Queene for a speciall fauor towâ—â—ds her onely â—ut the same â—â—d so bad successâ—ur the passage aâ— that neither shee or her husband had any benefit by them In the meane season complaint waâ— made to king Henry that two Scottish ships to whom king Iames had graunted letters of mart against the Portâ—â—galls had greatlie molested the English Marchants and other passingers along the Coast For redresse hereof Sir Edmond Howard Lord Admirall of England and the Lord Thomas Sonne and heire to the Earle of Surrey were presentlie sent forth with two shippes of warre who behaued themselues in â—uch sort that within a month after they â—â—ought them both to Black-wall Andrewe â—arton Captaine ouer them died of the hurtes 〈◊〉 receiued in fight they that remained aliue wâ—re all pardoned and sent home King Iames tooke this matter so heynouslie that wryting thereof to King Henrie he charged him with breach of the league wherevnto this answere was returned That the execution of Iustice vpon pirates such as his people at sea were waâ— neuer held violation of amitie that hee shoâ—â—â— fauour enough in pardoning those that esâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 danger of fight Yet for his better saâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 would presently send commâ—â—â—â—â—â—ts to the borâ—â—â— to treat of this and of othâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—ders in 〈◊〉 partes The Scotâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the meane season 〈◊〉 â—ot 〈◊〉 inâ—â—â—â—ng the English marches but still to their losse For aâ— one conflict two hundred of them were taken prisoners and many more slaine This blowe so much prouoked King Iames that refusing to commit the deciding of these quarrels to anie Commissioners he purposed with himselfe to take reuenge when oportunity better serued And therefore when King Henry was passed ouer into France and had besiedged the towne of Turwin King Iames sent ouer vnto him Lion king at armes his principall Herald with letters of defiance to this effect First hee complained that no restitution was yet made for the damages his subiects had lately sustayned both by land and sea Secondly that bastard Heron with his complices who in the raigne of the King his Father at a meeting for the execution of iustice had treacherously slaine Robert Car his warden were not punished according to their deserts That Andrewe Barton was slaine by his commandement That his wiues legacy was vniustlie detained And though hee could haue borne all these iniuries yet he might not indure the extreame wrongs offerd by him to his ancient allies and friends the French King and the Duke of Gelders into whose lands and territories he was now entred not-with-standing he had earnestlie intreated him to the contrarie and â—â—â—ll hostile manner prosecuted the destruction of them thâ—â—â— subiects and countries In consideration of which dealings towardes his owne person and those Pâ—â—nces so neerely conioyned with hâ—â— in amitie hee held himselfe bound by dutiâ—â— hiâ— alliance with them to reliâ—ue their estates by all the good meanes that lay in his powre And this hee would forth-with put in execution vnâ—â—sse he ceased further to molest them This letter was dated at Edenbrough the sixe and twentith day of Iuly and sealed with his owne Signet where-vnto king Henrie made answer as followeth Right excellent high and mightie Prince we haue receiued your writing by your Herald Lyon this bearer wherein after rehearsall and accumulation of many surmised iniuries greeues and damages done by vs and our subiects to you and yours the specialties whereof were superfluous to rehearse remembring that to them and euery of them reasonable answer founded vpon lawe and conscience hath here-to-fore bin made to you and your counsell Yee not onely require vs to desist from further inuasion and vtter destruction of your brother and cousin the French king but also certifie vs that you will take part in defence of the same king vnlesse wee presently yeeld to your request All which tendeth wholy to the bâ—each of the perpetuall peace passed concluded and sworne-vnto by vs both Howbeit if neither the loue and dread of God nighnesse of bloud honour of the world lawe nor reason could haue preuailed with you we suppose you would neuer 〈◊〉 so farre proceedâ—â— against vs especially in our absence Herein the Pope and al Princes Christened may well note in you dishonorable dealing in that you haue waited to take the aduantage of mine absence whereof we neede no other proofe and approbation then your owne letters heretofore sent vs while we were within our Realme wherin you neuer made mention of taking part with our enemy the French King but passed the time with vs till after our departure thence But now happily supposing that we bee destitute of defence against your inuasion beeing so farre from home you haue vpon that aduantage vttered the old rancoure of your stomake which you haue hitherto kept secret Neuerthelesse wee remembring the brittlenesse of your promise and suspecting though not wholie beleeuing so much vnstedfastnesse in you thought it expedient to put our Realme in redinesse against whatsoeuer your interprises trusting that by the fauour of God and the assistance of our confederates and allies we shal be able to maintaine our right against the malice of you and your adherentes And we hope in time conuenient to remember our friends and requite you 〈◊〉 our enemies which by such vnnaturall demeanour haue giuen sufficient cause to the disinheriting 〈◊〉 and your posterity for 〈…〉 â—â—ssibility that you haue to the 〈…〉 which you are now ready to inuade The 〈…〉 lately showed vâ—â—â— the King of Nauar 〈◊〉 for assisting the French king was set besides his â—â—ngdoâ—â— may be a warning vnto you Finallie as tâ—â—ching your request that I would desist from further attempting against our enemie the French King wee knowe you are no competent iudge nor of authoritie to inforce vs therevnto Wherefore wee purpose God willing with the aide and assistance of our confederates and allies to prosecute the warre we haue hitherto prosperouslie proceeded in Giuen vnder our signet in our Campe before Tirwin the twelft daie of August This letter was deliuered to the Scottish Herald who immediatlie departed there-with into Flanders there to haue taken shippe for Scotland But for want of readie passage hee arriued not there till the King his Maister was slaine in the field For King Iames with his army hauing paâ—â—ed ouer the water of Tweed the two and twenteth daie of the sayd month of August lodged thâ— fiâ—st night neere the riuer of Tinsell and the â—â—xt daie laied siedge to Norham Castell which was easilie gotten thorough want of loyaltie or discression in him that kept it King Iâ—â—es hauing taken his pleasure in those partes â—or the space of eighteene daies the Earle of Surrey Liâ—â—â—â—â—ant Generall in the Kings absence ouer the North-partes of the Realme had in the meane-time giuen order
holie daies where they were lodged feasted and entertained most louingly There as of themselues they motioned a mariage betweene Prince Edward the Kings Sonne now little more then fiue yeares olde and their young Queene that was borne some fiue or sixe daies before the death of the King her Father promising withall to do there best to bring the same to passe King Henrie gaue them great thankes for their forwardnesse therein and was not onelie contented to set them freelie at libertie but also bestowed large presentes on euery man according to his degree On New-yeares daie they departed from London home-wardes and dined at Enfield where they sawe the young Prince of whome they seemed greatlie to reioyce both in speach and countinance From thence they kept on their iorney till they came into the North-partes where the Duke of Suffolke the Kings Lieutenant staied for their comming with whome they remained till such pledges were come out of Scotland as was before couenanted they should leaue behind them VVith them went also the Earle of Angus who togither with his brother Sir George Dowglas had allowance for their maintenance of King Henrie while they remained in England after their exile the space of fifeteene yeares The Scottish King while hee liued had labored the deliuerance of the Earle who now vpon his returne home was made one of the priuie Counsell amongst other of the Lordes that had beene lately prisoners here by the Earle of Araine Gouernour of the young Queene and of the Realme and next heire to the Crowne according to the custome of that Countrie Shortly after Sir Robert Bowes and some other English prisoners were deliuered by their bandes after the manner of the Marches In March following Sir Ralfe Sadler who died a graue CouÌ„sellor in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth being sent Ambassadour into Scotland came thither some-what before the Parliament His errand was to perswade the Gouernor to giue his consent with the other Lords to the mariage propounded lately by them and that withall a firme peace might be concluded vpon betweene the two Nations These pointes were long debated but in conclusion after that Dauid Beaton Cardinall and Archbishop of â—â—â—nt Andrewes the French factor was remoâ—â—ed from the assemblie generallie yeelded â—nto and confirmed And further pleadges were promised to be sent into England for the better assurance thereof The Ambassador staying still behind to see euerie thing performed according to promise on the behalfe of the Scottish Lordes the Earle of Glencorne Sir George Dowglas Sir William Hamiltone Sir Iames Leirmonth and the Secretarie were sent into England as well to confirme as to report what had beene established by act of Parliament concerning the marriage intended with England These men remained here from the ende of March till the ende of Iulie following in which time the marriage betweene Prince Edward of England and the infant of Scotland was fullie confirmed by wrytings enterchangablie signed and sealed and a peace concluded for ten yeares These things thus passed in the yeare of Lord 1543. The Scottish Marchantes were not a little glad after their long restraint of their free libertie of trafique wherevpon they presently dispatched their shippes to the sea so as in short time neuer a port well-neere in England was without some of them to the exceeding great ioye of both Realmes But this calme lasted not long for now beganne France after their olde fashion to â—â—â—rre vp certaine seditious and dispightfull spâ—â—â—ts which like vnto the curssed spirits of thâ—â—yre breathed out tempestious and boisterous blastes where-with to darken and disturbe the former Sun-shine and quiet season For before the yeares ende thorough the practize of the Cardinall Iohn Hamiltone brother to the Gouernour and Dauid Paynter which two last men of most dissolute conuersation came lately out of France for that purpose the Scottes were so wonderfully wrought that both the Gouernour himselfe and all they that had so lately before vowed themselues and there seruice to King Henry were now againe become wholy French for these reasons First by this mariage it would come to passe as they obiectted that the Scottish Nobolity should grow into contempt being far inferiour in wealth and possessions to the Lords of England and further remoued by habitation from the Kings presence who no doubt would make the most firtill and commdious part of England Southwards the place of his residence ordinarily But that which more nearely touched them was the eminent daunger wherein to Religion would be thereby brought the preseruation whereof they were bound to prefer before either lands or liues that the state whereinto England was persently falne might be a sufficient warning vnto them who already were but ouer much inclined that way for about that time the Gouener had incoraged Frier Guillan openly to preach against Immages and foolish ceremonies giuing liberty that who would might reade the bible in English which about three yeares before was openly read in very Church in England and was the very bane and breake necke of Popery thorowe out the whole Iland As for their promisse made to King Henry they were persuaded ther was no cause why they should sticke at that seeing it was lately decreed in the Counsell of Constance that no couenant or promise how constantly soeuer made ought to bee kept with an heretike such as the Pope had already iudged him to bee The Earle of Casseles onely continued constant though he was attempted both by faire meanes and foule to the contrary for hee hauing two brothers his pleadges in England protested that he would neuer redeeme ether his liberty or life with the losse of them wherefore at his returne into England the King much commended the young gentlemans resolution and in acquitall therfore set both him his brothers at liberty King Henry could not brooke this manner of dealing but resoluing to be fully reuenged he first caused all the shippes of Scotland whereof there were good store to be presently staid till his pleasure was further knowne then proclaming open war he forthwith made preparation to inuade Scotland by land and sea The Queene Mother the regent and the Cardinall beeing all like affected solicited King Francis to minister aide against England But the monie that that was thereupon sent them and deliuered to the Earle of Lenox to bee imployed to that end was by him detayned by reason of some iarres then amongst them-selues which brought him out of fauour with the French King who before had vsed him as a speciall instrument on his side King Henry in the meane season hauing not beene slow in his businesse thought good neuer-the-lesse to make triall whether vpon better aduisements the Scottes would yeelde to some reasonable conditions wherefore he sent his letters to Edenbrough fraught with many iust complaints and bitter threats but all preuailed not wher-vpon proceeding in his former courfe and hauing furnished his Nauie with all things needfull he committed the charge therof to
Pembroke Ranulph Earle of Chester diuers other of the partakers of the deceassed King they beganne one after an other to reuolt from Lewis and to submit themselues to their yong King not aboue nine yeares old Whereupon after some fewe bickrings and incounters by land sea between the one partie and the other wherein the French came still by the worse Prince Lewis was willing to hearken to peace which being readilie concluded he bid farewell to all former his goodly hopes was honorablie conducted to his ships and transported into France about a yeare and a halfe from his first arriuall in England Thus in short time by the prouidence of God and the industry and loyaltie of some principall men of the Nobilitie this nation was deliuered from one of the greatest dangers that euer it was like to fall into The yong king hauing raigned vnder protection about foure yeares and euen then purposing with himselfe after hee should come to mans state whereunto his notable and rare towardnesse did hasten him on to recouer that which his Father had lost on the other side of the sea and withall knowing that the Scotish nation was of old too much affected to France that hee might therefore in time preuent all occasion of trouble on that side it was brought to passe at Yorke where the two kings met by appointment that king Alexander should take to wife the Ladie Ione sister to king Henrie and further that Margaret the Scotish kings sister should bee giuen in mariage to Hubert de Borowgh a man in exceeding great fauour for many worthy partes in him whereof both his Father and hee himselfe had good tryall and for those his deserts king Henrie afterwardes created him Earle of Kent The other sister returned againe into Scotland vnmaried these two Ladies as you haue heard before were committed by their Father to the custodie of king Iohn These mariages were solemnized at Yorke about Mid-summer Anno. 1219. Diuerse couenants were then signed and sealed by eyther partie for the more assurance of perfect amitie betweene the two Nations which continued accordingly during the liues of the two kings together though there were some that practised what they could for their owne aduantage to set debate betweene them amongst whom Dauid the pety king of Wales hauing receiued an ouerthrow of the English-men and there-vppon flying into Scotland did his best indeauor to moue king Alexander to rise in Armes against England and by such perswasions as hee vsed so much preuailed that forth-with hee made preparation to inuade the Realme This was the more easilie compassed by reason that king Alexander had then buried his wife the King of Englands sister and not hauing had any issue by her was againe married to the Lady Marie daughter to Iugelram Lord of Coucie a French-man so that his former loue and liking towardes England was now happilie abated and buried together with his late deceassed wife Queene Ione Yet had there then bin an other marriage concluded betweene the Lord Alexander the Scotish kings eldest Sonne and the Ladie Margeret daughter to king Henrie which tooke effect as after shall appeare The Scotish Writers report that king Henrie had then begunne to build a Castle ouer against Berwicke in the same place where his father had before laid the foundation But whatsoeuer was the true cause that mooued king Alexander to inuade the Realme although king Henrie was as ready to make resistance as the other was to offer iniury neuerthelesse by mediation of friendes of either part the quarrell was taken vp and the two kings reconciled one to the other and for testimonie thereof to all posteritie a publike writing was drawne signed and sealed by king Alexander and diuerse of the Nobility of Scotland acknowledging their allegiance to the King of England as their supeor Lord as followeth Alexander Dei gratia Rex Scotiae Omnibus Christi fidelibus hoc scriptum visuris vel audituris salutem Ad vestram volumus venire notitiam nos pro nobis haeredibus nostris concessisse fidelitèr promississe charissimo ligio Domino nostro Henrico tertio Dei gratia Regi Angliae illustri Domino Hiberniae Duci Normandiae Aquitaniae Comiti Andegauiae eius haeredibus quod in perpetuvm bonam fidem ei seruabimus paritèr amorem Et quod nuncquam aliquod faedus iniemus per nos vel per aliquos alios ex parte nostra cum inimicis Domini Regis Angliae vel Haeredum suorum ad bellum procurandum vel faciendum vnde damnum eis vel regnis suis Angliae Hiberniae aut caeteris terris suis eueniat vel possit alequatenùs euenire nisi no iniustè grauent Stantibus in suo robore conuentionibus inter nos dictum Dominum regem Angliae initis vltimò apud Eboracum in praesentia Domini Othonis tituli S. Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconi Cardinalis tunc Apostolicae sedis Legati in Anglia Et saluis conuectionibus super matrimonio contrahendo inter filium nostrum filiam dicti Domini regis Angliae Et vt haec nostra concessio promissio pro nobis haeredibus nostris perpetuae firmitatis robur obteniunt fecimus iurare in animum nostrum Alanum Ostiarum Henricum de Baliol Dauid de Lindesey Wilhelmum Gifford quod omnia predicta bona fide firmitèr fidelitèr obseruabimus Et similitèr iurari fecimus venerabiles patres Dauid Wilhelmum Galfridum Clementem sancti Andreae Glasconiensem Dūkeldensem Dublinensem Episcopos Et praeteria Malcolmum comitē de Fif fideles nostros Patricium comitem de Dunbar Malisium comitē de Strathern Walterum Cumin comitē de Monteth Wilhelmū comitē de Mar Alexandrū comitē de Buchquhā Dauid de Hastings comitē de Athol Robertum de Bruis Alanum Ostiariū Henricum de Bailiol Rogerum de Mounbray Larentiū de Abirnetha Richardum Cumin Dauid de Lindesey Richardū Siward Wilhelmū de Lindesey Walterum de Morauia Wilhelmum Gifford Nicholaū de Sully Wilhelmū de veteri ponte Wilhelmū de Brewer Anselmū de Mesue Dauid de Graham Stephanū de Suningham Quod si nos vel haeredes nostri contra concessionē promissionē praedictū quod absit venerimus ipsi haeredes eorū nobis haeredibus nostris nullū contrà concessionē promissionē praedictā auxilium vel cōsilium impendent aut ab alijs proposse suo impendi permittent Imò bona fide laborabunt erga nos haeredes nostros ipsi et haeredes eorū quòd omnia praedicta a nobis et haeredibus nostris nec non ab ipsis et eorū haeredibus firmitèr et fidelitèr obseruētur in perpetuū In cuius rei testimontū tu nos quam praedicti Prelati Comites Barones nostri praesens scriptum sigillorū suorum appositione roborauimus Testibus Praelatis Comitibus Baronibus superius nominatis Ann. regni nostri c. This
side they all with one full consent and voyce pronounced Iohn Balioll the true and vndoubted heire to the Crowne of Scotland King Edward allowing their verdit gaue sentence accordingly Whervpon he was forthwith proclaimed king of Scotland on condition that if hee did not gouerne his kingdome with equitie iustice then vpon iust complaint thereof the king of England might put to his helping hand by some good meanes to procure reformation as he was bound therevnto by his right of Superioritie which in him was anciently inuested Further hee awarded out his writtes of deliuery of seisme at the sute of Balliol vnto the Bishops aforesaid and to Iohn Lord Cumin Iames Lord Steward and Brian Fitz-alline wardens of Scotland commanding them to deliuer vnto Iohn Balliol the full seisme and possession of that land sauing the relieues and other payments due to him of the issues and profits of the same vnto the day of the date of that writ being the xix of Nouember in the twentith yeare of the raigne of King Edward Anno Domi. 1291. also an other writte was likewise directed the same day to such as had the keeping of the Castels in forme following Edwardus dei gratia Rex Angliae c. Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitaine and Superiour Lord of the realme of Scotland To his welbeloued and faithfull seruant Peter Burdet Constable of the Castell of Berwicke sendeth greeting Whereas Iohn Balliol in Parliament lately holden at Berwick vpon Tweede came before vs and demanded the sayd realme of Scotland to be adiudged to him by vs and seisme of the same to bee to him deliuered as next heire to Margaret Daughter to the King of Norway Lady of Scotland by right of succession wee hauing heard and vnderstood the same petitions and reasons beeing diligently weyed and examined wee finde the sayde Iohn Balliol to bee next heyre to the Crowne of Scotland Where-vpon wee haue deliuered vnto him seisme and possession thereof Wee therefore command you that you deliuer vp vnto the sayd Iohn Balliol or to his Atturneys that shall bring with them these our Letters the seisme of the sayd Castell of Berwicke with all the appurtenances together with all other things to you deliuered by Indenture in manner as you receaued the same with the custodie of the sayd Castell to you committed and this without delay Witnesse our selfe at Berwicke vpon Tweede the nineteenth day of Nouember in the 20. yeare of our raigne In the same forme were writtes directed to all the keepers of the other Castels and manors belonging to the crowne of Scotland and being then in their custodie to whom K. Edward had before granted the same Then also in the presence of the new king and the nobles of Scotland the new seale which had bin before committed by King Edward to the gouernors of the realme of ScotlaÌ„d during the time of vacancie was broken and put vp to be reserued in the treasurie of the King of England in token of his superiority and the trust committed vnto him for the ending of this controuersie The next day the Scotish king did fealtie in the Castle of Norham vnto king Edward for his kingdome in manner following This heare you my Lord Edward King of England Soueraigne Lord of the Realme of Scotland That I Iohn Balliol king of Scotland which I hold and claime to hold of you shall be faithful and loyall and owe faith and loyaltie vnto you I shall beare of life and member and of earthly honour against all people and lawfully I shall acknowledge and doe the seruices which I ought to doe to you for the Realme of Scotland aforesaid So God mee helpe And for more testimonie hereof hee caused letters patents to bee sealed deliuered to King Edward in the presence of the Bishoppes of S. Andrewes and Glasco and of diuers others of the Nobilitie of both Nations This done King Edward appointed the bishop of Durham and the Lord Iohn S Iohn to attend Balliol into Scotland and to put him into the corporall possession of the Land which was performed accordingly For on S. Andrewes day following he was crowned at Scone in the Marble chaire in the Abbey the solemnities ended he returned backe to New-castle vpon Tine where king Edward kept his Christmasse that yeare and there vpon Saint Stephens daye the Scotish king did homage to king Edward in manner following My Lord Lord Edward king of England Superior Lord of Scotland I Iohn de Balliol king of Scotland doe acknowledge mee to bee your Liegeman of the Realme of Scotland with all the apurtenances and whatsoeuer belongeth thereto The which kingdome I hold and ought of right to claime to hold by inheritance of you and your heyres kings of England And I shall beare faith and loyaltie to you and to your heyres kings of England of life of member and earthly honour against all men which may liue and die The two kings hauing spent some time there together with much ioy and reuell tooke their leaues one of the other and parted in great kindnes Thus was this controuersie decided and taken vp which had continued from the death of Alexander the last king before him vnto this mans coronation sixe yeares and eight monthes nowe within that tearme of months ended by king Edward to the exceeding great benefit of that nation had not their inconstancie immediatlie afterwards bereaued them thereof and turned the good which they might haue gained therby well nere to their vtter coÌ„fusion as in the History following shall appeare The next yeare afâ—er that king Balliol was thus established in his kingdome a controuersie arose concerning titlâ— of Land betweene Macduffe Earle of Fife who in the time of the interraigne was one of the sixe to whom the gouernment of the Realme was committed and the familie of the Abernethes men of good place also one of these kild the Earle whose brother making complaint thereof to his king was not only little regarded therein but vpon the hearing of the matter in controuersie hee gaue iudgement against him Macduffes brother hauing lost both his land and found the King ouer-slow in taking reuenge for the iniury offered his familie appealed to the king of England where-vpon king Balliol was called to London to answer to the others accusatioÌ„ The two kings sitting together in Parlament the Plaintife propounded his coÌ„plaint The Scotish king beeing the partie defendant was intreated to remoue according to the order obserued in such cases into an inferiour place to answer and to plead for himselfe for it is not the manner of that most honourable asseÌ„bly to admit counsell on either side This disgrace saith Buchanan first moued king Balliol to breake off friendship with England for the warre beeing euen then in that Parliament renewed with France he was thereby the more easily drawne to enter into league and alliance with that Nation King Edward hauing had secret
Lewarde lor. of Whitehall Nicholas de Seagraue lo. of Stowe Walter de Tey lor. of Stonegraue Iohn de Lisle lor. of Wodtō Eustace Lord Hacchie Gilbert de Peche Lord of Corby William Painell Lord Trachington Roger de Albo Monasterio Foulke le Strange Lord of Corsham Henrie de Pinckney Lord of Wedon Iohn de Hodelestone Lord of Aneys Iohn de Huntingfield Lord of Bradingham Hugh Fitz-Henry Lord of Rauēswath Iohn Daleton Lord of Sporle Nicholas de Carry Lord of Mulessord Thomas lord de la Roche Walter de Muncie Lord of Thorntone Iohn Fitz-Marmaduke lord of Horden Iohn lord of Kingston Robert Hastings the Father lord of Chebessey Raphe lord Grendon William lord Leiborne Iohn de Greslock lord of Morpeith Mathew fitz-Iohn lord of Stokenham Nic de Neuell lord of Wherlton and Iohn Paniell lord of Ateley foure score and foureteene Barons The truce expired the King passed with his armie into Scotland about Midsomer following where he remained all that summer and the next winter he kept his Christmasse at Lithcoe where he lost many of his great horses the season not seruing to make sufficient prouision for the keeping of them there The Scots in the meane time hauing laboured the French king to that end obteined another truce till Hallontide next whervpon the King returned into England Neither ceased they still to perswade the Pope to vndertake the defence of their country but hee vpon the receipt of the former letters out of England began to waxe colde in the matter and the rather because beeing now falne out with the French king he hoped to procure king Edward to make war vpon him offring to take his part in the quarel but neither his holines nor hipocrisie preuailed therein When this latter truce was come to an end the king sent the Lord Iohn Seagraue into Scotland accompanied with Ralfe Comfrey and a competent power to keepe the country quiet to recouer the Castle of Sterling The English Army entring into Lothian seuered it selfe into three companies foure miles distant one from the other to the end they might be the more plētifully serued of victualls The enemie taking the aduantage of this manner of marching sodenlie in the morning set vpon the foremost cōpanie lead by the Lord Seagraue and made such slaughter as fewe or none escaped with life When knowledge was brought backe to theyr fellowes that followed them next in order the Lord Neuell that had the leading thereof with certaine horse-men came vpon the spurres and rescued the Lord Seagraue who otherwise had bin taken or slaine Ralfe Comfrey after this misfortune not holding it conuenient to attempt any further interprise at that time beeing much ouermatched with number and strength returned with the residue into England This ouerthrow was giuen the Englishmen at Rosting within fiue miles of Edenborugh the 24. day of February in the yeare 1302. King Edward was not a little moued with the losse of these men and therefore hauing gathered a puissant armie about Midsomer following hee made his last iourney into Scotland purposing to bring the same wholy to his obedience At his approach the enemy being not able to make head against him gaue way on euery side flying to the Mountaines and other places vnaccessible so as the king in manner without any resistance passed thorow the land euen vnto Cathnesse the furthest part of Scotland Many of them perceiuing how farre vnable they were to with-stand his forces submitted them-selues on condition they might inioy againe their possessions which the King had giuen to his followers the Lords of England they redeeming the same of them at some reasonable rate where-vnto the King consented In his returne he caused the Castle of Sterling to be besiedged but he himselfe lay at Dumfermling the greater part of the next Winter whether the Queene his Wife hauing remained a long time at Tinmouthe came at length vnto him The siege hauing continued three moneths the Castell was surrendred the liues of them that kept it onely reserued Before his departure the King caused all the Scottish Nobilitie to repaire to Saint Andrewes Towne where they tooke a new oath of their allegiance vnto him Such as hee held suspected hee carried with him into England togeather with diuers monuments and antiquities amongst which the Marble Stone of Stone Abbay wherein the Kings of that realme accustomed to sitte at the time of their Coronation was of speciall account It remaineth at this day at Westminster not farre from the place where hee lyeth intombed This Stone hath such a fatall destinie following it as the Scottes then beleeued as that where-so-euer it should bee found ouer that Countrey should a Scotish man raigne in how short time this may come to passe no man knoweth The King at his departure committing the gouernment of Scotland to the Lord Iohn Sea-graue returned into England hoping that now hee had made an end of his warres there and brought the whole realme into a peaceable estate vnder his obedience but it did not so fall out For about this time dyed Robert Bruse Earle of Carrike who stood for the crowne of Scotland against Balliol the last King Wherevpon Robert Bruse his sonne began to cast about by what meanes hee might now attaine the fame But whether hee were set on worke by the Lord Cumin to the end hee might bee so much the neerer vnto it himselfe for hee was descended from Mary the other Daughter of Allaine Lord of Gallowaye and so after the extirpation of the two families of the Balliols and the Bruses was next to the Crowne or whether it proceeded from himselfe hauing so good title there-vnto without acquainting the other with his meaning he was no sooner entred into the plot but was discouered by the Lord Cumin which being made knowne vnto him he thought himselfe in no safety in England and therefore by secret flight passing into Scotland hee set vpon Cumin at vnawares who otherwise had beene ouer-strong for him and so dispatched him out of the way Then hee caused himselfe forthwith to bee crowned King of Scotland by the Countesse of Bougham in the absence of her brother the Earle of Fife then in England at his Mannor of Whitwicke in Leicestershire to whom that office by inheritance appertained This Lady was afterwardes for her punishment for this offence put into a Cage of wood which being placed on the walls of the Castell of Edenborough was for a while made a gazing stock to the passengers by it Immediatly vpon the newes of the coronation of Bruse the King sent an army into Scotland vnder the conduct of the Earle of Pembrooke his Lieutenant there the Lord Henry Percie and the Lord Robert Clifford here-with to resist the new attempts of the Scottes vnder their new King Bruse in the meane time knowing against whom hee was to contend sought by all meanes to make himselfe as strong as possibly he could therfore ranging the coasts vp downe he
acknowleding to hold that Realme of him his heires and successors for euer At this meeting Balliol freelie gaue to king Edward the Castells and townes of Berwike Roxbrugh Peplies Dunfries Hadingtone and Gedworthe with the forestes of Silkerke and Etherike so as all the premises should bee thence-forth cleerelie seperated from the Crowne of Scotland and annexed to the Crowne of England all this was then firmely ratified and assured by oth writing and witnesse in the yeare 1334. King Edward being departed homewards Balliol was still set on worke by them of the Brusian faction in whose hands still remayned sundry strong Castells and fortifications as Dunbritanie Lochleuin Keldromie Vrquhart and the stronge pile of Lowdone so that as oportunitie serued one or other still reuolted from his obedience but at the approach of King Edward the next winter who was alwaies ready to relieue him in his extremities the country was well appeased and so committed to the keeping of Dauid Cumine Earle of Atholl while Balliol in the meane time accompanied the king into England This Earle was so egerly pursued shortly after their departure by the aduerse party that in the end hee was forced to reuolt from the English VVherevpon new sturres begā againe to arise especially thorough the prouocation of the Earle of Murrey and Robert Steward the principall men of the Brusian side For the suppressing hereof king Edward made his third voyage into Scotland the Summer following in the yeare 1335. His nauy at this time also for in his former iorneys thither hee was euer as well prouided by sea as by land consisted of some hundred and fifty saile well replenished with men munition and victualls By land he was accompanied with Balliol and his brother the Earle of Cornewall diuerse great Lords attending vpon them Being entred into Scotland they deuided themselues sometimes into two sometimes into three seuerall companies in which manner they passed at their pleasure without resistance aswell beyond the Scottish fourth as on this side the same In the meane time the Earle of Athol repaired to the king submitting himselfe againe to his obedience by whose example diuers other did the like but this Earle was shortly after slaine at the siedge of the Castell of Keldromie At the approach of winter king Edward with-drew himselfe to Newcastel where hee kept the feast of the Natiuity of our Lord. Immediatly after the Epiphany hee prepared to haue passed againe into Scotland especially to take reuenge for the death of the Earle of Atholl but in the meane time a truce was taken by mediation of the French king and the Pope which indured till the twenty seauenth of March 1336. In the meane season a Parliament was appointed to be held at London wherein a finall accord betweene the two nations should haue beene treated of and the kingdome of Scotland established Where the right which these two Scottish kings pretended should haue appeared most forcible VVhile this good course was intended and fully agreed vpon on all sides the Lord Maurice de Murrey slewe Sir Geffery de Ros a Scottish knight and Sheriffe of Aire and Leuarke one of Balliol his partakers because in time of warre hee had before slaine his brother By reason of this presumptious part and the frowardnesse of the Scottes on both sides still seeking reuenge one of the other this treatie tooke no effect The next Sommer about VVhitsontide the king sent an army into Scotland vnder the conduct of Balliol and diuers English Lords who finding the towne of Saint Iohns defaced by the enemies not able of themselues to hold it caused the same to be fortified at the charge of sixe of the next monasteries vnto it King Edward about this time was at a Parliament holden at Northamptone where leauing his Lordes and the rest to treate of such matters as were propounded amongst them hee posted into the North partes coming to Berwike from thence with a slender attendance hee arriued at Saint Iohns towne before any man there had heard of his intention Here hee found Balliol and the rest of his companie From hence the King passed forwards with some part of his army as farre as Elgen in Murrey-land thence to Inuernesse much further into Scotland then euer the King his grandfather had done before In the meane time the Earle of Cornewall with the power of Yorkeshire and Northumberland men and the Lord Anthony Lucie with those of Westmerland Comberland entred into Scotland wasted and spoyled the VVest partes as Carrick and others which obayed not Balliol The Lord Dowglasse by coasting the Englishmen did his best to hinder their course At length this armie hauing done what harme it could was sent home with great prey and bootie but the Earle of Cornewall with his owne people came thorow to Saint Iohns towne where he found the king returned from beyond the Mountaines Here some of the Scotish writers charge the King to haue slaine this Earle his brother for committing ouer great cruelty vpō the desolate Scottes in this his last iorney especially against the men of Religion it may be that the King was touched with a Christian compassion ouer the pore afflicted cōmonalty who cōmonly smart most for the obstinacy of the mightier mē But for any violence vsed by the king towards his brother it is so far from any colour of truth that euen the better sort of their own writers haue suppressed that report as a vaine and meere forgery For it wel appeareth by our own writers that this Earle died there of a natural disease his body was brought to England interred at Westminster with all solemnity therto belonging The king wholy spent these 2. last years in establishing of Balliol in the kingdō of Scotland because he was desirous to make all sure on that side whilest he followed his wars in France wheron now hee began to set al his thoughts At his departure out of Scotland some-what before the natiuity of our Lord Balliol withal his partakers bound themselues by an especial law that whensoeuer he his heires and successors kings of Eng. should make war either at home or abroad they their heires shold at their own charge for one whole yeare furnish him with 3. hundred horse-men one thousand foot-men wel apointed for seruice Shortly after the kings returne home war was proclaimed with France and all things forth-with were in preparing for that iorneye The next yeare the warre in Scotland proceeded with equall losse and disaduantage on both sides towards the end of the same yeare the king sent thyther an army of some twenty thousand men vnder the leading of the new created Earles of Salisbury Glocester and Derbie and of as many Barrones Percy Neuille and Stafford These besiedged the castell of Dumbar but to their small aduantage and lesse credit For hauing continewed the siedge about twenty weekes vnder the colour of a truce before it was distressed they gaue it ouer being more desirous to
attend the king their maister into France where there was more good to be done Scotland then affording nothing but hunger and blowes beare them of as they could About the middest of Iune in the yeare of our Lord 1338. the king of England together with the Queene the Prince of Walles a great number of the Nobility that did attend them passed ouer into Flanders and were ioyfullie entertayned of the Duke of Brabant and others the Lords of the Empire his confederates towards the attayning of the crowne of France which he claimed as the next heire therevnto by Queene Isabel his mother Daughter to Philip surnamed the faire This quarrell happned well for Bruse for no doubte if king Edward had a while longer pursued the conquest of Scotland hee had now easilie brought the same vnder his soueraigntie France would haue offred him such conditions of peace by reason of his title therevnto as that if he had beene disposed he might quietly haue enioyed the Realme of Scotland both from Bruse and Balliol and withall greater possessions with in the French dominions then the kings of England after him should haue happely beene able to haue held long as the experience of the times following plainly showed in respect of which difficulty I esteeme the realme of Scotland a more conuenient and fit member of the Crowne of England then the one halfe of France how farre soeuer exceeding the other in wealth and magnificence The French king now perceauing it was not king Edwards meaning to accept of peace vpon any reasonable conditions and how much it stood him vpon to hinder his attemptes thought it would bee no small aduantage vnto him to keepe his enemy occupied nearer home and therefore as soone as the King was arriued in Flanders hee sent fiue tall shippes into Scotland furnished with men munition and armour and conducted by as many experienced Captaines ouer them These stood that nation in great steede For by such aide as was at this time and shortly afterwards sent thyther out of France in the behalfe of Bruse his party they so much preuailed as that within the space of three yeares after though not without some difficulty they not onely chased Balliol together with all the Englishmen out of Scotland but also put King Bruse into peacable possession thereof againe nine yeares after he had beene driuen out of his kingdome by Balliol and his partakers the Englishmen So as King Edward in the meane time got not so much on the other side of the sea as hee lost euen at his owne dores at home King Dauid Bruse hauing thus beyond all hope recouered his kingdome slacked no time while oportunity serued to take reuenge on the Englishmen for all the wrongs sustayned by them To which end within the first three yeares after his returne hee made three iourneyes into the land doing what harme he could to the coūtries bordering vpon Scotland but all was of no great reckning The French King in the meane season hauing receiued many shrowd blowes of the Englishmen and his strong towne of Callice beeing now besiedged thought with himselfe that there was no better way either happilie to remoue them or at the least to lessen their number then by procureing the Scottish King who rested wholie at his deuotion with some mighty power to inuade England whereof hee sent Ambassadours into Scotland who easiely obtained that fauour of King Dauid VVhen all things were prepared for so great an exploite hee entred the Realme with the whole power of Scotland hoping assuredly now in the Kings absence to atchiue some notable victorie as well to the inriching of himselfe as to the aduantage of his confederate the French King At his first entry hee made manie knights whereby to encorage them the more to showe their valiancie but amongst the rest for his former good seruice he created William Dowglas an Earle whose Father was slaine at Halidone hill as is aforesayd The number of Noble men and Gentlemen assembled at this time by the confession of their owne writers were verie neere two thousand in the whole as some write threescore thousand Within ten daies after their entrie they approached Durham committing whatsoeuer stood in their way to the fury of fire and sword in most hostile manner The Queene of England being then returned home to represse the insolency of the enemy gathered togither such forces as the Realme could then redily afford to the number of twelue hundred men of armes three thousand Archers and some seauen thousand other of whome a great part were Preestes and Prelates but good talle trencher-men such as were not afraide of a crackt crowne though they had no haire to hide those hurtes withall This army was ordered in this manner The first battaile was lead by the Bishoppe of Durham Gilbert de Vmfree ville earle of Anegos Henry Lord Percy and the Lord Scroope The second by the Archbishoppe of Yorke and the Lord Ralphe Neuille The third by the Bishop of Lincolne Iohn Lord Moubraie and the Lord Thomas de Rooksbie The fourth and last was lead by Edward Balliol nowe of a king of Scotland become gouernour of Berwike the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Ross Besides this the Lord Deain-court Robert de Ogle and some other attended vpon the Queenes person On the the other side the first battaile of the Scottes was gouerned by Robert Steward the Sonne of Margery King Dauids Sister that succeeded him and Patrike Dumbar Earle of March The second by Iohn Earle of Murrey and William Earle Dowglas In the third the King himselfe and his Nobility were placed Before the battaile the Queene of England sent an Harald of armes to King Dauid requiring him to stay from further anoying the Realme till some reasonable order might be taken for the conclusion of a finall peace betweene the two nations but hee made light reckning of her request In the morning earlie before the fight Dowglas issued fourth with certaine troopes of horse-men to discouer the behauiour of the Englishmen and vpon good occasion offred to skirmish with them But the Englishmen so behaued themselues as that the Earle hardly escaped by flight with the losse of fiue hundred of his company The two armies being come within sight one of the other Dauid Graham with a wing of fiue hundred horse gaue a full charge vpon the skert of the English Archers hoping thereby to haue distressed them But he was so sharply repulsed as that loosing many of his troopes hee had much adoe to recouer the maine battaile againe Not-with-standing these two foule foyles they presumed so much vpon their aduantage in number that forth-with they fiercely rushed vpon the Englishmen The fight begun about nine of the clocke and continued till noone at what time God gaue the victory to the Englishmen The Scotish writers attribute the losse of this battaile to the vnaduised retraite of the Earle of March and Robert Steward but where-so-euer the fault was
the sea coast was still attended by the fleet so as vpon euery occasion the one might relieue the others want Such Castles houlds as were in their walke some were rendred others taken by force and ruinated As the armie passed the Scotish light-horsemen prouoked the Englishmen to skirmish but commandement was giuen that none should stir against them The 9. of SepteÌ„ber the Nauie lodged at Preston within view of the Scottes who were incamped at the mouth of the riuer of Eske within little more then a mile one froÌ„ the other The Scotish prickers were now more busie then before shewing themselues on the top of an hill in their greatest brauery The Englishmen could not indure to be so bearded therfore the Lord Gray of Wilton Captaine ouer the horsemen obtained leaue at length to set on them with a band of light horsemen and certaine demilances to back them withall These hauing mounted the hill the Scots at first made shew to giue the charge but had no such meaning for some 500. of them comming forward vpon the spurs with a great shout after their maner within their staues length of the formost troope and then purposing to haue wheeled about be gon the Englishmen at an instant vnlooked for receiued them so roughly as that at the first incouÌ„ter and afterwards in the chase within three houres space aboue 800. of the Scots were slaine within sight of their own army The Lord Hume by a fall from his horse in the flight receiued such an hurt that he died thereof shortly after His sonne and heire six Gentlemen and two Priests were taken prisoners On the English party but one was hurt yet diuerse were taken prisoners by aduenturing ouer-farre in pursuite of the enemy amongst whom were Sir Ralphe Bulmere Thomas Gower Marshall of Barwicke and Captaine Crouch all three hauing charge ouer certaine compâ—â—ies of horsemen After this blow the Scottish horsemen performed no more seruice worth the remembrance The Protector knowing that the Scottes were not a little discouraged by this ouer-throw giuen the horsmen perceiuing no disposition in them to giue battaile vnlesse it were vpoÌ„ great aduantage thought it now a fit time to make trial whether yet they would harken vnto his reasonable demands which he signified to the Gouernor in writing to this effect as Buchanan reporteth First he earnestly intreated the Scots to remeÌ„ber that on both sides they were all Christians to whom if they would follow their profession nothing could be more acceptable then peace amity nor any thing more hatefull then war and bloud-shed That the warre now betweene them proceeded not of ambition malice or enuie but from an harty desire of an assured fiâ—â—â—e league and amity between the two nations which by no meanes else could be effected then by that mariage which by their free consents had bin already faithfully promised by publike writing generally approued ratified vpon such conditions as were more fauorable on their side theÌ„ of their owne such as brought them into no manner of bondage but into a friendly society of life and community of either fortune good or bad That this maâ—â—age would be much more aduantagable to theÌ„ then to the English by how much both the hope of good the feare of harme to the nation of lesse powre should be the greater That they could not deny but it was necessary their Queene should marry consequently that their greatest care would bee how to bestow her That if they would make choise of a husband fittest for her in regard both of his owne worth the good that should redound to their common-weale whom could they preferre before the King their next neighbor borne and bred vp in the same Iland of her own bloud trained vp after one maner of discipline vsing the same language and not onely in powre and riches but well nere in all things tending either to profit or pleasure farre before her and which shall bring with it a neuer fading amitie and an vtter burning in obliuion the memory of all former malice and dissention where-as if the Scots shall entertaine a stranger differing froÌ„ them in lawes language and maner of life what a number of inconueniences will follow thereof The mischiefe that by such occasion hath falne vpon other nations may be a sufficient warning better it were to be wise by other mens harms then by experience to buy witt at so deare a reckoning That for his part if he found them inclinable to the mariage he would remit some part of the former agreement and bee contented that their Queene should bee brought vp amongst them at home till shee were of age to make her choice that in the meane season peace should be kept betweene the two nations but with this condition that their Queene should not in the meane time bee transported out of Scotland and that no compact of marriage should bee made either with the French king or any other forraine Prince If they would faithfully promise thus much he would then in peaceable manner immediatly depart with his armie and what-so-euer damage they had sustained since his comming into their realme it should bee satisfied by the iudgement of indifferent Arbitrators chosen on both sides The Gouerner hauing receiued this letter imparted the same to very few about him fearing that if it had passed many mens hands the greater number would haue inclined to the offred conditions of peace being so reasonable which made him the rather conceaue that vnlesse the Duke had distrusted his strength hee would not haue made so faire wether with him And therefore purposing to giue him battaile he caused a rumor to be spred abroad that the EnglishmeÌ„ were come to cary away the Queene by force of armes which being receaued for truth great numbers out of all parts flocked vnto him The Duke perceiuing their meaning about 8. of the clock in the fore-noone caused the army to dislodge for their more aduantage to march directly towards an hill neere thereto called Pinck hill nigh to Vndrâ—â—â—'â— Church The Gouerner to preuent thâ— Eng 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of their purpose coÌ„manded euery man to attend his Captaine to the incounter who made so good speed that they were well nere come to it before the other were gone halfe the way Thus both contending who should first possesse this hill together with the aduantage of the winde Sunne the Englishmen were forced by the forwardnes of the enimy to aduenture vpon a very desperate peece of seruice The Scottish armie was marshalled in this maner The Earle of Angus lead the vant-gard consisting of 8000. footmen garded with fiue peeces of great Ordinance on the right hand about 400. horsmeÌ„ on the left The Gouernor was placed behind him with ten thousand Inland-men as they call them accounted the choisest soldiers the whole country affordeth The Earle of Huntley had the leading of the rere-ward of 8000. men well nigh euen with
your good call to remembrance that your last king a Prince of much excellencie had three children But did not the Lord God as if it were to shew that it was his will and pleasure the long continued warre betweene the two nations should take end and they become vnâ—ted and made one people take away the two male-babes placed a sunder both within the space of foure and twenty houres leauing but one maiden child your Princesse when the most wise and victorious Prince late our King Henry the eight in other of his marriages not very fortunate had by his most lawfull wife the vertuous Queene Iane his other two former wiues then being dead and neuer any question made of the lawfulnesse of that mariage nor after her death any motion of other wife though the King liued eight yeares after a Prince of so high expectation the true and vndoubted heire to the crowne of England and his Maiesties onely male issue left behind him to succeed him if nothing else had beene done what can any wise or any Christian man that thinketh the world is gouerned by Gods prouidence and not by fortune otherwise take it but that it was the Lords will it should be so to the end that these two realmes should bee ioyned in mariage and there-by to make a godly firme and most friendly vnitie betweene them if any man looke to bee confirmed herein by miracle obserue and marke all the possibilities of the natures of the two kings the children first had the doubtfull chance least both of them should haue had a sonne or both daughters or not of meete ages with other circumstances of the one partie or the other which hath not chanced in eight hundred yeares before it must of necessitie be reckoned an extraordinarie course if not a miracle But be it as it may bee what more certaintie can bee had of Gods working and will in this case then the consideration of the former recited occurrents doth minister call you them prouidences or meere chances if you shall be still afflicted May not the Lord say vnto you I of mine infinite mercie and loue to your Nation had prouided an vndoubted heire and a Prince to the one and a like heire and a Princesse to the other to bee ioyned together in my holy ordinance and by the law of Nature and Nations to haue made an vnitie and peace there-by betweene the one realme and the other but you refusing the offered oportunitie haue made choise of dissention rather then of vnitie of discord then of agreement of warre then peace of hatred and malice then of loue and charitie If you then smart for it whom can you blame but your owne bad choise But because some of you who oppose your selues here-vnto cannot but confesse Gods prouidence herein for the vniting of both realmes yet may neuer-the-lesse here-after obiect as before you haue done our fault herein is that we seeke not equality nor the mariage but a conquest that wee would not bee friends and fellowes but Lordes ouer you Although our proclamation and priuate letters at the last warres doe sufficiently declare the contrary yet here we protest to you and all Christian people that it is the Kings minde by our aduise and counsell not to winne and subdue by force but to conciliate by milde course not to spoile and kill but to saue keepe not to disseuer and diuorce but to ioyne in mariage both Prince and people to make of one Iland one kingdome vnited in loue amitie concord peace and Christian charitie If you refuse and reiect this kindnesse therby compell vs to vse armes who shall bee giltie of the bloud-shed who causeth battailes burning of houses and other extremities and mischiefes that acompany warre can it bee denied but that we haue the great seale of Scotland granted by generall consent in your Parliament for a testimonie against you What was wanting tending to the assurance of the mariage saue onely yeares and so liking and consent betweene the parties them-selues what end can you looke for by still opposing your selues against our honest purpose and Christian indeuor but such successe as you haue already assaied we offer loue equallity amity we ouer-come in war and offer peace we win holds with-hold our hands from conquest we get still in your land and offer you our owne what can be more offred proffered then intercourse of marchandise interchange of mariages the abolishing of all such our lawes as might bee impediments to our mutuall amity Wee haue offred not onely to leaue and giue ouer the name title right or chalenge of Superioritie but also to relinquish the long continued name of our Nation and the glory of any victorie if â—ny we haue had or should haue of you and to take vp againe with you the ancient name of Britaines because nothing should be left on our partie vn-offered nothing of your party vn-refused whereby you might be inexcusable What face hath this of conquest we goe not about to disinherite your Queene but to giue her issue if she haue any a greater inheritance What better defence can you wish in her nonage then to haue England your patron and protector neither seeke we to abrogate or change your lawes and customes but rather to establish them and redresse your oppressions These vaine feares are put into your heads by them who in truth respect more their priuate aduantage and present estimation then the good of the whole land both present and future Now in this tumult of disorder while your realme is tossed vp and downe with the waues and surges of warre they thinke they cannot be espied but looke on them with the eies of sound iudgment and then you shall easilie perceiue their drift Consider in what state you stand to keepe your Queene vnmaried were very dishonorable to marrie her within your realme cannot extinguish the title wee pretend to the Crowne of Scotland and what dissention enuie grudge and malice that shall breed amongst you is easily perceiued But you will â—â—â—tow her out of the Realme to a mighty Prince Our title standeth where it was you become subiect to foraigne power to them of a strange land and differing language vs you haue your enemies euen at your elbowes your succors farre of not passable at all times Be not wee now in the heart of your Realme possesse we not a good part therof Do not many of your owne Nation take our part mooued therevnto by the equity of our demande But you will bring in a foraigne power to expulse vs and all our partakers Beware what you doe Learne to bee wise by other mens harmes Consider how dangerous a point it is to call to your aide a Nation of greater power then your selues VVere not our predecessors the Britaines expulsed by the Saxons vpon that aduantage How did the French thrust out the Gaules How came the Turke by all Grecia and now of late by
thirteenth day of the same mōth wherein was slaine nowe and the night before besides the Regent himselfe Robert Bruse Earle of Carricke William Haie Constable and Robert Keithe Marshall of Scotland with diuerse other Lords and Leardes of good account in the whole to the number of aboue fiue thousand Hereupon diuerse of the Scottish Nobility submytting themselues to Balliol hee was forthwith proclamed and on the 25. day of this present month of August crowned King of Scotland in the yeare of our Lord GOD 1332. This his fortunate successe hauing within lesse then a month attayned a Kingdome greatlie daunted the aduerse partie who presently thereupon conuaied the young king together with his wife for their more safty into France hoping that by the helpe of Philip the French king his fathers especiall friend while he liued he should one day inioy his kingdome which for the present was thus vsurped by his aduersarie To which end his fauoreres in the meane time neuer ceased to oppose themselues against Balliol in so much as in December following they droue him out of Scotland forceing him to with-drawe himselfe into Westmerland where hee was honorablie entertayned of the Lord Clifford in requitall whereof hee promised that when hee was once established in his Kingdome hee would giue him Dowglasse-daile in as ample manner as his Ancestour had the same of the gift of King Edward the first which afterwardes hee performed accordinglie Balliol hauing renewed his forces in England about the beginning of the next yeare though King Edward would not openlie shewe himselfe a partie therein layed siedge to the towne of Berwike at which time the Brusian Scottes entred into Gelsland by the West Marches wasting the Countrie where they passed along The King of England being aduertised therof-thought himselfe sufficiently discharged there by of his promise passed aforetime to young Bruse but hee might better haue pleaded his nonage at the making thereof and therefore tooke it to bee nowe lawfull enough openlie to aide his Cousin Balliol in the recouerie of his pretended title to the Crowne of Scotland It is not to bee doubted but King Edward would not in this case haue preferred Balliol before Bruse who besides that hee had married his Sister was also in bloud nearer vnto him then the other had hee not hoped as it came to passe to take vp the controuersie betweene them to his owne aduantage Hauing therefore assembled a strong army hee came therewith to the siedge of Berwicke together with his brother Iohn of Eltham Earle of Cornewall and gaue assault to the same both by Land and sea The towne after it had beene besiedged about three monthes was not able longer to hold out which beeing well knowne to Archibald Dowglasse the new elected gouernour and head of the Brusian faction hee approched the assailants with all the power hee could make resoluing with himselfe against the aduice of the better experienced to try it out by dint of sword with out any more stay Being come within the view both of his friends and foes he imbattayled his army in three companies on a hill directly ouer against the English host which had the like aduantage of ground also After some pause the armies on both sides descended one towards the other At the first incounter the Englishmen of purpose giuing ground the Scottes pursued them so egarlie as that by recouering their former aduantage they did beate them downe-right before them so that what in fight and slight the slaughter was very great For besides their generall three valiant Gentlemen the Sonnes of Walter Steward Vncles to him that succeeded the Brusian linage in Scotland the Earles of Rosse Southerland and Carrike Andrewe Iames and Simon Frasier all well neere of the better sort to the number of aboue foure hundred were slaine in the battaile but of the common souldiers not so fewe as fourteene thousand This bloudie battaile was fought at Halidon hill besides Berwike on Mary Magdalines day in the yeare of our Lord 1333. Immediatly vpon this ouerthrowe Alexander Seaton and Patrike Dumbar despayring of any succour yeelded vp the towne and Castle to king Edward life and goods only reserued and binding themselues by oth thence-forth to become his true subiects Patrike Dūbar was further inioyned to re-edifie the Castell of Dumbar at his owne charge hauing latelie before throwne it downe because hee was vnable to defend it against the Englishmen readie to assault the same VVhat credit is here to be giuen to Hector Boetius charging King Edward to haue vniustlie executed two Sonnes of Sir Alexander Seatons the one a pleadge the other a prisonner because hee would not yeelde vp the towne at the approach of the gouernour I leaue it to the consideration of the indifferent reader For mine owne part I cannot but hold him much suspected his report alone carrying so little showe of truth for as it seemeth by the Scottish Cronicle Patrike Dumbar had as great a commaunde in Berwike as the other whose consent alone could not haue effected King Edwards desire so as hee might haue laied the fault vpon his companion and fellowe Comissioner in the gouernment of the towne and thereby haue iustly excused himselfe neither surely would hee haue brooked so great an iniurie at the kings hands much lesse euer haue acknowledged and continewed his sworne allegiance vnto him if hee had had the least sparke of that spirit wherewith Buchanan feyneth his wife to be possessed vpon that occasion The King of England after this his first and fortunate battaile in Scotland leauing sufficient forces behinde him with the Lord Richard Tailbote wherwith to aide Balliol in the pursute of this warre returned home-wards Balliol being thus strengthned passed at his pleasure thorough Scotland placing Englishmen and others his partakers in garrison in the greater number of the Castells fortresses of that Realme and in a Parliament called at Perthe in September following hee was further confirmed King of Scotland diuerse of the Scottish Nobility there assembled binding themselues by othes to continew his loyall and faithfull subiects Hereat hee repealed all such actes and graunts which Robert Bruse late King of Scotland had ratified for the disposing of the Lands and possessions of sundry Scottish Lords at his pleasure which were now restored to their former possessors acknowledging their allegiance and homages vnto him for the same After the purification of the Virgine Mary King Edward repayred to Yorke where Balliol by appoyntment should haue met him to haue don homage and fealty vnto him but because he feared to be surprised in his passage by his aduersaries hee sent his excuse by the Lord Henry Beumont and the Lord William de Montaigne The king therefore passing further Northwards held his VVhitsontide at Newcastell vpon Tine with great royaltie whether the Scottish king repayred and there did homage vnto king Edward for the Realme of Scotland and also sweare fealtie vnto him as to the superior Lord ouer the same