THis Historie of Sir William Wallace, with the other of the valiant King Robert Bruce, which followeth upon the end of it, (the former written in Latine by Master John Blair, Chaplain to Wallace, and turned into Scots Meeter by one called blind Hary, in the dayes of King James the fourth? The other written by Master John Barbor Atchdean of Aberdean, a learned man in the days of [...]ing David Bruce and Robert Stewart) contain the relation of [...]e most famous War that ever fell our in the Yle of Britain, [...]ughten most valiantly for the space of fourty years, betwixt [...]e two Realms of Scotland and England, the one unjustly [...] ­ [...]ing, the other constantly defending the liberties of this Co [...] ­ [...]y: During which broiles, there happened great alteration [...] ­ [...]th in the general sta [...]e of this Kingdom, and in the over [...] [...]d advancement of particular Families, the one for betraying [...]e other for maintaining their Countries freedom and wo [...]re. That the whole History may be the more clear, we have [...]ought good in a short Preface to set down the causes, occa [...], and the most memorable passages of this War. In the year [...] 5. Alexander the third King of Scotland being pitifully ta­ [...] away by a fall off his horse at Kinghorn, without any issue [...]is body, and in him the whole posterity of his father Alex­ [...]er her the second, and grand-father William the Lyon being ex­ [...], the right of the Crown fell to the he [...]rs of David [...]arle of [...]ntingtown and Garioch youngest brother to William the Lyon. [...]had left three daughters, the eldest Margaret, maried to [Page] Allan Lord of Balloway, the second Isabel, to Robert Bruce ( [...] named the Noble) Lord of Annandale and Cleveland: [...] youngest Ada married Henry Hastings, an Englishman: who [...] ­ing no just tittle to the Crown, the content on rested betw [...] the posterity of the two elder Daughters: For Allan Lord [...] Galloway leaving no sons by his wife Margaret; his eldest dau [...] ­ter Dornagilla of Galloway married John Balliol, a man of g [...] power and lands, both in Scotland, England and France, and b [...] to him John Baliol, afterwards King Robert Bruce by his w [...] Isobel of Huntington had Robert Bruce Earle of Carrick ( [...] marriage of Martha heretrix thereof) who contended with J [...] Baliol, and died in the time of Wallace Wars, His eldest son [...] ­bert Bruce succeeded King of Scotland,

Dornagilla of Galloway claimed the Crown as heir to Ma [...] ­ret eldest Daughter to Prince David, Robert Bruce Earle of [...] ­rick, albeit son to Isabel the second daughter, yet conte [...] that in feudal succession, the first male ought to succeed be [...] a woman standing in the same degree, as a son excludeth hi [...] [...] ­ster from succession, although she be elder: And therefore [...] and Dornagilla of Galloway, standing in the second degree f [...] Prince David, he ought to be preferred before her: As for [...] son John Baliol, he could claim no right but by her: And [...] wise was a degree further off from Prince David, The like [...] ­stike had fallen forth some ten years before in Hugh the fo [...] [...] Duke of Burgunday, whose eldest son Hugh (dying before [...] father) left a daughter Ioland Countesse of Nevers, who claim to succeed to her grand father Hugh the fourth, notwithstan [...] Robert second son to the same Hugh the fourth, was prefe [...] to her, and succeeded Duke of Burgunday, if then the second [...] in feudal inheritance succeed before the eldest sons daugh [...] far more ought the Nevoy to succeed before the Nice. The [...] of succession being thus made doubtful, the competitours [...] so powerful, that they drew the greatest part of the King [...] in two equal Factions; so that it seemed impossible to sett [...] controversie at home, without running into a most pern [...] Civil War.

The States of Scotland to prevent this mischief thought it [...] to submit the arbitrement of the plea to Edward the firs [...] named Longshanks King of England: and that upon [...] [Page]weighty reasons: For he and his Father King Henry the third being joyned by many allyances of bands and friendship to the two last Kings of Scotland, had lived in great amity and concord with them, receiving and interchanging many favours and kind duties. The two compititours also Bruce and Baliol had also great lands in England as in Scotland: so that he (and he only) was able to make them to stand to reason. Finally, the States of Scotland not being able to determine the plea, there was no Prince beside more powerful, and (in appearance) more like to compose the controversie without great blood-shed. This mo­tion was (in secret) very greedily imbraced by King Edward; [...]hoping in so troublesome water to find a gainful fishing, either by drawing the Kingdom of Scotland under his direct subjection, [...] at least under his homage as Lord Paramont and Superiour, [...]onsidering the difficulty to determine the question at home, [...]nd the interest he had in both the parties being (for a great [...]art of their Estates) his Vassals and Subjects: His great [...]ower also, having (beside Ireland) a great part of France [...] ­ [...]er his dominion, and the Low-Countries his assured Consede­ [...]ts, gave him great encouragement: Neither wanted he great [...]iendship in Scotland, having at that time many of the greatest [...]oble men in Scotland Vassals and Feodaries to himself for ma­ [...]y lands which they held in England, partly for great services [...]one to himself and his father, partly lying withing Northumber­ [...]nd, and the border Shyres then holden by the Scots in fee of [...]ngland: partly also by interchange of marriages and successi­ [...] [...]s betwixt the two Nations, which for a long time had lived [...] perfect amity as if it had been one Kingdome. And to make [...]e controversie more fearful, he stirred up eight othr Compe­ [...]ours beside Bruce and Baliol: Florence Earle of Holland (de­ [...]ended of Ada sister to William the Lyon) Patrick Dumbar, [...]rl of March. Sir Walter Rosse, Sir Nicolas Soules, Sir Roger [...]andevile, Sir John Cumine of Badenach (these five were de­ [...]nded of younger daughters of Alan Lord of Galloway) Sir [...]illiam Vescie, begotten upon King Alexander the second his [...]tard daughter, but pretended to be reabled, and Iohn Hasting, [...]rd Abergeveny descended of Ada youngest daughter to Prince [...]vid of Huntingtoun.

Having thus prepared matters, he came to Berwick, and [...] [Page]with the States of Scotland, to whom he promised to decide [...] controversie according to equity, Which that it might se [...] more likely, he had brought from France sundry of the most [...] ­mous Lawyers of that age; He choosed also out of the States Scotland assembled, twelve of the wisest and most honourab [...] to whom he joyned the like number of English, as Assessours [...] him in this arbitrement. At this meeting by the doubtful answ [...] of the Lawyers, and number of new pretendents, he made [...] matter more difficult, and appointed a new convention at N [...] ­ham in the borders the year following.

Difficulties thus increasing, and the Earl of Holland have [...] on foot a great Army to take the Crown of Scotland by fo [...] [...] (Which their own Stories affirm to have landed in Scotland [...] and to have intercepted some strengths) At the meeting [...] Norham King Edward dealt secretly, and by fit Agens with [...] States of Scotland, for eschewing of imminent mischiefs, to [...] come his Subjects: he being descended of King Davids sis [...] ­ [...]nd so but two degrees further from the Crown of Scotland, t [...] [...] Bruce and Badiol were. This being flatly refused by all, he [...] took himself to his other design: And first dealt secretly w [...] [...] Robert Bruce, promising to decern in his favours, if he we [...] take the Crown of Scotland holden of him, and do him hon [...] for it. But he stoutly refused to subject of free Nation to [...] overlord, whereupon King Edward called for John Baliol: [...] knowing that he was not so much favoured of the States [...] Scotland, easily condescended to King Edwards desire: and b [...] [...] by him declared King of Scotland, the States desirous of pe [...] conveyed him to Scoon, where he was crowned Anno 1291. [...] all, except Bruce, swore to him obedience, shortly there [...] Duncan Mackduff Earle of Fife was killed by the Lord Ab [...] [...] ­ [...]ie (a man of great power in these times, allyed both wit [...] [...] [...]nes and Baliol) The Earls brother finding the King [...] administration of justice, summoned him to compea [...] [...] ­s [...]e the King of England in Parliament: Where he being [...] and sit [...] beside King Edward (after he had done [...] homage) w [...] he was called upon, thought to answer [...] Pro [...]e [...]or: But he was forced to rise, and stand at the [...] This indignity grieving him greatly, he resolved to free [...] [...]elf of this bondage. At the same time War breaking on [...] [Page]twixt England and France, King Edward sent E [...]dors to the Parliament of Scotland, to send aid to him, as now being their overlord: There came also other Embassadors from France, desiring the ancient league to be renewed. The King and State of Scotland renewed the league with France, which had remain­ed unviolably kept for the space of five hundred years before. The King of Englands sute was rejected, because the pretended surrender and homage was made by Iohn Baliol privatly without the consent of the Parliament. A marriage also was concluded betwixt Prince Edward Baliol, and a daughter of Charles Earl of Valoys brother to the French King Philip. Edward having fore­seen all these things, had drawn Robert Bruce Earl of Carricke, with his friends (enemies to Baliol) and diverse Noblemen of Scotland, who held lands of him in England, to bring such forces as they could make, to assist him in the French War. But withal, taking truce with the French for some moneths, he suddenly turned his Forces, destinate against France, toward Scotland. His Navie was vanquished at Berwick, and eighteen of his Ships taken. Yet his land hoast by means of the Brussian Faction, and the Englized Scots Noblemen, took the town of Barwick with great slaughter, and shortly thereafter, Dumbar, Edinburgh, and Strivling. In and about these Castles, he had killed or taken captives the greatest part of the Scots Noblemen: so that cros­ing Forth, the blow being so sudden, he found no preparation for resistance. Baliol rendred himself to King Edward at Mon­trose, and was sent by sea into England where he remained cap­tive, till such time as by intercession of the Pope he was set at [...]iberty, swearing and giving hostages never to return into Scot­land. King Edward came to Scoone and took upon him the Crown of Scotland, as forefeited by the rebellion of his homage Baliol. He sent for the Nobles of Scotland, who remained that they with such as were his captives might sweare homage to him as to their Leige Lord, and King. These who refused were He tained prisoners.

King Edward thinking that now all was sure for him in Scot­land, left Iohn Platagenet (some call him Warra [...]) Earl of [...]ur­ [...]ie, and sir Hugh Cressingham Thesaurer, and returned [...]o [...] ­secute the French war, taking such of the Nobility of [...] [...]s he fea [...]ed, a long in his Army, with their so flowers. The [...]t [Page]men of Scot [...] [...]eing in this manner, either imprisoned by Ki [...] Edwards, o [...] Tworn to his obedience, and tyed thereto by reas [...] of their lands holden of the Crown of England, the rest eith [...] fled into the Yles and Highlands, or thought it sufficient to [...] fend their own while better times

But while man of power neglected the publike cause of the berry of Scot land, William Wallace, a youth of honourable bir [...] (being son to Malcome Wallace of Ellerslie) but of mean po [...] er, having first in private killed many Englishmen of the Ga [...] sons as he could overtake them, by these exploits became so [...] couraged (being a man of invisible hardiness incred [...]ble streng [...] of body, and withall very wise and circumspect) that he g [...] thered his friends and neighbours, and by jeopardies and st [...] tagems, diverse times cut off great numbers of the enemi [...] The report thereof drew to him such as affected the liberty an [...] weal-fare of their Countrey, and had courage to hazard the [...] selves for vindicating thereof. As namely, the Earle Malco [...] Lennox, the Lord William Dowgl [...]s (who had been taken ca [...] tive at the winning of Berwick, whereof he was Captain, a [...] sent home upon assurance) Sir John Grahame, Sir Neill Ca [...] bel, Sir Christopher Setoun, Sir John Ramsay, Sir Fergus B [...] clay, Andrew Murray, William Oliphant, Hugh Hay, Rob [...] Boyd, John Johnstoun, Adam Gordon, Robert Keith, Reinald Cra [...] furd younger, Adam Wallace, Robert Kilpatrick, Simeon a [...] Alexander Fraser, James Crawfurd, Robert Lawder, Scrimg [...] Alexander Auchinleck, Ruthven, Richard Lundie, Wi [...] am Crawfurd, Arthur Biset, james and Robert Lindsay; J [...] Cleland, William Ker, Edward Little, Robert Rutherfoord, T [...] mas Haliday, John Tinto, Walter Newbigging, Jard [...] Barde, Guthrie, Adam Currie, Hugh Dunda [...] John Scot, Steven Ireland, Master John Blair, Master Tho [...] Gray, and other Gentlemen with their friends and servan [...] who (after some valiant exploits happily atchieved, and Army of ten thousand men led by Thomas Earle of Langcaster assist the Earl of Warren defeat by Wallace at Bigger) hold [...] an Assembly at the Forrest Kirk, choosed Wallace to be Ward [...] of Scotland and Viceroy in Baliols absence. In which office [...] so valiantly behaved himself, that in a short space he recove [...] all the strengths on the Borders, and brought the South part [...] Scotland to good quiet.

The English fearing the losse of all, subtilty [...]ook truce with [...]allace for one year, beginning in February. In June following [...]ey proclaimed a Justice Air to be holden at Glasgow and A [...] [...]e eighteenth of that moneth: thinking to entrap Walla [...] and all his friends, and under collour of Law to cut them off at the day appointed. All landed men, according to the custom as­ [...]mbling to this Court, the Englishmen condemned them of fel­lony, and hanged them presently: among the reft, Sir Rainald Crawfurd Sheriff of Aire, Uncle to VVallece, Sir Brice B [...]air, Sir Neil Montgomery, and many of the Barrons of Kyle, Cuningham, Carrick and Cliddisdail. These that escaped by flight adverti­sed Wallace, who chansed to come later nor the reft. He as­sembling such of the Countrey, as detesting so horrible a fact, extreamly hated the authord thereof, in the beginning of the night secretly entred into Aire, set fire into the place, where [...]e Englishmen after that fact were securely sleeping, and suffer­ [...] none to escape. The Garison of the Castle ishing forth to [...]ench the fire, an ambush laid for the purpose, entred the [...]use and made it sure. The next morning Wallace came to [...]lasgow where the Lord Henry Persie had retired from Aire the [...]y before, whom he expulsed thence with great slaughter. [...]is victory he so hotly pursued, that immediatly thereafter took the Castle of Strivling, recovered Argile and Lorn with [...] town of Saint Johnstoun, and the Countrey about; thence he [...]vailed through Angus and Merns, taking in all the Strengths [...]il he came to Aberdene, which he found forsaken of the [...]lish, who had fled by sea with the Lord Henry Bewmount, an [...]lish Lord, who had maried one of the Heretrix of the Earl­ [...] me of Buchan, named Cumine. Thus all the North Countrey [...] reduced to the obedience of Wallace, except the Castle of [...]die. While Wallace lay at the siege hereof, news came of approach of the English Army, led by John Earl of Warren Surry, and Sir Hugh Cressingham, with a great number of Nor­ [...]berland men, and such of the Scots as held with England [...]he number of thirty thousand. Wallace (having with him thousand men hardned in Arms) met them beside Strivling [...]he North side of Forth, which having no Foords, at that [...]e, was passable only by a wooden bridge. This Wallace of pose had caused to be weakned, so that the one half of the [Page]hoast being, past (led by Cressingham) the Bridge broke with great weight of their Baggage. These who were come o [...] VVall [...]e charged suddenly before they were put in order, cu [...]he most part of them in pieces with their Leader Cre­ [...]ham: The [...]est seeking to escape, drowned in the water Earl of Warran with these who escaped, was assailed by E [...] Malcome Lennox Captain of Strivling Castle, and being ho [...] persued by VVallace, hardly escaped himself, flying into D [...] bar, a Casile then belonging to Patrick Earl of March. In battel fough [...]en the thirteenth of September 1297. there pe [...] ­ed no Scots men of remark, but Andrew Murray of Bothwel: English Garisons hearing of this discomfiture, fled from places, so that before the last of September, all the Strength Scotland was recovered except Berwick and Roxburgh.

After these Victories, Wallace held a Parliament in Sa [...] Johnstown, as Warden of Scotland, and setled the whole C [...] [...]rey, causing the Nobility to swear to be faithful to the S [...] till such time as they might condescend who should be [...] Earl Patrick of Dumbar refusing to acknowledge the Auth [...] ­ty of this Parliament, was chased out of Scotland: and bee [...] they ears by past the ground had not been manured, and famine threatned the land, Wallace assembled a great hoa [...] [...] enered in England, where he remained all the Winter, and s [...] following, living upon the enemies, and enriching his sou [...] by their spoil: During which time the English durst [...] encounter him in open field: onely at his first entry Ki [...] ward with a great Army of raw Souldiers came against h [...] the plain of Stane-moor: But perceiving the discipline an [...] die resolution of Wallace Hoast, before they came neare [...] half a myle, drew back his Army, and retired, VVallace fo [...] of ambush, keeped his souldiers in order and pursued the [...] Thus King Ed [...]ard left his Coutrey to the mercy of a pr [...] ­ed Enemy, and (notwithstanding that he promised B [...] yet.) keeped himself close, till a peace was concluded f [...] years: Bermick and Roxburgh being rendred to the Scots

Scot Land thus enjoying perfite Liberty, Wallace bein [...] nestly requested by the French King, to the end that his Captains might be kept in Military exercise during the sailed over into France with fifty valiant men in his com [...] [Page] [...]e was encountered on the way by Thomas of Charters (com­ [...]only called Thomas of Longovile) who with sixteen sail in­ [...]sted the seas: But boording VVallace ship, he was taken by [...]im, and thereafter fought most valiantly under him and King [...]obert Bruce for the liberty fo Scotland. VValla [...]e after his [...]nding in France, was imployed in war against the English, who [...]t that time possessed the Durchie of Guian and Burde [...]: them [...]e defeat in sundry skirmishes. But in few dayes he was called [...]ome by his friends in Scotland; for king Edward understand­ [...]g Wallace absence, and pretending that he had broken the [...]eace in Guian, dealt with Robert Bruce Earl of Carrick and his [...]iends, and with such Noblemen of Scotland as held lands in [...]ngland, or envyed Wallace glory, shewing that it was a shane or them to suffer VVallace, a mean Gentleman to rule Scot­ [...]nd, while any of the blood Royal did remain, so promising [...]is assistance to Robert Bruce, he sent a great Army into Scot­ [...]nd, and by the help of the Brussian faction and Englized Noble­ [...]en, he easily obtained the greatest Strengths of Scotland. [...]allace returned the next Summer, secretly amassing a number [...]f his special followers (who had lurked till his back coming) [...]n a sudden surprised Saint Johnstoun by a stratagem: and pur­ [...]ing his victory hotely, chased the English our of Fife. Upon [...]e report thereof, all the rest of his followers came from their [...]rking hols, by whose assistance he recovered divers strengths. [...]he Lord VVilliam Dowlas took the Castle of Sanquhair by a [...]atageme, and finding the English Captaines of the n [...]st [...]arisons to come to besiege him, he sent secretly to VVallace, [...]ho comming with his power, not only raised the siedge, but [...]ased also the whole English Garisons out of these quarters. [...]rom thence he came to the North parts, which he recovered [...]ith small difficulty, except the strong Castle of Dundie. [...]o [...]hich he laid a siedge.

The King of England grieved at this fortunate successe of [...]allace, and understanding that he was highly envied by the [...]rl of March, the Cumines (the grearest surname then in, Sear­ [...]nd) and diverse ancient Noblemen (to whose hono [...]r Wallace [...]own seemed to derogate) he stirred up Robers Bruce elder. [...]d his faction, perswading them that Wallace was Bruoel only [...]mpetitour for the Crown. Having so made a strong party [Page]for himself in Scotland, the next spring he came with an Ar [...] of fourty thousand men Scots and English to the Fawkirk, myles beneath Strivling. The Scots Army was very great ( [...] ­ing thirty thousand strong) if they had been all of one m [...]. For John Cumine Lord of Cubernald (who had an eye to Crown) had perswaded the Lord John Stewart of Boot be Tutor and Grandfather by the Mother to the Children, of [...] Lord James Stewart of Ranfrow lately deceased) to conte [...] with Wallace for the leading of the vaneguard, alleadging, same belonged to the Lord Stewarts house by ancient pri­ledge. Wallace refusing this, they parted one from another, an high chaff, there remaining with VVallace no more but [...] thousand of his old souldiers. Cumine with ten thousands his followers, after a small show of resistance, fled treasonable leaving the valiant Stewart inclosed by two battels of the Eng­lish, by whom (after he had foughten valiantly for a long time he was cut off with all his followers. VVallace with his ba [...] defended themselves valiantly, until they were safely reti [...] beyond the river of Carron, losing (beside some others) t [...] noble sir John Grahame, the most valiant Worthy of Scotland next unto VVallace: Bruce (whom the King of England [...] brought with all his friends to the field, pretending to assist [...] for recovery of his right, from the Usurper Wallace) perceiv­ing Wallace on the other side of Carron, desired to speak w [...] him, to whom he upbraided so foolish an usurpation of Kingdom of Scotland, against so powerful a faction at ho [...] assisted by so mighty a King abroad. I (answered Wallace) in­tended never to reign in Scotland: But finding my native Coun­try abandoned by you and Baliol who have the right to [...] Crown, have set my self to defend my friends and neighbour from the unjust tyranny and usurpation of the King of [...] land, who setteth you forth most unnaturally to tear the b [...] ­els of your mother with your own hands. After diverse [...] ­ches to this purpose, the Bruce perceiving the fraudful an [...] ­rannous dealing of King Edward, returned to the hoast. [...] next morning Wallace understanding that the English A [...] weakly entrenched, and in great security, amissing with his Army such as had escaped, set upon them in the dawning [...] ­fore they could be arrayed, and killed many. So that [Page] English King returned at that time without any further ex­ [...]oyt. Bruce (remembring what he heard of Wallace) desired [...]ng Edward according to his former promises to put him in possession of so much of the Kingdom of Scotland as then was [...]der his power, to whom he answered in the French tongue, [...]ave we no more ado, but conquere Kingdomes for you? By [...]is speech the Lord Bruce conceived so great grief and anger, [...]at within few dayes he departed this life without seeing [...] eldest son Robert Bruce (afterward King) being kept for assurance of his fathers obedience) in Calice Castle in France.

After this unhappy battel, Wallace striving to recover such [...]siles and strengths, as King Edward had intercepted, found [...]ch opposition and backwardnesse, by his envious emulatours, that he returned to Saint Johnstoun, and in an Assembly of the [...]ates resigned his charge of Warden, and with eighten men [...]ssed again into France, according to a promise at his last re­turn therefrom: This fell out in the end of the year 1300. The opposite faction having gained their desire, choosed John Cumine Governour: the rather because King Edward had pro­mised to assist him to the Crown of Scotland. But he found him as great an enemy as he had been to VVallace. For after even moneths truce (obtained by means of the French King) Edward sent sir Ralph Gonfray with a great Army to subdue the [...]ts, and to put an end to the war: which they expected [...]ould be easie, VVallace being now out of the way, John Cum­ine joying with the Lord Simon Fraser, making some eight [...] nine thousand men, came to resist the English, who having [...]sted the Countrey as far as Rosling, (about five myles from Edinburgh, expecting no resistance, divided themselvs into three [...]tels, that they might spoil farther in the Countrey. The [...]ts embracing the occasion, set upon the first battel, and ea­ [...]y discomfite them: the second also (albeit stronger by the [...]ning of these who had fled) was after a long conflict put to [...]ut. By this the third battel comming to the revenge, put [...]e Scots to a great strait, as being sore wounded, wearied, and [...]akened in the two former battels, and having to withstand [...]esh enemy of far greater number; hereupon they were forced [...]kill all the captives (lest they should assist the enemy) and [Page]with their weapons to arme their Baggage-men: and s [...] forward born with courage and necessity (seeing no es [...] after a long and hard fight, they put the enemies to flight. [...] was the 24 of March 1302.

King Edward sore incensed by his evil successe, sent fo [...] [...] ­bert Bruce younger out of Calice: whom he perswaded, [...] he had for a long time against Wallace, defended his fa [...] right to the Crown of Scotland: that having put Wallace of the way, he found the Cumines as great enemies: notwith­standing he intended yet once more to put that enemy o [...] the way, and so to settle him in his Kingdome. The yo [...] Prince believing him, caused all his friends and favoure [...] Scotland to joyn with him, and entring the borders, spoiled Countrey, and took divers Castles as far as Dowglas. Some [...] ­port that the Lady Dowglas (named Ferrars an English would betrayed that Castle to the Bruce, who took the Lord VVilliam Dowglas captive with all his children and goods. The [...] himself was kept prisoner in Barwick, and thereafter in Y [...] while he died. Mean time King Edward had prepared a n [...] ­ry Army both by land and sea, with which he entred Scotland and subdued all before him while he came to Trivling, ke [...] then by sir William Oliphant: who after a long siege, know [...] of no relief, yeelded the Castle upon condition, that him [...] and all that were with him should passe with their lives [...] notwithstanding K. Edward keeped still all the Noblemen, to­gether with the Captain sir William Oliphant: and such [...] would not swear homage to him (pretending to be prote [...] of Robert Bruces right) he sent prisoners to London. Having this Castle intercepted divers of John Cumines friends, he [...] ­cured them to draw him to a Parly with him, in which h [...] blinded him with hopes of the Kingdome, and with fe [...] utter undoing, that he joyned himslef and his friends to [...] English, who by this accession easily passed forward with [...] course of victory, as far as the outmost bounds of Rosse: [...] in his back coming, carried away with him into England Books, Registers, Histories, Laws and Monuments of the King­dome: and amongst other, the Fatal Marble Chair, where [...] the former Scots Kings used to be crowned at Scoon: on w [...] was engraven a prophesie, bearing that, Where ever this [...] [Page]should be transported, the Scots should command there. He carried [...] with him all the Learned men and Professors of Scotland [...]ong other, the famous subtile Doctor John Duns, surnamed [...]) thinking hereby so to discourage and effeminate the [...]ds of the Scots, that they should cast off all care of recover­ [...] their Liberty; the memory thereof being drowned in ob­ [...]on. At his return into England, he left his Cousing sir [...]ner de Valence, Earl of Pembroke Viceroy, having fortified Castles with strong Garisons.

The Scots who stood for the liberty of the Countrey, being Taken by John Cumine, sent earnest letters to France to move Wallace to return: He was then making war with the Eng­l [...] in Guyan. But hearing the mischiefs of his Countrey, ob­ [...]ned leave of the French King to return, and secretly amassing [...]e of the remainder of his old friends, recovered diverse [...]stles and Towns in the North, and having greatly increased [...] Army, besieged S. Johnstoun till it was rendred: But as he proceeded in the course of his Victories, he was betrayed by [...] familiar friend sir John Monteith, to the Lord Aymer Val­ [...]ce, who sent him into England, where by King Edwards command he was put to death, and his body quartered and [...] into the principal Cities of Scotland to be set up for a ter­ [...] to others.

Notwithstanding, this cruelty prevailed little for the assir­ [...]g of King Edwards conquest. New enemies arising whence [...] cast expected: For as he returned from his last journey in [...] Scotland, Iohn Cummine and Robert Bruce meeting together, [...]er long conference of the state of their Countrey, perceived [...] notwithstanding he had promised to each of them a part [...]his help to attain the Crown of Scotland, yet his intention [...] only to use their assistance to conquer and assure it to him­ [...]: as he well declared by spoiling the Countrey of all Mo­vements publike and private. Hereupon they agreed that Cumine should quite all his right to the Crown in favour of [...]ce, and that Bruce should give him all his lands for his assi­stance. This Contract written and sealed by both parties, [...]ce returned into England with the hoast, waiting for a [...] [...]e to escape from King Edward: In the mean time Wallace [...]urning, and recovered many places in Scotland, se [...]t privily [Page]for Bruce, to come home and take the Crown, and to the Edward Bruce, a most valiant youth, who comin Ireland, took sundry strengths in Annandale and Gallow­mine who had kept old enmity with Wallace, not e [...] that Bruce by his means should come to the Crown, r [...] the Contract betwixt him and Bruce to King Edward: first delayed to cut off Robert Bruce, till such time as he get the rest of his brethren in his hands. Bruce advert his danger by the Earl of Glocester (some call him the E [...] Montgomery) his old friend, who had sent him a pair of spurs and some crowns of Gold, as if he had borrow same, guesing the meaning of this propine, caused by night three horse backward, and posted away from the Court two in his company, and on the fifth day (the way being in winter: arrived at his own Castle of Lochmabane, wh [...] found his brother Edward, with Robert Fleming, Iames Li [...] Roger kilpatrick, and Thomas of Charteris, who told him Wallace was betrayed by sir Iohn Monteith, and the Cumi [...] a­ction, a few dayes before. Immediatly thereafter they cepred a messenger with letters from Cumine to King Ed [...] defiring that Bruce should be dispatched in hast, lest (be Nobleman much favoured by the commons) he should greater sturs. The trachery of Iohn Cumine before on [...] ­pected, was hereby made manifest, which so incensed the Bruce, that ryding to Dumfreis, and finding Cumine at the in the Grayfries, after he had shown him his letters, in [...] ­tience he stabbed him with his Dagger: the other who about him doing the like, and not only dispatching him also his Cousing sir Edward Cummine and others who him. This slaughter fell out on the ninth of February beginning of the year 1306 as we now account.

The Bruce thus rid of one enemy, found a great number were rising out of his ashes, even the whole puissant n [...] Cumine, with their allyes, the Earl of March, the Lord o [...] the Lord Abernethy, the Lord of Brechin, the Lord Soules most part of the North and all Galleway followed the C [...] the Lord of Lorn was of great power in the Highlands. Earl of March and Lord William Soules commanded the with Berwick and the Borders: All which they yeel [Page] Edward, and maintained against Robert Brace, At the same his two brethren Thomas and Alexander Bruce with Rei­ [...] Crawfurd younger, secretly landing in Galloway, were taken Duncan Mackdugal a great man in Galloway, and sent to King [...]ard, who caused them all three to be hanged. On the other assembled to him (besides these above-named) the young James Dowglas (who hearing of his fathers death, had re­ed from France, where he was at Schools, and stayes a time his kins-man William Lambert Bishop of St. Andrews.) Earst come Lennox, Earled Iohn of Athole (although f the Cumines [...]ed, yet being father in Law to Edward Bruce) sir Neil Camp­sir sir Gilbert Hay, sir Christoper Setoun, sir Thomas Randal. sir [...]h, Hay, Iohn Somervale, David Barclay, Alexander and Simon [...]er, sir Robert Boyd, sir William Haliburton, with sundry who with Wallace before. With this company he past to Scoon, took upon him the Crown of Scotland in Aprile 1306. After be gathered an Army, minding to besiege Saint Johnstoun: finding his power too weak, heretired to Methven, where was unexpectedly assaulted, and discomfited by sir Aymer de [...]nce: but with small losse of men, except some who were ta­ [...] who were constrained to swear homage to King Edward. commons discouraged with this hard successe, fearing the [...]ish, forsook the new King, who had a few company of Gentle­about him: with whom he travelled towards Argile, mean­ [...]o lurk for a time with his brother in law sir Neil Campbel. [...]ne was encountred by the war by Iohn of Lorne cousine to Cumine, and constrained to flee, albeit with small slaughter [...]en (being daughter to Gratney Earle of Mar) with his bro­sir Neil Bruce, and Iohn Earle of Athole to the Castle of [...]rimmie in Mar. The King of England sent his son Prince [...]ard with a mighty hoast to besiege this Castle. The Queen took her and her daughter and sent them captives into Eng­ [...]

The Castle of Kildrimmie was traiterously burnt by one Garison, all that were within it taken and hanged at com-of the English King.

Robert seeing Winter approach, and finding no retreat [Page]in the main land, retired with his most entire friends to friend Angus Lord of the Yles, with whom he stayed time in Kintyre, and thereafter sailed over into the Ranghrine where the lurked all the winter, every man es [...] him to be dead. The next spring he landed quterly in C [...] and on a suddain intercepted his own Castle of Turmbe Lord Persie flying home out of it into his owne Countre James Dowglasse departing thence secretly, came into Do­dale, and by means of Thomas Dickson an old servant of [...] ­thers; he recovered his own castle of Dewglasse, and cast once and again: Therefore he returned to King Robert nock, shewing him that Aymer de Valence and John with an Army were coming against him. The King w [...] hundred valiant men keeped themselves in a strong place [...] ­ing while sir Aymer should invade; but took no heed to Lorne, who fetching a compasse set upon his back with eig [...] dred Highland men, and had well nigh inclosed him The King perceiving the danger, divided his men in three appointing where they should meet at night, fled three wayes. John of Lorne having a Slouth-hound pursued st [...] the King, who purting away all that were in his compan [...] one man, fled into the next wood, and with great d [...] escaped the Slouth-hound. Sir Aymer disappointed of this prise, shortly thereafter with fifteen hundred chosen men nigh surprized the King in Glentrole wood, but the King his men taking courage so resolutely, defended the place very strong) and killed diverse of the first who assaulted that the fields, and reduced Kyle and Cunyghame to h [...] ­ence. Sir Iames Dowglasse also with threescore men lyi [...] ambum at a strait place in Cunyghame called the Net [...] where sir Philip Monbray was passing with one thousand against the King (being them in Kile) killed many of them the rest to flight. One the tenth of May following, sir Ay [...] three thousand men came against the King, then lying at Kyle. King Robert hearing of his coming (albert he c [...] not six hundred men) came forth against him at a plac [...] Lowdoun hill: which he [...]o fortified on either hand with and Fowsies, that the enemies could not enclose him [Page] [...]: and so by the stout and resolute valo [...] of so few, sir [...]er was put to flight: which he took so sore to Heart, that [...]etired into England, and gave over his office of Warden or [...]troy, Iohn of Britain Earle of Richmond being sent into Scot­ [...] in his place.

[...]ing Robert after this past into the North, leaving sir Iames [...]glasse on the borders: who taking his own Castle of Dow­ [...]se by a straregen, razed it to the ground, and in sew dayes [...]ed all the English our of Dowglasse-dale, Attrick forrest, and [...]urgh forrest, and took sir Thomas Randal the Kings sister son [...]no had followed the English ever since his captivity) and sin [...]cander Stewart of Bonkle, Sir Alexander and Simon Fraser [...]ting King Robert in the North, shewed him how Iohn Cu­ [...]e Earl of Buchan, David Lord Brechin, sir Iohn Moubray and rest of the Cuminian faction, were gathering an Army against Mean while by the assistance of his friends in these quar­ [...], on a sudden he surprised the Castle of Innernesse, the fame which victory caused many other strengths to yeels (all [...]ich he overthrew) and greatly increased the number of his [...]nds. In his returing taking sicknesse at Innerary, Cumine [...]ing upon him: The King after his friends had for a time [...]ended him, convalescing somewhat, went out to the field, [...] so hardly assaulted his enemy at old Meldrom. that (albeit [...]ir number was sar greater) yet they took the flight: with [...] like successe he set upon the King in Glenesk in Angus, [...]ere being shamefully put to flight, he fled into England [...]h sir Iohn Moubray, and died there shortly. Lord David [...]echin fortified his own Castle: But David Earle of Athole [...]ced him to yeeld it and himself to the King. Mean time [...]lip Fraser took the Castle of Forfar: And the King pur­ [...]ing this victory, reduced all the North to his obedience: and [...]ming with Lord Iames Dowglasse returning from the South [...]th his two captives, he took S. Iohnstoun by surprisal: from [...]mee he past into Lorn: the Lord whereof had embushed two pusand men on the side of an high sleep hill, where the King noved to enter through a narrow passage: But sir Iames Dow­ [...] with sir Alexander Fraser, and sir Andrew Gray climbing [...] hill, came suddenly on their backs, and put them to flight. [...]n of Lorn fled into England by sea, His father Lord Alexan­der [Page]Mackdugal yeelded himself, and the Castle of Dunst [...] to the King.

By this means all on the North side of Forth was redu [...] obedience, Sir Edward his brother in the mean time wi [...] and hard fighting had conquered Galloway: Iames Do [...] by a straragem surprised the strong Castle of Roxburgh [...] Fastings even, while all the Garison (after the custome [...] time) were feasting and playing the ryot. The report w [...] so wheted the courage of the valiant Thomas Randal (new stored to his Uncles favour, and made Earle of Marray) having besieged the Castle of Edinburgh for some moneth set himself by all means to carry the same: which he ob [...] by a narrow passage up through the Rock discovered to [...] by which he and sundry stout Gentlement secretly passed u [...] scaling the wall, after long and dangerous fighting made [...] selves masters of the place. The Garrisons of Ruglan, L [...] Dumfreis, Aire, Dundie and Boot, hearing this, yeeld [...] these Castles, which were all razed. The Yle of Man also turned to the obedience of the Crown of Scotland, Sir Ed [...] Bruce having besiedged Striviling Castle, three month ag [...] with the Captain Sir Philip Moubray, that if the King of [...] ­land did not rescue him within twelve moneths thereafter, [...] Castle should be yeelded to K. Robert. Albeit this seemed a [...] provocation of so mighty a King Edward the second (who [...] seven years before had succeeded his father Edward Long-s [...] but far degenerat from his valour) having not only England Ireland, and many Englized Scots, with the Dutchie of G [...] Bourdeaux, and other parts of France subject unto him [...] also the Low-countreys strictly confederat with him: Yet [...] Robert prepared himself to encounter him in the fields, ans [...] thered some five and thirty thousand men, few but valiant. King of England had above an hundred thousand foot, an [...] thousand horse: with which multitude intending to destro [...] whole inhabitants of Scotland, and to divide the land to his lowers, he came to Bannokburn (some two myles beneath S [...] ­ling) where on the twenty one of Iune 1314. He was en [...] ­tered by the Scots, and after long and hard fighting, his [...] Army put to rout: himself with a small company fleeing Dumbar, was sent by the Earle into England in a fisher [...] [Page] [...]ing two hundred Noblemen and Gentlemen killed by the [...], and as many taken: the number of the commons slain [...] taken, was increadible: of Scots was slain two Gentlemen of [...], Sir William Wipont, and Sir Walter Rosse, with four thou­ [...] common Souldiers.

[...]fter this victory, Strivling being yeelded, and Dumbartane [...]en by composition, the Earl of March, the Lord Soules, and [...]nethie, and others of the Cumines allyes were reconciled to King: who past into the Isles and brought them to obedience, [...]ng John of Lorn captive, who died in prison in Lochlevin. [...] Scotland was freed of the bondage of England, except Ber­ [...] which was recovered four years thereafter 1318. and the [...] making diverse incursions into England under the leading [...]arle Thomas Randal, and James Lord Dowglasse requited [...]harmes received from them before, and enriched themselves [...] spoil.

[...] for the Authority of these two Histories, although they [...]bly erre in some circumstances of time, place, and number names of men, yet generally they write the truth of the Story these times both at greater length, and upon more cer­ [...] [...] information then these who have written our Chronicles. [...] committing them to thy diligent perusal (gentle and cour­ [...]s Reader) I wish you profit thereby, and all happinesse from [...] D, Farewell.