83Lewis on “Roman History,” p. 16.
83Lewis on “Roman History,” p. 16.
84Hemingford, Trivet, Matthew of Westminster, Wykes, Rishanger, Langtoft, Knighton, the Chronicles of Lanercost, Rochester, St. Alban’s, Abingdon, etc.
84Hemingford, Trivet, Matthew of Westminster, Wykes, Rishanger, Langtoft, Knighton, the Chronicles of Lanercost, Rochester, St. Alban’s, Abingdon, etc.
85Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 134.
85Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 134.
86History of Scotland, vol. i., pp. 126, 127.
86History of Scotland, vol. i., pp. 126, 127.
87Tytler’s Scottish Worthies, pp. 172, 184.
87Tytler’s Scottish Worthies, pp. 172, 184.
88Tytler’s Scottish Worthies, p. 186.
88Tytler’s Scottish Worthies, p. 186.
89“Wallace Documents,” p. 30.
89“Wallace Documents,” p. 30.
90Chalmers’ Caledonia, vol. i., p. 659.
90Chalmers’ Caledonia, vol. i., p. 659.
91Macfarlane’s History of England, vol. iv., p. 54.
91Macfarlane’s History of England, vol. iv., p. 54.
92History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 72.
92History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 72.
93Hist. of Scotland, vol. i., p. 142.
93Hist. of Scotland, vol. i., p. 142.
94A recent writer, Mr. Pearson, expresses a doubt whether these acts of unusual cruelty are sufficiently established by evidence. This incredulity is hardly reasonable. Several English writers who lived at the time assert the facts; all Scottish historians, Fordun, Wyntoun, Boece, and Blind Harry, confirm the statement,—some in general, others in specific terms; and the charges deliberately read to the prisoner in Westminster Hall, with the sentence passed, surely may be regarded as leaving no room for doubt.
94A recent writer, Mr. Pearson, expresses a doubt whether these acts of unusual cruelty are sufficiently established by evidence. This incredulity is hardly reasonable. Several English writers who lived at the time assert the facts; all Scottish historians, Fordun, Wyntoun, Boece, and Blind Harry, confirm the statement,—some in general, others in specific terms; and the charges deliberately read to the prisoner in Westminster Hall, with the sentence passed, surely may be regarded as leaving no room for doubt.
95Tytler, Hist. Scotl., vol. i., p. 143.
95Tytler, Hist. Scotl., vol. i., p. 143.
96Ibid, p. 146.
96Ibid, p. 146.
97Selkirkshire, at the present, has about 9,800 people in the whole county. In 1298 it probably had not 2,000.
97Selkirkshire, at the present, has about 9,800 people in the whole county. In 1298 it probably had not 2,000.
98Cronykyl, viii. 13.
98Cronykyl, viii. 13.
99Tytler, vol. i., p. 142–147.
99Tytler, vol. i., p. 142–147.
100Tytler, vol. i., p. 163.
100Tytler, vol. i., p. 163.
101Hume, chap. xiii.
101Hume, chap. xiii.
102All the claimants at the great arbitration of 1292 derived their title from David, earl of Huntingdon, the grandson of David I. His descendants were these—genealogy 2David, earl of Huntingdon.|+---------------+-------------+Margaret. Isabel.| |Devoirgoil. || Robert Bruce.| |--------+----------- |Margaret. John Baliol, || king, Robert Bruce,| 1292 earl of Carrick.John Comyn. |Robert Bruce,afterwards king of Scotland.
102All the claimants at the great arbitration of 1292 derived their title from David, earl of Huntingdon, the grandson of David I. His descendants were these—
genealogy 2
David, earl of Huntingdon.|+---------------+-------------+Margaret. Isabel.| |Devoirgoil. || Robert Bruce.| |--------+----------- |Margaret. John Baliol, || king, Robert Bruce,| 1292 earl of Carrick.John Comyn. |Robert Bruce,afterwards king of Scotland.
David, earl of Huntingdon.|+---------------+-------------+Margaret. Isabel.| |Devoirgoil. || Robert Bruce.| |--------+----------- |Margaret. John Baliol, || king, Robert Bruce,| 1292 earl of Carrick.John Comyn. |Robert Bruce,afterwards king of Scotland.
David, earl of Huntingdon.|+---------------+-------------+Margaret. Isabel.| |Devoirgoil. || Robert Bruce.| |--------+----------- |Margaret. John Baliol, || king, Robert Bruce,| 1292 earl of Carrick.John Comyn. |Robert Bruce,afterwards king of Scotland.
103Professor Stubbs’s Select Charters, p. 35.
103Professor Stubbs’s Select Charters, p. 35.
104Hallam, vol. iii., 3.
104Hallam, vol. iii., 3.
105“Malitiam, fraudem, proditionem, et dolum,” Brady, App., N. 37.
105“Malitiam, fraudem, proditionem, et dolum,” Brady, App., N. 37.
106Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i., pp. 121, 122.
106Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i., pp. 121, 122.
107Samuel Stanham, a merchant and grocer in Lincoln, was one of the representatives of that city in this parliament of 1301.
107Samuel Stanham, a merchant and grocer in Lincoln, was one of the representatives of that city in this parliament of 1301.
108The city of London, about this time, allowed its four representatives for their joint expenses, out of the city cash, twenty shillings per diem; which would be equal to fifteen pounds daily, at the present time.
108The city of London, about this time, allowed its four representatives for their joint expenses, out of the city cash, twenty shillings per diem; which would be equal to fifteen pounds daily, at the present time.
109Rymer’s Fœdera, vol. ii., p. 927.
109Rymer’s Fœdera, vol. ii., p. 927.
110Matthew of Westminster.
110Matthew of Westminster.
111And not only so; but we find writs of the date of May, 1300, appointing three justices in Leicestershire, and the like in other counties, “to hear and determine, in a summary manner, all complaints of transgressions against the charters.”
111And not only so; but we find writs of the date of May, 1300, appointing three justices in Leicestershire, and the like in other counties, “to hear and determine, in a summary manner, all complaints of transgressions against the charters.”
112SeeAppendix.
112SeeAppendix.
113“History of Lichfield Cathedral,” p. 57.
113“History of Lichfield Cathedral,” p. 57.
114Thus Mr. Tytler tells us of Brace’s conduct in 1297;—that “Bruce went to Carlisle with a numerous attendance of his friends, and was compelled to make oath on the consecrated host, that he would continue faithful to Edward. To give a proof of his fidelity, he ravaged the estates of Sir W. Douglas, then with Wallace, seized his wife and children, and carried them to Annandale. Having thus defeated suspicion, and saved his lands, he privately assembled his father’s retainers, talked lightly of an extorted oath,from which the pope would absolve him, and urged them to follow him against the English.” (Vol. i., p. 129.)
114Thus Mr. Tytler tells us of Brace’s conduct in 1297;—that “Bruce went to Carlisle with a numerous attendance of his friends, and was compelled to make oath on the consecrated host, that he would continue faithful to Edward. To give a proof of his fidelity, he ravaged the estates of Sir W. Douglas, then with Wallace, seized his wife and children, and carried them to Annandale. Having thus defeated suspicion, and saved his lands, he privately assembled his father’s retainers, talked lightly of an extorted oath,from which the pope would absolve him, and urged them to follow him against the English.” (Vol. i., p. 129.)
115In these remarkable words, occurring in a statute of the realm, and dictated, we cannot doubt, by Edward’s own lips, we seem to have a glimpse of his earnest and sincere character. Believing, as all men in his day believed, that there was a Pontiff at Rome who had full power “to bind and to loose,” he had applied to that authority, and had been loosed, so he was assured, from an engagement which was mischievous in itself, and which had been improperly extorted from him. Yet, with this dispensation in his possession, what follows? He himself tells us: “sleepless nights.” What occasioned them? Evidently that first principle of all his conduct of which Mr. Pearson takes notice: “He never broke his word.” No papal bull, no external decision of any kind, could thoroughly reconcile him to an infraction of the Scriptural rule: “He sweareth to his neighbour, and disappointeth him not, though it were to his own hurt.”
115In these remarkable words, occurring in a statute of the realm, and dictated, we cannot doubt, by Edward’s own lips, we seem to have a glimpse of his earnest and sincere character. Believing, as all men in his day believed, that there was a Pontiff at Rome who had full power “to bind and to loose,” he had applied to that authority, and had been loosed, so he was assured, from an engagement which was mischievous in itself, and which had been improperly extorted from him. Yet, with this dispensation in his possession, what follows? He himself tells us: “sleepless nights.” What occasioned them? Evidently that first principle of all his conduct of which Mr. Pearson takes notice: “He never broke his word.” No papal bull, no external decision of any kind, could thoroughly reconcile him to an infraction of the Scriptural rule: “He sweareth to his neighbour, and disappointeth him not, though it were to his own hurt.”
116Caxton’s Chronicle, Matthew of Westminster, Fabyan, Holinshed.
116Caxton’s Chronicle, Matthew of Westminster, Fabyan, Holinshed.
117The Scottish historians, who wrotea century after, claim the victory in all three engagements; but Hemingford and Trivet, who wroteat the time, distinctly declare that Neville repulsed the Scotch, and recovered many of the prisoners. Hume and Tytler, as Scotchmen, give credit to their own chroniclers; and yet they are uncandid enough to profess to take their accounts from Hemingford and Trivet. But these latter writers, who are the only contemporary witnesses, plainly assert that the advantage, in the third engagement, rested with the English.
117The Scottish historians, who wrotea century after, claim the victory in all three engagements; but Hemingford and Trivet, who wroteat the time, distinctly declare that Neville repulsed the Scotch, and recovered many of the prisoners. Hume and Tytler, as Scotchmen, give credit to their own chroniclers; and yet they are uncandid enough to profess to take their accounts from Hemingford and Trivet. But these latter writers, who are the only contemporary witnesses, plainly assert that the advantage, in the third engagement, rested with the English.
118Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 186.
118Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 186.
119Hailes’ Annals, vol. i., p. 304.
119Hailes’ Annals, vol. i., p. 304.
120Tytler, vol. i., p. 191.
120Tytler, vol. i., p. 191.
121Archæological Journal, No. 27.
121Archæological Journal, No. 27.
122Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 191.
122Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 191.
123Tytler, vol. i., p. 192.
123Tytler, vol. i., p. 192.
124Tytler, vol. i., p. 196.
124Tytler, vol. i., p. 196.
125Matthew of Westminster, 1304.
125Matthew of Westminster, 1304.
126Tytler, vol. i., p. 197.
126Tytler, vol. i., p. 197.
127Matthew of Westminster, 1304.
127Matthew of Westminster, 1304.
128Langtoft.
128Langtoft.
129“Endroit de Will. de Walleys, le Roi entent, qu il soit receu a sa volute ’t a son ordainement.” (Palgrave.)
129“Endroit de Will. de Walleys, le Roi entent, qu il soit receu a sa volute ’t a son ordainement.” (Palgrave.)
130Rymer’s “Placita,” p. 370.
130Rymer’s “Placita,” p. 370.
131Langtoft says,—“Sir John of Menetest followed William so nigh,He toke him when he feared least, one night his leman by.”
131Langtoft says,—
“Sir John of Menetest followed William so nigh,He toke him when he feared least, one night his leman by.”
“Sir John of Menetest followed William so nigh,He toke him when he feared least, one night his leman by.”
“Sir John of Menetest followed William so nigh,He toke him when he feared least, one night his leman by.”
“Sir John of Menetest followed William so nigh,
He toke him when he feared least, one night his leman by.”
132History of England, vol. v., p. 97.
132History of England, vol. v., p. 97.
133History of England, vol. ii., p. 428.
133History of England, vol. ii., p. 428.
134History of England, vol. ii., p. 424.
134History of England, vol. ii., p. 424.
135“They spared none, but slew all down.”—Wyntoun.
135“They spared none, but slew all down.”—Wyntoun.
136Blind Harry.
136Blind Harry.
137Encyclo. Britan.
137Encyclo. Britan.
138Sir Walter Scott.
138Sir Walter Scott.
139Many of our popular histories of England, disregarding this distinction, fall into a variety of errors. Thus Oliver Goldsmith, in his larger history, says, that in 1306, the competitor, “being old and infirm, was obliged to give up the ambition of being the deliverer of his people to his son.” The fact being that the competitor had died eleven years before, and his son two years before the time of which Goldsmith was speaking. In his abridged history, which for many years was the lesson‐book in all our great schools, the statement was thus altered:—“Bruce, who had been one of the competitors for the crown, but was long kept a prisoner in London, escaping from his guards, resolved to strike for his country’s freedom.” The fact being, that neither of the Bruces had ever been “a prisoner in London,” and that the competitor, here spoken of, had died in 1295—eleven years before the period at which we have now arrived. Even Sir Walter Scott falls into a like inaccuracy, saying, “Bruce, the competitor, after Dunbar, 1296, hinted to Edward his hope of being preferred to the kingdom.” Whereas, “the competitor” had died a year or two previous.
139Many of our popular histories of England, disregarding this distinction, fall into a variety of errors. Thus Oliver Goldsmith, in his larger history, says, that in 1306, the competitor, “being old and infirm, was obliged to give up the ambition of being the deliverer of his people to his son.” The fact being that the competitor had died eleven years before, and his son two years before the time of which Goldsmith was speaking. In his abridged history, which for many years was the lesson‐book in all our great schools, the statement was thus altered:—“Bruce, who had been one of the competitors for the crown, but was long kept a prisoner in London, escaping from his guards, resolved to strike for his country’s freedom.” The fact being, that neither of the Bruces had ever been “a prisoner in London,” and that the competitor, here spoken of, had died in 1295—eleven years before the period at which we have now arrived. Even Sir Walter Scott falls into a like inaccuracy, saying, “Bruce, the competitor, after Dunbar, 1296, hinted to Edward his hope of being preferred to the kingdom.” Whereas, “the competitor” had died a year or two previous.
140Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol i., p. 204.
140Tytler’s History of Scotland, vol i., p. 204.
141Fordun, p. 981. He also sat, as an English baron, in the parliament of Lincoln. (See p.220.)
141Fordun, p. 981. He also sat, as an English baron, in the parliament of Lincoln. (See p.220.)
142Fordun, p. 778. Wyntoun, vol. ii., p. 498.
142Fordun, p. 778. Wyntoun, vol. ii., p. 498.
143“The countess herself, riding up, and with gentle violence taking hold of his horse’s reins, Bruce suffered himself to be led away in a kind of triumph to Turnberry.”—Tytler’s Scottish Worthies, p. 292.
143“The countess herself, riding up, and with gentle violence taking hold of his horse’s reins, Bruce suffered himself to be led away in a kind of triumph to Turnberry.”—Tytler’s Scottish Worthies, p. 292.
144See p.124. This sum would be equal to £600 in the present day.
144See p.124. This sum would be equal to £600 in the present day.
145“Scala Chronica,” Leland, vol. i., p. 540.
145“Scala Chronica,” Leland, vol. i., p. 540.
146“The vision of a crown could not but haunt him.”—Burton’s History of Scotland, vol. ii., p. 286.
146“The vision of a crown could not but haunt him.”—Burton’s History of Scotland, vol. ii., p. 286.
147Tytler’s History, vol. i., pp. 129, 206.
147Tytler’s History, vol. i., pp. 129, 206.
148Tytler’s History, vol. i., p. 209.
148Tytler’s History, vol. i., p. 209.
149Halliwell’s Royal Letters, vol. i., p. 22.
149Halliwell’s Royal Letters, vol. i., p. 22.
150Chalmers’ Caledonia, vol. i., p. 671.
150Chalmers’ Caledonia, vol. i., p. 671.
151Chambers, in his “Lives of Eminent Scotsmen,” says: “John Comyn was the son of Margery, the sister of Baliol, and, setting Baliol aside, was the heir of the pretensions of their common ancestor.”
151Chambers, in his “Lives of Eminent Scotsmen,” says: “John Comyn was the son of Margery, the sister of Baliol, and, setting Baliol aside, was the heir of the pretensions of their common ancestor.”
152Tytler, vol. i., p. 213.
152Tytler, vol. i., p. 213.
153Macpherson’s Chronykyl of Andrew Wyntoun, vol. ii., p. 501.
153Macpherson’s Chronykyl of Andrew Wyntoun, vol. ii., p. 501.
154Barbour, i., 590; Wyntoun, viii., 18.
154Barbour, i., 590; Wyntoun, viii., 18.
155Barbour i., 647.
155Barbour i., 647.
156Lingard, vol. ii., p. 615.
156Lingard, vol. ii., p. 615.
157Sharon Turner says, “On every supposition, it was still the destruction of a competitor by the person who was to be most benefited by the crime; and from this suspicious atrocity the memory of Bruce cannot be vindicated.”
157Sharon Turner says, “On every supposition, it was still the destruction of a competitor by the person who was to be most benefited by the crime; and from this suspicious atrocity the memory of Bruce cannot be vindicated.”
158Palgrave’s Documents, p. cxxxix.
158Palgrave’s Documents, p. cxxxix.
159Pearson’s History, vol. i., p. 351.
159Pearson’s History, vol. i., p. 351.
160“Bruce was so beaten by ill‐fortune, that he was left alone to take passage to the Isles with two mariners in a boat, who asked him ‘if he had any tidings of Robert Bruce?’”—Scala Chronica, App. p. 287.
160“Bruce was so beaten by ill‐fortune, that he was left alone to take passage to the Isles with two mariners in a boat, who asked him ‘if he had any tidings of Robert Bruce?’”—Scala Chronica, App. p. 287.
161Tytler’s Hist., vol. i., p. 222.
161Tytler’s Hist., vol. i., p. 222.
162Matthew of Westminster.
162Matthew of Westminster.
163Palgrave’s Documents, p. clxxxix.
163Palgrave’s Documents, p. clxxxix.
164Tytler, vol. i., p. 235.
164Tytler, vol. i., p. 235.
165SeeAppendix.
165SeeAppendix.
166Matthew of Westminster, 1307.
166Matthew of Westminster, 1307.
167This was evidently the date of the erection of the tomb. The king had died in July, 1307, and had been buried in Westminster in October. The tomb was naturally completed in the following year.
167This was evidently the date of the erection of the tomb. The king had died in July, 1307, and had been buried in Westminster in October. The tomb was naturally completed in the following year.
168Sir Walter Scott’s History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 87. Sir Walter forgot here that, before six months had passed, Bruce sent messengers to the young prince to ask if his submission would be accepted.
168Sir Walter Scott’s History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 87. Sir Walter forgot here that, before six months had passed, Bruce sent messengers to the young prince to ask if his submission would be accepted.
169Wallace Documents, Maitland Club, Glasgow, 1841, p. 48.
169Wallace Documents, Maitland Club, Glasgow, 1841, p. 48.
170History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 68.
170History of Scotland, vol. i., p. 68.
171Robert III. died of a broken heart; James I. was murdered; James II. accidentally killed; James III. murdered; James IV. died on Flodden‐field; James V. of a broken heart. Then followed Mary, who died on the scaffold, James’s troubled reign, Charles’s bloody death, and, finally, the expulsion of the family.
171Robert III. died of a broken heart; James I. was murdered; James II. accidentally killed; James III. murdered; James IV. died on Flodden‐field; James V. of a broken heart. Then followed Mary, who died on the scaffold, James’s troubled reign, Charles’s bloody death, and, finally, the expulsion of the family.
172Rossetti’s translation.
172Rossetti’s translation.
173Rapin’s History, vol. i., p. 385.
173Rapin’s History, vol. i., p. 385.
174Thus, in the most popular of our school histories, Mrs. Markham’s, the scholar is told of Edward’s “violent acts,” of his fatal thirst of conquest, of his “mad ferocity,” of his “injustice and violence,” of the “infinite misery” he inflicted on “many thousands” of people.
174Thus, in the most popular of our school histories, Mrs. Markham’s, the scholar is told of Edward’s “violent acts,” of his fatal thirst of conquest, of his “mad ferocity,” of his “injustice and violence,” of the “infinite misery” he inflicted on “many thousands” of people.
175“The Greatest of the Plantagenets.”
175“The Greatest of the Plantagenets.”
176The professor had suggested some apology for Wallace’s violence and cruelty.
176The professor had suggested some apology for Wallace’s violence and cruelty.
177“Proceedings of Oxford Historical Society, Trinity term, 1864.”
177“Proceedings of Oxford Historical Society, Trinity term, 1864.”
178Prof. Stubbs’ Select Charters, 1870, p. 35, 51.
178Prof. Stubbs’ Select Charters, 1870, p. 35, 51.
179Yonge’s History of England, p. 113.
179Yonge’s History of England, p. 113.
180Creasy’s History of England, p. 485.
180Creasy’s History of England, p. 485.
181Historical Essays, by E. A. Freeman, D.C.L., late Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, 1871.
181Historical Essays, by E. A. Freeman, D.C.L., late Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, 1871.
182During the last thirty years a dozen Histories of England have been published in London, all of which servilely followed Hume, describing Edward as “unscrupulous,” “perfidious,” and “unprincipled.” But in the course of the last seven years, all the writers whom we have just quoted have re‐examined the subject, and they all unite in declaring the king to have been honest, just, truthful, and disinterested.
182During the last thirty years a dozen Histories of England have been published in London, all of which servilely followed Hume, describing Edward as “unscrupulous,” “perfidious,” and “unprincipled.” But in the course of the last seven years, all the writers whom we have just quoted have re‐examined the subject, and they all unite in declaring the king to have been honest, just, truthful, and disinterested.
183All the best biographers of Alfred are obliged to use, at every turn, the phrases, “It is said,” and “Tradition reports.” Thus, Mr. Pearson writes: “Probably nothing has been attributed to him without some real factunderlying the mythical narrative, but it is not always easy to disentangle the one from the other” (p. 173). Mr. Wright thus speaks: “It isprobablethat the king, during the period he remained at Athelney, was actively engaged in watching the movements of the Danes.Another legendrepresents him,” etc. (p. 388). And Mr. Hughes, the latest biographer of the great king, says of one fact, “This is related by Asser to have happened,” “which is clearly impossible.” In another place, “Any attempt to remove the miraculous element would take all life out of the story.” A third story is described as “a sad tangle, whichno man can unravel.”
183All the best biographers of Alfred are obliged to use, at every turn, the phrases, “It is said,” and “Tradition reports.” Thus, Mr. Pearson writes: “Probably nothing has been attributed to him without some real factunderlying the mythical narrative, but it is not always easy to disentangle the one from the other” (p. 173). Mr. Wright thus speaks: “It isprobablethat the king, during the period he remained at Athelney, was actively engaged in watching the movements of the Danes.Another legendrepresents him,” etc. (p. 388). And Mr. Hughes, the latest biographer of the great king, says of one fact, “This is related by Asser to have happened,” “which is clearly impossible.” In another place, “Any attempt to remove the miraculous element would take all life out of the story.” A third story is described as “a sad tangle, whichno man can unravel.”
184Merivale, vol. i., 119, 490.
184Merivale, vol. i., 119, 490.
185Robertson’s Church History, vol. ii., p. 136.
185Robertson’s Church History, vol. ii., p. 136.
186Gleig.
186Gleig.
187Emerson.
187Emerson.
Simmons and Botten, Printers, 4A, Shoe Lane, E.C.
Transcriber’s Notes:The original punctuation, spelling and hyphenation has been retained, except for a small number of apparent printer’s errors.The original accentuation has been retained except for:Crecy changed to CrécyandGrosstete changed to Grosstêtefor consistency with other occurrences.There are some instances of Norman French, for example in Footnote 129; these have been left as printed.
Transcriber’s Notes:
The original punctuation, spelling and hyphenation has been retained, except for a small number of apparent printer’s errors.
The original accentuation has been retained except for:Crecy changed to CrécyandGrosstete changed to Grosstêtefor consistency with other occurrences.
There are some instances of Norman French, for example in Footnote 129; these have been left as printed.