In Freedoms Cause | Page 7

saying, Red
Roy strolled away with his companion, and left the lads to continue
their mimic fight.
News travelled slowly to Glen Cairn; indeed, it was only when a
travelling chapman or pedlar passed through, or when one of the
villagers went over to Lanark or Glasgow, carrying the fowls and other
produce of the community to market, that the news came from without.

Baliol was not long before he discovered that his monarchy was but a
nominal one. The first quarrel which arose between him and his
imperious master was concerning the action of the courts. King Edward
directed that there should be an appeal to the courts at Westminster
from all judgments in the Scottish courts. Baliol protested that it was
specifically agreed by the Treaty of Brigham that no Scotchman was
liable to be called upon to plead outside the kingdom; but Edward
openly declared, "Notwithstanding any concessions made before Baliol
became king, he considered himself at liberty to judge in any case
brought before him from Scotland, and would, if necessary, summon
the King of Scots himself to appear in his presence." He then
compelled Baliol formally to renounce and cancel not only the Treaty
of Brigham, but every stipulation of the kind "known to exist, or which
might be thereafter discovered." Another appeal followed, and Baliol
was cited to appear personally, but refused; he was thereupon declared
contumacious by the English parliament, and a resolution was passed
that three of the principal towns of Scotland should be "seized," until he
gave satisfaction. All this was a manifest usurpation, even allowing
Edward's claims to supremacy to be well founded.
At this moment Edward became involved in a quarrel with his own lord
superior Phillip, king of France, by whom he was in turned summoned
to appear under the pain of contumacy. Edward met this demand by a
renunciation of allegiance to Phillip and a declaration of war, and
called upon Baliol for aid as his vassal; but Baliol was also a vassal of
the French king, and had estates in France liable to seizure. He
therefore hesitated. Edward further ordered him to lay an embargo upon
all vessels in the ports of Scotland, and required the attendance of many
of the Scottish barons in his expedition to France. Finding his orders
disobeyed, on the 16th of October Edward issued a writ to the sheriff of
Northampton, "to seize all lands, goods, and chattels of John Baliol and
other Scots."
The Scotch held a parliament at Scone. All Englishmen holding office
were summarily dismissed. A committee of the estates was appointed
to act as guardian of the kingdom, and Baliol himself was deprived of
all active power; but an instrument was prepared in his name, reciting

the injuries that he and his subjects had sustained at the hands of the
English king, and renouncing all further allegiance. Following this up,
a league was concluded, offensive and defensive, between the French
king and Scotland, represented by the prelates, nobles, and community.
Edward Baliol, the king's son, was contracted to marry the French
king's niece. Phillip bound himself to assist Scotland against any
invasion of England, and the Scotch agreed to cross the Border in case
Edward invaded France.
In making this alliance the Scots took the only step possible; for they
had no choice between fighting England with France as their ally, or
fighting France as the subjects of King Edward. The contest which was
approaching seemed all but hopeless. The population of England was
six times as large as that of Scotland, and Edward could draw from
Ireland and Wales great numbers of troops. The English were trained to
war by constant fighting in France, Ireland, and Wales; while the Scots
had, for a very long period, enjoyed a profound peace, and were for the
most part wholly ignorant of warfare.
Edward at once prepared to invade Scotland; in January he seized the
lands owned by Comyn in Northumberland and sold them, directing the
money to be applied to the raising and maintenance of 1000
men-at-arms and 60,000 foot soldiers, and in February issued a writ for
the preparation of a fleet of 100 vessels.
On the 25th of March he crossed the Tweed with 5000 horse and
30,000 foot. The Scotch leaders were, of course, aware of the gathering
storm, and, collecting their forces, attempted a diversion by crossing
the Border to the west and making a raid into Cumberland. King
Edward, however, marched north and besieged Berwick, the richest and
most flourishing of the towns of Scotland. With the exception of the
castle, it was weakly fortified. The attack was commenced by the fleet,
who were, however, repulsed and driven off. A land assault, led by the
king in person, was then made; the walls were captured,