The Bruce
Bruce_, p. 164). In the _Wallace_:
“A maner _dyk_, off stanys thai had maid,
_Narrowyt the way_ quhar throuch thair thikar raid”
(iii. 133-4).
The incident in the _Wallace_ is certainly derived from _The Bruce_,
but Barbour’s “dykis” = ditches, as in the modern English sense, has
become a stone dike in the _Wallace_, where “dyk” has been taken in its
modern Scots sense = a wall.
216 _The sone wes rysyn schynand bricht._ So too in the _Wallace_.
He took up his position “in the gray dawing,” and then “The sone was
rysyne our landis schenand brycht” (_Bk._ iii. 119).
232 _quhit as flour._ See on _Bk._ II. 415; XI. 131. Barbour here must
mean the white linen garment covering the armour--the surcoat.
257 _that us thar dout._ “Whom it needs us to fear.” See for “thar” =
needs, note on _Bk._ VI. 121.
280 _cant and keyn._ _Cant_ = lively, brisk; _cf._ _canty_. _Keyn_
(keen) is probably in the sense of “bold” or “valiant.” The words are
almost synonymous. _Cf._ _Morte Arthure_:
“The knyhte coveride (got) on his knees with a _kaunt_ herte” (2195).
326 _skalyt in soppis._ “Scattered in groups.” The _Wallace_ simply
paraphrases:
“The Inglissmen, that besye was in wer,
_Befors ordand in sondyr thaim to ber_” (163-4).
339 _At erd ane hundreth and weill mar._ So in _Wallace_:
“A hundreth dede in feild was levyt thar” (205).
351 _to-ga._ A past tense: “went off in a hurry.” See note on _Bk._
VII. *302.
362 _He gaf up thar his wardanry._ Loudon Hill was fought in May, 1307;
Valence was still “warden of Scotland” in July 31 (_Bain_, ii., No.
1959), but was replaced by Sir John de Bretagne, Earl of Richmond, on
September 13 (_Foedera_, iii., p. 10). An anonymous letter of May 15
says that “the King (Edward I.) was much enraged that the guardian and
his force had retreated before ‘King Hobbe’”; also that James Douglas
“sent and begged to be received, but when he saw the King’s forces
retreat, he drew back” (_Bain_, ii. 1979).
380 _For that victour._ There exists a letter written by “some high
official” at Forfar on May 15, which appears to refer to the events
of this year. Bain gives it in full in Anglo-French in vol. ii., pp.
536-7, and an abstract on p. 513. The writer says that “the news of
these parts are as follows: so far as I am able to understand, Sir
Robert de Bruys has never before had the good will of the people even
half so fully as at the present moment” (_ne avoyt onkes sa en arere
si avaunt la volunte des gentz ne la moyte si entierement cum il ad
ore aparmeymes_); “and that now they consider it manifest that he is
in the right, and that God is clearly on his side, since he has now
discomfited and defeated the full power of the King, as well English as
Scots” (_ausint bien les Engleis cum les Escoteys_), “on which account
the power of England is in full retreat before his men, not to return.”
391 _Than wox his power._ According to Hemingburgh, who sets Bruce
riding through Lothian “a little after Easter,” before the battle of
Loudon Hill, many then joined him who had been “exiled” by the English
justiciars in the former year when they “sat” upon malefactors and
supporters of “the new king.” “And because, according to the English
law, they were sentencing them to burning, being drawn on horses and
hanging, on that account they rose unanimously and went with him
(Bruce), preferring to die rather than be judged by English laws” (ii.,
p. 265). Then follows the account of Valence’s defeat at Loudon Hill,
the driving of the Earl of Gloucester into Ayr Castle, and Bruce’s
subsequent defeat, after which he lurked “in moors and marshes” with
ten thousand foot; and how Bruce always “slipped out of the hands” of
his pursuers--clearly a misplaced account of the Galloway operations.
Of the late summer and autumn of this year the Lanercost chronicler
says that “Robert Bruce, with his brother Edward and many others
adhering to him, without any opposition from the English guardians,
wanders about in Scotland wherever he wished, and especially in
Galloway, and took tribute from that country on condition that it
should be left in peace; for, _on account of the number of people who
then adhered to him_, they were not able to resist him” (_Chron._,
p. 210). See also _Foedera_, iii., p. 14, for the official English
description of Bruce’s raids on Galloway in August to September of this
year.
393 _Outour the Month._ The writer of the letter cited above says that
he learns from those who are watching the place beyond and on this side
of the mountains, “that if Sir Robert Bruce is able to get away in any
direction without inconvenience” (_saun dreytes_), “or towards the
districts of Ross, he will find them all ready to his will more wholly
than ever.” For “the Month,” see note on _Bk._ II. 494.
395 _Sir Alexander the Fraser._ See note on _Bk._ II. 239, and next
note.
397 _his brother Symon._ See on _Bk._ II. 239. Skeat thinks this
mention and that in _Bk._ IX. 10 “odd,” because he identifies him
with the Sir Simon executed in 1306. Hence one of Barbour’s “errors.”
Sir Alexander Fraser, sheriff of Kincardine, and “Simon Fraser his
brother” are witnesses to a charter not dated, but later than 1312.
(_Fraser’s of Philorth_, ii., p. 126). Simon Fraser is one of the
honorary burgesses of Aberdeen in 1317 (_Miscellany of Spalding Club_,
v., p. 283). He fell at Halidon Hill, 1333. In line 396 C reads
_frendis_ where E gives _cosyngis_ and H _cousings_ in the general
sense of “relatives.” Bruce gifted the Earl of Atholl’s lands in part
to Alexander Fraser’s wife, Marie, his own sister (Robertson’s _Index_,
p. 19, 105). The gift must be after 1315 (_Bk._ XIII. 490).
400 _Schir Johne Cumyne._ On September 26, 1306, John Comyn, Earl of
Buchan, is forgiven his debts to the Exchequer (England), on account of
the loss sustained “in the death of Sir John Comyn his cousin” (_Bain_,
ii., No. 1835).
401 _Schir Johne the Mowbray._ Had the custody of “the late John
Comyn’s” lands in England from February 23, 1306; on duty in Ayr, June
and July, 1307 (_Bain_, ii., Nos. 1746, 1938, 1961).
402 _Schir David of Brechyne._ Also serving Edward in Ayr, July or
August, 1307 (_ibid._, No. 1961); of Forfarshire (_ibid._, p. 199). See
on _Bk._ IX. 293.
413 _The Erle of Lennox._ See on _Bk._ II. 235. With line 414 _cf._
extract from Fordun on _Bk._ II. 482.
415 _Schir Robert Boyd._ See on _Bk._ IV. 342.
425 _The forest of Selcryk._ Sir Walter Scott has a note (45) to _The
Lord of the Isles_ on “The forest of Selkirk, or Ettrick,” which, he
says, “embraced the neighbouring dales of Tweeddale, and at least the
upper ward of Clydesdale.” But Gray distinguishes between “the forests
of Selkirk and of Etryk” (_Scala._, p. 127); and Douglas, later, had
a grant of the forests of Ettrick, Selkirk, and Traquair (Robertson’s
_Index_, p. 10, No. 24).
427 _Gedward Forest._ “Jedworth,” or Jedburgh Forest. “The vulgar, and,
indeed, almost universal, pronunciation, Jethart” (Jamieson on the
_Wallace_, _Bk._ vii. 1277). See further on _Bk._ XVI. 363.
447 _Lanrik fair._ No doubt “Lanark” fair, as it appears in Godscroft’s
account (_History_, p. 30, ed. 1644). “Lanerik” is an old form of the
name in charters, etc.
449 _gang on raw._ “Go in a row.”
453 _Schir Johne of Webitoune._ In Godscroft “Sir John Walton,”
under which name Sir John de Walton, he figures in Scott’s _Castle
Dangerous_. The citation from Godscroft will be found in the Appendix
to the Introduction to that tale.
492 _per drowry._ _Drowry_ is O.F. _druerie_, _droerie_, love,
friendship; here = “as a sweetheart,” apparently in a sinister sense.
_Cf._ Chaucer:
“To be loved is not worthy,
Or bere the name of _druerie_.”
(_Romaunt of the Rose_, 5063).
In the _Alexander_, as here, “And yharnes to lufe _be droury_” (126,
21).
BOOK IX.
34 _Enverrowry._ Inverury, on the Don, fifteen miles north-west of
Aberdeen.
64 _a-pane._ A curious use of the French adverbial phrase _a peine_,
in, or with, difficulty; here = “hardly,” “scarcely.” The sense seems
to be that even in a case in which a company is successful without a
captain, which they can be only with difficulty, still they will not
accomplish as much as if they had one.
107 _the Slevach._ Sliach in Drumblade parish, about sixteen miles
north-west of Inverurie. Certain archæological features in the district
are connected with Bruce’s visit, the “Meet-hillock,” “Robin’s Height,”
etc. (_Old. Stat. Acct._, iv., p. 55; Macpherson’s _Geograph. Coll._,
i., pp. 8, 19).
117 _And als frendis._ According to Fordun, whose account is
independent of that of Barbour, Buchan had many nobles, both English
and Scots, when he went to attack Bruce at Sliach (_Gesta Annalia_,
cxxii.).
118 _Schir Johne the Mowbray._ See note on _Bk._ VIII. 21.
127 _Martymes._ Martinmas, November 11, 1307.
153 _thai send._ This second “thai” refers to the Scots of Bruce’s
party.
183 _begouth to fale._ “They retired, overcome with shame and in
confusion” (_Gesta Annalia_, cxxii.). But in Fordun the reference is to
Christmas Day. See below, 204.
188 _Strabogy._ Strathbogie.
190 _cover and ga._ “Recover and go about.”
202 _Ald Meldrom._ About five miles north-east of Inverury.
204 _Before Yhoill-evyn nycht._ “One night before Christmas Eve.”
Fordun records an attack by Brechin on Bruce on Christmas Day (see
above on 183), but the battle of Old Meldrum he puts on to 1308
(cxxiv.). But he sends Bruce north right away after his landing in
Carrick and capture of Turnberry to destroy Inverness and other
fortresses (cxxi.), whereas Bruce could scarcely go north before the
autumn, as he was in Galloway on September 30 (_Foedera_, iii., p. 14).
After his victory at Inverury, Bruce ravages Buchan, subdues the north,
and, according to Fordun, is in Argyll by August, 1308 (cxxvi.). This
would be quick work, even for Bruce, and Lord Saltoun therefore argues
that Barbour is right in his chronology (_Frasers of Philorth_, ii.
183-194).
221 _His horse ... he askit._ When the King heard of the attack, says
Fordun, “though he was still prostrated by great weakness, he rose from
the litter on which he was constantly carried, and ordered his men to
arm him and place him on his horse” (_Gesta Annalia_, cxxiv.).
249 _merdale._ “Rabble”; O.F. _merdaille_, “a dirty crowd.” _Cf._
_Alexander_, “For thay war pure, small _mardale_” (379; 14); also
_Lives of the Saints; Ninian_, 921.
289 “The son of him (the Earl of Atholl) that was in Kildrummy.” But
see note on _Bk._ XIII. 489. Atholl was English, and Barbour must be
wrong.
293 _Com syne his man._ But on May 20, 1308, Edward II. was expressing
his thanks to “David de Breghyn,” etc. (_Bain_, iii., No. 43). This
would support Fordun’s date for the battle, if, as Barbour says,
Brechin submitted soon after. But “Sir David de Breghyn” is receiving
wine from Edward II. on July 12, 1310 (_Bain_, iii., No. 121). See
further on _Bk._ XIX. 19.
296 _all Bouchane._ The district of Buchan is in the north-east of
Aberdeenshire.
307 _Toward Angus._ In the north of Forfarshire.
309 _the Scottis Se._ The Firth of Forth (see on 461). Of old it marked
the boundary between the land of the Gaelic-speaking Scots and the
English Lowlands.
312 _Philip the Forster of Platan._ Jamieson explains that there is
still a _Forest-muir_ in Angus, “the name of a great track of waste
ground a few miles to the north of Forfar” and about two miles east of
it, “a village vulgarly named _Forster-seat_ ... said to be properly
designed _Forester-seat_, as having been the place where the forester
anciently resided.” He identifies _Platan_ with _Platter_, a forest
which is the subject of a grant by Robert Bruce (_Index Chart._, p. 4,