The Bruce
clearly wrong, for Sir Thomas Ughtred, or Ouchtred, was captured here,
as Barbour says in line 426 (_Bain_, iii., No. 806).
419 _Stanis apon thame._ “He (Richmond) strove with them by throwing
down stones” (_per lapides projectos._ _Lanercost_, p. 247).
427 _he wes tane._ _Cf._ on line 409.
443 _all the Erischry._ _I.e._, the Highlanders and Islesmen, who spoke
Gaelic or Irish. _Cf._ on line 349.
454 _aboun the bra._ The Scots ascended above them (_super eos._
_Lanercost_, _ibid._).
458 _the hycht has tane._ “The Scots ascended between the trees through
the middle of the grove” (_Gesta Edw._, p. 79). The fight took place
“on the summit of a hill near Byland” (_ibid._, p. 82).
462-4 _Johne Bretane, etc._ _Cf._ on line 373.
469 _thar wes tane._ John of Brittany, Earl of Richmond, a prisoner
in Scotland, October 27 (_Bain_, iii., Nos. 792, 793). Still detained
in Scotland, December 10 (_ibid._, No. 795). Captured at Byland
(Stevenson, _Illustrations_, p. 7).
472 _lord of Souly._ Henry, Lord of Sully, a prisoner (_Bain_, No.
796): “the lord of Sully, a baron of France” (_Scala._, p. 149);
“the lord of Sully (_Siliaco_), an ambassador of the King of France”
(_Baker_, p. 66).
478 _yheit at Biland._ But _cf._ note on 356-7.
480 _in full gret hy._ “The King himself scarcely escaped from Rivaulx”
(_Scala._, p. 149). “The King fled swiftly from Biland” (_Gesta Edw._,
p. 79; _cf._ also _Lanercost_, p. 248; _Baker_, p. 66). “To Scarborough
Castle” (Stevenson, _Illustrations_, p. 7).
489 _Till Yorkis yhettis._ The Scots made their way to York (_Scala._,
p. 150; _Lanercost_, p. 248; _Gesta_, p. 81).
493 _nane wald cum out._ The English were quite demoralized. They had
fled like “a hare before the hounds” (_Scala._, p. 150). “The people
were collapsing (_corruentem_) before the enemy like sheep without a
shepherd” (_Gesta_, p. 81).
498 _Rivens._ Rievaulx; see above.
500 _The King of Inglandis ger._ A note in _Bain_ describes the harness
lost at “Ryvaux” by the sudden attack of the Scots there on October 14
(iii., No. 791). According to _Lanercost_, the King in his hurry left
in Rievaulx Monastery his silver plate and great treasure, all which
the Scots carried off, spoiling the monastery besides (p. 248). The
royal treasure taken at Byland (_Higden_, viii., p. 316).
520 _Lang eftir._ In October, 1323, and May, 1324, negotiations for
Richmond’s release were still in progress (_Bain_, iii., No. 829; _Pat.
Rolls_).
543 _but ransoun free._ This seems to have been the transaction which
resulted in the “Emerald” charter of the Douglases, giving them
extraordinary powers of jurisdiction within their territories. The
grant was in lieu of 4,400 merks sterling, the ransoms of three (not
two) French knights and their valets captured by Douglas at Byland, and
liberated at the instance of the King of France, “our very dear friend”
(Fraser’s _Douglas_, _Bk._ iii., p. 11).
553 _Byrnand, slayand, and distroyand._ From all accounts the Scots
did terrible mischief. “They did damage at their pleasure, with no
one to oppose them” (_Scala._, p. 150). They spoiled and burned the
neighbouring districts, carried off the cattle, and wasted on all
sides with fire and sword (_Gesta Edw._, p. 80; _Trokelowe_, p. 126;
_Northern Registers_, p. 318).
555 _to the Wald._ The Yorkshire Wold (_Scala._, p. 150). “Le Wald”
(_Lanercost_, p. 248; Stevenson’s _Illustrations_, p. 7).
558 _The vale ... of Beauvare._ The valley of the river Hull in
which is Beverley. “They destroyed that country to about the town of
Beverley, which purchased immunity from being burned” (_Lanercost_,
p. 248). Murimuth and Baker say it cost Beverley four hundred pounds
sterling (_Baker_, p. 66).
561 _Till Scotland._ They returned on October 22 (_Gesta_, p. 80).
In _Lanercost_, November 2 is given as the date (p. 248). It may be
inferred, from a reference in _Bain_ to the Earl of Richmond as “a
prisoner in Scotland” on October 27, that the Scots had got home by
that date.
BOOK XIX.
6 _a fell conjuracione._ Barbour post-dates this conspiracy. It took
place in 1320.
11 _The lord of Sowlis._ Probably the grandson of Sir Nicholas Soulis,
one of the competitors in 1292. Sir Nicholas claimed through his
mother, a niece of Alexander III. (_Bain_, ii., liv.). His forfeited
lands in Liddesdale were given to Bruce’s illegitimate son Robert
(Robertson’s _Index_, p. 12; 54, etc.); others to Robert Stewart, son
of Walter (_ibid._, 10; 13).
16 _Male-herbe._ As in E, is the correct form; or Malerb (_Fordun_),
Malherbe (_Scala._) and on record in _Bain_, and in _Robertson_, where
the Stirlingshire lands forfeited by “Gilbert de Malherbe” are gifted
to another (_Index_, 21; 19). The land of “Malerbe” was in Perthshire
(_Reg. Mag. Sig._, pp. 30, 61). The other names occur in these sources
also, as in Barbour.
19 _David the Brechyne._ _Cf._ on _Bk._ VIII. 402; IX. 293. Some of the
forfeited lands of Brechin, such as Rothmay, Brechine, Kinloch, etc.,
were granted to Sir David de Barclay (_Robertson_, pp. 26, 34).
23 _Throu ane lady._ The lady in the affair was Countess of Strathearn
(_Gesta Annal._, cxxxv.). But Gray (_Scala._, p. 144) gives a different
discoverer, Murdoch of Menteith, who was in the English service as
late, at least, as January, 1317 (_Bain_, iii. 534). The Countess could
not have turned King’s evidence, as she was condemned to imprisonment
for life (_Fordun._ _Ibid._). In an extract from the Cotton MS. in
_Stevenson_, Menteith is again given as the discoverer (_Illust._, p.
55).
45 _playn granting._ Soulis made a full confession (_Scala._, p. 144).
49 _plane parliament._ At Scone, August, 1320 (_Fordun_; _Skene_, i.
348; _Scala._, p. 144). It was known as the Black Parliament.
51 _Till his penance till Dumbertane._ “Confined in Dumbarton Castle
for punishment in prison” (_a sa penaunz en prisoun._--_Scala._, p.
144); “for life” (_Fordun_; _Skene_, i. 348). Gray says that Dumbarton
was the only castle in Scotland not now dismantled (_ibid._).
56 _thai drawin war._ As in Fordun: “first drawn with horses and
finally executed” (_Skene_, i. 348). Gray says Brechin, Logy, and
Maleherbe were hanged and drawn in Perth. Fordun adds Richard Brown, a
squire.
74 _Scottis man._ Umfraville was a prisoner since Bannockburn. At this
date (1320) he was still in Scotland, though on July 24, 1314, Edward
was granting safe-conducts to some of his friends for a journey to
France in quest of money for his ransom (_Bain_, iii., No. 374). On
April 20, 1320, there is a safe-conduct for Sir Ingelram de Umfraville,
“a Scottish knight passing through England on his affairs beyond seas,”
with a considerable following, which was cancelled for one in October
(_ibid._, 694). Meantime his name is on the record of the Arbroath
Parliament in April, 1320 (see below). On January 26, 1321, he is being
restored to his estates, “as Ingelram, who was a prisoner in Scotland,
has escaped, and shown that he never left his allegiance” (_ibid._,
721). These facts have been held to invalidate Barbour’s statement
(Maxwell’s _Robert the Bruce_, pp. 276-7), but they have obviously a
suspicious air. He appears to have somewhat prolonged his escape; there
was clearly a doubt as to his loyalty; and the date fits in curiously
with the narrative. Finally, it has to be explained how Umfraville’s
name appears in the list of signatories to the famous letter to the
Pope from the barons and Community of Scotland on April 6, 1320: “While
there exist a hundred of us we will never submit to England” (_Acts
Parl. Scot._, i., p. 114).
125 _the Kyngis curtasy._ _Cf._ note on _Bk._ XIII. 531.
131 _oftsis._ There had been frequent negotiations for peace since
immediately after Bannockburn (_cf._ _Fœdera_ iii., p. 495).
186 _war trewis tane._ The truce was arranged at Thorpe, near York, to
last for thirteen years (see line 188) from June 12, 1323.
191-6 _Bot Inglis men apon the se Distroyit, etc._ Of such cases,
probably those referred to here, we have precise details in Bain’s
_Calendar_, vol. iii. On September 7, 1326, an inquiry is ordered by
Edward II. into the case of certain Scottish merchants who, on their
way to Flanders, took refuge in an English ship from fear of pirates,
and were brought to Scarborough, where they were all arrested by the
Sheriff of York and the magistrates of Scarborough, and put in prison
(No. 887). On September 28 three justices are commissioned to inquire
into the seizure of a Flemish vessel at Whitby, when nine Scottish
merchants, sixteen Scottish pilgrims, and thirteen women were murdered
(lines 195, 234), and the cargo and goods to the value of £2,000
carried off (line 196); the vessel being cast adrift, and afterwards
captured by others, when the rest of the cargo was appropriated.
Apparently this inquiry was fruitless, for another is ordered at
Yarmouth on October 15 (No. 889). Then, on October 12, there was the
case of a Scottish clerk arrested on the high seas, brought with his
two servants and goods to Scarborough, and imprisoned by the Sheriff of
York, to be discharged later by the King’s order (No. 889). And Adam
Rolok and other Scots had been taken from a ship touching at Brunham
and lodged in Norwich prison, from which they were not released till
September 24, 1328 (No. 965). Neglecting Barbour’s full explanation,
confirmed as it is by Bain’s _Calendar_, historians profess to find the
origins of this campaign obscure, or lay all the blame upon the Scots
(Hume Brown, _History_, i., p. 166; Lang, _History_ i. 232; Le Bel,
_Chronique_, ed. 1904, i., p. 37, editorial note).
205 _Walter Steward._ Died April 9, 1326.
230-1 _twa yheir ... and ane half._ Nearly four years after; _cf._ note
on 188.
238 _gaf the trewis up._ Le Bel, the Flemish chronicler, says he
“defied” Edward about Easter because he saw Edward II. deposed, his
Government upset, and that the new King was but a boy; and therefore
hoped to conquer a part of England (_Les Vrayes Chroniques_, i., p. 34,
edit. 1863; _Froissart_, trans. Johnes, i. 15).
241 _Donald Erll of Mar._ _Cf._ note on _Bk._ XIII. 687. He had been
brought up at the Court of Edward II., and had served for him against
the Scots, but, on his deposition, returned to his native land. The
Scots readily received him and restored him to his earldom (_Gesta
Edw. Tertii_, p. 96; _Bain_, iii. 744; _Scala._, p. 151). He hoped
to get Scottish aid in restoring Edward II. (_Chron. de Lanercost_,
p. 259). The leaders of this expedition are given as in Barbour in
_Scalacronica_, _Chron. de Lanercost_, and _Gesta Edwardi Tertii_,
with the exception of the Steward, who is not mentioned. Le Bel, who
was present with the troops of John of Hainault, names only Moray and
Douglas, whom he erroneously styles William, here as elsewhere (i., p.
48).
248 _In England._ June 15; and a second raid to Weardale in August
(_Fordun._ _Skene_, i. 351-2). Before July 20 (_Lanercost_, p. 259).
By the West March, says Hailes, citing Froissart (_i.e._, le Bel), but
this is certainly not clear. No one seems to have known how they came:
“They had passed the river (? Tyne, Eden) so quietly that neither they
of Carlisle nor they of Newcastle knew anything of it” (_Le Bel_, i.,
p. 46, edit. 1863).
250 _ten thousand._ Le Bel says there were three thousand men-at-arms,
knights, and squires, and about twenty thousand variously armed upon
little hackneys (p. 48). These numbers are clearly in excess. It is
from Jehan le Bel in this connection that Froissart has taken his
famous and familiar description of a Scots Border raid (_Johnes_, ch.
xvii.).
254 _Wardill._ Weardale, in Durham (_Fordun_, _Gesta Annalia_, cxl.).
256 _The King wes ded._ Edward II. was in ward since January 7, but did
not die till September 21.