reconciled with difficulty. Edward II. followed his father's NOTE 3 L. example in this particular, and with no better success. They -Stirling's towers, could not be brought to exert themselves in the cause of their Beleagier'd by King Robert's powers ; conquerors. But they had an indifferent reward for their for bearance. Without arms, and clad only in scanty dresses of And they took term of truce.-P. 450. linen cloth, they appeared naked in the eyes eren of the ScotWhen a long train of success, actively improved by Robert tish peasantry; and after the rout of Bannockburn, were Bruce, had made him master of almost all Scotland, Stirling massacred by them in great numbers, as they retired in conCastle continued to hold out. The care of the blockade was fusion towards their own country. They were under comcommitted by the king to his brother Edward, who concluded mand of Sir Maurice de Berkeley. a treaty with Sir Philip Mowbray, the governor, that he should surrender the fortress, if it were not succoured by the King of England before St. John the Baptist's day. The King severely blamed his brother for the impolicy of a treaty, which gave time to the King of England to advance to the relief of the castle with all his assembled forces, and obliged himself Note 3 0. either to meet them in battle with an inferior force, or to retreat with dishonour. “Let all England come," answered And Connoght pour'd from vaste and wood the reckless Edward ; “we will fight them were they more.” Her hundred tribes, vrhose sceptre rude The consequence was, of course, that each kingdom mustered Dark Eth O'Connor suay'd.-P. 450. its strength for the expected battle; and as the space agreed upon reached from Lent to Midsummer, full time was allowed There is in the Fadera an invitation to Eth O'Connor, chief for that purpose. of the Irish of Connaught, setting forth that the king was about to move against his Scottish rebels, and therefore requesting the attendance of all the force he could muster, either commanded by himself in person, or by some nobleman of his race. These auxiliaries were to be commanded by Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster. Similar mandates were Note 3 M. issued to the following Irish chiefs, whose names may asto nish the unlearned, and amuse the antiquary. “Eth O Donnuld, Duci Hibernicorum de Tyconil ; Demod o Kahan, Duci Hibernicorum de Fernetrew; There is printed in Rymer's Fædera the summons issued Doneral 0 Neel, Duci Hibernicorum de Tryowyn; upon this occasion to the sheriff of York; and he mentions Neel Macbreen, Duci Hibernicorum de Kynallewan; eighteen other persons to whom similar ordinances were Eth. Offyn, Duci Hibernicorum de Turtery; issued. It seems to respect the infantry alone, for it is en Admely Mac Anegus, Duci Hibernicorum de Onehagl; titled, De peditibus ad recussum Castri de Stryvelin a Scotis Neel 0 Hanlan, Duci Hibernicorum de Erthere; obsessi, properare faciendis. This circumstance is also clear Bien Mac Mahun, Duci Hibernicorum de Uriel ; from the reasoning of the writ, which states : “ We have Lauercagh Mac Wyr, Duci Hibernicorum de Lougherin; understood that our Scottish enemies and rebels are endea Gillys ( Railly, Duci Hibernicorum de Bresfeny: vouring to collect as strong a force as possible of infantry, in Geffrey 0 Fergy, Duci Hibernicorum de Montirag wil; strong and marshy grounds, where the approach of cavalry Felyn 0 Honughur, Duci Hibernicorum de Connach; would be difficult, between us and the castle of Stirling." Donethuth 0 Bien, Duci Hibernicorum de Tothmund; It then sets forth Mowbray's agreement to surrender the cas Dermod Mac Arthy, Duci Hibernicorum de Dessemound; tle, if not relieved before St. John the Baptist's day, and the Denenol Carbragh ; king's determination, with divine grace, to raise the siege. Maur. Kenenagh Mac Murgh; * Therefore," the summons further bears, “ to remove our Murghugh ( Bryn; said enemies and rebels from such places as above mentioned, David 0 Tothvill; it is necessary for us to have a strong force of infantry fit for Dermod O Tonoghur, Doffaly; arms." And accordingly the sheriff of York is commanded Fyn 0 Dymsy; to equip and send forth a body of four thousand infantry, to Souethuth Mac Gillephatrick ; to be assembled at Werk, upon the tenth day of June first, Lyssagh O Morth; under pain of the royal displeasure, &c. Gilbertus Ekelly, Duci Hibernicorum de Omany; RYMER'S Fædera, vol. iii., pp. 476, 477. NOTE 3 N. And Cambria, but of late subdued, NOTE 3 P. Their chief, Fit:- Louis.-P. 452. his Scottish wars, for which their habits, as mountaincers, particularly fitted them. But this policy was not without its Fitz-Louis, or Mac-Louis, otherwise called Fullarton, is a risks. Previous to the battle of Falkirk, the Welsh quarrel family of ancient descent in the Isle of Arran. They are led with the English men-at-arms, and after bloodshed on said to be of French origin, as the name intimates. They atboth parts, separated themselves from his army, and the feud tached themselves to Bruce upon his first landing; and Fer. between them, at so dangerous and critical a juncture, was gus Mac-Louis, or Fullarton, received from the grateful mo : darch a charter, dated 26th November, in the second year of The only objection to the hypothesis above laid down, is, that his reign (1307), for the lands of Kilmichel, and others, which the left flank of Bruce's army was thereby exposed to a sally still remain in this very ancient and respectable family. from the garrison of Stirling. But, Ist, the garrison were bound to neutrality by terms of Mowbray's treaty; and Barbour even seems to censure, as a breach of faith, some secret assistance which they rendered their countrymen upon the eve of battle, in placing temporary bridges of doors and spars over the pools of water in the carse, to enable them to ad vance to the charge.' 2dly, Had this not been the case, the NOTE 3 Q. strength of the garrison was probably not sufficient to excite apprehension. 3aly, The adverse hypothesis leaves the rear In battles four beneath their eye, of the Scottish army as much exposed to the Stirling garrison, The forces of King Robert lie.-P. 452. as the left flank would be in the case supposed. It only remains to notice the nature of the ground in front The arrangements adopted by King Robert for the decisive of Bruce's line of battle. Being part of a park, or chase, it battle of Bannockburn, are given very distinctly by Barbour, was considerably interrupted with trees; and an extensive and form an edifying lesson to tacticians. Yet, till com- marsh, still visible, in some places rendered it inaccessible, mented upon by Lord Hailes, this important passage of history and in all of difficult approach. More to the north ward, has been generally and strangely misunderstood by historians. where the natural impediments were fewer, Bruce fortified I will here endeavour to detail it fully. his position against cavalry, by digging a number of pits so Two days before the battle, Bruce selected the field of ac close together, says Barbour, as to resemble the cells in a tion, and took post there with his army, consisting of about honey-comb. They were a foot in breadth, and between two 30,000 disciplined men, and about half the number of dis- and three feet deep, many rows of them being placed one beorderly attendants upon the camp. The ground was called hind the other. They were slightly covered with brush wood and the New Park of Stirling ; it was partly open, and partly green sods, so as not to be obvious to an impetuous enemy. broken by copseg of wood and marshy ground. He divided All the Scottish army were on foot, excepting a select body his regular forces into four divisions. Three of these occupied of cavalry stationed with Edward Bruce on the right wing, a front line, separated from each other, yet sufficiently near under the immediate command of Sir Robert Keith, the Mar. for the purpose of communication. The fourth division formed shal of Scotland, who were destined for the important sera reserve. The line extended in a north-easterly direction vice of charging and dispersing the English archers. from the brook of Bannock, which was so rugged and broken Thus judiciously posted, in a situation fortified both by art as to cover the right flank effectually, to the village of Saint and nature, Bruce awaited the attack of the English. Ninians, probably in the line of the present road from Stirling to Kilsyth. Edward Bruce commanded the right wing, which was strengthened by a strong body of cavalry under Keith, the Mareschal of Scotland, to whom was committed the important charge of attacking the English archers; Douglas, and the young Steward of Scotland, led the central wing; and NOTE 3 R. Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, the left wing. The King himself commanded the fourth division, which lay in reserve Beyond, the Southern host appears.-P. 452. behind the others. The royal standard was pitched, according to tradition, in a stone, having a round hole for its recep Upon the 230 June, 1314, the alarm reached the Scottish tion, and thence called the Bore-stone. It is still shown on army of the approach of the enemy. Douglas and the Marthe top of a small eminence, called Brock’s-brae, to the shal were sent to reconnoitre with a body of cavalry: south-west of Saint Ninians. His main body thus disposed, King Robert sent the followers of the camp, fifteen thousand “ And soon the great host have they seen, and upwards in number, to the eminence in rear of his Where shields shining were so sheen, army, called from that circumstance the Gillies' (i. e. the ser And basinets burnished bright, vants') Hill. That gave against the sun great light. The military advantages of this position were obvious, The They saw so fele 2 brawdyne 3 baners, Scottish left flank, protected by the brook of Bannock, could Standards and pennons and spears, not be turned; or, if that attempt were made, a movement And so fele knights upon steeds, by the reserve might have covered it. Again, the English All flaming in their weeds, could not pass the Scottish army, and move towards Stirling, And so fele bataills, and so broad, without exposing their flank to be attacked while in march. And too so great room as they rode, If, on the other hand, the Scottish line had been drawn up That the maist host, and the stoutest east and west, and facing to the southward, as affirmed by or Christendom, and the greatest, Buchanan, and adopted by Mr. Nimmo, the author of the Should be abaysit for to see History of Stirlingshire, there appears nothing to have pre Their foes into such quantity.". vented the English approaching upon the carse, or level The Bruce, vol. ii. p. 111. ground, from Falkirk, either from turning the Scottish left flank, or from passing their position, if they preferred it, The two Scottish commanders were cautious in the account without coming to an action, and moving on to the relief of which they brought back to their camp. To the king in priStirling. And the Gillies' Hill, if this less probable hypothe- rate they told the formidable state of the enemy; but in sis be adopted, would be situated, not in the rear, as allowed public reported that the English were indeed a numerous by all the historians, but upon the left flank of Bruce's army. host, but ill commanded, and worse disciplined. 1 An assistance which (by the way) could not have been rendered, had not the English approached from the south east; since, had their march been due north, the whole Scot- 3 Displayed. the evening of the 23d of June. Bruce was then riding upon NOTE 3 S. a little palfrey, in front of his foremost line, putting his host in order. It was then that the personal encounter took place With these the valiant of the Isles betwixt him and Sir Henry de Bohun, a gallant Englislı knight, Beneath their chieflains rankd their files.--P. 452. the issue of which had a great effect upon the spirits of both The men of Argyle, the islanders, and the Highlanders in armies. It is thus recorded by BARBOUR :general, were ranked in the rear. They must have been nu “ And quhen Glosyster and Herfurd war merous, for Bruce had reconciled himself with almost all With thair bataill, approchand ner, their chieftains, excepting the obnoxious MacDougals of Lorn. Befor thaim all thar coine rydand, The following deed, containing the submission of the potent With helm on heid, and sper in hand Earl of Ross to the King, was never before published. It is Schyr Henry the Boune, the worthi, dated in the third year of Robert's reign, that is, 1309. That wes a wycht knycht, and a hardy; And to the Erle off Herfurd cusyne · “ OBLIGACIO Comitis RossenSIS PER HOMAGIUM FIDELITA Armyt in armys gud and fyne; Como on a sted, a bow schote ner, Befor all othyr that thar wer: “ Universis christi fidelibus ad quorum noticiam presentes And knew the King, for that he saw litere peruenerint Willielmus Comes de Ross salutem in do Him swa rang his men on raw; mino sempiternam. Quia magnificus princeps Dominus Ro And by the croune, that wes set bertus dei gracia Rex Scottorum Dominus meus ex innata Alsua apon his bassynet. sibi bonitate, inspirataque clemencia, et gracia speciali remisit And towart him he went in hy. michi pure rancorem animi sui, et relaxauit ac condonauit And [quhen) the King sua apertly michi omnimodas transgressiones seu offensas contra ipsum et Saw him cum, forouth all his feris, suos per me et meos vsque ad confeccionem literarum pre In hyo till him the hors he steris. sencium perpetratas : Et terras meas et tenementa mea omnia And quhen Schyr Henry saw the King graciose concessit. Et me nichilominus de terra de Dingwal Cum on, for owtyn abaysing, 3 et ferncrostry infra comitatum de Suthyrland de benigna li Till him he raid in full gret hy beralitate sua heriditarie infeodare carauit. Ego tantam prin He thoucht that he suld weill lychtly cipis beneuolenciam efficaciter attendens, et pro tot graciis Wyn him, and haf him at his will, michi factis, vicem sibi gratitudinis meis pro viribus de cetero Sen he him horsyt saw sa ill. digne vite cupiens exhibere, subicio Sprent - thai samyn in till a ling.5 et obligo me et heredes meos et homines meos vniuersos dicto Schyr Henry myssit the noble King, Domino meo Regi per omnia erga And he, that in his sterapys stud, suam regiam dignitatem, quod crimus de cetero fideles sibi et With the ax that wes hard and gud, heredibus suis et fidele sibi seruicium auxilium et concilium With sa gret mayne 6 racht him a dynt, .. contra omnes homines et feminas qui That nothyr hat, na helm, mycht stynt vivere poterint aut mori, et super h -.- Ego Willielmus pro The hewy 7 dusche 8 that he him gave, me - hominibus meis vniuersis dicto That ner the heid till the harynys clave. domino meo Regi ...- manibus homagium sponte The hand ax schaft fruschit in twa ; feci et super dei ewangelia sacramentum prestiti And he doune to the erd gan ga All flatlynys, i0 for him faillyt mycht. et sigilla Hugonis filii et heredis et Johannis filii mei vna cum This wes the fryst strak off the fycht." sigillis venerabilium patrum Dominorum Dauid et Thome Mo BARBOUR's Bruce, Book viii., v. 684. raviensis et Rossensis dei gracia episcoporum presentibus literis sunt appensa. Acta scripta et data apud Aldern in Mo. The Scottish leaders remonstrated with the King upon his rauia vltimo die mensis Octobris, Anno Regni dicti domini temerity. He only answered," I have broken my good battle nostri Regis Roberti Tertio. Testibus venerabilibus patribus axe.”—The English vanguard retreated after witnessing this supradictis, Domino Bernardo Cancellario Regis, Dominis single combat. Probably their generals did not think it adWillielmo de Haya, Johanne de Striuelyn, Willielmo Wysman, visable to hazard an attack while its unfavourable issue reJohanne de Pfenton, Dauid de Berkeley, et Waltero de Berke- mained upon their minds. ley militibus, magistro Waltero Heroc, Decano ecclesie Moranie, magistro Willielmo de Creswel eiusdem ecclesie precentore et multis aliis nobilibus clericis et laicis dictis die et loco congregatis." The copy of this curious document was supplied by my Note 3 U. friend, Mr. Thomson, Deputy Register of Scotland, whose researches into our ancient records are daily throwing new and what train of dust, with trumpet-sound, important light upon the history of the country. And glimmering spears, is wheeling round Our kftward flank 9–P. 454. body attempted to relieve Stirling. Lord Hailes gives the NOTE 3 T. following account of this manœuvre and the result, which is The Monarch rode along the van.-P. 453. accompanied by circumstances highly characteristic of the chivalrous manners of the age, and displays that generosity The English vanguard, commanded by the Earls of Glou- which reconciles us even to their ferocity upon other occacester and Hereford, came in sight of the Scottish army upon sions. i Comrades.--2 Haste.--3 Without shrinking. - Spurred. - Line. 6 Strength, or force.-7 Heavy. -8 Clash. - Broke.-10 Flat. Bruce had enjoined Randolph, who commanded the left Bannockburn. The late Mr. Ritson, no granter of proposi. wing of his army, to be vigilant in preventing any advanced tions, doubts whether the Scots had any martial music, quotes parties of the English from throwing succours into the castle Froissart's account of each soldier in the host bearing a little of Stirling horn, on which, at the onset, they would make such a horrible "Eight hundred horsemen, commanded by Sir Robert Clif- noise, as if all the devils of hell had been among them. He ford, were detached from the English army; they made a cir- observes, that these horns are the only music mentioned by cuit by the low grounds to the east, and approached the castle. Barbour, and concludes, that it must remain a moot point The King perceived their motions, and, coming up to Ran- whether Bruce's army were cheered by the sound even of a dolph, angrily exclaimed, “ Thoughtless man! you have suf- solitary bagpipe.- Historical Essay prefixed to Ritson's Scottish fered the enemy to pass.' Randolph hasted to repair his Songs.--It may be observed in passing, that the Scottish of fault, or perish. As he advanced, the English cavalry wheeled this period certainly observed some musical cadence, even in to attack him. Randolph drew up his troops in a circular winding their horns, since Bruce was at once recognized by form, with their spears resting on the ground, and protended his followers from his mode of blowing. See Note 2 T. on on every side. At the first onset, Sir William Daynecourt, an canto iv. But the tradition, true or false, has been the means English commander of distinguished noto, was slain. The of securing to Scotland one of the finest lyrics in the language, enemy, far superior in numbers to Randolph, environed him, the celebrated war-song of Burns,—“Scots, wha hae wi' Waland pressed hard on his little band. Douglas saw his jeopar- lace bled." dy, and requested the King's permission to go and succour him. You shall not move from your ground,' cried the King; ‘let Randolph extricate himself as he best may. I will not alter my order of battle, and lose the advantage of my position.'—' In truth,' replied Douglas, 'I cannot stand NOTE 3 W. by and see Randolph perish ; and, therefore, with your leave, I must aid him.' The King unwillingly consented, and Dou Now onward, and in open vicu, glas flew to the assistance of his friend. While approaching, The countless ranks of Englanul drew.--P. 455. he perceived that the English were falling into disorder, and that the perseverance of Randolph lrad prevailed over their Upon the 24th of June, the English army advanced to the impetuous courage. 'Halt,' cried Douglas, 'those brave men attack. The narrowness of the Scottish front, and the nature have repulsed the enemy; let us not diminish their glory by of the ground, did not permit them to have the full advantage sharing it.'"-DALRYMPle's Annals of Scotland, 4to, Edin of their numbers, nor is it very easy to find out what was their burgh, 1779, pp. 44, 45. proposed order of battle. The vanguard, however, appeared Two large stones erected at the north end of the village of a distinct body, consisting of archers and spearmen on foot, Newhouse, about a quarter of a mile from the south part of and commanded, as already said, by the Earls of Gloucester Stirling, ascertain the place of this memorable skirmish. The and Hereford. Barbour, in one place, mentions that they circumstance tends, were confirmation necessary, to support formed nine BATTLES or divisions ; but from the following pasthe opinion of Lord Hailes, that the Scottish line had Stirling sage, it appears that there was no room or space for them to on its left flank. It will be remembered, that Randolph com- extend themselves, so that, except the vanguard, the whole manded infantry, Daynecourt cavalry. Supposing, therefore, army appeared to form one solid and compact body :according to the vulgar hypothesis, that the Scottish line was drawn up, facing to the south, in the line of the brook of Ban “ The English men, on either party, Dock, and consequently that Randolph was stationed with That as angels shone brightly, his left flank resting upon Milntown bog, it is morally impos Were not array'd on such manner: sible that his infantry, moving from that position, with what For all their battles samyn 2 were ever celerity, could cut off from Stirling a body of cavalry who In a schiltrum.3 But whether it was had already passed St. Ninians, ' or, in other words, were al Through the great straitness of the place ready between them and the town. Whereas, supposing Ran That they were in, to bide fighting; dolph's left to have approached St. Ninians, the short move Or that it was for abaysing;* ment to Newhouse could easily be executed, so as to intercept I wete not. But in a schiltrum the English in the manner described. It seemed they were all and some; Who had been by, might have seen there That folk ourtake a mekill feild On breadth, where many a shining shield, And many a burnished bright armour, And many a man of great valour, Might in that great schiltrum be seen. There is an old tradition, that the well-known Scottish tune And many a bright banner and sheen." of “ Hey, tutti taitti," was Bruce's march at the battle of BARBOUR's Bruce, vol. ii. p. 137. 1 Barbour says expressly, they avoided the New Park (where was undoubtedly of a circular form, in order to resist the atBruce's army lay,) and held “well neath the Kirk," which can tacks of the English cavalry, on whatever quarter they might only mean St. Ninians. be charged. But it does not appear how, or why, the English, 2 Together. advancing to the attack at Bannockburn, should have arrayed 3 Schiltrum. - This word has been variously limited or ex- themselves in a circular form. It seems more probable, that, tended in its signification. In general, it seems to imply a by Schiltrum in the present case, Barbour means to express arge body of men drawn up very closely together. But it has an irregular mass into which the English army was compressed been limited to imply a round or circular body of men so by the unwieldiness of its numbers, and the carelessness or drawn up. I cannot understand it with this limitation in the ignorance of its leaders. present case. The schiltrum of the Scottish army at Falkirk 4 Frightening 5 Alone. That assemblyt schot to ma. 10 Quhen Scottis archeris saw that thai sna War rebutyt, 11 thai woux hardy, And with all thair mycht schot egrely Amang the horss men, that thar raid ; And woundis wid to thaim thai maid ; "Maurice, abbot of Inchaffray, placing himself on an eml And slew of thaim a full gret dele." nence, celebrated mass in sight of the Scottish army. Ho BARBOUR's Bruce, Book ix., v. 228. then passed along the front bare-footed, and bearing a crucifix in his hands, and exhorting the Scots, in few and forcible Although the success of this manæuvre was evident, it to words, to combat for their rights and their liberty. The Scots kneeled down. "They yield,' cried Edward ; 'see, they im- very remarkable that the Scottish generals do not appear to plore mercy.'—'They do,' answered Ingelram de Umfraville, have profited by the lesson. Almost every subsequent battle - but not ours. On that field thoy will be victorious, or die."" which they lost against England, was decided by the archers, - Annals of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 47. to whom the close and compact array of the Scottish phalanx afforded an exposed and unresisting mark. The bloody battle of Halidoun-bill, fought scarce twenty years afterwards, was so completely gained by the archers, that the English are said to have lost only one knight, one esquire, and a few foot-sol. diers. At the battle of Neville's Cross, in 1346, where David II. was defeated and made prisoner, John de Graham, obser ving the loss which the Scots sustained from the English bowNote 3 Y. men, offered to charge and disperse them, if a hundred mene at-arms were put under his command. “ But, to confess the Forth, Marshal, on the peasant fue ! truth," says Fordun, “ he could not procure a single horseman We'll tame the terrors of their bow, for the service proposed.” Of such little use is experience in And cut the bow-string loose ! - P. 456. war, where its results are opposed by habit or prejudice. Note 3 Z. The English archers commenced the attack with their usual bravery and dexterity. But against a force, whose importance he had learned by fatal experience, Bruce was provided. A small but select body of cavalry were detached from the right, under command of Sir Robert Keith. They rounded, as I conceive, the marsh called Milntown bog, and, keeping the firm ground, charged the left flank and rear of the English archers. As the bowmen had no spears nor long weapons fit to defend themselves against horse, they were instantly thrown into disorder, and spread through the whole English army a confusion from which they never fairly recovered. Each braggart churl could boast before, Roger Ascham quotes a similar Scottish proverb, “whereby they give the whole praise of shooting honestly to Englishmen, saying thus, 'that every English archer beareth under his girdle twenty-four Scottes.' Indeed Toxophilus says before, and truly of the Scottish nation, “ The Scottes surely be good mea of warre in theyre owne feates as can be ; but as for shootinge, they can neither use it to any profite, nor yet challenge it for any praise.'"-Works of Ascham, edited by Bennet, 4to, p. 110. It is said, I trust incorrectly, by an ancient English historian, that the “good Lord James of Douglas" dreaded the superiority of the English archers so much, that when he made any of them prisoner, he gave him the option of losing the forefinger of his right hand, or his right eye, either species of mutilation rendering him incapable to use the bow. I have mislaid the reference to this singular passage. “ The Inglis archeris schot sa fast, That mycht thair schot haft ony last, NOTE 4 A. rid; Doun! down! in headlong overthrou, It is generally alleged by historians, that the English metat-arms fell into the hidden snare which Bruce had prepared for them. Barbour does not mention the circumstance. According to his account, Randolph, seeing the slaughter made by the cavalry on the right wing among the archers, advanced courageously against the main body of the English, and en I Know._o Disjoined from the main body.-I Spur.- That I speak of.-5 Set upon their flank. 6 Numbers.--7 Ransom. - Dispersed._I Every one. 10 Make.Il Driven back. |
