LLEWELLYNwasthePrinceofWales.HehadbeenonthesideoftheBaronsinthereignofthestupidoldKing,buthadafterwardsswornallegiancetohim.WhenKingEdwardcametothethrone,Llewellynwasrequiredtoswearallegiancetohimalso;whichherefusedtodo.TheKing,beingcrownedandinhisowndominions,threetimesmorerequiredLlewellyntocomeanddohomage;andthreetimesmoreLlewellynsaidhewouldrathernot.HewasgoingtobemarriedtoELEANORDEMONTFORT,ayoungladyofthefamilymentionedinthelastreign;anditchancedthatthisyounglady,comingfromFrancewithheryoungestbrother,EMERIC,wastakenbyanEnglishship,andwasorderedbytheEnglishKingtobedetained.Uponthis,thequarrelcametoahead.TheKingwent,withhisfleet,tothecoastofWales,where,soencompassingLlewellyn,thathecouldonlytakerefugeinthebleakmountainregionofSnowdoninwhichnoprovisionscouldreachhim,hewassoonstarvedintoanapology,andintoatreatyofpeace,andintopayingtheexpensesofthewar.TheKing,however,forgavehimsomeofthehardestconditionsofthetreaty,andconsentedtohismarriage.AndhenowthoughthehadreducedWalestoobedience.
　　ButtheWelsh,althoughtheywerenaturallyagentle,quiet,pleasantpeople,wholikedtoreceivestrangersintheircottagesamongthemountains,andtosetbeforethemwithfreehospitalitywhatevertheyhadtoeatanddrink,andtoplaytothemontheirharps,andsingtheirnativeballadstothem,wereapeopleofgreatspiritwhentheirbloodwasup.Englishmen,afterthisaffair,begantobeinsolentinWales,andtoassumetheairofmasters;andtheWelshpridecouldnotbearit.Moreover,theybelievedinthatunluckyoldMerlin,someofwhoseunluckyoldpropheciessomebodyalwaysseemeddoomedtorememberwhentherewasachanceofitsdoingharm;andjustatthistimesomeblindoldgentlemanwithaharpandalongwhitebeard,whowasanexcellentperson,buthadbecomeofanunknownageandtedious,burstoutwithadeclarationthatMerlinhadpredictedthatwhenEnglishmoneyhadbecomeround,aPrinceofWaleswouldbecrownedinLondon.Now,KingEdwardhadrecentlyforbiddentheEnglishpennytobecutintohalvesandquartersforhalfpenceandfarthings,andhadactuallyintroducedaroundcoin;therefore,theWelshpeoplesaidthiswasthetimeMerlinmeant,androseaccordingly.
　　KingEdwardhadboughtoverPRINCEDAVID,Llewellyn'sbrother,byheapingfavoursuponhim;buthewasthefirsttorevolt,beingperhapstroubledinhisconscience.Onestormynight,hesurprisedtheCastleofHawarden,inpossessionofwhichanEnglishnoblemanhadbeenleft;killedthewholegarrison,andcarriedoffthenoblemanaprisonertoSnowdon.Uponthis,theWelshpeopleroselikeoneman.KingEdward,withhisarmy,marchingfromWorcestertotheMenaiStrait,crossedit-neartowherethewonderfultubularironbridgenow,indayssodifferent,makesapassageforrailwaytrains-byabridgeofboatsthatenabledfortymentomarchabreast.HesubduedtheIslandofAnglesea,andsenthismenforwardtoobservetheenemy.ThesuddenappearanceoftheWelshcreatedapanicamongthem,andtheyfellbacktothebridge.Thetidehadinthemeantimerisenandseparatedtheboats;theWelshpursuingthem,theyweredrivenintothesea,andtheretheysunk,intheirheavyironarmour,bythousands.AfterthisvictoryLlewellyn,helpedbytheseverewinter-weatherofWales,gainedanotherbattle;buttheKingorderingaportionofhisEnglisharmytoadvancethroughSouthWales,andcatchhimbetweentwofoes,andLlewellynbravelyturningtomeetthisnewenemy,hewassurprisedandkilled-verymeanly,forhewasunarmedanddefenceless.HisheadwasstruckoffandsenttoLondon,whereitwasfixedupontheTower,encircledwithawreath,somesayofivy,somesayofwillow,somesayofsilver,tomakeitlooklikeaghastlycoininridiculeoftheprediction.
　　David,however,stillheldoutforsixmonths,thougheagerlysoughtafterbytheKing,andhuntedbyhisowncountrymen.Oneofthemfinallybetrayedhimwithhiswifeandchildren.Hewassentencedtobehanged,drawn,andquartered;andfromthattimethisbecametheestablishedpunishmentofTraitorsinEngland-apunishmentwhollywithoutexcuse,asbeingrevolting,vile,andcruel,afteritsobjectisdead;andwhichhasnosenseinit,asitsonlyrealdegradationandthatnothingcanblotoutistothecountrythatpermitsonanyconsiderationsuchabominablebarbarity.
　　Waleswasnowsubdued.TheQueengivingbirthtoayoungprinceintheCastleofCarnarvon,theKingshowedhimtotheWelshpeopleastheircountryman,andcalledhimPrinceofWales;atitlethathaseversincebeenbornebytheheir-apparenttotheEnglishthrone-
　　whichthatlittlePrincesoonbecame,bythedeathofhiselderbrother.TheKingdidbetterthingsfortheWelshthanthat,byimprovingtheirlawsandencouragingtheirtrade.Disturbancesstilltookplace,chieflyoccasionedbytheavariceandprideoftheEnglishLords,onwhomWelshlandsandcastleshadbeenbestowed;buttheyweresubdued,andthecountryneverroseagain.
　　Thereisalegendthattopreventthepeoplefrombeingincitedtorebellionbythesongsoftheirbardsandharpers,Edwardhadthemallputtodeath.SomeofthemmayhavefallenamongothermenwhoheldoutagainsttheKing;butthisgeneralslaughteris,Ithink,afancyoftheharpersthemselves,who,Idaresay,madeasongaboutitmanyyearsafterwards,andsangitbytheWelshfiresidesuntilitcametobebelieved.
　　TheforeignwarofthereignofEdwardtheFirstaroseinthisway.
　　Thecrewsoftwovessels,oneaNormanship,andtheotheranEnglishship,happenedtogotothesameplaceintheirboatstofilltheircaskswithfreshwater.Beingroughangryfellows,theybegantoquarrel,andthentofight-theEnglishwiththeirfists;
　　theNormanswiththeirknives-and,inthefight,aNormanwaskilled.TheNormancrew,insteadofrevengingthemselvesuponthoseEnglishsailorswithwhomtheyhadquarrelledwhoweretoostrongforthem,Isuspect,tooktotheirshipagaininagreatrage,attackedthefirstEnglishshiptheymet,laidholdofanunoffendingmerchantwhohappenedtobeonboard,andbrutallyhangedhimintheriggingoftheirownvesselwithadogathisfeet.ThissoenragedtheEnglishsailorsthattherewasnorestrainingthem;andwhenever,andwherever,EnglishsailorsmetNormansailors,theyfelluponeachothertoothandnail.TheIrishandDutchsailorstookpartwiththeEnglish;theFrenchandGenoesesailorshelpedtheNormans;andthusthegreaterpartofthemarinerssailingovertheseabecame,intheirway,asviolentandragingastheseaitselfwhenitisdisturbed.
　　KingEdward'sfamehadbeensohighabroadthathehadbeenchosentodecideadifferencebetweenFranceandanotherforeignpower,andhadlivedupontheContinentthreeyears.Atfirst,neitherhenortheFrenchKingPHILIPthegoodLouishadbeendeadsometime
　　interferedinthesequarrels;butwhenafleetofeightyEnglishshipsengagedandutterlydefeatedaNormanfleetoftwohundred,inapitchedbattlefoughtroundashipatanchor,inwhichnoquarterwasgiven,thematterbecametooserioustobepassedover.
　　KingEdward,asDukeofGuienne,wassummonedtopresenthimselfbeforetheKingofFrance,atParis,andanswerforthedamagedonebyhissailorsubjects.Atfirst,hesenttheBishopofLondonashisrepresentative,andthenhisbrotherEDMUND,whowasmarriedtotheFrenchQueen'smother.IamafraidEdmundwasaneasyman,andallowedhimselftobetalkedoverbyhischarmingrelations,theFrenchcourtladies;atallevents,hewasinducedtogiveuphisbrother'sdukedomforfortydays-asamereform,theFrenchKingsaid,tosatisfyhishonour-andhewassoverymuchastonished,whenthetimewasout,tofindthattheFrenchKinghadnoideaofgivingitupagain,thatIshouldnotwonderifithastenedhisdeath:whichsoontookplace.
　　KingEdwardwasaKingtowinhisforeigndukedombackagain,ifitcouldbewonbyenergyandvalour.Heraisedalargearmy,renouncedhisallegianceasDukeofGuienne,andcrossedtheseatocarrywarintoFrance.Beforeanyimportantbattlewasfought,however,atrucewasagreeduponfortwoyears;andinthecourseofthattime,thePopeeffectedareconciliation.KingEdward,whowasnowawidower,havinglosthisaffectionateandgoodwife,Eleanor,marriedtheFrenchKing'ssister,MARGARET;andthePrinceofWaleswascontractedtotheFrenchKing'sdaughterISABELLA.
　　Outofbadthings,goodthingssometimesarise.Outofthishangingoftheinnocentmerchant,andthebloodshedandstrifeitcaused,therecametobeestablishedoneofthegreatestpowersthattheEnglishpeoplenowpossess.Thepreparationsforthewarbeingveryexpensive,andKingEdwardgreatlywantingmoney,andbeingveryarbitraryinhiswaysofraisingit,someoftheBaronsbeganfirmlytoopposehim.Twoofthem,inparticular,HUMPHREY
　　BOHUN,EarlofHereford,andROGERBIGOD,EarlofNorfolk,weresostoutagainsthim,thattheymaintainedhehadnorighttocommandthemtoheadhisforcesinGuienne,andflatlyrefusedtogothere.
　　'ByHeaven,SirEarl,'saidtheKingtotheEarlofHereford,inagreatpassion,'youshalleithergoorbehanged!''ByHeaven,SirKing,'repliedtheEarl,'IwillneithergonoryetwillIbehanged!'andbothheandtheotherEarlsturdilyleftthecourt,attendedbymanyLords.TheKingtriedeverymeansofraisingmoney.Hetaxedtheclergy,inspiteofallthePopesaidtothecontrary;andwhentheyrefusedtopay,reducedthemtosubmission,bysayingVerywell,thentheyhadnoclaimuponthegovernmentforprotection,andanymanmightplunderthemwhowould-whichagoodmanymenwereveryreadytodo,andveryreadilydid,andwhichtheclergyfoundtoolosingagametobeplayedatlong.Heseizedallthewoolandleatherinthehandsofthemerchants,promisingtopayforitsomefineday;andhesetataxupontheexportationofwool,whichwassounpopularamongthetradersthatitwascalled'Theeviltoll.'Butallwouldnotdo.TheBarons,ledbythosetwogreatEarls,declaredanytaxesimposedwithouttheconsentofParliament,unlawful;andtheParliamentrefusedtoimposetaxes,untiltheKingshouldconfirmafreshthetwoGreatCharters,andshouldsolemnlydeclareinwriting,thattherewasnopowerinthecountrytoraisemoneyfromthepeople,evermore,butthepowerofParliamentrepresentingallranksofthepeople.TheKingwasveryunwillingtodiminishhisownpowerbyallowingthisgreatprivilegeintheParliament;buttherewasnohelpforit,andheatlastcomplied.WeshallcometoanotherKingby-and-by,whomighthavesavedhisheadfromrollingoff,ifhehadprofitedbythisexample.
　　ThepeoplegainedotherbenefitsinParliamentfromthegoodsenseandwisdomofthisKing.Manyofthelawsweremuchimproved;
　　provisionwasmadeforthegreatersafetyoftravellers,andtheapprehensionofthievesandmurderers;thepriestswerepreventedfromholdingtoomuchland,andsobecomingtoopowerful;andJusticesofthePeacewerefirstappointedthoughnotatfirstunderthatnameinvariouspartsofthecountry.
　　AndnowwecometoScotland,whichwasthegreatandlastingtroubleofthereignofKingEdwardtheFirst.
　　AboutthirteenyearsafterKingEdward'scoronation,AlexandertheThird,theKingofScotland,diedofafallfromhishorse.HehadbeenmarriedtoMargaret,KingEdward'ssister.Alltheirchildrenbeingdead,theScottishcrownbecametherightofayoungPrincessonlyeightyearsold,thedaughterofERIC,KingofNorway,whohadmarriedadaughterofthedeceasedsovereign.KingEdwardproposed,thattheMaidenofNorway,asthisPrincesswascalled,shouldbeengagedtobemarriedtohiseldestson;but,unfortunately,asshewascomingovertoEnglandshefellsick,andlandingononeoftheOrkneyIslands,diedthere.AgreatcommotionimmediatelybeganinScotland,whereasmanyasthirteennoisyclaimantstothevacantthronestartedupandmadeageneralconfusion.
　　KingEdwardbeingmuchrenownedforhissagacityandjustice,itseemstohavebeenagreedtoreferthedisputetohim.Heacceptedthetrust,andwent,withanarmy,totheBorder-landwhereEnglandandScotlandjoined.There,hecalledupontheScottishgentlementomeethimattheCastleofNorham,ontheEnglishsideoftheriverTweed;andtothatCastletheycame.But,beforehewouldtakeanystepinthebusiness,herequiredthoseScottishgentlemen,oneandall,todohomagetohimastheirsuperiorLord;
　　andwhentheyhesitated,hesaid,'ByholyEdward,whosecrownI
　　wear,Iwillhavemyrights,orIwilldieinmaintainingthem!'
　　TheScottishgentlemen,whohadnotexpectedthis,weredisconcerted,andaskedforthreeweekstothinkaboutit.
　　Attheendofthethreeweeks,anothermeetingtookplace,onagreenplainontheScottishsideoftheriver.OfallthecompetitorsfortheScottishthrone,therewereonlytwowhohadanyrealclaim,inrightoftheirnearkindredtotheRoyalFamily.
　　ThesewereJOHNBALIOLandROBERTBRUCE:andtherightwas,Ihavenodoubt,onthesideofJohnBaliol.AtthisparticularmeetingJohnBaliolwasnotpresent,butRobertBrucewas;andonRobertBrucebeingformallyaskedwhetherheacknowledgedtheKingofEnglandforhissuperiorlord,heanswered,plainlyanddistinctly,Yes,hedid.Nextday,JohnBaliolappeared,andsaidthesame.
　　Thispointsettled,somearrangementsweremadeforinquiringintotheirtitles.
　　Theinquiryoccupiedaprettylongtime-morethanayear.Whileitwasgoingon,KingEdwardtooktheopportunityofmakingajourneythroughScotland,andcallingupontheScottishpeopleofalldegreestoacknowledgethemselveshisvassals,orbeimprisoneduntiltheydid.Inthemeanwhile,Commissionerswereappointedtoconducttheinquiry,aParliamentwasheldatBerwickaboutit,thetwoclaimantswereheardatfulllength,andtherewasavastamountoftalking.Atlast,inthegreathalloftheCastleofBerwick,theKinggavejudgmentinfavourofJohnBaliol:who,consentingtoreceivehiscrownbytheKingofEngland'sfavourandpermission,wascrownedatScone,inanoldstonechairwhichhadbeenusedforagesintheabbeythere,atthecoronationsofScottishKings.Then,KingEdwardcausedthegreatsealofScotland,usedsincethelateKing'sdeath,tobebrokeninfourpieces,andplacedintheEnglishTreasury;andconsideredthathenowhadScotlandaccordingtothecommonsayingunderhisthumb.
　　Scotlandhadastrongwillofitsownyet,however.KingEdward,determinedthattheScottishKingshouldnotforgethewashisvassal,summonedhimrepeatedlytocomeanddefendhimselfandhisjudgesbeforetheEnglishParliamentwhenappealsfromthedecisionsofScottishcourtsofjusticewerebeingheard.Atlength,JohnBaliol,whohadnogreatheartofhisown,hadsomuchheartputintohimbythebravespiritoftheScottishpeople,whotookthisasanationalinsult,thatherefusedtocomeanymore.
　　Thereupon,theKingfurtherrequiredhimtohelphiminhiswarabroadwhichwastheninprogress,andtogiveup,assecurityforhisgoodbehaviourinfuture,thethreestrongScottishCastlesofJedburgh,Roxburgh,andBerwick.Nothingofthisbeingdone;onthecontrary,theScottishpeopleconcealingtheirKingamongtheirmountainsintheHighlandsandshowingadeterminationtoresist;
　　EdwardmarchedtoBerwickwithanarmyofthirtythousandfoot,andfourthousandhorse;tooktheCastle,andslewitswholegarrison,andtheinhabitantsofthetownaswell-men,women,andchildren.
　　LORDWARRENNE,EarlofSurrey,thenwentontotheCastleofDunbar,beforewhichabattlewasfought,andthewholeScottisharmydefeatedwithgreatslaughter.Thevictorybeingcomplete,theEarlofSurreywasleftasguardianofScotland;theprincipalofficesinthatkingdomweregiventoEnglishmen;themorepowerfulScottishNobleswereobligedtocomeandliveinEngland;theScottishcrownandsceptrewerebroughtaway;andeventheoldstonechairwascarriedoffandplacedinWestminsterAbbey,whereyoumayseeitnow.BaliolhadtheTowerofLondonlenthimforaresidence,withpermissiontorangeaboutwithinacircleoftwentymiles.ThreeyearsafterwardshewasallowedtogotoNormandy,wherehehadestates,andwherehepassedtheremainingsixyearsofhislife:farmorehappily,Idaresay,thanhehadlivedforalongwhileinangryScotland.
　　Now,therewas,intheWestofScotland,agentlemanofsmallfortune,namedWILLIAMWALLACE,thesecondsonofaScottishknight.Hewasamanofgreatsizeandgreatstrength;hewasverybraveanddaring;whenhespoketoabodyofhiscountrymen,hecouldrousetheminawonderfulmannerbythepowerofhisburningwords;helovedScotlanddearly,andhehatedEnglandwithhisutmostmight.ThedomineeringconductoftheEnglishwhonowheldtheplacesoftrustinScotlandmadethemasintolerabletotheproudScottishpeopleastheyhadbeen,undersimilarcircumstances,totheWelsh;andnomaninallScotlandregardedthemwithsomuchsmotheredrageasWilliamWallace.Oneday,anEnglishmaninoffice,littleknowingwhathewas,affrontedHIM.
　　Wallaceinstantlystruckhimdead,andtakingrefugeamongtherocksandhills,andtherejoiningwithhiscountryman,SIRWILLIAM
　　DOUGLAS,whowasalsoinarmsagainstKingEdward,becamethemostresoluteandundauntedchampionofapeoplestrugglingfortheirindependencethateverlivedupontheearth.
　　TheEnglishGuardianoftheKingdomfledbeforehim,and,thusencouraged,theScottishpeoplerevoltedeverywhere,andfellupontheEnglishwithoutmercy.TheEarlofSurrey,bytheKing'scommands,raisedallthepoweroftheBorder-counties,andtwoEnglisharmiespouredintoScotland.OnlyoneChief,inthefaceofthosearmies,stoodbyWallace,who,withaforceoffortythousandmen,awaitedtheinvadersataplaceontheriverForth,withintwomilesofStirling.Acrosstherivertherewasonlyonepoorwoodenbridge,calledthebridgeofKildean-sonarrow,thatbuttwomencouldcrossitabreast.Withhiseyesuponthisbridge,Wallacepostedthegreaterpartofhismenamongsomerisinggrounds,andwaitedcalmly.WhentheEnglisharmycameupontheoppositebankoftheriver,messengersweresentforwardtoofferterms.Wallacesentthembackwithadefiance,inthenameofthefreedomofScotland.SomeoftheofficersoftheEarlofSurreyincommandoftheEnglish,withTHEIReyesalsoonthebridge,advisedhimtobediscreetandnothasty.He,however,urgedtoimmediatebattlebysomeotherofficers,andparticularlybyCRESSINGHAM,KingEdward'streasurer,andarashman,gavethewordofcommandtoadvance.OnethousandEnglishcrossedthebridge,twoabreast;theScottishtroopswereasmotionlessasstoneimages.TwothousandEnglishcrossed;threethousand,fourthousand,five.Notafeather,allthistime,hadbeenseentostiramongtheScottishbonnets.Now,theyallfluttered.
　　'Forward,oneparty,tothefootoftheBridge!'criedWallace,'andletnomoreEnglishcross!Therest,downwithmeonthefivethousandwhohavecomeover,andcutthemalltopieces!'Itwasdone,inthesightofthewholeremainderoftheEnglisharmy,whocouldgivenohelp.Cressinghamhimselfwaskilled,andtheScotchmadewhipsfortheirhorsesofhisskin.
　　KingEdwardwasabroadatthistime,andduringthesuccessesontheScottishsidewhichfollowed,andwhichenabledboldWallacetowinthewholecountrybackagain,andeventoravagetheEnglishborders.But,afterafewwintermonths,theKingreturned,andtookthefieldwithmorethanhisusualenergy.Onenight,whenakickfromhishorseastheybothlayonthegroundtogetherbroketwoofhisribs,andacryarosethathewaskilled,heleapedintohissaddle,regardlessofthepainhesuffered,androdethroughthecamp.Daythenappearing,hegavethewordstill,ofcourse,inthatbruisedandachingstateForward!andledhisarmyontonearFalkirk,wheretheScottishforceswereseendrawnuponsomestonyground,behindamorass.Here,hedefeatedWallace,andkilledfifteenthousandofhismen.Withtheshatteredremainder,WallacedrewbacktoStirling;but,beingpursued,setfiretothetownthatitmightgivenohelptotheEnglish,andescaped.TheinhabitantsofPerthafterwardssetfiretotheirhousesforthesamereason,andtheKing,unabletofindprovisions,wasforcedtowithdrawhisarmy.
　　AnotherROBERTBRUCE,thegrandsonofhimwhohaddisputedtheScottishcrownwithBaliol,wasnowinarmsagainsttheKingthatelderBrucebeingdead,andalsoJOHNCOMYN,Baliol'snephew.
　　ThesetwoyoungmenmightagreeinopposingEdward,butcouldagreeinnothingelse,astheywererivalsforthethroneofScotland.
　　Probablyitwasbecausetheyknewthis,andknewwhattroublesmustariseeveniftheycouldhopetogetthebetterofthegreatEnglishKing,thattheprincipalScottishpeopleappliedtothePopeforhisinterference.ThePope,ontheprincipleoflosingnothingforwantoftryingtogetit,verycoollyclaimedthatScotlandbelongedtohim;butthiswasalittletoomuch,andtheParliamentinafriendlymannertoldhimso.
　　Inthespringtimeoftheyearonethousandthreehundredandthree,theKingsentSIRJOHNSEGRAVE,whomhemadeGovernorofScotland,withtwentythousandmen,toreducetherebels.SirJohnwasnotascarefulasheshouldhavebeen,butencampedatRosslyn,nearEdinburgh,withhisarmydividedintothreeparts.TheScottishforcessawtheiradvantage;felloneachpartseparately;
　　defeatedeach;andkilledalltheprisoners.Then,cametheKinghimselfoncemore,assoonasagreatarmycouldberaised;hepassedthroughthewholenorthofScotland,layingwastewhatsoevercameinhisway;andhetookuphiswinterquartersatDunfermline.
　　TheScottishcausenowlookedsohopeless,thatComynandtheothernoblesmadesubmissionandreceivedtheirpardons.Wallacealonestoodout.Hewasinvitedtosurrender,thoughonnodistinctpledgethathislifeshouldbespared;buthestilldefiedtheirefulKing,andlivedamongthesteepcragsoftheHighlandglens,wheretheeaglesmadetheirnests,andwherethemountaintorrentsroared,andthewhitesnowwasdeep,andthebitterwindsblewroundhisunshelteredhead,ashelaythroughmanyapitch-darknightwrappedupinhisplaid.Nothingcouldbreakhisspirit;
　　nothingcouldlowerhiscourage;nothingcouldinducehimtoforgetortoforgivehiscountry'swrongs.EvenwhentheCastleofStirling,whichhadlongheldout,wasbesiegedbytheKingwitheverykindofmilitaryenginetheninuse;evenwhentheleaduponcathedralroofswastakendowntohelptomakethem;evenwhentheKing,thoughanoldman,commandedinthesiegeasifhewereayouth,beingsoresolvedtoconquer;evenwhenthebravegarrisonthenfoundwithamazementtobenottwohundredpeople,includingseveralladieswerestarvedandbeatenoutandweremadetosubmitontheirknees,andwitheveryformofdisgracethatcouldaggravatetheirsufferings;eventhen,whentherewasnotarayofhopeinScotland,WilliamWallacewasasproudandfirmasifhehadbeheldthepowerfulandrelentlessEdwardlyingdeadathisfeet.
　　WhobetrayedWilliamWallaceintheend,isnotquitecertain.
　　Thathewasbetrayed-probablybyanattendant-istootrue.HewastakentotheCastleofDumbarton,underSIRJOHNMENTEITH,andthencetoLondon,wherethegreatfameofhisbraveryandresolutionattractedimmenseconcoursesofpeopletobeholdhim.
　　HewastriedinWestminsterHall,withacrownoflaurelonhishead-itissupposedbecausehewasreportedtohavesaidthatheoughttowear,orthathewouldwear,acrownthereandwasfoundguiltyasarobber,amurderer,andatraitor.Whattheycalledarobberhesaidtothosewhotriedhimhewas,becausehehadtakenspoilfromtheKing'smen.Whattheycalledamurderer,hewas,becausehehadslainaninsolentEnglishman.Whattheycalledatraitor,hewasnot,forhehadneverswornallegiancetotheKing,andhadeverscornedtodoit.HewasdraggedatthetailsofhorsestoWestSmithfield,andtherehangedonahighgallows,tornopenbeforehewasdead,beheaded,andquartered.HisheadwassetuponapoleonLondonBridge,hisrightarmwassenttoNewcastle,hisleftarmtoBerwick,hislegstoPerthandAberdeen.
　　But,ifKingEdwardhadhadhisbodycutintoinches,andhadsenteveryseparateinchintoaseparatetown,hecouldnothavedispersedithalfsofarandwideashisfame.Wallacewillberememberedinsongsandstories,whiletherearesongsandstoriesintheEnglishtongue,andScotlandwillholdhimdearwhileherlakesandmountainslast.
　　Releasedfromthisdreadedenemy,theKingmadeafairerplanofGovernmentforScotland,dividedtheofficesofhonouramongScottishgentlemenandEnglishgentlemen,forgavepastoffences,andthought,inhisoldage,thathisworkwasdone.
　　Buthedeceivedhimself.ComynandBruceconspired,andmadeanappointmenttomeetatDumfries,inthechurchoftheMinorites.
　　ThereisastorythatComynwasfalsetoBruce,andhadinformedagainsthimtotheKing;thatBrucewaswarnedofhisdangerandthenecessityofflight,byreceiving,onenightashesatatsupper,fromhisfriendtheEarlofGloucester,twelvepenniesandapairofspurs;thatashewasridingangrilytokeephisappointmentthroughasnow-storm,withhishorse'sshoesreversedthathemightnotbetracked,hemetanevil-lookingservingman,amessengerofComyn,whomhekilled,andconcealedinwhosedresshefoundlettersthatprovedComyn'streachery.Howeverthismaybe,theywerelikelyenoughtoquarrelinanycase,beinghot-
　　headedrivals;and,whatevertheyquarrelledabout,theycertainlydidquarrelinthechurchwheretheymet,andBrucedrewhisdaggerandstabbedComyn,whofelluponthepavement.WhenBrucecameout,paleanddisturbed,thefriendswhowerewaitingforhimaskedwhatwasthematter?'IthinkIhavekilledComyn,'saidhe.'Youonlythinkso?'returnedoneofthem;'Iwillmakesure!'andgoingintothechurch,andfindinghimalive,stabbedhimagainandagain.KnowingthattheKingwouldneverforgivethisnewdeedofviolence,thepartythendeclaredBruceKingofScotland:gothimcrownedatScone-withoutthechair;andsetuptherebelliousstandardonceagain.
　　WhentheKingheardofithekindledwithfiercerangerthanhehadevershownyet.HecausedthePrinceofWalesandtwohundredandseventyoftheyoungnobilitytobeknighted-thetreesintheTempleGardenswerecutdowntomakeroomfortheirtents,andtheywatchedtheirarmourallnight,accordingtotheoldusage:someintheTempleChurch:someinWestminsterAbbey-andatthepublicFeastwhichthentookplace,heswore,byHeaven,andbytwoswanscoveredwithgoldnetworkwhichhisminstrelsplaceduponthetable,thathewouldavengethedeathofComyn,andwouldpunishthefalseBruce.Andbeforeallthecompany,hechargedthePrincehisson,incasethatheshoulddiebeforeaccomplishinghisvow,nottoburyhimuntilitwasfulfilled.NextmorningthePrinceandtherestoftheyoungKnightsrodeawaytotheBorder-countrytojointheEnglisharmy;andtheKing,nowweakandsick,followedinahorse-litter.
　　Bruce,afterlosingabattleandundergoingmanydangersandmuchmisery,fledtoIreland,wherehelayconcealedthroughthewinter.
　　Thatwinter,EdwardpassedinhuntingdownandexecutingBruce'srelationsandadherents,sparingneitheryouthnorage,andshowingnotouchofpityorsignofmercy.Inthefollowingspring,Brucereappearedandgainedsomevictories.Inthesefrays,bothsidesweregrievouslycruel.Forinstance-Bruce'stwobrothers,beingtakencaptivesdesperatelywounded,wereorderedbytheKingtoinstantexecution.Bruce'sfriendSirJohnDouglas,takinghisownCastleofDouglasoutofthehandsofanEnglishLord,roastedthedeadbodiesoftheslaughteredgarrisoninagreatfiremadeofeverymovablewithinit;whichdreadfulcookeryhismencalledtheDouglasLarder.Bruce,stillsuccessful,however,drovetheEarlofPembrokeandtheEarlofGloucesterintotheCastleofAyrandlaidsiegetoit.
　　TheKing,whohadbeenlaidupallthewinter,buthaddirectedthearmyfromhissick-bed,nowadvancedtoCarlisle,andthere,causingthelitterinwhichhehadtravelledtobeplacedintheCathedralasanofferingtoHeaven,mountedhishorseoncemore,andforthelasttime.Hewasnowsixty-nineyearsold,andhadreignedthirty-fiveyears.Hewassoill,thatinfourdayshecouldgonomorethansixmiles;still,evenatthatpace,hewentonandresolutelykepthisfacetowardstheBorder.Atlength,helaydownatthevillageofBurgh-upon-Sands;andthere,tellingthosearoundhimtoimpressuponthePrincethathewastorememberhisfather'svow,andwasnevertorestuntilhehadthoroughlysubduedScotland,heyieldeduphislastbreath.
　　CHAPTERXVII-ENGLANDUNDEREDWARDTHESECOND
　　KINGEdwardtheSecond,thefirstPrinceofWales,wastwenty-threeyearsoldwhenhisfatherdied.Therewasacertainfavouriteofhis,ayoungmanfromGascony,namedPIERSGAVESTON,ofwhomhisfatherhadsomuchdisapprovedthathehadorderedhimoutofEngland,andhadmadehissonswearbythesideofhissick-bed,nevertobringhimback.But,thePrincenosoonerfoundhimselfKing,thanhebrokehisoath,assomanyotherPrincesandKingsdidtheywerefartooreadytotakeoaths,andsentforhisdearfriendimmediately.
　　Now,thissameGavestonwashandsomeenough,butwasareckless,insolent,audaciousfellow.HewasdetestedbytheproudEnglishLords:notonlybecausehehadsuchpowerovertheKing,andmadetheCourtsuchadissipatedplace,but,also,becausehecouldridebetterthantheyattournaments,andwasused,inhisimpudence,tocutverybadjokesonthem;callingone,theoldhog;another,thestage-player;another,theJew;another,theblackdogofArdenne.
　　Thiswasaspoorwitasneedbe,butitmadethoseLordsverywroth;andthesurlyEarlofWarwick,whowastheblackdog,sworethatthetimeshouldcomewhenPiersGavestonshouldfeeltheblackdog'steeth.
　　Itwasnotcomeyet,however,nordiditseemtobecoming.TheKingmadehimEarlofCornwall,andgavehimvastriches;and,whentheKingwentovertoFrancetomarrytheFrenchPrincess,ISABELLA,daughterofPHILIPLEBEL:whowassaidtobethemostbeautifulwomanintheworld:hemadeGaveston,RegentoftheKingdom.Hissplendidmarriage-ceremonyintheChurchofOurLadyatBoulogne,wheretherewerefourKingsandthreeQueenspresentquiteapackofCourtCards,forIdaresaytheKnaveswerenotwanting,beingover,heseemedtocarelittleornothingforhisbeautifulwife;butwaswildwithimpatiencetomeetGavestonagain.
　　Whenhelandedathome,hepaidnoattentiontoanybodyelse,butranintothefavourite'sarmsbeforeagreatconcourseofpeople,andhuggedhim,andkissedhim,andcalledhimhisbrother.Atthecoronationwhichsoonfollowed,Gavestonwastherichestandbrightestofalltheglitteringcompanythere,andhadthehonourofcarryingthecrown.ThismadetheproudLordsfiercerthanever;thepeople,too,despisedthefavourite,andwouldnevercallhimEarlofCornwall,howevermuchhecomplainedtotheKingandaskedhimtopunishthemfornotdoingso,butpersistedinstylinghimplainPiersGaveston.
　　TheBaronsweresounceremoniouswiththeKingingivinghimtounderstandthattheywouldnotbearthisfavourite,thattheKingwasobligedtosendhimoutofthecountry.Thefavouritehimselfwasmadetotakeanoathmoreoaths!thathewouldnevercomeback,andtheBaronssupposedhimtobebanishedindisgrace,untiltheyheardthathewasappointedGovernorofIreland.EventhiswasnotenoughforthebesottedKing,whobroughthimhomeagaininayear'stime,andnotonlydisgustedtheCourtandthepeoplebyhisdotingfolly,butoffendedhisbeautifulwifetoo,whoneverlikedhimafterwards.
　　HehadnowtheoldRoyalwant-ofmoney-andtheBaronshadthenewpowerofpositivelyrefusingtolethimraiseany.HesummonedaParliamentatYork;theBaronsrefusedtomakeone,whilethefavouritewasnearhim.HesummonedanotherParliamentatWestminster,andsentGavestonaway.Then,theBaronscame,completelyarmed,andappointedacommitteeofthemselvestocorrectabusesinthestateandintheKing'shousehold.Hegotsomemoneyontheseconditions,anddirectlysetoffwithGavestontotheBorder-country,wheretheyspentitinidlingawaythetime,andfeasting,whileBrucemadereadytodrivetheEnglishoutofScotland.For,thoughtheoldKinghadevenmadethispoorweaksonofhisswearassomesaythathewouldnotburyhisbones,butwouldhavethemboiledcleaninacaldron,andcarriedbeforetheEnglisharmyuntilScotlandwasentirelysubdued,thesecondEdwardwassounlikethefirstthatBrucegainedstrengthandpowereveryday.
　　ThecommitteeofNobles,aftersomemonthsofdeliberation,ordainedthattheKingshouldhenceforthcallaParliamenttogether,onceeveryyear,andeventwiceifnecessary,insteadofsummoningitonlywhenhechose.Further,thatGavestonshouldoncemorebebanished,and,thistime,onpainofdeathifheevercameback.TheKing'stearswereofnoavail;hewasobligedtosendhisfavouritetoFlanders.Assoonashehaddoneso,however,hedissolvedtheParliament,withthelowcunningofamerefool,andsetofftotheNorthofEngland,thinkingtogetanarmyabouthimtoopposetheNobles.AndonceagainhebroughtGavestonhome,andheapeduponhimalltherichesandtitlesofwhichtheBaronshaddeprivedhim.
　　TheLordssaw,now,thattherewasnothingforitbuttoputthefavouritetodeath.Theycouldhavedoneso,legally,accordingtothetermsofhisbanishment;buttheydidso,Iamsorrytosay,inashabbymanner.LedbytheEarlofLancaster,theKing'scousin,theyfirstofallattackedtheKingandGavestonatNewcastle.
　　Theyhadtimetoescapebysea,andthemeanKing,havinghispreciousGavestonwithhim,wasquitecontenttoleavehislovelywifebehind.Whentheywerecomparativelysafe,theyseparated;
　　theKingwenttoYorktocollectaforceofsoldiers;andthefavouriteshuthimselfup,inthemeantime,inScarboroughCastleoverlookingthesea.ThiswaswhattheBaronswanted.TheyknewthattheCastlecouldnotholdout;theyattackedit,andmadeGavestonsurrender.HedeliveredhimselfuptotheEarlofPembroke-thatLordwhomhehadcalledtheJew-ontheEarl'spledginghisfaithandknightlyword,thatnoharmshouldhappentohimandnoviolencebedonehim.
　　Now,itwasagreedwithGavestonthatheshouldbetakentotheCastleofWallingford,andtherekeptinhonourablecustody.TheytravelledasfarasDedington,nearBanbury,where,intheCastleofthatplace,theystoppedforanighttorest.WhethertheEarlofPembrokelefthisprisonerthere,knowingwhatwouldhappen,orreallylefthimthinkingnoharm,andonlygoingashepretended
　　tovisithiswife,theCountess,whowasintheneighbourhood,isnogreatmatternow;inanycase,hewasboundasanhonourablegentlemantoprotecthisprisoner,andhedidnotdoit.Inthemorning,whilethefavouritewasyetinbed,hewasrequiredtodresshimselfandcomedownintothecourt-yard.Hedidsowithoutanymistrust,butstartedandturnedpalewhenhefounditfullofstrangearmedmen.'Ithinkyouknowme?'saidtheirleader,alsoarmedfromheadtofoot.'IamtheblackdogofArdenne!'ThetimewascomewhenPiersGavestonwastofeeltheblackdog'steethindeed.Theysethimonamule,andcarriedhim,inmockstateandwithmilitarymusic,totheblackdog'skennel-WarwickCastle-
　　whereahastycouncil,composedofsomegreatnoblemen,consideredwhatshouldbedonewithhim.Somewereforsparinghim,butoneloudvoice-itwastheblackdog'sbark,Idaresay-soundedthroughtheCastleHall,utteringthesewords:'Youhavethefoxinyourpower.Lethimgonow,andyoumusthunthimagain.'
　　Theysentencedhimtodeath.HethrewhimselfatthefeetoftheEarlofLancaster-theoldhog-buttheoldhogwasassavageasthedog.Hewastakenoutuponthepleasantroad,leadingfromWarwicktoCoventry,wherethebeautifulriverAvon,bywhich,longafterwards,WILLIAMSHAKESPEAREwasbornandnowliesburied,sparkledinthebrightlandscapeofthebeautifulMay-day;andtheretheystruckoffhiswretchedhead,andstainedthedustwithhisblood.
　　WhentheKingheardofthisblackdeed,inhisgriefandragehedenouncedrelentlesswaragainsthisBarons,andbothsideswereinarmsforhalfayear.But,itthenbecamenecessaryforthemtojointheirforcesagainstBruce,whohadusedthetimewellwhiletheyweredivided,andhadnowagreatpowerinScotland.
　　IntelligencewasbroughtthatBrucewasthenbesiegingStirlingCastle,andthattheGovernorhadbeenobligedtopledgehimselftosurrenderit,unlessheshouldberelievedbeforeacertainday.
　　Hereupon,theKingorderedthenoblesandtheirfighting-mentomeethimatBerwick;but,thenoblescaredsolittlefortheKing,andsoneglectedthesummons,andlosttime,thatonlyonthedaybeforethatappointedforthesurrender,didtheKingfindhimselfatStirling,andeventhenwithasmallerforcethanhehadexpected.However,hehad,altogether,ahundredthousandmen,andBrucehadnotmorethanfortythousand;but,Bruce'sarmywasstronglypostedinthreesquarecolumns,onthegroundlyingbetweentheBurnorBrookofBannockandthewallsofStirlingCastle.
　　Ontheveryevening,whentheKingcameup,Brucedidabraveactthatencouragedhismen.HewasseenbyacertainHENRYDEBOHUN,anEnglishKnight,ridingaboutbeforehisarmyonalittlehorse,withalightbattle-axeinhishand,andacrownofgoldonhishead.ThisEnglishKnight,whowasmountedonastrongwar-horse,casedinsteel,stronglyarmed,andableashethoughttooverthrowBrucebycrushinghimwithhismereweight,setspurstohisgreatcharger,rodeonhim,andmadeathrustathimwithhisheavyspear.Bruceparriedthethrust,andwithoneblowofhisbattle-axesplithisskull.
　　TheScottishmendidnotforgetthis,nextdaywhenthebattleraged.RANDOLPH,Bruce'svaliantNephew,rode,withthesmallbodyofmenhecommanded,intosuchahostoftheEnglish,allshininginpolishedarmourinthesunlight,thattheyseemedtobeswallowedupandlost,asiftheyhadplungedintothesea.But,theyfoughtsowell,anddidsuchdreadfulexecution,thattheEnglishstaggered.ThencameBrucehimselfuponthem,withalltherestofhisarmy.Whiletheywerethushardpressedandamazed,thereappeareduponthehillswhattheysupposedtobeanewScottisharmy,butwhatwerereallyonlythecampfollowers,innumberfifteenthousand:whomBrucehadtaughttoshowthemselvesatthatplaceandtime.TheEarlofGloucester,commandingtheEnglishhorse,madealastrushtochangethefortuneoftheday;
　　butBrucelikeJacktheGiant-killerinthestoryhadhadpitsdugintheground,andcoveredoverwithturfsandstakes.Intothese,astheygavewaybeneaththeweightofthehorses,ridersandhorsesrolledbyhundreds.TheEnglishwerecompletelyrouted;
　　alltheirtreasure,stores,andengines,weretakenbytheScottishmen;somanywaggonsandotherwheeledvehicleswereseized,thatitisrelatedthattheywouldhavereached,iftheyhadbeendrawnoutinaline,onehundredandeightymiles.ThefortunesofScotlandwere,forthetime,completelychanged;andneverwasabattlewon,morefamousuponScottishground,thanthisgreatbattleofBANNOCKBURN.
　　PlagueandfaminesucceededinEngland;andstillthepowerlessKingandhisdisdainfulLordswerealwaysincontention.SomeoftheturbulentchiefsofIrelandmadeproposalstoBruce,toaccepttheruleofthatcountry.HesenthisbrotherEdwardtothem,whowascrownedKingofIreland.HeafterwardswenthimselftohelphisbrotherinhisIrishwars,buthisbrotherwasdefeatedintheendandkilled.RobertBruce,returningtoScotland,stillincreasedhisstrengththere.
　　AstheKing'sruinhadbeguninafavourite,soitseemedlikelytoendinone.Hewastoopooracreaturetorelyatalluponhimself;andhisnewfavouritewasoneHUGHLEDESPENSER,thesonofagentlemanofancientfamily.Hughwashandsomeandbrave,buthewasthefavouriteofaweakKing,whomnomancaredarushfor,andthatwasadangerousplacetohold.TheNoblesleaguedagainsthim,becausetheKinglikedhim;andtheylayinwait,bothforhisruinandhisfather's.Now,theKinghadmarriedhimtothedaughterofthelateEarlofGloucester,andhadgivenbothhimandhisfathergreatpossessionsinWales.Intheirendeavourstoextendthese,theygaveviolentoffencetoanangryWelshgentleman,namedJOHNDEMOWBRAY,andtodiversotherangryWelshgentlemen,whoresortedtoarms,tooktheircastles,andseizedtheirestates.TheEarlofLancasterhadfirstplacedthefavouritewhowasapoorrelationofhisownatCourt,andheconsideredhisowndignityoffendedbythepreferencehereceivedandthehonoursheacquired;sohe,andtheBaronswhowerehisfriends,joinedtheWelshmen,marchedonLondon,andsentamessagetotheKingdemandingtohavethefavouriteandhisfatherbanished.Atfirst,theKingunaccountablytookitintohisheadtobespirited,andtosendthemaboldreply;butwhentheyquarteredthemselvesaroundHolbornandClerkenwell,andwentdown,armed,totheParliamentatWestminster,hegaveway,andcompliedwiththeirdemands.
　　Histurnoftriumphcamesoonerthanheexpected.Itaroseoutofanaccidentalcircumstance.ThebeautifulQueenhappeningtobetravelling,cameonenighttooneoftheroyalcastles,anddemandedtobelodgedandentertainedthereuntilmorning.Thegovernorofthiscastle,whowasoneoftheenragedlords,wasaway,andinhisabsence,hiswiferefusedadmissiontotheQueen;
　　ascuffletookplaceamongthecommonmenoneitherside,andsomeoftheroyalattendantswerekilled.Thepeople,whocarednothingfortheKing,wereveryangrythattheirbeautifulQueenshouldbethusrudelytreatedinherowndominions;andtheKing,takingadvantageofthisfeeling,besiegedthecastle,tookit,andthencalledthetwoDespensershome.Uponthis,theconfederatelordsandtheWelshmenwentovertoBruce.TheKingencounteredthematBoroughbridge,gainedthevictory,andtookanumberofdistinguishedprisoners;amongthem,theEarlofLancaster,nowanoldman,uponwhosedestructionhewasresolved.ThisEarlwastakentohisowncastleofPontefract,andtheretriedandfoundguiltybyanunfaircourtappointedforthepurpose;hewasnotevenallowedtospeakinhisowndefence.Hewasinsulted,pelted,mountedonastarvedponywithoutsaddleorbridle,carriedout,andbeheaded.Eight-and-twentyknightswerehanged,drawn,andquartered.WhentheKinghaddespatchedthisbloodywork,andhadmadeafreshandalongtrucewithBruce,hetooktheDespensersintogreaterfavourthanever,andmadethefatherEarlofWinchester.
　　Oneprisoner,andanimportantone,whowastakenatBoroughbridge,madehisescape,however,andturnedthetideagainsttheKing.
　　ThiswasROGERMORTIMER,alwaysresolutelyopposedtohim,whowassentencedtodeath,andplacedforsafecustodyintheTowerofLondon.Hetreatedhisguardstoaquantityofwineintowhichhehadputasleepingpotion;and,whentheywereinsensible,brokeoutofhisdungeon,gotintoakitchen,climbedupthechimney,lethimselfdownfromtheroofofthebuildingwitharope-ladder,passedthesentries,gotdowntotheriver,andmadeawayinaboattowhereservantsandhorseswerewaitingforhim.HefinallyescapedtoFrance,whereCHARLESLEBEL,thebrotherofthebeautifulQueen,wasKing.CharlessoughttoquarrelwiththeKingofEngland,onpretenceofhisnothavingcometodohimhomageathiscoronation.ItwasproposedthatthebeautifulQueenshouldgoovertoarrangethedispute;shewent,andwrotehometotheKing,thatashewassickandcouldnotcometoFrancehimself,perhapsitwouldbebettertosendovertheyoungPrince,theirson,whowasonlytwelveyearsold,whocoulddohomagetoherbrotherinhisstead,andinwhosecompanyshewouldimmediatelyreturn.TheKingsenthim:but,bothheandtheQueenremainedattheFrenchCourt,andRogerMortimerbecametheQueen'slover.
　　WhentheKingwrote,againandagain,totheQueentocomehome,shedidnotreplythatshedespisedhimtoomuchtolivewithhimanymorewhichwasthetruth,butsaidshewasafraidofthetwoDespensers.Inshort,herdesignwastooverthrowthefavourites'
　　power,andtheKing'spower,suchasitwas,andinvadeEngland.
　　HavingobtainedaFrenchforceoftwothousandmen,andbeingjoinedbyalltheEnglishexilestheninFrance,shelanded,withinayear,atOrewell,inSuffolk,whereshewasimmediatelyjoinedbytheEarlsofKentandNorfolk,theKing'stwobrothers;byotherpowerfulnoblemen;andlastly,bythefirstEnglishgeneralwhowasdespatchedtocheckher:whowentovertoherwithallhismen.
　　ThepeopleofLondon,receivingthesetidings,woulddonothingfortheKing,butbrokeopentheTower,letoutallhisprisoners,andthrewuptheircapsandhurrahedforthebeautifulQueen.
　　TheKing,withhistwofavourites,fledtoBristol,whereheleftoldDespenserinchargeofthetownandcastle,whilehewentonwiththesontoWales.TheBristolmenbeingopposedtotheKing,anditbeingimpossibletoholdthetownwithenemieseverywherewithinthewalls,Despenseryieldedituponthethirdday,andwasinstantlybroughttotrialforhavingtraitorouslyinfluencedwhatwascalled'theKing'smind'-thoughIdoubtiftheKingeverhadany.Hewasavenerableoldman,upwardsofninetyyearsofage,buthisagegainednorespectormercy.Hewashanged,tornopenwhilehewasyetalive,cutupintopieces,andthrowntothedogs.