Murghugh O Bryn; Souethuth Mac Gillephatrick; be difficult, between us and the castle of Stirling.»- Maur. Kenenagh Mac Murgh; It then sets forth Mowbray's agreement to surrender the castle, if not relieved before St John the Baptist's day, and the king's determination, with divine grace, to raise the siege. ་ Therefore,» the summons further bears, «to remove our said enemies and rebels from such places as above-mentioned, it is necessary for us to have a strong force of infantry fit for arms.>> And accordingly the sheriff of York is commanded to equip and send forth a body of four thousand infantry, to be assembled at Werk, upon the tenth day of June first, under pain of the royal displeasure, etc. And Cambria, but of late subdued, Edward the First, with the usual policy of a conqueror, employed the Welch, whom he had subdued, to assist him in his Scottish wars, for which their habits, as mountaineers, particularly fitted them. But this policy was not without its risks. Previous to the battle of Falkirk, the Welch quarrelled with the English menat-arms, and after bloodshed on both parts, separated themselves from his army, and the feud between them, at so dangerous and critical a juncture, was reconciled with difficulty. Edward II. followed his father's example in this particular, and with no better success. They could not be brought to exert themselves in the cause of their conquerors. But they had an indifferent reward for their forbearance. Without arms, and clad only in scanty dresses of linen cloth, they appeared naked in the eyes even of the Scottish peasantry; and after the rout of Bannockburn, were massacred by them in great numbers, as they retired in confusion towards their own country. They were under command of Sir Maurice de Berkley. Note 8. Stanza iv. And Connaught pour'd from waste and wood There is in the Fœdera an invitation to Eth O'Connor, chief 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 issued to the following Irish chiefs, whose names may astonish the unlearned, and amuse the antiquary. «Eth O Donnuld, Duci Hibernicorum de Tyrconil; Gilbertus Ekelly, "Duci Hibernicorum de Omany; Mac Ethelau; Omalan Heelyn, Duci Hibernicorum Midie.»> RYMER'S Acta Publica, vol. III, pp. 479, 477 Note 9. Stanza ix. Their chief, Fitz-Louis. Fitz-Louis, or Mac-Louis, otherwise called Fullartos, is a family of ancient descent in the Isle of Arran. They are said to be of French origin, as the name intimates They attached themselves to Bruce upon his first landing; and Fergus Mac-Louis, or Fullarton, received from the grateful monarch a charter, dated 26th November, in the second year of his reign (1307), for the lands of Kilmichel, and others, which still remain in this very ancient and respectable family. Note 10. Stanza x. In battles four beneath their eye, The forces of King Robert lie. The arrangements adopted by King Robert for the decisive battle of Bannockburn, are given very distinctly! by Barbour, and form an edifying lesson to tacticians. Yet, till commented upon by Lord Hailes, this import ant passage of history has been generally and strangely misunderstood by historians. I will here endeavour to detail it fully. Two days before the battle, Bruce selected the d of action, and took post there with his army, consis ing of about 30,000 disciplined men, and about ha the number of disorderly attendants upon the cata The ground was called the New Park of Stirling it s partly open, and partly broken by copses of wood a marshy ground. He divided his regular forces int four divisions. Three of these occupied a front lice, separated from each other, yet sufficiently near for the purposes of communication. formed a reserve. The line extended in a north-eastery The fourth divi direction from the brook of Bannock, which is w rugged and broken as to cover the right flank eff tually, to the village of Saint Ninian's, probably in the line of the present road from Stirling to Ky Edward Bruce commanded the right wing, which way strengthened by a strong body of cavalry under Kesh the Marshal of Scotland, to whom was com the important charge of attacking the English arch Douglas, and the young Steward of Scotland, led the central wing; and Thomas Randolph, Earl of May, the left wing. The king himself commanded the fourt division, which lay in reserve behind the others. The royal standard was pitched, according to tradi in a stone, having a round hole for its reception, ! thence called the Bore-stone. It is still shown on tat top of a small eminence, called Brock's-brie, to south-west of St Ninian's. His main body thu> Os posed, King Robert sent the followers of the c1%, fifteen thousand and upwards in number, to the c nence in rear of his army, called from that circa stance the Gillies' (i. e. the servants') hill. The military advantages of this position were obvious. and the marshal were sent to reconnoitre with a body The Scottish left flank, protected by the brook of of cavalry. Bannock, could not be turned; or if that attempt were made, a movement by the reserve might have covered it Again, the English could not pass the Scottish army, and move towards Stirling, without exposing their flank to be attacked while in march. If, on the other hand, the Scottish line had been drawn up east and west, and facing to the southward, as affirmed by Buchanan, and adopted by Mr Nimmo, the author of the history of Stirlingshire, there appears nothing to have prevented the English from approaching upon the earse, or level ground, from Falkirk, either from turning the Scottish left flank, or from passing their position, if they preferred it, without coming to an action, and moving on to the relief of Stirling. And the Gillies' hill, if this less probable hypothesis be adopted, would be situated, not in the rear, as allowed by all the historians, but upon the left flank of Bruce's army. The only objection to the hypothesis above laid down is, that the left flank of Bruce's army was thereby exposed to a sally from the garrison of Stirling. But first, 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 laule, in placing temporary bridges of doors and spars over the pools of water in the carse, to enable them to advance to the charge. ' 2dly, Had this not been the case, the strength of the garrison was probably not sufficient to excite apprehension. 3dly, The adverse hypothesis leaves the rear of the Scottish army as much exposed to the Stirling garrison, as the left flank would be in the case supposed. It only remains to notice the nature of the ground in front of Bruce's line of battle. Being part of a park, or chase, it was considerably interrupted with trees, and an extensive marsh, still visible, in some places rendered u inaccessible, and in all of difficult approach. More to the northward, where the natural impediments were fewer, Bruce fortified his position against cavalry, by digging a number of pits so close together, says Barbour, as to resemble the cells in a honey-comb. They were a foot in breadth, and between two and three feet deep, many rows of them being placed one behind the other. They were slightly covered with brushwood and green sods, so as not to be obvious to an impetuous And soon the great host have they seen, And so fele bataills and so broad, And too so great room as they rode, Their foes unto such quantity. BARBOUR'S Bruce, vol. II, p. 111. The two Scottish commanders were cautious in the account which they brought back to their camp. To the king in private they told the formidable state of the enemy; but in public reported that the English were indeed a numerous host, but ill commanded and worse disciplined. Note 12. Stanza xi. With these the valiant of the Isles Beneath their chieftains rank'd their files. The men of Argyle, the Islanders, and the Highlanders been numerous, for Bruce had reconciled himself with in general, were ranked in the rear. They must have almost all their chieftains, excepting the obnoxious Mac-Dougals of Lorn. The following deed, containing the submission of the potent Earl of Ross to the king, was never before published. It is dated in the third year of Robert's reign, that is, 1309. OBLIGACIO COMITIS ROSSENSIS PER HOMAGIUM Universis Christi fidelibus ad quorum noticiam presalutem in domino sempiternam. Quia magnificus sentes literæ peruenerint Willielmus Comes de Ross princeps Dominus Robertus Dei gracia Rex Scottorum clemencia, et gracia speciali remisit michi pure ranDominus meus ex innata sibi bonitate, inspirataque corem animi sui, et relaxauit ac condonauit michi omnimodas transgressiones seu offensas contra ipsum et suos per me et meos vsque ad confeccionem literarum presencium perpetratas: Et terras meas et teneminus de terra de Dingwal et Ferncroskry infra menta mea omnia graciose concessit. Et me nichiloAll the Scottish army were on foot, excepting a se-heriditarie infeodare curauit. Ego tantam principis comitatum de Suthyrland de benigna liberalitate sua lect body of cavalry stationed with Edward Bruce on beneuolenciam efficaciter attendens, et pro tot graciis the right wing, under the immediate command of Sir hobert Keith, the Marshal of Scotland, who were desmichi factis, vicem sibi gratitudinis meis viribus pro tuned for the important service of charging and dis-subiicio et obligo me et heredes meos et homines meos ---vite cupiens exhibere, de cetero digne▬▬▬persing the English archers. vniuersos dicto Domino meo Regi per omnia▬▬▬▬▬ --erga suam regiam dignitatem, quod erimus de cetero fideles sibi et heredibus suis et fidele sibi seruicium auxilium et concilium▬▬ contra omnes homines et feminas qui vivere poterint aut mori, et super h--Ego Willielmus pro me--hominibus meis vniuersis dicto domino meo Regi‒‒‒ ▬▬▬▬manibus homagium super Dei ewangelia sacramentum prestiti --In quorum omnium testimonium sigillum Thus judiciously posted, in a situation fortified both by art and nature, Bruce awaited the attack of the Laglish. Note 11. Stanza x. Beyond, the southern bost appears. An assistance which, by the way, could not have been rendered. had not the English approached from the south-east; since had their mich been due north, the whole Scottish army must have been between them and the garrison. sponte feci et The Scottish leaders remonstrated with the king upon his temerity. He only answered, « I have broken my good battle-axe.»-The English van-guard retreated after witnessing this single combat. Probably their generals did not think it advisable to hazard an attack, while its unfavourable issue remained upon their meum, et sigilla Hugonis filii et heredis et Johannis The copy the country. Note 13. Stanza xiii. The monarch rode along the van. The English van-guard, commanded by the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford, came in sight of the Scottish army upon the evening of the 23d of June. Bruce was then riding upon a little palfrey, in front of his foremost line, putting his host in order. It was then that the personal encounter took place betwixt him and Sir Henry de Bohun, a gallant English knight, the issue of which had a great effect upon the spirits of both armies. It is thus recorded by Barbour: And when Glosyter and Hertfurd were And towards him he went on haste. Saw him come, forth all his feres! Note 14. Stanza xviii. While the van of the English army advanced, a detached body attempted to relieve Stirling. Lord Hailes gives the following account of this manœuvre, and the ¦ result, which is accompanied by circumstances highly characteristic of the chivalrous manners of the agr. | and displays that generosity which reconciles us even to their ferocity upon other occasions. Bruce had enjoined Randolph, who commanded the left wing of his army, to be vigilant in preventing any advanced parties of the English from throwing succours into the castle of Stirling. Eight hundred horsemen, commanded by Sir Robert Clifford, were detached from the English army; they made a circuit by the low grounds to the east, and i approached the castle. The king perceived their mo- i tions, and, coming up to Randolph, angrily exclaimed, Thoughtless man! you have suffered the enemy to pass. Randolph hasted to repair his fault, or perish. As he advanced, the English cavalry wheeled to attack him. Randolph drew up his troops in a circular form, with their spears resting on the ground, and protend/d on every side. At the first onset, Sir William Daynecourt, an English commander of distinguished not, was slain. The enemy, far superior in numbers to Randolph, environed him, and pressed hard on his litt a band. Douglas Saw his jeopardy, and requested the king's permission to go and succour him. *You shoß not move from your ground,' cried the king; *irt Randolph extricate himself as he best may. I will anc alter my order of battle, and lose the advantage of tr position. In truth,' replied Douglas, I cannot stami by and see Randolph perish; and, therefore, with your leave, I must aid him.' The king unwillingly consented and Douglas flew to the assistance of his friend. Whe approaching, he perceived that the English were failing into disorder, and that the perseverance of Randel; a had prevailed over their impetuous courage.—“Hai. cried Douglas, those brave men have repulsed the enemy; let us not diminish their glory by sharing 11 = -DALRYMPLE'S Annals of Scotland, 4to. Edinburgh. 1779, pp. 44, 45. Two large stones erected at the north end of the village of Newhouse, about a quarter of a mile from the south part of Stirling, ascertain the place of La memorable skirmish. The circumstance tends, were confirmation necessary, to support the opinion of Ler. Hailes, that the Scottish line had Stirling on its le flank. It will be remembered that Randolph commandre infantry, Daynecourt cavalry. Supposing, therefore according to the vulgar hypothesis, that the Scott's line was drawn up, facing to the south, in the line the brook of Bannock, and consequently that Randoip was stationed with his left flank resting upon Milntow bog, it is morally impossible that his infantry, movu 1 from that position with whatever celerity, could cut off from Stirling a body of cavalry who had already passed St Ninians, or, in other words, were already between them and the town. Whereas, supposing Bandolph's left to have approached St Ninians, the short movement to Newhouse could easily be executed, so as to intercept the English in the manner described. Note 15. Stanza xx. Responsive from the Scottish host, Pipe-clang and bugle-sound were toss'd. There is an old tradition, that the well-known Scottish tune of « Hey, tutti, taitti,» was Bruce's march at the battle of Bannockburn. The late Mr Ritson, no granter of propositions, doubts whether the Scots had any martial music, and quotes Froissart's account of each soldier in the host bearing a little horn, on which, at the onset, they would make such a horrible noise, as if all the devils of hell had been among them. He observes, that these horns are the only music mentioned by Barbour, and concludes, that it must remain a moot point whether Bruce's army were cheered by the sound even of a solitary bagpipe.-Historical Essay prefixed to Ritson's Scottish Songs. It may be observed in passing, that the Scottish of this period certainly observed some musical cadence, even in winding their horns, since Bruce was at once recognized by his followers from his mode of blowing. See Note 10. on Canto IV. But the tradition, true or false, has been the means of securing to Scotland one of the finest lyrics in the language, the celebrated war-song of Bruce, Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled. Note 16. Stanza xxi. Now onward, and in open view, The countless ranks of England drew. [pon the 24th of June, the English army advanced to the attack. The narrowness of the Scottish front, and the nature of the ground, did not permit them to have the full advantage of their numbers, nor is it very easy to find out what was their proposed order of bat That they were in, to bide fighting; I wete not. But in a schiltrum Note 17. Stanza xxi. See where yon bare-foot abbot stands, Maurice, Abbot of Inchaffray, placing himself on an eminence, celebrated mass in sight of the Scottish army. He then passed along the front, bare-footed, and bearing a crucifix in his hands, and exhorting the Scots, in few and forcible words, to combat for their rights and their liberty. The Scots kneeled down. They vield, cried Edward; 'see, they implore mercy. They do,' answered Ingeiram de Umfraville, but not ours. On that field they will be victorious or die.' »—Annals of Scotland, vol II, p. 47. Note 18. Stanza xxii. 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 tie. The van-guard, however, appeared a distinct body, army a confusion, from which they never fairly reco consisting of archers and spearmen on foot, and commanded, as already said, by the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford. Barbour, in one place, mentions that they ⚫formed nine BATTLES, or divisions; but, from the following passage, it appears that there was no room or space for them to extend themselves, so that, except the van-guard, the whole army appeared to form one solid and compact body:— The English men, on either party, For all their battles samyn were In a schiltrum.3 But whether it was vered. The English archers shot so fast, When he saw the battles so When Scotts archers saw that they sua Although the success of this manœuvre was evident, it is very remarkable that the Scottish generals do not appear to have profited by the lesson. Almost every subsequent battle which they lost against England was decided by the archers, to whom the close and compact array of the Scottish phalanx afforded an exposed and unresisting mark. The bloody battle of Halidon-hill, fought scarce twenty years afterward, was so completely gained by the archers, that the English are said to have lost only one knight, one esquire, and a few foot-soldiers. At the battle of Neville's Cross, in 1346, where David II. was defeated and made prisoner, John de Graham, observing the loss which the Scots sustained from the English bowmen, offered to charge and disperse them, if a hundred men-at-arms were put under his command. « But, to confess the truth,» says Fordun, «he could not procure a single horseman for the service proposed.»> Of such little use is experience in war, where its results are opposed by habit or prejudice. Note 19. Stanza xxiv. 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 men 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 fore-finger 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. Note 20. Stanza xxiv. It is generally alleged by historians, that the English men-at-arms fell into the hidden snare which Bruce had Ransom. prepared for them. Barbour does not mention this 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 entered into close combat with them. Douglas and Stuart, who com- ! manded the Scottish centre, led their division also to the charge, and the battle becoming general along the whole line, was obstinately maintained on both sides for a long space of time; the Scottish archers doing | great execution among the English men-at-arms, after the bowmen of England were dispersed. Note 21. Stanza xxiv. And steeds that shriek in agony. I have been told that this line requires an explanatory with which horses submit to the most cruel usage mav note; and, indeed, those who witness the silent patience be permitted to doubt that, in moments of sudden or intolerable anguish, they utter a most melancholy cry Lord Erskine, in a speech made in the House of Lords, upon a bill for enforcing humanity towards animals, noticed this remarkable fact, in language which I wi fortune, upon one occasion, to hear a horse, in a mo not mutilate by attempting to repeat it. It was my ment of agony, utter a thrilling seream, which I st consider the most melancholy sound I ever heard. Note 22. Stanza xxviii. Lord of the Isles, my trust in thee Rush on with Highland sword and targe; I, with my Carrick spearmen, charge. When the engagement between the main bodies b-d lasted some time, Bruce made a decisive movement, ly bringing up the Scottish reserve. It is traditionally said, that at this crisis he addressed the Lord of the Isles in a phrase used as a motto by some of his descendants, « My trust is constant in thee.» Barbour intimates, that the reserve « assembled on one ficti that is, in the same line with the Scottish forces alrea iv engaged, which leads Lord Hailes to conjecture, that the Scottish ranks must have been much thinned be slaughter, since, in that circumscribed ground, there was room for the reserve to fall into the line. But the advance of the Scottish cavalry must have contribute? a good deal to form the vacancy occupied by the re serve. Note 23. Stanza xxx. To arms they flew,-axe, club, or spear,— And mimic ensigns high they rear. The followers of the Scottish camp observed, from the Gillies' hill in the rear, the impression produced upon the English army by the bringing up of the Scottish reserve, and, prompted by the enthusiasm of th moment, or the desire of plunder, assumed, in a tsmultuary manner, such arms as they found near:st, fastened sheets to tent-poles, and lances, and showed themselves like a new army advancing to battle. Yeomen, and swanys, ' and pitaill, • Make. 7 Driven back. |