Robert Bruce, the Hero-King of Scotland ... With ... wood-engravings drawn by W. H. Thwaits

Front matter

ROBERT BRUCE, THE HERO-KING OF SCOTLAND. TlT GABRIEL ALEXANDER, AUTUOT-. OF "WALLACE, TnE HEEO OF SCOTIAUD," &C, &C. WITH BEAUTIFUL WOOD-ENGRAVINGS, DRAWN BY W. H. THWAITS. LONDON: PUBLISHED, FOR THE PROPRIETOR, BY JOHN DICKS, AT THE OFFICE OF " REYNOLDS'? MISCELLANY,77 No. 1, WELLINGTON STREET NORTH, STRAND. IS52. ILLUSTRATIO NS. For Illustration on Page 1 . . .see page 4 8 . . . „ 1* 17 25 25 . . . „ 29 „ 33 ... „ 3C 41 45 49 51 Robert Bbdce page 57 For Illustration on Page 65 see page 68 73 . . . „ 77 81 87 Sir Lionel Hainault .... page 19 For Illustration on Page 97 Bee page 79 :, 105 ... . „ 111 118 ... „ 119 121 123 129 .. . „ 136 187 ... » 144 King Edward I page 152 For Illustration on Page 153 . . . see page 162 161 .. . „ 165 169 . . . „ 166 „ 177 192 185 . . . „ 188 „ 193 198 201 . . . „ 206 „ 209 .. . „ 171 217 . . • „ 223 225 . . „ 239 Sir Piers de Gaveston . . . page 233 For Illustration on Page 241 . . see page 244 „ 249 . . . „ 252 „ 257 . . ,. 257 265 . . . „ 264 273 .. . „ 286 281 . . . „ 293 Lady Beatrice Dunbar .... page 289 For Illustration on Page 297 . . . see page 304 305 . . „ 315 313 . . . „ IILUSTRATIONS7.

For Illustration on Page 321 . . see page 319 „ 329 . . . „ 323 „ 337 .. . „ 310 345 . . . „ 352 Queen Isabella the Fair . . . page 353 For Illustration on Page 361 . . .see page 363 „ . 369 ... „ 386 „ 377 . . . „ 387 „ 385 . . „ 394 The Earl op Warwick . . . page 393 For Illustration on Page 401 . . see page 404 „ ' 409 . . ". „ 415 417 . . „ 423 425 . . „ 430 Sir James Douglas . . . . . page ROBERT BRUCE, 1 II E H. E R 0 - R I N G OF S C 0 T L A N D. direct for the residence of Earl Gny de A«hby. This was a battlemented mansion which, at that period, occupied a spot near to the margin of the Thames ; the same spaeious area, in fact, where the Btately buildings of the Adelphi now rear their roofs. At that period, and indeed loDg afterwards, it was an open, or at "east a very thinlv-inhabited region which the solitary pe destrian had to traverse, between the halts of England's mighty monarch and the princely

Chapter I. The

CAliOKSAL. It wm on the evening of a keen freerinpr winter dav, towards the cloBe ofthe month of January, lo the year 1305, that a colossal figure, enveloped in iu ample and hooded cloak, wended his lonely W»y eastward from the palaca of Westminster No. U ROBERT BRDCE, THE HERO-KING OF SCOTLAND. shall not go without the uprearing of my s'andard for the deliverance of my eountry, against which, alas! it hath been mv destiny to battle; a traitor in act, though with an adverse mind and a fo^eeing policy, in which my country's lasting independence and fieedom have never ! been lost sight of." In spite us this sort of reasoning by which the soliloquist strove to silence the reproufs and accusations which had so suddenly and unexpectedly stricken his conscience, his misgivings withdrew not, their sting; so that it was with a grave thnughtfulness, — almost a melancholy gloom, or moody sadness, that he approached tho warlike earl'u gate.

Nor was the depression other than ill-timed, seeing that the ocoaslun was to be one of conviviality and carousal in the halls of one of the First Edward's most trusted and loyal baroDS ; for Guy de Ashby was staunch as brave, devoted as valiant, sagacious and experienced. In short, he was a type of England's feudal lords in that chivalrous age, whether at tournay or in lady's bower, — whether at fe?tive board, in tented Held, or the shuck of sanguinary conflict. Much in savour with th' celebrated monarch, the courtier who sought Earl Ashby's on the winter eve in question, could not have taken a surer step to gain strength and weight to that kingly partiality than resort to the grayhaired warrior's princely halls, whether it was convivial pleasures or affairs of state to whieh the veteran invited his guest.

Aecoidingly, the majestic personage who bent his steps from Westminster eastward, as already noticed, was no unfrequent and no unwelcomed visitant to the hospitable mansion. " It is with joy and pride that once more Guy de Asby findeth himself graced and honoured by the Lord of Turnberry Castle," cried the earl, as he grasped the hand of his Btatelv guest, and led him to the lordly dais and under the gorgeous canopy, that distinguished the most honoured place at the festive board, to which not a few other guests of high decree crowded. " We had begun to be in fear, lest the noblest of Scottish knights, Tnrnberry's lord, or rather Annandale and Carrick's earl, should have been hindered by the mighty Edward from coming hither, — withheld for some nobler end. But Beeing that our fears were groundless, and that eur sovereign, no less than your princely self, hath borne me and my knightly friends around in favourable mind, let us now lay siege to tho viands and the cheer bsfore us : let. us, while the tongue of each hath allowance to go free, in all due courtesy to speak as the heart die tateth — be it of your lady-loves, of politic matters, of wailike enterprise, of boon companionship and revelry, — let us feast till the oak cease groaning with its loads, and quaff goblet aud flagon till care be driven from every brow-."

Thus wait that Earl Guy welcomed tha last airival of hi.» knightly guests to his sumptuous | supper feast, urging them all to spare not of j that which would sustain th>ir stalwart frames | for the enase or for the tight ; nor to cease ivom doing homage to his lavish supplies of that which maker* the heart merry, — nay, too often wholly mad. Indeed, as the generous host fad I not at Ihe very first failed to take note of the unwonted gravity of the Biuce, aud the cloudi ! ness of his brow, he could bethink him of i . dwelling os the warrior baron ; an expanse of country too that would have been next to impa-s able for an unpiloted stranger, after nigbtiall, in soft and rainy weather, when the floods came tumbling down from the northward in wild and oncontiolcd disoider to the gallant river; for then large pools of stagnant water, and deep mora-Ht-s. as well as brawling streams, hail to be encountered, every here and there interposing a barner to the wayfarer.

At the p irticularseason mentioned, however, and taking also into account the intimacy of the tall and majestic person who crossed the tract of land, with its nature and peculiarities, there was no uncertainty er difficulty experienced; for, independently of the entile district being familiar to him, as had been the hills and vales of his birthplace and boyhood's home, an intense frost had for several days previously been surfacing the earth with an adamantine crust, and congealing the super ficial waters into an iron solidity ; so that with an assured step the stately pedestrian stalked along, the solid ground at every stout tread retuiir'ng him a ringing response, that, together with the sharp brumal air, sent an invigorating impulse to his soul, such as a man of robust frame and vaulting spirit would not exchange for all the soft z phyis or the cloudless sunshine of an Italian clime.

As he strode onward with firm fiee, and confident pace, his healthful sensations glowing warmer and more pleasurable within him as he held on, he struck up a cheerful whistle, almost unconscious of the act, until the sounds from his own lips directed his thoughts to the theme which was habitually nearest to his heart, but which immediately before had been only vaguely present, without its UBual concentrated force and individuality. In truth, he had but just parted from England's world-renowned monarch of the era, and with the interchanges of such conventional courtesies a9 find exercise among those in high station, dissipating the energies of the miud, and deadening the natural emotions, as these exterior and di-guising forms fiil not tj accomplish. It was a Se. ttish martial air, to which verse of such patriotic sentiment had been manied by some gifted bard, so that each note which entered the whistler's ear came pregnant with a sudden ennobling inspiration, and with something more; moreover, with tender memories, aye, — and with sortuphraidings, smiting reproofs, bitter anguish, and harrowing remorse.

" It was but now," said the pede-trian to him self, "that my heart was moved to a robust gleesomeness, happily partaking of the spirit of the season, the more so that it comes with all the aioiHug iriflurnces of my own romantic Caledonia. Bur ah! how rapid the allayment of myecstacy! How stern th'- thoughts with which the simple yet soul-touching ditty hath arrested me I And vet of what avail w.uld have been an op* n-fronted resistance to the usurper's will? The lime hath not yet come when the mighty Edw rd may he bearded in the land that claimeth me, and from which never till now did such a beseeching, Buch an upbraiding come. Oh! it shall not lor g be put oil ; for if tbe 1'ed Comyn wdl but hold true to the bond, and the other Scottish chieftains, who have been heartening me to the glorious aehieve ment, piove steadlast iu their adherence, spring B.0BE3T BRCCE, THE HERO-KING OF SCOTLAND. 3 more fitting way than to show in his own proper person what he would have every one around and beside him to imitate; using such arguments and incentives as he, an accustomed aud •borough roisterer had been wont to find potent to the accomplishment of his carousing ends.

No matter whether it was by flattery or banter, precept or example, the earl, a man of iron frame, was resolved to carry out a bacchanalian scene of it. It was a carou-al in right good earnest upon which he had set his determination, ; -aud yet not without another purpose. He was not ignorant or unmindful that the imperious monarch, although aged, had set his thoughts upon sundry mighty enterprises for early accomplishment — the further subjection and chastisement of Scotland being the main one ; and that, through the free thought and speech-begetting-wine, he might gather the sense and sentiments of the powerful barons who sat at his massive and pondemusly-laden board. Earl Guy's hospitality, with its generous urgencies and hearty example, were not thrown idly away upon the proud and stalwart knights that had assembled at his table; hilarity and I boon companionship reigning with utislacked and increasing joyousness — the wines of Bourdeaux and of the Rhine, with many another libation doing gradually their office over the stoutest toper amongst them, and awakening their vivacious humours, kindling their wits, and letting the tongue have its license in full swing.

There i was net one at that carousal who seemed to put restraint upon his appetite either for the good I cheer set before him in substantial shape and j lavish abundance, or, at length, upon the ex | eicise of his lungs in noisy song, rallying re , partee, or extemporaneous harangue relative to any theme that rushed uppermost through the heating beverages drawn from the brimming cups and foaming silver tankards; not one, excepting the Bruce, who, as was his habit, put a check upon himself, so is not to bring his head or heart under the power of a dangerous stimulant. Now, this caution, together with the gravity which characterised his demeanour, could not escape the observation of the quickened parties at the same board, or fail to operate as a reproof to their excess. And as some of these haughty barons were in a measure piqued even before intoxication fired them, at the distinguished courtesies paid to Carrick's earl, not only by their host on that occasion, but by the monarch himself, it required but the slightest opening and opportunity for one after another of the jovial number to let fly his shaft of satire and of sarcasm at the Scotsman.

They felt that his abstraction of mind paid them but a slight compliment, in spite of all their flashes of fancy, aud that his dignified serenity and cold, if not morose bearing, formed a cutting contrast to their boisterous glee and rude mirthfulness. " It is a wassail rout," cried Earl Guy, the wasteful host, " in which it is my delight to take part, amid all the cares of life and state, and this the more especially when it giveth opportunity to league together in my revels the rluwer ofthe kingdom, be ihey from the north or south of the Tweed. And now that the great Edwaid is sole monarch of the isle, and is on the eve of still further and more surely consolidating his empire by healing as well as politic measures, with which my Lord of Carrick and Annandale, and, I should add, of many fair acres in merry Bnglat-d besides, is not unacquainted — having to lend his efficient hand to the erection of the grand fabric — 1 am doubly minded to make this a night of rejoicing.

What says the puissant 1 Jr. ice. the right arm of our sovereign prince, the king?" , He to whom the que.-tion bad been put so flatly was far too wary a person, and too skilful a courtier not to retuin a smile, as if of ap probation, to whatever might be implied in the earl's speech and inteirogatory. At the same time he felt, though his host might nut have intended to sound him on the subject of Scotland and her fortunes, that there were, at any rate, others present who would take up the iilea; also that in their stimulated Htate they would be ready to push the theme to em barrassing lengths. Bruce, therefore, whiie he relaxed his gravity and called in his far-off and anxious musings, returned an adroit aud careful answer. " It hath been my sludy and forecast hitherto, my lords," said ho, " to have regard to the begetting and the permanency of the peace, contentment, and happiness of Albion ; aud the longer I live, the more eager and earnest I grow in lending my counsels and efforts for that end.

There are, however, those here at this in-taut whose services to King Edward are of more promise and price than mine can ever be ; and to. such friends the praises and heartening* of our sumptuous host are more rightfully due than to myself." While Bruce thus vaguely and flatteringly delivered himself, he nobly sustained that com manding courtesy, and that counselling dignity which were habiiual to him, thrown into hia voice, mien, and countenance in such true knightly style, that not a bold baron that was present, how ancient soever his line or high his degree, would have ventured in his sober moments — though jealous he might secretly feel of Bruce's position, — to have offered a sneer, a cavil, or even an observation in reply. But the wine was in the ascendant and delicacy as well as discretion had fled.

"How say you, Carrick?" demanded Sir In gleby Jocelyn. "You swear that you have al ways striven for the establishment of King Ed ward's supremacy both in England and your native rebel province of his kingdom. Now, I have not found it so : neither hath our and your glorious sovereign had such experience. Your's hath been a weathercock allegiance, I trow, nor can you gainsay it. But come, drink long life to our monarch, and endless rule to him and his successors over your oold aad beg gaily country." " Hush, and hold, Sir Ingleby," shouted Earl Guy, "otherwise I will silence you with mine own arm. " What ! the beginner of a brawl at my baronial board, as if we were a crew of swaggering drunkards, or cravens, all but you yourself7 ! Silence, I command, otherwise I shall hold myself disgraced in having called you friend and colleague."

Neither the earl's nor Jocelyn's condition at the moment was such as to think of soothing speech and courteous behaviour ; and indeed, the noble host's commauds and reproof on y ROBERT BHUCE, TH! HERO-KING OT SCOTLAND. against his clansmen, thus eating the gore of* his brethren, and proving himselra traitor to his native land." invited a more in-nlting rejoinder, that would have, if unchecked, in all probability driven Guy de Ashby to the exerci-e and inllietion of his threatened chastisement to the provoking and unmanageable guest. Bruce, however, prevented the violent measure of their ho^t by lay ing his hand upon his shoulder soothingly, quietly and good-naturedlv saying: — "It is your wine, not his will, my Lord de Ashby, that is to blame ; let him alone, for 1 well can bear everything that Jocelyn can advance or me nace."

Bruce had advanced some paces alor-g the floor of the capacious ball, while tho excited knight, stimulated by strong drink and some secret grudgings, was thus insolently delivering himself. Stationed as CaiTick now happened to become, somewhat apart from all others, but still upon the dais, he stood, while stopping short to listen to the concluding sentences of the accusa tion, as if he had been a sculptured colossal figure upon its pedestal, in heroic attitude holding himself. Robert Bruce wafi tall and handsomely pro portioned, being much above the middle size. His hair, which inclined to a dark chesnut shade, curled closely and shortly round hia neck, which possessed that breadth and thickness which be long to men of great strength. He was broad shouldered and open chesteu, while his shapely limbs, combining power with activity, had these qualities improved and invigorated by his frequent exercise in the chase aswell as by other manly amusements and masculine occupations.

The general expression of his countenance was that of a person whose habitual feelings and sen timents were governed by generous impulses and of a nature that was frank and cheerful. His manners were dignifi'-d, as might be ex pected in a person of hie high birth and bodily conformation; and at the same time engaging, as was to be looked for in one who had spent much of his youth and early manhood at King Edward's court. And yet he could be stern and haughty when itsuited, imposing silence and in suring obedience at will. He excelled in all the exercises of chivalry, and, as has already been indicated, the English themselves accounted him one of the three best knights in Europe. His memory was stored with the romances of the period, the only literature then known or in vogue ; and his tastes were directed by an ad mirable judgment, and a vein of strong good sense.

Such was the stately person who paused to listen to the accusation and the invectives which were levelled at him by the renowned Sir Giles de Argentine, the crusading warrior, and highly accomplished knight. "The name of traitor I return thee, for having said the words," said Bruce as with command ing air he bent bis fixed and unquailing looks upon the flushed knight. " I hurl defiance high aud stern at thee and each one else, who may dare to impeach mine honour, and give thee and them the lie in the throat. What more ; at this hour, and in this hospitable hall, where we met in peace and amity, and.which I would have been most loth first to disturb, wuuldest thou of me?" But instead of this moderation, calmness, and self-possession soothing the intoxicated spirit of the knight, or allaying the waters whieh he alone had disturbed, he rushed into greater perversions and grosser abuse ; Bruce's regret being that he should have al owed himself to remain and witness the excesses to which the carousers had carried their revehy.

He now, at las-, however, deemed it more than high time for him to intimate to the earl his purpose to withdraw ; and, accordingly, he would speedily have disappeared, had not another of the wassailers thrown himself up m the Scot, — a personage of much greater account than the in ebriated Jocelyn —this being no other than Sir Giles de Argentine, one of the most accomplished knights of the period. He had served in the wars of Henry of Luxemburg with such high reputation that he was, in popular estimation, the third worthy of the age. Those to whom fame assigned precedence over him, were Henry of Luxemburg himself, and Robert Bruce. Argentine had warred in Palestine, en countered thrice with the Saracens, aud had slain two antagonists in each engagement " An easy matter," he said, "for one Christian knight to slay two pagan dogs, at any time."

Yet eveu Sir Giles — the experienced soldier so renowned for his courtesy and valour — flushed and inflamed by potations too deep and numerous, could not restrain his lurking jealousies, nor to vaunt of his exploits; rashly thinking at the moment that to blazon his own achievements, and to bid defiance to a rival in the use of his weapon, was, in some measure, to help to the mastery. " Go not yet," shouted the knight, springing to his feet as Bruce arose to bid adieu to all present, iu spite of the noble host's entreaties for him to remain, were it but to witness the way in which he would quell all rudeness and discourtesy from whatever quarter these might come : * quit us not thus haughtily, lord earl, and ere there be a fitting understanding between yourself and those you leave behind at the social board.

At the present it doth seem that there are no assurances for us to hold by, whether it be to bear arms for or against our sovereign lord, King Edward, — ay, and yours to boot, a vassal eworn to him as you are, that yon leave us — or whether it be to rear the standard of re bellion in the north. I speak not without authority, that hitherto Carrick's earl hath been unstable as the wind, now adhering to England's sovereignty, again holding himself aloof from our friends and foes equally, and anon, Scots man-like, smiting his fellow-countrymen, his kithand kin, most furiously, as heretofore I have beheld, — nay, in very despite of them, feasting with hands unwashed, aftet the shock of battle " The thing I sought for will be had to my great joy," exclaimed Sir Giles; " nor doubted 1 the chivalric courage of the Brace.

I would that the championship of England were decided by and between us, chieftain, graced as you are by the three high knightly accomplishments, — Doble birth, untarnished valour, and perfect courtesy. Time it is that we demand of each other the proofs of noblest knighthood. We need not tell to one another that both well can wield our weapons; although Carrick's ear! hath only fleshed his sword in homely skirmish RUPERT BnUCE, THE HERO-KING OF SCOTLAND. 5 or disported himself at tilt aud tournament, whi e Argentine was battling for the Cross in far distant and inhospitable lauds. Then do me th« soldier's grace, proud lord earl, to plant this glove upon your helmet's crest when next we meet in fitting place ; and then, though van quished you may be, I will proclaim you still a gallant knight." '• In obedience to thy brave request, Sir Giles," calmly replied Carrick's lord, "I'll make the honoured pledge wave upon my headpicce, when and where as thou wilt.

Believe me, if my hasty tongue hath done thee causeless wrong, it Bhall be well redressed ; for not dearer to my youthful houI was the token that lady's love be stowed, than this which thou hast given. Thus, then, my noble foe, I greet thee, — may there wait on thee, health and high fortune, till we meet in stern encounter, wheu the award shill be as high Heaven willeth." While the two champion knights were thus confronting, chafing, and challenging one an other, all present were struck mute, and held iu awe or iu admiration. There was not a carouser there who rose not to his feet, unconsciously thus paying homage to the undaunted gallantry and high-souled honour ofthe. heroic men ; and when the stately Biuce withdrew, bending on each and all a complacent smile, wishing them a hearty good-night, andacordial farewell, there was not a lordly and knightly chief present, who did not with a sobered brain, for the time, re spond like good wishes, following Carrick's lord with such looks of charmed approval as the haughtiest monarch might kneel to receive.

But whither goes the Bruce? What are the emotions with whieh his manly bosom throbs? Is all peace and complacency within? And have his self-upbraidiiigs been hushed by the admira tion and homage which he has just extorted from a phalanx of carousers, who but a few minutes earlier had been ready to drag him into fierce contention, and perhaps deadly strife? Follow him to yonder chapel, to which he is guided by his deep contrition and eager devo tion, rather than by the taper that glimmers on its altar. Yes, thither he speeds ; for it is to confess and be humbled, — ay, to sob and shed tears as strong men do, when wholly under the control of the surges of emotion, and the sinkings of an accusing conscience ; to confess and sup plicate, for he feels his need of greater than na tuial impulse or man's aid ; to confess, aud with all his heart to vow; for lie knows that it will require the most sacred bonds to hold him to his mighty purpose, — the patriot's task, the de liverance from thraldom of his grouud-down oountry. heed to the course which his steps were taking. lt was not long, however, before hw discovered that he was going out of his way, at an hour too when he could have no wish for prolonging bis walk, feeling on the contrary au anxiety to gain the retirement of his own private chamber with out needless delay.

Accordingly he suddenly turned round, but without being very careful about retracing his steps exactly, seeing that the frost-bound footing did not require of him any such precision. He rather indeed had a motive for diverging considerably from the path tha; would have brought him close to the gates of the hospitable dwelling which he had so shortly before quitted, taking a somewhat circuitous route; so that he found himself in a few minutes near to the southern border of the extensive range of land which at that period belonged to, aud was cultured by, the m inks of Westminster, — part of the same forming at the present day the site of Covent Garden Market. Holding on by the side of the enclosed space, he soon arrived at the spot where St. Martin's church now stands, and where even at that distant date there was a chapel, surrounded by fine pasturefields, to the westward of the holy hous-, but with rarely a human habitation to enliven the rural scene.

"It is well that I have, taken this direction," said Bruce within him-elf, "and that my steps bring me to the very threshold of the sanctuary which hath been dedicated to the sainted Mar tin. There are glimmering lights even at this late hour within the fane, and haply I may fin I an entrance thither, and be permitted, in the solitude of the consecrated fabric, to pour out my soul, and to register my vows, no other ear being witness to my prayers, my contrition, and my solemn resolves, but that of Him who knovveth every thought ere it be spoken, and each secret utterance, whether it be heartfelt aud honest or not." Bruce had by the time that these serious cogitations passed through his mind, got close to the door of the sacred house, by whieh, as he knew, the ghostly fathers entered ac the times appointed for the performance of their holy functions, — trusting that it might not be barred in such a way as to prevent him from offering up to heaven his devoutest sentiments within its consecrated walls.

Gently he applied his fingers to the latch ; readily it yielded to the touch ; the door creaked upon its hinges ; and a few steps more, having advanced along a drearily-illuminated aisle, brought him to the foot of the high altar, where for a moment he paused, in order to discover whether he were quite alone in the sanctuary or not. He looked around in that gloomy hallowed place; a feeling of holy dread and reverential awe stole over him ; for the spell-like influence of the moment, — acting on a mind that was at the time deeply awakened and solemnized by what had so powerfully arrested him during the few hours which had just gone by, — made him fancy he perceived by means of the dusky light ot the solitary taper which served to maku the darkness visible along the deserted aisle, the cross legged effigies rise and glide out of sight beyond the massive pillars.