the slaughter of Comyn, (8th January 1319-20). Whether this unseasonable exertion of authority ought to be ascribed to the zeal of the Pope, or to some visionary policy of Edward II. it is impossible to determine.

A truce was concluded between the two nations (21st December 1319), to endure until Christmas 1321.*12

1320.

The Scots having obtained this interval of tranquillity, resolved to justify their cause, in a manifesto addressed to the Pope.13

In a parliament assembled at Aberbrothock, (6th April 1320), a letter to the Pope was drawn up by the barons, freeholders, and whole community of Scotland.

They began with mentioning the fabulous origin of the nation from Scythia and Spain, their boasted line of one hundred and thirteen native Kings, the establishment of the Christian religion in Scotland, by the ministry of Andrew the apostle, and the favour which the Roman pontiffs had shewn to their forefathers, as being under the special patronage of the brother of St Peter.

After this puerile preamble, full of the prejudices of an ignorant and superstitious age, they proceeded in a more elevated and manly style.

"We continued to enjoy peace and liberty, with the protection of the papal see, until Edward, the late King of England, in the guise of a friend and ally, invaded and oppressed our nation, at that time without a head, unpractised in war, and suspecting no evil. The wrongs which we suffered under the tyranny of Edward are beyond description, and, indeed, they would appear incredible to all but those who actually felt them. He wasted our country, imprisoned our prelates, burnt our religious places, spoiled our ecclesiastics, and slew our people, without discrimination of age, sex, or rank. Through the favour of Him who woundeth and maketh whole, we have been freed from so great and innumerable calamities by the valour of our Lord and Sovereign Robert. He, like another Josuah, or a Judas Maccabeus, gladly endured toils, distresses, the extremities of want, and every peril, to rescue his people and inheritance out of the hands of the enemy. The Divine Providence, that legal succession which we will constantly maintain, and our due and unanimous consent, have made him our chief and King. To him, in defence of our liberty, we are bound to adhere, as well of right as by reason of his deserts, and to him we will in all things adhere; for through him salvation has been wrought unto our people. Should he abandon our cause, or aim at reducing us and our kingdom under the dominion of the English, we will instantly strive to expel him as a public enemy, and the subverter of our rights and his own, and we will chuse another King to rule and protect us; for, while there exist an hundred of us, we will never submit to England. We fight not for glory, wealth, or honour, but for that liberty which no virtuous man will survive.

"Wherefore, we most earnestly request your Holiness, as the Vicegerent of Him who giveth equal measure unto all, and with whom there is no distinction either of persons or nations, that you would behold, with a fatherly eye, the tribulation and distresses brought upon us by the English, and that you would admonish Edward to content himself with his own dominions, esteemed in former times sufficient for seven kings, and allow us Scotsmen, who dwell in a poor and remote corner, and who seek for nought but our own, to remain in peace. In order to procure that peace, we are willing to do whatever is consistent with our national interests.

" Herein it behoves you, Holy Father, to interpose. You behold with what cruelty the Heathen rages against the Christians, for the chastisement of their sins, and that the boundaries of Christendom are daily contracted. How must your memory suffer in after ages, should the Church be diminished in glory, or receive reproach under your administration?

"Rouse, therefore, the Christian Princes, and call them to the rescue of Palestine: They pretend that wars with their neighbours hinder that

enterprise; but the true cause of hindrance is, that in subduing their weaker neighbours, they look for less opposition, and profit more immediate. Every one knows, and we now declare it to you, and to all Christendom, that our King and we are willing to undertake the holy expedition, if Edward will permit us to depart in peace.

"Should you, however, give a too credulous ear to the reports of our enemies, distrust the sincerity of our professions, and persist in favouring the English, to our destruction, we hold you guilty, in the sight of the Most High, of the loss of lives, the perdition of souls, and all the other miserable consequences which may ensue from war between the two contending nations.

" Ever ready, like dutiful children, to yield all fit obedience to you, as God's Vicegerent, we commit our cause to the protection of the Supreme King and Judge: We cast our cares on him, and we steadily trust that he will inspire us with valour, and bring our enemies to nought."

It will be remarked, that, in this manifesto, no mention is made of the clergy of Scotland. We must not, however, suppose that they were less zealous than the laity in the national cause. But the style of the letter was such, that it could not, with propriety, be avowed by ecclesiastics, especially in an address to the head of their church.

Although the Scottish barons appeared unanimous in their resolution to maintain the government of Robert, yet there were concealed traitors

among the patriots. William de Soulis, and some other persons of quality conspired against the King. The plot was revealed by the Countess of Strathern.* Soulis having been apprehended, made a full confession.

The conspirators were tried in parliament, (at Scone, August 1320).

Soulis and the Countess of Strathern were condemned to perpetual imprisonment.

Gilbert de Malerb and John de Logie, both Knights, and Richard Brown an Esquire, were found guilty of treason, and suffered the punishment of traitors.

Roger de Moubray died before sentence. Yet a like sentence was pronounced upon his dead body. The King, however, mitigated this rigour, and allowed him all the honours of sepulture.

The fate of David de Brechin was much deplored. That brave young man, the nephew of the King, had served with reputation against the

* Fordun, L. xiii. c. 1. says, That the Countess of Strathern confessed her offence, and was punished with perpetual imprisonment. Barbour, p. 396. says, That the conspirators were discovered through a lady, whose name he does not mention. From comparing the two narratives, there is reason to conclude, that the Countess of Strathern revealed the plot.

† From a charter granted by Robert Bruce to the Black Friars at Perth, there is some reason to suspect, that John de Logie forfeited at an earlier period. That charter is dated 2d Feb. anno regni nostri quarto decimo, and mentions the tenement of Logy, quod fuit quondam Johannis de Logy, militis, et quod forisfecit. This charter is in the archives of the borough of Perth. As Bruce ascended the throne on the 27th March 1306, the 2d day of February, in the 14th year of his reign, seems to be 2d February 1319-20.

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14 Fordun, xiii. 1. Barbour, 395-398.

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