dant supplies. He therefore relinquished the blockade, and ordered the Scots to disperse themselves. His orders were instantly obeyed: And thus, within the space of three weeks from his landing, Edward Balliol saw himself in quiet possession of Scotland.

31

He was crowned at Scone, (24th September),* in presence of the clergy and people of Fife, and of the low country of Perthshire, who had submitted to a power which they could not resist. 31 Duncan Earl of Fife, and William Sinclair Bishop of Dunkeld, assisted at this solemnity. The former had, a few weeks before, opposed Balliol in the field, and the latter, in the reign of Robert Bruce, for his valiant opposition to the English invaders, had merited the title of The King's Bishop.

Immediately after his coronation, the new monarch repaired to the southern parts of Scotland, having intrusted Perth to the custody of the Earl of Fife.32

James Fraser, Simon Fraser, and Robert Keith, surprised Perth, and razed its fortifications, (7th October). 33 The Earl of Fife, and his family and vassals, were made prisoners. Andrew Murray of Tullibardin, who had directed the English to a ford on the river Earn, was taken at Perth, and punished as a traitor. The English historians report,

* W. Heming ford, T. ii. p. 273. places the coronation of Balliol on the 27th September.

that the Earl of Fife, the governor, betrayed the town to the Scots.*

Such of the Scots as still adhered to their infant sovereign, conferred the office of Regent on Sir Andrew Murray of Bothwell, husband of Christian the sister of Robert Bruce.34 But he, although brave and active, had not force sufficient to attempt ought considerable.

On the news of the sudden change of affairs in Scotland, Edward III. repaired to York, 35 having been counselled by his parliament, for the safety of the realm, to draw near the Scottish frontiers.t

Meanwhile, Balliol came to Rokesburgh, and there made a solemn surrender of the liberties of Scotland. 36 He acknowledged the English King for his liege Lord; and, as if that had not been sufficient, he became bound to put him in possession of the town, castle, and territory of Berwick, and of other lands on the marches, extending in all to the yearly value of £.2000, "on account, as the instrument bears, of the great honour and emoluments which we have procured through the

* " Idem Comes se Scotis contulit, villamque illis proditiosè tradidit;" Knyghton, p. 2562. It may seem strange that Balliol placed such confidence in the Earl of Fife, so lately an enemy. But the forces of Balliol were not numerous, and he could not leave an English garrison in Perth: He therefore judiciously intrusted that town to a lord whose territories lay open to the incursions of the English fleet. This circumstance might either serve to ensure his fidelity, or afford means of chastening his bad faith.

+ It appears from Foedera, T. iv. p. 535-550. that Edward III. remained at York, and in its neighbourhood, from 26th October 1332 to 9th March 1332-3.

sufferance of our Lord the King, and by the powerful and acceptable aid which we have received from his good subjects."

Moreover, Balliol offered to marry the Princess Johanna, whom he considered as only betrothed to David Bruce, and to add £:500 of land-rent to her original jointure, and this under the extravagant penalty of £.10,000, to be appropriated as a portion to the young lady, or otherwise disposed of for her behoof.

He further engaged to provide for the maintenance of David Bruce, as the King of England should advise.

And, lastly, he became bound to serve Edward in all his wars, excepting in England, Wales, and Ireland, for the space of a year together, with 200 men at arms, and all at his own charges; and he bound his successors to perform the like service, with 100 men at arms, (23d November).

Edward having engaged to maintain Balliol in possession of Scotland, Balliol engaged to serve him in all his wars without exception, (23d November).

At this season there was a duplicity in the conduct of Edward III. which can neither be accounted for nor justified.37 With much earnestness he solicited the Papal court to prefer Robert de Ayleston, Archdeacon of Berks, to the vacant see of St Andrews, and he urged that it was necessary to have, in that office, a person of pacific dispositions, and well affected to England, " the plighted fidelity of the Scots being frail, and their friendship dubious;"* but he industriously avoided any mention of the revolution in Scotland, (26th October).

In another despatch to the Pope, he expressed his fears lest his conduct in Scottish affairs should be misrepresented; 38 and, while he spake of the enterprise, victories, and coronation of Balliol, he kept a profound silence with respect to the submission made by Balliol to him as his liege Lord, (15th December).

And, which is the most singular of all, he, at the very same time, appointed plenipotentiaries to treat with ambassadors from the Regent and barons of Scotland, (14th December).38

It is said, that when the Scottish ambassadors implored the assistance of Edward in behalf of their sovereign, Edward made answer, "That he could give no assistance to those who had deprived his subjects of their estates." 39 But it is not probable that this evasive answer was made, after Edward, by receiving the homage, had acknowledged, and had become bound to support the title of Balliol.

Perhaps the concessions made at Rokesburgh by Balliol were, for a season, kept secret. If this con

* " Cum sit fragilis et dubia penes nos et regnum nostrum Scotorum promissa fides et amicitia;" Foedera, T. iv. p. 535.

38 Foedera, iv. 540.

VOL. II.

39 Scala Chron. ap. Leland, i. 553, 554.

N

jecture be admitted, the conduct of Edward, however unjustifiable, will appear consistent.

Many of the Scottish barons, either through despair, or from ancient attachment to the Balliol line, submitted to the conqueror, and acknowledged his title.4°

The Earl of March and Archibald Douglas obtained a truce from Balliol until the second of February, by which time it was proposed to have all controversies settled in a general convention.4

John, the second son of Randolph, now become Earl of Moray by the death of his brother; Archibald, the youngest brother of the renowned Douglas, together with Simon Fraser, assembled a body of horsemen at Moffat in Annandale, and suddenly traversing the country, assaulted Balliol at Annan, where he lay in thoughtless security. Henry, the brother of Balliol, gallantly resisted the enemy; but at length, being overpowered by numbers, he was slain. With him there fell many other persons of distinction.* Balliol escaped almost naked, and