66

to Edward III. of the kingdom and crown of Scotland, " by delivery of a portion of the earth of Scotland, and also by delivery of his golden crown." These were considered as the proper feudal symbols of possession given, (at Rokesburgh, 20th January 1355-6).82

Balliol judged it incumbent on him to publish to the world the reasons which occasioned this surrender. They are here collected from the various instruments drawn up at that time, and they are eleven in number.

1. The many great favours, and distinguished marks of honour, bestowed on him by the English King. 2. Balliol's especial affection towards the English King. 3. The near relation by blood in which they stood to each other.* 4. The ingratitude, and the obstinate rebellion of those his relations who stood next in succession to the crown. 5. That his own right to the crown might not altogether perish. 6. That its opposers might not escape with impunity. 7. The various and imminent dangers, spiritual as well as temporal, in which his subjects were involved through the prevalency of rebellion. 8. The feebleness of his body by reason of the approach of old age. 9. The evils which might arise from a disputed succession after his death. 10. His expectation, that, through the valour of Edward, the wicked would at length be overcome; and, through his wisdom and clemency, the good protected. And, lastly, in order to promote union, for the mutual strength, safety, and advantage of the two nations.83

To this instrument of surrender, a clause was added of the following import : " And we, and our heirs, shall warrant against all mortals, for ever, the said kingdom and crown of Scotland, the Isles, and all other the premises, with their whole pertinents, to the said Edward our cousin, and his heirs and assigns."*

It must appear exceedingly strange, that Balliol, when deprived of the possession of the kingdom of Scotland, and despairing to regain it, should have made it over to another "with absolute warranty."

In return for this surrender, Edward became bound to pay five thousand merks to Balliol, and to secure him in an annuity of two thousand pounds Sterling, 84 (at Bamburgh, 20th January 1355-6).+

* " Et nos et haeredes nostri, dicta regnum et coronam Scotiae, Insulas, et omnia alia praedicta, cum suis pertinentiis universis, praefato Domino et consanguineo nostro, haeredibus et assignatis suis, contra mortales omnes warrantizabimus et in perpetuum defendemus;" Foedera, T. v. p. 833.

+ From the instruments executed on this memorable 20th January 1355-6, it appears that Edward III. and Balliol were,

The fate of Edward Balliol was singular. In his invasion of Scotland, during the minority of David Bruce, he displayed a bold spirit of enterprise, and a courage superior to all difficulties. By the victory at Duplin he won a crown; some few weeks after, he was surprised at Annan, and lost it. The overthrow of the Scots at Halidon, to which he signally contributed, availed not to his re-establishment. Year after year he saw his partisans fall away, and range themselves under the banners of his competitor. He became the pensioner of Edward III. and the tool of his policy, assumed and laid aside at pleasure: And, at last, by the surrender at Rokesburgh, he did what in him lay to entail the calamities of war on the Scottish nation, a nation already miserable through the consequences of a regal succession disputed for threescore years. The remainder of his days was spent in obscurity; and the historians of that kingdom where he once reigned, knew not the time of his death. He died childless, (1363).85

Edward, after having received the solemn surrender of Balliol's rights, remained at Rokesburgh for some days.86 He suffered himself to be amused with hopes of the submission of the Scottish barons; but perceiving at length, that they only sought to gain time, and that they had no purpose of acknow

on the same day, at Rokesburgh and Bamburgh. It is probable that the treaty was concluded at Bamburgh, and that the parties afterwards went to Rokesburgh to give and to receive livery and sasine.

ledging his authority, he resolved to extort their obedience, and he led his numerous forces into East Lothian. The Scots had not failed in their wonted precaution of driving off the cattle, and removing every sort of provisions beyond the reach of the enemy. Edward ordered a fleet of victuallers to attend him in the Frith of Forth; but his ships were dispersed by a tempest, and many wrecked. As he advanced, his difficulties increased. Flying parties of the Scots infested him on all sides, and embarrassed his march. Edward, inflamed by disappointment and rage, desolated the country, and laid every town, village, and hamlet in ashes. More resembling the frantic JOHN, than the conqueror at Cressy, he spared not the edifices consecrated to religion.* It behoved him to retreat; and, while

* " Combusto burgo et toto monasterio, ac solemni ecclesia Fratrum Minorum de Hadington, opus certè quod sumptuosum erat, mirique decoris, ac totius patriae illius solatium singulare, cujus chorus quidem, ob singularem pulchritudinem et luminis claritatem, Lucerna Laudoniae communiter vocabatur, direxit iter suum per Laudoniam, circumquaque cuncta comburens et devastans, et nihil pro posse salvans, usque ad burgum de Edinburgh perveniret. A quo abcedens, et omnia combustibilia incinerans, propterea vulgò le Burnt Candlemas data datur, ad propria sine honore remeavit;" Fordun, L. xiv. c. 13. To the same purpose the English historians speak : "King Eduarde went beyond Lambremore in Lownes, destroying the country on to Edinburg;" Scala Chron. ap. Leland, T. i. p. 566. "Super hoc Rex carpit iter versus Edynsborg cum iii aciebus, et destruxerunt patriam per viii leucas in circuitu, et succenderunt igne et flamma;" Knyghton, p. 2611. Some of the English historians, as Walsingham and the Continuator of Murimuth, have altogether suppressed this savage and inglorious expedition. As to the fact of Edward having burnt churches, Barnes bluntly says, " I believe it not, because of that notable success which followed his arms this year in France;" Edward III. p. 491. Mr Hume says, "Balliol attended Edward on this expedition; but finding that his constant adherence to the English

part of his army was passing by the borders of Etrick forest, Lord Douglas set upon them, and slew great numbers. This inroad happened about the time of the feast of the Purification; and hence it was long remembered as an æra among the vulgar in Scotland, under the name of the burnt Can

dlemas.

After having been thus foiled, Edward issued an ostentatious proclamation, intimating, that he was resolved, as sovereign of Scotland, inviolably to maintain the ancient laws and the usages of that kingdom, (15th March 1355-6).87

1356.

After Edward's retreat, the Scots expelled his partisans from the west marches. 88 Roger de Kirkpatrick stormed the castles of Dalswinton and Carlaverock, and obtained possession of Nithsdale ; and John Stewart, eldest son of the Regent, obliged the inhabitants of Annandale to yield submission to the Scottish government. About this time, also, according to Fordun, it was that Lord Douglas reduced Interior Galloway.

had given his countrymen an unconquerable aversion to his title, and that he himself was declining through age and infirmities, he finally resigned into the King's hands his pretensions to the crown of Scotland;" History of England, v. ii. p. 210. If there is no inaccuracy in the language of the historian, he erroneously imagines that Balliol made the surrender after the expedition into Scotland. That Balliol attended Edward into Scotland, is exceedingly improbable, and it is a circumstance not recorded by the old historians of either nation. Barnes, indeed, has asserted it, but without quoting any authority; p. 491. And Tyrrel has transcribed the passage from Barnes, without even quoting him, v. iii. p. 592. Thus is history written!

87 Foedera, v. 846.

88 Fordun, xiv. 15.

VOL. II.

T