A.D. 1314.

Edwd. II. courage, and the English fell in great numbers. But the Scotch were terribly galled by the showers of arrows poured upon them by the English bowinen. Bruce therefore ordered Sir Robert Keith to take a body of 500 horse, the only cavalry in the Scotch army, round Milton Marsh, and charge the English archers. The archers had no weapons but their bows and arrows, and their quivers being emptied, they were unable to resist the attack of the Scotch cavalry, and fled. Bruce now saw signs of wavering among the English, and, bringing up his whole reserve, charged the English with his entire army in one line. At this critical moment, by Bruce's orders, the Highlanders made their appearance on the top of Gillies' Hill, and the English, supposing them to be a fresh army advancing to the attack, fled in confusion. This last charge of Bruce decided the fate of the day, and the Scots now obtained a complete victory over their opponents. Thirty thousand of the English are said to have been left dead on the field, but Edward escaped in safety, and took refuge in Berwick.

Defeat

of the

English;

its consequences.

Bruce invades

It was still many years before the wars between England and Scotland ceased, but the battle of Bannockburn had the effect of securely establishing Bruce and his successors as kings of Scotland.

After the battle of Bannockburn, Bruce, profiting England. by the dejection of the English, again carried the war into England, penetrating to the very heart of Yorkshire, and returning loaded with spoil. Edward did not attempt resistance in person, but issued writs for the muster of a new army. "Before however a single horseman had put his foot in the stirrup," Bruce had again invaded England and plundered the north country. Bruce had previously tried to bring about a truce with England, but Edward was not

disposed to make the concessions demanded by Bruce, Edwd. II. and the attempt failed. In the following year, Bruce A.D.1315. again invaded England; and Carlisle, Newcastle, and Berwick were the only cities of refuge in the northern counties where there was security for property.

The Scots now began to feel that they need but little fear the attacks of the English, and, accordingly, they turned their minds to the settlement of various matters of importance to the stability of their kingdom. The succession to the throne was settled, and Settlement shortly afterwards Bruce's daughter Marjory married sion to Walter, the hereditary High Steward of Scotland, Scotland. from whom descended the Stewarts, who, three centuries later, became the kings of both England and Scotland.

Domestic History.

of succes

throne of

During the two years which followed the fatal battle of Bannockburn, nothing, of national importance, took place in England. Short Parliaments were frequently held, to consider what steps should be taken to protect the North of England from the never-ending ravages of the Scots. But the weak character of the King, and his continual quarrels with the barons, prevented anything effectual being done. These Parliaments, however, had to attend to home affairs of some importance. The seasons had been very un- Distress in favourable to the growth of the crops, and the drain from on the country for soldiers had much interfered with failure of the proper cultivation of the soil. The result of these combined causes was a great scarcity of food, amounting almost to famine.

Parliament therefore, not having learnt by experience that the prices of provisions, and all other articles, are regulated by the extent of demand for them, and

England

crops.

Parlia

ment tries

to settle

prices of provisions,

a

Edwd. II. the power of supplying that demand, passed an Act A.D.1315. in the spring of A.D. 1315 to settle what the prices of articles of food should be. It was settled "that the best ox, not fed with grain, should be sold for 16s., and no more; and if he were fed with corn, then for 24s. at the most; the best live fat cow for 12s.; a fat hog of two years old for 3s. 4d.; a fat wether or mutton unshorn for 20d., and shorn for 14d.; a fat goose for 2d.; a fat capon for 2d. ; a fat hen for 1d.; two chickens for 1d.; four pigeons for 1d.; and 24 eggs for 1d.; and those that would not sell these things at these rates, should forfeit them to the but fails. King." But the consequences of this unwise legislation are thus described; "the scarcity of provisions still increased, a quarter of corn, not long after, being sold for 20s., and barley for a mark, or 6s. 8d.; but the sheep having been most dead of the rot, and corn being so very dear, hogs and poultry could not be afforded to be kept, whereby all manner of fresh meats became so scarce," and food in general was so difficult to be obtained, that the King going to St. Albans about the beginning of November, had much ado to get bread to sustain his family.53 It was soon found that this Act of Parliament was worse than useless, and consequently on the 13th of February in A.D.1316. the following year, A.D. 1316, it was agreed "that the late statute should be revoked, and that the oxen, cows, and other victuals should be sold, as formerly, at as reasonable rates as they could be afforded."54 The bad weather had continued, "the autumnal rains scarcity. having fallen so prodigiously, that no grain could ripen, and such as there was, could not be got in, by reason of the continual wetness of the season, till the beginning of September; and it was still so moist, *See note at p. 416, as to the value of money.

Conse. quences of

1155

that they were fain to dry it on kilns before it could Edwd. II. be ground." The scarcity continued during the A.D. 1316. following year, A.D. 1316, and "before midsummer

a quarter of wheat was sold for above 30s., and by the middle of August for 40s.; so that the noblemen were forced to diminish their families, and many of those servants that were dismissed away, turned thieves and robbers; and this famine produced so great a mortality, that the living scarce sufficed to bury the dead, and, if the King had not issued out a prohibition, that no more corn should be turned into malt, most part of the people would have died of hunger.'

1156

Wars with Scotland.

plaints

against the

King.

Parliaments were now constantly held, to consider Comwhat should be done, to resist the ravaging Scotchmen, and to raise supplies for carrying on the war. But the King's treachery hindered any united action. Complaints were constantly made that he did not observe the Ordinances, nor the Perambulations of the Forests, nor the Great Charter. In the Parliament held in January, A.D. 1315, six months after the battle of Bannockburn, one twentieth part of moveable goods had been granted to the King, but in Staffordshire and Shropshire the people had refused to pay these taxes, because of the King's want of faith. At length, at a Parliament held in February, A.D. 1316, the King promised to observe the Ordinances, but it was insidiously added "saving to the King his reasons against them."

favourite Despenser.

Although Gaveston was dead,. Edward was evi- The new dently still influenced by evil counsellors, and there can be but little doubt, that a new favourite, the younger Despenser, about whose evil influence, and

Edwd. II. depraved habits, we shall soon hear, had already A.D. 1316. begun to guide the weak King.

Fresh pre

for war

with Scotland.

After the King's shuffling promise to yield to the parations demands of the Parliament, means for carrying on the war against Scotland were provided. Every town in the kingdom, "except cities and boroughs, and the King's demesnes, were ordered to furnish one stout footman, and these footmen were to be armed and furnished with sword, bows, arrows, slings, lances, and other armour fit for footmen, at the charge of the towns, and their expenses to be paid, until they came to the place of rendezvous, and their wages at 4d. a day, for sixty days after (but no longer), if the King's service required it." 57

Lancaster

com

lish army,

but distrusts the

King, and

returns

home.

The Earl of The Earl of Lancaster was now, at the King's appointed request, reconciled to him, and Lancaster was then appointed general of the army which was gathered the Eng- together to invade Scotland. Edward felt it was a favourable opportunity for this purpose, as Bruce was absent in Ireland. His brother, Sir Edward Bruce, had invaded Ireland in the previous year, and had landed there with about 6000 men. He had had such success that he was soon crowned king of Ireland, but, needing more soldiers, his brother Robert went over to his assistance. It was during his absence, that Edward prepared to invade Scotland. But the King's evil genius still followed him. It was agreed that the King should accompany the army, and Lancaster therefore waited for him at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Finding, however, that he did not come, and, indeed, had no intention of coming, Lancaster returned home and the army was disbanded. The Earl probably was fearful" lest the King should take the opporsuspected tunity of his absence, to do somewhat prejudicial to his interest, or to revoke the Ordinances;" 58 but he

The army

and

Lancaster

of treason.