Page:History of King Robt. Bruce (1).pdf/4

4 THE HISTORY OF His uncle, Sir Robert Comyn, hearing the scuffle, entered, and shared a similar fate. The murder of Comyn was a cruel action, and Heaven's displeasure seemed to have followed it, for no man ever went through more misfortunes than Robert Bruce, who was the bravest and best warrior in Scotland now that his country had been deprived of Sir William Wallace, and was also famed for his prudence and skill as a commander in the field.

Bruce had committed an action which was sure to bring upon him the vengeance of all Comyn's relations, the resentment of the King of England, and the displeasure of the church, for slaying his enemy within consecrated ground. He therefore determined at once to bid defiance to them all, and assert his right to the Scottish throne. For this purpose, he summoned his own followers, together with such barons who still entertained hopes of their country's freedom, and was crowned king at Scone, the usual place where the Scottish kings were inaugurated, on March 27, 1306. The regalia had been carried by Edward to Westminster, but their place was speedily supplied. The Bishop of Glasgow furnished from his own stores the robes in which Bruce was arrayed, and a slight circlet of gold, to represent the ancient crown of Scotland, being procured from the nearest artist, the Bishop of St Andrews set it on his head. The Bishop of Glasgow also presented to the new king a banner wrought with the arms of Baliol, which he had concealed in his trcasury, and under it Robert received the homage of those who devoted themselves to his service. The Earls of Fife had from a remote antiquity enjoyed the privilege of crowning the kings of Scotland; but Duncan, the representative of the family, favouring at that time the English interest, his sister, the Countess of Buchan, with a boldness and enthusiasm which must have added to the popular interest felt for the young king, repaired to Scone, and, asserting the privilege of her ancestors, placed the crown a second time on Bruce's head. The eyes of all Scotland were now directed towards him. He was without a rival —his past conduct had given ample earnest at once of his intrepidity and prudence, and his countrymen regarded him as their last remaining hope.

The King of England was dreadfully incensed when he was informed that, after all the pains he had taken, and all the blood which had been shed, the Scots were making this new attempt to shake off his authority. At a great festival, though now old and sickly, he made a solemn vow, in presenco of all his court, that he would take ample vengeance on Bruce and his followers, and accordingly marched against him at the head of a powerful army. The beginning of Bruce's