Page:History of Sir William Wallace, the renowned Scottish champion.pdf/8

8 didate, he next demanded the temporary possession of all the fortresses of the kingdom : which, strange to say, were passively yielded into his hands, with the exception of the castles of Dundee and Forfar, then held by Gilbert de Umfraville, who refused compliance with this unlooked-for mandate, unless a written indemnity should be given at the hand of the Scottish nobles, freeing him from all share of blame. The claim of Baliol was at last, 17th December 1292, declared the preferable one, and that personage, having again acknowledged the English king as his liege lord, was placed by him on the Scottish throne. The insults and degradation to which he was subjected at last roused even the complying spirit of Baliol, and in the bitterness of his soul he could not help communicating his feelings to the nobles of his court, who, at his instigation, now , unanimously disclaimed their hasty allegiance to the English monarch. “ The silly traitor,” exclaimed Edward in derision, when Baliol’s refusal to attend his summons was communicated to him, “ if he will not come to us we will go to him.” Edward now entered Scotland with a, large army ; one stronghold after another yielded to the conqueror; Edinburgh Castle surrendered after