Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/73

 ( 73 ) {[illegible}} In that periodi als), the papel court of Rome kupt a waterfalev upon the polisical transac- tions of all the Christian nations maintained with them regular.correspondence, and ex- or a paw riil antlibrity over both their c vil and ecelestial dira. Its visilence and is terference were generaliy directed to the pro- tection of its hegy to the extending its own 1 wer, and to the taining of the wealth of their toutes. I aver injust or indefensible, iconmance 0.1cian coull be guined 1:y bribes or calcesis to a fraul in tieto- cattol, Oranjustice in conquest; and if her res senne from this island was anmedthe Scola enght ravage England, au shes in her turn; dit cuaquet condcither the one or the other nation night prevail, without any serious interreption from papal authority. Such tras the internal situation of Scotland; its relation to the rest eciguous kinezous. mul courts; the lispositions of these kingdoms - and courts towards the Scottish nation; and their power to influence its public treur-sactions, at the period, whes by the onclion of the posterity of Aloxander IIb. the succession to the Scottish throne was exposed to a puber of competitors. Besides the king of Norway, who claimed the succession to his deceased daughter's kingdom, there appeared twelve other competitors for the Scottish throne. These were, Florance, Earl of Holland; Robert de Pinkney: William de Ros; Patrick, Earl of March; William de Wesee;