Page:History of Sir William Wallace the renowned Scottish champion (1).pdf/7

 It was on this occasion maintained by Edward, that the English monarchs were the natural and acknowledged superiors of the kingdom of Scot- land, which only an appanage of the English crown; and that at different periods this right had been authenticated by the homage of the Seottish princes. Now the fact was, that these acts of fealty were only rendered for possessions of the Scottish sovereigns lying on the northern frontier of the English dominions. These terri- tories, from their being situate on the threshold of the two kingdoms, had formed the theatre of many sanguinary conflicts; and had at divers times changed masters, till they came at last to be con- sidered as belonging to Scotland. For these possessions it had been the practice of some of the Scottish kings, at different periods, to do homage, to those of far inferior note, for tracts of land acquired in this manner; and instances were not awanting of the English monarchs themselves, rendering that sort of subjection to the kings of France. It was now contended, however, by Edward, that the homage or fealty on these oc- casions had been done for the entire kingdom of Scotland. This was the first step in Edward's ambitious views. Under pretence of transmitting the full authority into the lands of the successful