Page:Life and adventures of Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/15

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This was March 24th, 1302.

King Edward, sore incensed by this evil success, sent for Robert Bruce, younger, out of Calais, whom he persuaded, that he had for a long time, against Wallace, defended his father’s right to the Crown of Scotland; that having put Wallace out of the way, he found the Cummings as great enemies: not with- standing, he intended yet once more to put that ene- my out of the way, and to settle him in the kingdom. 1 The young prince believing him caused all his friends and favourers in Scotland, to join with him, and en- tering the border, spoiled the country and took divers castles as far as Douglas. Some report that the lady Douglas named Ferras, an English woman, be- trayed that castle to the Bruce, who took Lord Wm. Douglas captive, with all his children and goods.— The Lord himself was kept prisoner in- Berwick, and thereafter in York, where he died. Meantime, King Edward had prepared a mighty army by land and sea, with which he entered Scotland, and subdued all be- fore him while he came to Stirling, .kept then by Sir Wm. Oliphant, who, after a long siege, knowing of no relief, yielded the castle upon condition, that, himself and all that wore with him, should pass with their lives safe : notwithstanding King Edward kept still all the noblemen, together with the captain Sir William Oliphant, and such as would not swear homage to him, (pretending to he the protector of Robert Bruce’s right) he sent prisoners to London.

Having in this castle intercepted divers of John Cumming's friends, he procured them to draw him to a parley with him ; in which he so blinded him with the hopes of the kingdom, and with fear of utter un- doing, that he joined himself and his friends to the English; who, by this accession, easily passed for-