Page:Life and adventures of Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/5

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that age ; he chose also out of the states of Scotland assembled, twelve of the wisest and most honourable to whom he joined the like number of English, asses- sors to him in his arbitrament.

At the meeting, by the doubtful answers of law- yers, and the number of new precedents, he made the matter more difficult, and appointed a new convention at Norham, on the border, in the year fol- lowing.

Difficulties thus increasing, and the earl of Holland having on foot a great army, to take the crown of Scotland by force, (which their own stories affirm, to have landed in Scotland, and to have intercepted some strengths) at the meeting of Norham. king Edward dealt secretly, and by fit agents with the states of . Scotland, for shuning imminent dangers, to become his subjects ; he, being descended of King David's sister, and so but two degrees farther from the crown of Scotland than Bruce or Baliol were.

This being denied by all, he betook himself to his other design. And first dealt secretly with Robert Bruce, promising to discern is his favour, if he would take the crown of Scotland holden of him, and do him homage for it.

But he stoutly refused to subject a free nation to any over-lord ; whereupon king Edward called for John Baiiol, who, knowing that he was not so much favoured of the States of Scotland, easily condescen- ded to king Edward’s desire, and was by him declar- ed king of Scotland : the States, desirous of peace, conveyed him to Scoon, where he was crowned, anno 1291, and all, except Bruce, swore obedience to him.

Thereafter Duncan Macduff, earl of Fife, was kill- ed by lord Abernethy, (a man of great power in those