Page:Life of King Robert Bruce.pdf/15



LIFE OF KING ROBERT BRUCE. 15

This was the greatest defeat the English ever. sustained from the Seots. On the side of the latter, no persons of note were slain, exeepting Sir William Vipont and Sir Walter Ross. On the English side, the best and bravest of the nobility lay dead on the field; many were made prisoners, and the whole of   Edward's immense army was dispersed or destroyed. The English who had taken refuge among the rocks in the neighbourhood of Stirling, surrendered at   discretion: the eastle also surrendered, and the privy seal of England fell into the hands of the Seot- tish monareh. The spoils of the English eamp were immense, and, along with the ransom of the prisoners who fell into their hands, enriehed the conquerors. After the battle of Bannoekburn, the Earl of   Hereford retreated to the eastle of Bothwell, where he was besieged by Edward Bruce, and obliged to   surrender. The terror the English was now almost incredible. Walsingham states that "they   wero so bereaved of their wonted intrepidity, that    100 of that nation would have fled from two or three    Seotsmen !" Edward Bruee and Douglas entered England on   the east side, ravaged Northumberland, and laid the bishoprie of Durham under contribution. They then proeeeded to Riehmond, laid Appleby, and some other towns in ashes, and returned home laden with plunder. The English king now summoned a parliainent at York, to coneert means for the pub- lie seeurity; and appointed the Earl of Pembroke to be guardian of the country between the Trent and the Tweed: but the Seots continued their in- cursions into England, and levied eontributions in   different plaees. In 1315, they plundered Durham and Hartlepool, but they were repulsed from Carlisle, and failed in an attempt on Berwiek.