Page:Old Castles.djvu/42

34 Bishop of Carlisle, the doughty John Hilton, to do this deed.

Among the governors of the castle sometime during the early part of this reign was John Baliol, the "Toom Tabard" of the Scots. He invaded Cumberland while king, and most probably gained some short space of sway here as a result. Bruce also was here more than once–the Bruce whose heart the brave Douglas carried forth to Palestine, though he never got there for his many wars. He was a hero of the grand line, and is one of the greatest presences that have graced these gates.

In 1307, after Edward II. had been proclaimed king in this city, on his father's death, and gone with all his "dool" vested followers to London, and from thence to France, to fetch his unfortunate "fate" Isabella, we find the same Robert Bruce besieging the city for ten days; but it was gallantly defended by Andrew de Harcla, the first Earl of Carlisle. In 1315 Bruce again besieged the place unsuccessfully, and eight years afterwards Harcla was arrested in this castle for having treasonously purposed to convert it into a garrison for his former enemy, de Brus. It is also said that that witty unprincipled favourite of Edward's, Piers Gravestone, was sometime governor of this castle, but if so, it must have been for a very short time. Let him pass. He is grand jester in our train of notabilia, and during his brief sway, if ever he ruled here, kept the old city company in its renowned characteristic right heartily we opine.

A quarter of a century after this, in 1335, we find the active and ambitious Edward III. here with a