Page:Prophecies of Thomas Rymer (1).pdf/16

16 AN ACCOUNT

BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN.

II, of England, kept up the same claim on Scotland, which his father had begun; and, after several unsuccessful attempts to establish it, he resolved to make a great effort, and, with one blow; reduce that turbulent nation, which had put so many signal afronts on his father and himself.

In the spring, of 1314, he assembled the most numerous army that had ever crossed the borders, composed of different nations, and amounting to above 100,000 effective men, beside a huge multitude of attendants, who followed, in hopes of sharing in the plunder of a conquered enemy. At the head of these, he marched northward with an uncommon parade, and in full confidence of victory.