Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/230

182 open war, yet stooping to unknightly ruses. Upon this the King ordered him into prison, which soon brought the young esquire to a more proper frame of mind, and before March, 1309, he had so far committed himself that King Edward forfeited his manor of Stitchel in Roxburghshire, and bestowed it on Adam de Gordon, who had escaped from Douglas on the night of Randolph's capture. Randolph was soon after this created Earl of Moray, a name he was to make famous by services which amply atoned for his early disaffection to the Bruce. Bonkill must have made his escape, because four years later he was still in dutiful relations to Edward II., but both he and Gordon made submission to Bruce before the battle of Bannockburn.

Bruce's ancient ally and adviser, de Lamberton, Bishop of St. Andrews, having lain in prison for more than a year, was released at this time by King Edward, who told the Pope he relied on the Bishop's influence to bring the Scots to terms. The Bishop had to find security for his good behaviour, to swear fealty to Edward, and to pay a fine of six thousand marks.

For some weeks after the raid of Buchan, the King of Scots seems to have kept very quiet, gathering strength after his illness and organising his resources. But before the end of the summer of 1308, Edward de Brus had taken the field again and was