Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/318

262 and others of influence in the Scottish King's service, who he had reason to expect were inclined to revert to their former allegiance to himself. In this may be traced the source of the formidable conspiracy against King Robert to be disclosed in the following year. The Pope co-operated with Edward by writing a letter on April 25th to the English bishops, empowering them to release from excommunication all Scotsmen who should return to their allegiance to the King of England.