Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/344

288 of a most compromising character was drafted. Within a week, by some means unknown, this document was brought into King Edward's hands. It contained the heads of a secret treaty, under which it was provided—1, that each realm was to have its own national king; 2, that de Harcla should aid King Robert in maintaining Scotland against all gainsayers; 3, that King Robert and de Harcla should maintain the realm of England at the judgment of twelve persons, of whom six were to be appointed by each party to the treaty. If the King of England should assent to these conditions within a year, the King of Scots bound himself to found an abbey in Scotland for the souls of those slain in war, and within ten years would pay an indemnity of 40,000 marks. It was also stipulated that the King of England should have the disposal in marriage of the heir-male of the King of Scots, under the advice of the aforesaid twelve.

Immediately on becoming possessed of this damning document, King Edward issued orders that no truce should be made with the Scots without his knowledge. De Harcla, it appears, had claimed the royal authority for negotiating a truce, for William de Ayremynne was instructed to search the Chancery Rolls to see if any such authority existed.