Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/394

332 of Thomas as an agent; whereby we are deprived of a knowledge of all particulars, except that a gold seal and silver gilt chain for King Robert, and a silver seal and chain for the bridegroom, his son, cost together £28, 16s.

In addition to all this heavy expense, the household expenses at the marriage came to £966, 10s. 10d., besides immense quantities of oats and malt, lampreys, sturgeons, salt, coals, etc., 171 oxen, 413 sheep, 50 tuns of wine, and so on. It was a great occasion and it must have been a novel pleasure to the officials of both countries to spend money in good things, instead of perpetual drain for engines of war and payment of troops. After the wedding guests had departed from Berwick, Simon of Salton stayed behind to look after the fragments which remained. He accounted for six tuns of wine and a great weight of provisions and live-stock which had not been consumed. The pay of the cooks at this great feast came to £25, 6s. 8d., but the minstrels received no less than £66, 15s. 4d.

King Robert's new gold seal and chain were not destined to grace the wedding. His growing infirmity kept him at Cardross, when the heir apparent, now created Earl of Carrick, set out early in July to meet his bride. He rode with a numerous train, halting for the night at Lanark and Wedale, and reaching Berwick on the third day. Thence, before