Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/397

1328 A.D.] doctor of Canon Law. The only penance enjoined on the King was that he should not break the truce or invade England. And thus closes this strange chapter of ecclesiastical history; the culprit, upon whom had been poured all the most fearful imprecations of Holy Church, having regained complete favour by obstinate perseverance in the very course which had brought him into such deep disgrace.

During this year 1328, which witnessed the establishment of Scottish independence, there died a prelate, William de Lamberton, Bishop of St. Andrews, from whom, perhaps more than from any other individual, Robert de Brus had received encouragement and counsel in first espousing what became the national cause.

During the year that the see of St. Andrews remained vacant after de Lamberton's death, the revenues, by a singular arrangement, were assigned to those children, the Earl and Countess of Carrick, and the Exchequer accounts show that they used the episcopal manor of Inchmorthach as a residence. In the meantime, the ancestral castle of the Bruces at Turnberry was being got ready for their occupation ; additions were made to the building, and a park was enclosed. The boy Prince, now in his sixth year, attended the Parliament in Edinburgh. Sir David de Barclay was steward of his household at first, and afterwards Sir Alexander de Seton; besides whom there were a clerk of audit, a clerk of