reserve might have covered it. Again, the English could not pass the Scottish army, and move towards Stirling, without exposing their flank to be attacked while in march.

The Monarch rode along the van. -St. XIII, p. 170. The English vanguard, commanded by the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford, came in sight If, on the other hand, the Scottish line had been of the Scottish army upon the evening of the drawn up east and west, and facing to the south- 23rd of June. Bruce was then riding upon a ward, as affirmed by Buchanan, and adopted little palfrey, in front of his foremost line, putby Mr. Nimmo, the author of the History of ting his host in order. It was then that the perStirlingshire, there appears nothing to have pre-sonal encounter took place betwixt him and Sir vented the English approaching upon the carse, Henry de Bohun, a gaHant English knight, the or level ground, from Falkirk, either from turnissue of which had a great effect upon the spirits ing the Scottish left flank, or from passing their of both armies. The Scottish leaders remonposition, if they preferred it, without coming to strated with the King upon his temerity. He an action, and moving on to the relief of Stir- only answered, "I have broken my good battleling. And the Gillies' Hill, if this less probable axe." The English vanguard retreated after hypothesis be adopted, would be situated, not in witnessing this single combat. Probably their the rear, as allowed by all the historians, but generals did not think it advisable to hazard an upon the left flank of Bruce's army. The only attack while its unfavourable issue remained objection to the hypothesis above laid down, is, upon their minds. that the left flank of Bruce's army was thereby exposed to a sally from the garrison of Stirling. But, first, the garrison were bound to neutrality by terms of Mowbray's treaty; and Barbour even seems to censure, as a breach of faith, some secret assistance which they rendered their countrymen upon the eve of battle, in placing temporary bridges of doors and spars over the pools of water in the carse, to enable them to advance to the charge. Secondly, had this not been the case, the strength of the garrison was probably not sufficient to excite apprehension. Thirdly, the adverse hypothesis leaves the rear of the Scottish army as much exposed to the Stirling garrison, as the left flank would be in the case supposed.

It only remains to notice the nature of the ground in front of Bruce's line of battle. Being part of a park, or chase, it was considerably interrupted with trees; and an extensive marsh, still visible, in some places rendered it inaccessible, and in all of difficult approach. More to the northward, where the natural impediments were fewer, Bruce fortified his position against cavalry, by digging a number of pits so close together, says Barbour, as to resemble the cells in a honeycomb. They were a foot in breadth, and between two and three feet deep, many rows of them being placed one behind the other. They were slightly covered with brushwood and green sods, so as not to be obvious to an impe

tuous enemy.

All the Scottish army were on foot, excepting a select body of cavalry stationed with Edward Bruce on the right wing, under the immediate command of Sir Robert Keith, the Marshal of Scotland, who were destined for the important service of charging and dispersing the English

archers.

Thus judiciously posted, in a situation fortified both by art and nature, Bruce awaited the attack of the English.

Beyond, the Southern host appears.
St. xp. 169.
Upon the 23rd June, 1314, the alarm reached
the Scottish army of the approach of the enemy.
Douglas and the Marshal were sent to recon-
noitre with a body of cavalry. The two Scottish
commanders were cautious in the account which
they brought back to their camp. To the king in
private they told the formidable state of the
enemy; but in publie reported that the English
were indeed a numerous host, but ill com-
manded, and worse disciplined.

With these the valiant of the Isles
Beneath their chieftains ranked their files.
-St. xip. 170.
The men of Argyle, the islanders, and the
Highlanders in general, were ranked in the rear.
They must have been numerous, for Bruce had
reconciled himself with almost all their chief-
tains, excepting the obnoxious MacDougals of
Lorn.

What train of dust, with trumpet sound And glimmering spears, is wheeling round Our leftward flank?—St. xvIII, p. 171. While the van of the English army advanced, Lord Hailes gives the following account of this a detached body attempted to relieve Stirling. manoeuvre and the result, which is accompanied by circumstances highly characteristic of the generosity which reconciles us even to their chivalrous manners of the age, and displays that ferocity upon other occasions.

Bruce had enjoined Randolph, who commanded the left wing of his army, to be vigilant in preventing any advanced parties of the English from throwing succours into the castle of Stirling.

"Eight hundred horsemen, commanded by Sir Robert Clifford, were detached from the English army; they made a circuit by the low grounds to the east, and approached the castle. The King perceived their motions, and, coming up to Kandolph, angrily exclaimed, Thoughtless man! you have suffered the enemy to pass. Randolph hastened to repair his fault, or perish. As he advanced, the English cavalry wheeled to attack him. Randolph drew up his troops in a circular form, with their spears resting on the ground, and protended on every side. At the first onset, Sir William Daynecourt, an English commander of distinguished note, was slain. The enemy, far superior in numbers to Randolph, environed him, and pressed hard on his little band. Doнglas saw his jeopardy, and requested the King's 'You shall permission to go and succour him. not move from your ground,'cried the King: 'let Randolph extricate himself as he best may. I will not alter my order of battle, and lose the advantage of my position.'-'In truth,' replied Doulas, I cannot stand by and see Randolph perish; and, therefore, with your leave, I must aid him.' The King unwillingly consented, and Douglas flew to the assistance of his friend. approaching, he perceived that the English were falling into disorder, and that the perseverance of Randolph had prevailed over their impetuous courage. Halt,' cried Douglas, those brave men have repulsed the enemy: let us not diminish their glory by sharing it.'"-DALRYMPLE'S Annals of Scotland.

While

Two large stones erected at the north end of the village of Newhouse, about a quarter of a mile from the south part of Stirling, ascertain the place of this memorable skirmish. The circumstance tends, were confirmation necessary, to support the opinion of Lord Hailes, that the Scottish line had Stirling on its left flank. It will be remembered, that Randolph commanded infantry, Daynecourt cavalry. Supposing, therefore, according to the vulgar hypothesis, that the Scottish line was drawn up, facing to the south, in the line of the brook of Bannock, and consequently that Randolph was stationed with his left flank resting upon Milntown bog, it is morally impossible that his infantry, moving

from that position, with whatever celerity, could cut off from Stirling a body of cavalry who had already passed St. Ninians, or, in other words, were already between them and the town. Whereas, supposing Randolph's left to have approached St. Ninian, the short movement to Newhouse could easily be executed, so as to intercept the Engiish in the manner described.

Responsive from the Scottish host, Pipe-clang and bugle-sound were toss'd. --St. xx, p. 171. There is an old tradition, that the well-known Scottish tune of "Hey, tutti taitti," was Bruce's march at the battie of Bannockburn. The late Mr. Ritson, no granter of propositions, doubts whether the Scots had any martial music, quotes Froissart's account of each soldier in the host bearing a little horn, on which, at the onset, they would make such a horrible noise, as if all the devils of hell had been among them. He observes, that these horns are the only music mentioned by Barbour, and concludes, that it must remain a moot point whether Bruce's army were cheered by the sound even of a solitary bagpipe.

English archers. As the bowmen had no spears nor long weapons fit to defend themselves against horse, they were instantly thrown into disorder, and spread through the whole English army a confusion from which they never fairly recovered.

Although the success of this manoeuvre was evident, it is very remarkable that the Scottish generals do not appear to have profitted by the lesson. Almost every subsequent battle which they lost against England, was decided by the archers, to whom the close and compact array of the Scottish phalanx afforded an exposed and unresisting mark. The bloody battle of Halidoun-hi!!, fought scarce twenty years afterwards, was so completely gained by the archers, that the English are said to have lost only one knight, one esquire, and a few foot-soldiers. At the battle of Neville's Cross, in 1346, where David II was defeated and made prisoner, John de Graham, observing the loss which the Scots sustained from the English bowmen, offered to charge and disperse them, if a hundred men-atarms were put under his command. "But, to confess the truth," says Fordun," he could not procure a single horseman for the service proIt may be observed in passing, that the Scot-posed." Of such litttle use is experience in war, tish of this period certainly observed some musi- where its results are opposed by habit or precal cadence, even in winding their horns, since judice. Bruce was at once recognised by his followers from his mode of blowing. But the tradition, true, or false, has been the means of securing to Scotland one of the finest lyrics in the language, the celebrated war-song of Burns,-"Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled."

Upon the 24th of June, the English army advanced to the attack. The narrowness of the Scottish front, and the nature of the ground, did not permit them to have the full advantage of their numbers, nor is it very easy to find out what was their proposed order of battle. The vanguard, however, appeared a distinct body. consisting of archers and spearmen on foot, and commanded, as already said, by the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford. Barbour mentions that they formed nine divisions; but it really appears that there was no room or space for them to extend themselves, so that, except the vanguard, the whole army appeared to form one solid and compact body.

See where yon barefoot Abbot stands,
And blesses them with lifted hands.

-St. XXI, p. 171.
"Maurice, abbot of Inchaffray, placing himself
on an eminence, celebrated mass in sight of the
Scottish army. He then passed along the front
bare-footed, and bearing a crucifix in his hands,
and exhorting the Scots, in few and forcible
words, to combat for their rights and their
liberty. The Scots kneeled down. They
yield, cried Edward: 'see, they implore mercy.'
They do,' answered Ingelram de Umfraville,
but not ours. On that field they will be victo-
rious, or die." "-Annals of Scotland.

Forth, Marshal, on the peasant foe!
We'll tame the terrors of their bow,
And cut the bow-string loose!

-St. XXII, p. 172. The English archers commenced the attack with their usual bravery and dexterity. But against a forcé, whose importance he had learned by fatal experience, Bruce was provided. A sinall but select body of cavalry were detached from the right, under command of Sir Robert Keith. They rounded, as I conceive, the marsh called Milntown bog, and, keeping the firm ground, charged the left rank and rear of the

Each braggart churl could boast before, Twelve Scottish lives his baldric bore! -St. XXIV, p. 172. Roger Ascham quotes a similar Scottish proverb, whereby they give the whole praise of shooting honestly to Englishmen, saying thus, that every English archer beareth under his girdle twenty-four Scottes." Indeed Toxophilus says before, and truly of the Scottish nation, The Scottes surely be good men of warre in theyre owne feates as can be; but as for shootinge, they can neither use it to any profite, nor yet challenge it for any praise."-Works of Ascham.

It is said, I trust incorrectly, by an ancient English historian, that the "good Lord James of Douglas" dreaded the superiority of the English archers so much, that when he made any of them prisoner, he gave him the option of losing the forefiger of his right hand, or his right eye, either species of mutilation rendering him incapable to use the bow. I have mislaid the reference to this singular passage.

Down! down! in headlong overthrow,
Horseman and horse, the foremost go.

-St. XXIV, p. 172,

It is generally alleged by historians, that the English men-at-arms fell into the hidden snare which Bruce had prepared for them. Barbour does not mention the circumstance. According to his account, Randolph, seeing the slaughter made by the cavalry on the right wing among the archers, advanced courageously against the main body of the English, and entered into close combat with them. Douglas and Stuart, who commanded the Scottish centre, led their division also to the charge, and the battle becoming general along the whole line, was obstinately inaintained on both sides for a long space of time; the Scottish archers doing great execution among the English men-at-arms, after the bowmen of England were dispersed.

And steeds that shriek in agony.

-St. XXIV, p. 172. I have been told that this line requires an explanatory note; and, indeed, those who witness the silent patience with which horses submit to the most cruel usage, may be permitted to doubt, that, in moments of sudden and intolerable anguish, they utter a most melancholy cry. Lord Erskine, in a speech made in the House of Lords, upon a bill for enforcing humanity towards

reserve might have covered it. Again, the English could not pass the Scottish army, and move towards Stirling, without exposing their flank to be attacked while in march.

Henry de Bohun, a gallant English knight, the issue of which had a great effect upon the spirits of both armies. The Scottish leaders remonstrated with the King upon his temerity. He only answered, "I have broken my good battleaxe." The English vanguard retreated after witnessing this single combat. Probably their generals did not think it advisable to hazard an attack while its unfavourable issue remained upon their minds.

The Monarch rode along the van. -St. XIII, p. 170. The English vanguard, commanded by the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford, came in sight If, on the other hand, the Scottish line had been of the Scottish army upon the evening of the drawn up east and west, and facing to the south23rd of June. Bruce was then riding upon a ward, as affirmed by Buchanan, and adopted little palfrey, in front of his foremost line, putby Mr. Nimmo, the author of the History of ting his host in order. It was then that the perStirlingshire, there appears nothing to have pre-sonal encounter took place betwixt him and Sir vented the English approaching upon the carse, or level ground, from Falkirk, either from turning the Scottish left flank, or from passing their position, if they preferred it, without coming to an action, and moving on to the relief of Stirling. And the Gillies' Hill, if this less probable hypothesis be adopted, would be situated, not in the rear, as allowed by all the historians, but upon the left flank of Bruce's army. The only objection to the hypothesis above laid down, is, that the left flank of Bruce's army was thereby exposed to a sally from the garrison of Stirling. But, first, the garrison were bound to neutrality by terms of Mowbray's treaty; and Barbour even seems to censure, as a breach of faith, some secret assistance which they rendered their countrymen upon the eve of battle, in placing temporary bridges of doors and spars over the pools of water in the carse, to enable them to advance to the charge. Secondly, had this not been the case, the strength of the garrison was probably not sufficient to excite apprehension. Thirdly, the adverse hypothesis leaves the rear of the Scottish army as much exposed to the Stirling garrison, as the left flank would be in the case supposed.

It only remains to notice the nature of the ground in front of Bruce's line of battle. Being part of a park, or chase, it was considerably interrupted with trees; and an extensive marsh, still visible, in some places rendered it inaccessible, and in all of difficult approach. More to the northward, where the natural impediments were fewer, Bruce fortified his position against cavalry, by digging a number of pits so close together, says Barbour, as to resemble the cells in a honeycoinb. They were a foot in breadth, and between two and three feet deep, many rows of them being placed one behind the other. They were slightly covered with brushwood and green sods, so as not to be obvious to an impetuous enemy.

All the Scottish army were on foot, excepting a select body of cavalry stationed with Edward Bruce on the right wing, under the immediate command of Sir Robert Keith, the Marshal of Scotland, who were destined for the important service of charging and dispersing the English

archers.

Thus judiciously posted, in a situation fortified both by art and nature, Bruce awaited the attack of the English.

Beyond, the Southern host appears.
-St. xp. 169.
Upon the 23rd June, 1314, the alarm reached
the Scottish army of the approach of the enemy.
Douglas and the Marshal were sent to recon-
noitre with a body of cavalry. The two Scottish
commanders were cautious in the account which
they brought back to their camp. To the king in
private they told the formidable state of the
enemy; but in publie reported that the English
were indeed a numerous host, but ill com-
manded, and worse disciplined.

With these the valiant of the Isles
Beneath their chieftains ranked their files.
-St. Xip. 170.
The men of Argyle, the islanders, and the
Highlanders in general, were ranked in the rear.
They must have been numerous, for Bruce had
reconciled himself with almost all their chief-
tains, excepting the obnoxious MacDougals of
Lorn.

What train of dust, with trumpet sound And glimmering spears, is wheeling round Our leftward flank?-St. XVIII, p. 171. While the van of the English army advanced, Lord Hailes gives the following account of this a detached body attempted to relieve Stirling. manoeuvre and the result, which is accompanied by circumstances highly characteristic of the

chivalrous manners of the age, and displays that generosity which reconciles us even to their ferocity upon other occasions.

Bruce had enjoined Randolph, who commanded the left wing of his army, to be vigilant in preventing any advanced parties of the English from throwing succours into the castle of Stirling.

"Eight hundred horsemen, commanded by Sir Robert Clifford, were detached from the English army; they made a circuit by the low grounds to the east, and approached the castle. The King perceived their motions, and, coming up to Randolph, angrily exclaimed, Thoughtless man! you have suffered the enemy to pass.' Randolph hastened to repair his fault, or perish. As he advanced, the English cavalry wheeled to attack him. Randolph drew up his troops in a circular form, with their spears resting on the ground, and protended on every side. At the first onset, Sir William Daynecourt, an English commander of distinguished note, was slain. The enemy, far superior in numbers to Randolph, environed him, and pressed hard on his little band. Douglas saw his jeopardy, and requested the King's 'You shall permission to go and succour him. not move from your ground,'cried the King: 'let Randolph extricate himself as he best may. I will not alter my order of battle, and lose the advantage of my position. In truth,' replied Doulas, I cannot stand by and see Randolph perish: and, therefore, with your leave, I must aid him. The King unwillingly consented, and Douglas flew to the assistance of his friend. While approaching, he perceived that the English were falling into disorder, and that the perseverance of Randolph had prevailed over their impetuous courage. Halt, cried Douglas, those brave men have repulsed the enemy: let us not diminish their glory by sharing it.'"-DALRYMPLE'S Annals of Scotland.

Two large stones erected at the north end of the village of Newhouse, about a quarter of a mile from the south part of Stirling, ascertain the place of this memorable skirmish. The circumstance tends, were confirmation necessary, to support the opinion of Lord Hailes, that the Scottish line had Stirling on its left flank. It will be remembered, that Randolph commanded infantry, Daynecourt cavalry. Supposing, therefore, according to the vulgar hypothesis, that the Scottish line was drawn up, facing to the south, in the line of the brook of Bannock, and consequently that Randolph was stationed with his left flank resting upon Milntown bog, it is morally impossible that his infantry, moving

It may be observed in passing, that the Scot-posed." tish of this period certainly observed some musical cadence, even in winding their horns, since Bruce was at once recognised by his followers from his mode of blowing. But the tradition, true, or false, has been the means of securing to Scotland one of the finest lyrics in the language, the celebrated war-song of Burns,-"Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled."

Now onward, and in open view,
The countless ranks of England drew.

animals, noticed this remarkable fact, in language, which I will not mutilate by attempting to repeat it. It was my fortune, upon one occasion, to hear a horse, in a moment of agony, utter a thrilling scream, which I still consider the most melancholy sound I ever heard.

Lord of the Isles, my trust in thee
Is firm as Ailsa Rock;

Rush on with Highland sword and targe,
I, with my Carrick spear men charge.
-St. XXVIII, p. 173.

contrived to conceal himself during the fury of the pursuit, and when it was somewhat slackened, approached King Robert. "Whose prisoner are you, Sir Marmaduke?" said Bruce, to whom he was personally known. “Yours, sir," answered the knight. "I receive you," allswered the king, and, treating him with the utmost courtesy, loaded him with gifts, and dismissed him without ransom. The other prisoners were all well treated. There might be policy in this, as Bruce would naturally wish to acquire the good opinion of the English barons, who When the engagement between the main were at this time at great variance with their bodies had lasted some time, Bruce made a de-king. But it also well accords with his high and cisive movement, by bringing up the Scottish re- chivalrous character. serve. It is traditionally said, that at this crisis, he addressed the Lord of the Isles in a phrase used as a motto by some of his descendants, "My trust is constant in thee." Barbour intimates, that the reserve "assembled on one field," that is, on the same line with the Scottish forces already engaged; which leads Lord Hailes to conjecture that the Scottish ranks must have been much thinned by slaughter, since, in that circumscribed ground, there was room for the reserve to fall into the line. But the advance of the Scottish cavalry must have contributed a good deal to form the vacancy occupied by the

reserve.

To arms they flew,-axe, club, or spear,—
And mimic ensigns high they rear.

-St. XXX, p. 173. The followers of the Scottish camp observed, from the Gillies' Hill in the rear, the impression produced upon the English army by the bringing up of the Scottish reserve, and, prompted by the enthusiasm of the moment, or the desire of plunder, assumed, in a tumultuary manner, such arms as they found nearest, fastened sheets to tent poles and lances, and showed themselves like a new army advancing to battle.

The unexpected apparition, of what seemed a new army, completed the confusion which already prevailed among the English, who fled in every direction, and where pursued with immense slaughter. The brook of Bannock, according to Barbour, was so choked with the bodies of men and horses, that it might have been passed dry-shod. The followers of the Scottish camp fell upon the disheartened fugitives, and added to the confusion and slaughter. Many were driven into the Forth, and perished there, which, by the way, could hardly have happened, had the armies been drawn up east and west; since in that case, to get at the river, the English fugitives must have fled through the victorious army. About a short mile from the field of battle is a place called the Bloody Folds. Here the Earl of Gloucester is said to have made a stand, and died gallantly at the head of his own military tenants and vassals. He was much regretted by both sides; and it is said the Scottish would gladly have saved his life, but, neglecting to wear his surcoat with armorial bearings over his armour, he fell unknown, after his horse had been stabbed with spears.

Sir Marmaduke Twenge, an English knight,

O! give their hapless prince his due. -St. XXXI, p. 173. Edward II, according to the best authorities, showed, in the fatal field of Bannockburn, personal gallantry not unworthy of his great sire and greater son. He remained on the field till forced away by the Earl of Pembroke, when all was lost. He then rode to the Castle of Stirling, and demanded admittance; but the governor, remonstrating upon the imprudence of shutting himself up in that fortress, which must so soon surrender, he assembled around his person five hundred men-at-arms, and, avoiding the field of battle and the victorious army, fled towards Linlithgow, pursued by Douglas with about sixty horse. They were augmented by Sir Lawrence Abernethy with twenty more, whom Douglas met in the Torwood upon their way to join the English army, and whom he easily persuaded to desert the defeated monarch, and to assist in the pursuit. They hung upon Edward's flight as far as Dunbar, too few in number to assail him with effect, but enough to harass his retreat so constantly, that whoever fell an instant behind, was instantly slain or made prisoner. Edward's ignominous flight terminated at Dunbar, where the Earl of March, who still professed allegiance to him, "received him full gently." From thence, the monarch of so great an empire, and the late commander of so gallant and numerous an army, escaped to Bamborough in a fishing-vessel.

Bruce, as will appear from the following doenment, lost no time in directing the thunders of Parliamentary censure against such part of his subjects as did not return to their natural alleglance after the battie of Bannockburn,

Nor for De Argentine alone,

Through Ninian's church these torches shone,
And rose the death-prayer's awful tone.
-St. XXXV, p. 174.

The remarkable circumstances attending the death of De Argentine have been already noticed. Besides this renowned warrior, there fell many representatives of the noblest houses in England, which never sustained a more bloody and disastrous defeat. Barbour says that two hundred pairs of gilded spurs were taken from the field of battle; and that some were left the author can bear witness, who has in his possession a curious antique spur, dug up in the inorass, not long since