SCOTLAND’S HEROES

Evening Star, Issue 18714, 16 August 1924, Page 10

SCOTLAND’S HEROES

WALLACE AND BRUCE. Though Scotland in a sense may have conquered England commercially by peaceful penetration, there was a lime when she fought hard for her political independence. And of those fighters way hack m the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries tho two most revered to-day are William Wallace and Robert Bruco (says a writer in the ‘Ago ’).

Romance never pictured to herself a career of more thrilling interest than that of Wallace. In the year 1290 there were no fewer than eleven claimants to the Scottish throne. Tho two who could show the best title to it were Robert Bruce and John Baliol. Tho question between these two claimants was referred to Edward I. of England for decision. But Edward, who had already subdued Wales, was bent on uniting the British Isles under one sceptre, and in pursuit of that object declared for himself as sovereign, recognising Baliol, however, as vassal king. Accordingly, he had that weak-minded man crowned at Scone on November 30, 1292. Edward now did his best to establish British supremacy over the northern kingdom. Suffering under accumulated outrages, the Scots at length made an attempt with Baliol at their head to drive out the English. It failed, however, and the battle of Dunbar, fought in 1296, only made Edward’s power the greater. Then began the so-styled War of Independence, with Sir William Wallace as the leader in this great struggle. Wallace came of an ancient family that was neither rich nor noble. Having been knighted, he, by the etiquette of Norman chivalry, was entitled to lead armies. Almost a giant in stature, his strength was superior to the common run of even the strongest men. His passions were hasty and violent. To the English ho had a strong aversion. In English chronicles of the time he was classed as

“ a pestilent' radian, a disturber of tho peace of society, a robber and a marauder.” Tho intrepid temper of Wallace first showed itself in a quarrel in the town of Lanark, with some English officers who insulted him. This led to bloodshed, and Wallace would have been slain in the street had he not been assisted to escape by a female relative. In a spirit of revenge this woman was put to death by the English sheriff, for which deed he was himself assaulted and slain by Wallace at a later period. Wallace was then proclaimed a traitor, banished liis home, and driven to seek safety in the wilds and fastnesses of his country. Here he collected by degrees a little band of bravo men of desperate fortunes, who had refused submission to Edward. Wallace’s plans were laid with so much judgment that in his first attacks against straggling parties of the English he was generally successful. Or, if surprised by unexpected numbers, his superior strength and bravery and the ardor with which ho inspired his followers enabled them to overpower every effort which was made against them. This warfare was conducted with much cruelty by both sides. One of Wallace's exploits was tho burning of what were called the “ Barns of Ayr.” Tho English Governor of Ayr had invited a large number of tho Scottish nobility and gentry to meet him at these barns for the pretended purpose of conferring upon the affairs of Scotland. He, however, really meditated the most coldblooded and relentless treachery. As those who accepted the invitation entered the building/ nooses were thrown over their heads, and they were hanged to the beams of the roof. Among tho sufferers in this infamous tragedy, was Reginald Crawford, the sheriff of Ayrshire, and uncle to Wallace. Wallace promptly heard what had happened, and he decided on instant revenge. With fifty of his confederates he hastened to tho spot and, being joined by tho retainers of the murdered gentlemen, they surrounded tho building where the English were resting after a deep carousal. The roof of thatch covered with pitch was quickly set ablaze, and soon the whole building was in flames. Those of the English who staggered out wore either received on tho points of the Scottish swords, or were forced back to be devoured in the flames. It is said that 500 perished in this lamentable manner. To this day that spot in Ayr is still pointed out, and the words of Wallace, “ The barns of Ayr burn well,” are often quoted.

In 1297 Wallace was in command of an army, and in the battle of Stirling Hi

routed the English under the Earl of Surrey. Having driven tho invaders over the Border ho returned, and was elected by In's countrymen Governor of Scotland, in the name of King John Baliol, whoso title was still recognised. In tho following year Edward I. invaded Scotland in person, and defeated the Scots at Falkirk. Wallace, was forced to give up his post as Governor, and succeeded in getting away to France. Despite the fact that a price had been set on his head Wallace returned to Scotland. He was the only man in Scotland who had steadfastly refused submission to the English. On account of hia somewhat overhearing conduct Wallace had never been popular with the Scottish aristocracy, and ho had his enemies, particularly Sir John Menteith, who blamed him for the death of his nephew, Sir John Stewart, at the battle of Falkirk. Menteith succeeded in discovering Wallace’s retreat, and having invaded the house by night seized him in bed and delivered him over to Edward. At Wallace's trial at Westminster Hall a crown of laurol was placed in mockery on his Head, and he was condemned to death. The sentence was executed at Smithfield on August 23, 1505. Discrowned and chained lie was dragged at the tails of horses through the streets to the foot of a high gallows. After being hanged his head was struck off and his body quartered. The five portions of this heroic Scotsman were displayed at London Bridge, Newcastle, Berwick, Perth, and Aberdeen.

After Iho departure of Baliol for France in 1504 and tlio execution of Wallace in 1305, the Scots determined to make another effort to free themselves from England. Robert. Bruce, Earl of Garrick, had taken tho oath of fealty to Edward, and was residing in England, but the heroism and fate of Wallace induced him to take a different view of things. With Baliuks departure he saw the prospect of securing the Scottish throne. A rival to his kingly aspirations was John Comyn, known as “ Red ” Comyn, a nephew of Baliol. They mot in the church of the Grey Friars at Dumfries, and after a violent quarrel Bruce killed his rival with a dagger. There was no drawing back now. Bruco made with all haste for Scouc, where he was crowned by Isabella, Countess of Buchan, sisted of the Earl of Fife. It was a right which belonged to the Earls of Fife, but tho then Earl was of' tho English parly. His high-spirited sister, however, joined Bruce at Scone, bringing with her the war horses of her husband. Bruce made a triumphal progress through many parts of Scotland, butohis following was small in numbers. Many of the earls and barons preferred the quiet of submission to England to the repeated hazards of insurrection and revolt. And Bruce had incurred tho enmity of the Comyns, who possessed tho greatest power in Scotland, and were determined on revenge. In such circumstances it was not surprising that Bruco and his little band of faithful followers were soon in flight. They wandered about tho Scottish fastnesses. Tho roots and berries of the woods, the venison caught in tho chase, the lish which abounded in the mountain rivers, supplied them with food. Tho warm skins of tho deer and the roe provided them with bedding. For a time they sheltered with the Irish on the little island of Rathlin, on the north coast of Ireland.

Returning to the mainland in ilie spring of 1307, Bruce learned of the fate of those nearest and dearest to him. His brother, Nigel, had boon handed and beheaded. The same doom had befallen his sister’s husband, Christopher and Alexander Seton, the Earl of Athlonc, Simon Eraser,'and Herbert De Norham had been hanged on gibbets. Bruce’s queen and their daughter were confined in English prisons, where they remained eight years, and the gallant Countess of Buchan had been placed in a specially-constructed cage which was exposed to the view of all from one of the outer turrets of the castle of Berwick.

Erom 1303 to 1310 Bruce led an outlaw's life. But in his caves Bruce planned, and his heroic spirit gradually transfused itself into the peasantry of the country. The turn of the tide came when one of Bruce’s followers, a common laborer, succeeded in capturing the castle of Linlithgow. Gradually Bruce’s forces made progress, until in 1313 only a few vestiges of English intrusion remained. In the following year the great victory of Banuockourn gave Scotland her freedom. Three years later Bruce crossed to Ireland and assisted his brother, Edward, King of Ireland, to defeat an Anglo-Irish army. in 1323 King Robert issued a solemn instrument accepting a permanent peace for his kingdom of Scotland. On his death bed —he died of leprosy at Cardross, near Dumbarton, on .June 7, 1329 he delivered to the Scottish barons his last advice regard'"''- t 1 ’" bot.t mode of conducting war against England. n ' directions came to be affectionately known

as tho “ Good King Robert’s Testament,** and military writers have sinco declared that the Scots have never sinco been defeated in battle , except when they departed from tho principles thus laid down by their great king, who was pot only a great patriot but a military genius.