WALLACE AND BRUCE

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4023, 27 October 1931, Page 7

WALLACE AND BRUCE

THEIR EXPLOITS IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY [Bv J. Ki>g Hewison, D.D., F.S.A., Scot.] In the study of Scottish history there is nothing so tantalising as the fact that, apart from local traditions, there are few records to substantiate the accounts of the exploits of William Wallace and King Robert Bruce m Southern Scotland in their achievement of our national independence. The epoch in which their heroism occurred was that quarter of a century between 1290 and 1314—about 1296 in the case of Wallace (1212-1305), 1306 in the case of Bruce (1274-1329), after the execution of Wallace (1305), when Bruce, a candidate for the Crown, became champion of Scottish rights. Meantime King Edward I. was practically ruler in the north, which largely accounts for the absence of destruction of Scottish narratives of local conflicts. John Blair, chaplain of Wallace, and a Benedictine monk, wrote a biography of his heroic friend, now partly extant, which was the foundation of the later poetical ‘ Actis and Heidis of the • Campioun . •’ by Henry the Minstrel (1470-1492). Archdeacon John Barbour, of Aberdeen (1316-1395) also wrote in metre the story of The Brus ’, but he was a lad when that kim r died. Later still Prior AndrewWyntoun (1350-1420), in his ‘ Orygynall Chronykill.’ gathered up the fragments of the history of the past era and the hearsay regarding Wallace and Bruce. Probably many local traditions may supplement records and not merely retail those long afterwards printed narratives by romantic writers and balladists, and thus be worthy of credence. In many districts place names on the map mark sites which correspond with places mentioned in records and chronicles as having been visited by the too übiquitous warriors in flight or guerrilla warfare But the name might be contemporary with the fact. For example, there are the Wallace Fell, Robroyston; Wallace Stone, or Bear Stone, Longforgan, Wallace’s Camp in Minnigaff; Wallace Hill, Fenwick; Wallace Gill, Loudon ; Wallace’s House, Kist and Tower, Kirkmichael, Dumfriesshire; Bruce's Well, Closeburn, with King’s Chair beside it; the King’s Stone or Bruce’s Stone, Clattermhgshaws; and, near that Bruce’s Wa’s, Craigencalhe, Kirkcudbrightshire, the latter a well authenticated place of conflict. THE CHOICE OF BALIOL.

la 1291 Scotland was without a Sovereign, and King Edward I. was invited to select an heir to the Crown from among the candidates. He chose John Baliol, whom he soon deposed in order himself to dominate and rule Scotland. Wallace and Bruce were striplings then. Among the few sons of the landed men, or barons, Wallace always refused allegiance to the usurping overlord, while Bruce, young Earl of Carrick, and also English vassal, at first swore fealty to Edward. Then the strongest castles, especially those on the Border, such as Lochmaben (Bruce’s), Dalswinton (Comyn’sß Sanquhar, Tickers, and others, had English garrisons. The arrogance of foreign soldiery and the cruelty of Edward, especially in the massacre in Berwick in 1292, determined young Wallace of Elderslie to resist the tyrant to the death. Before 1296 this highly educated youth, by nature endowed with a heroic form, almost superhuman vigour, and unparalleled daring, qualified himself by expert swordsmanship, and consequent victorious exploits with the invaders, to become the leader of a band of patriots resolved to oust or slay the English. Notable in this band were William Gerle of Cruggleton, Stephen of Ireland, Boyd, Gray, Sir John Graeme, Sir William Douglas of Douglas and Drumlanrig, and later Robert Bruce. A rough landscape and a disaffected peasantry helped the guerrilla tactics of those champions, who stood for King John Baliol after his degradation, and in May, 1297, when a rising took place in South-western Scotland. Local tradition in Dumfries and Galloway voices many of the exploits of the heroes there. Henry the Minstrel, in ‘ The Actis and Deidis of

Schir William Wallace ’ (the Nynt Bulk, lines 11, 1575-1838), gives a graphic account of Douglas’s successful stratagem to capture Sanquhar Castle, the arrival of Wallace to succour him, the running fight with the English down Nithsdale past Dumfries, the terrible slaughter of the fugitives, and the result that Douglas “ Kepar was maid fra Drunilanryk till Ayr.” The strong Norman castle at Tibbers on Nith, near Drumlanrig, was also garrisoned by English soldiers. Local tradition declares that Wallace captured it by a simple stratagem. Near it sood Maliford meal mill, with its kiln smoking, when Wallace, disguised as an old beggar, entered and got liberty to cook some food. Meantime his men were concealed in the Keely Clench. In the absence of the miller Wallace set fire to the kiln. The garrison issued to save their grain, and the Scots rushed into the castle and set fire to it. There is no record of this exploit.

“THE SAX CORSES.” Further, the Minstrel in ‘ The Fyft Buik ’ (1, 725-986) circumstantially narrates a horrid story how when Wallace was in hiding in the Garrel Forest, north-west of Lochmabeu, he, Kerle, and other two stalwarts entered a hostelry to spy upon the castle. To insult them as Scots four English soldiers cut off the tails of their horses, whereupon Wallace slew the offenders, captured their chargers, and retreated. English soldiers followed the trail of the bleeding horses, and in the two conflicts which ensued their leaders, Sir Hen Mori and and Grystock, fell. Then Wal lace returned and captured Lochmabei Castle. In corroboration of this boh deed the peasants point out near Park head a memorial stone called “ The Sa:

Corses ’’ (corpses), where the slain were said to be buried; also a streamlet styled “ Discomfit Gutter,” “ Bledy (bloodv) Gill,” and “ Graham’s Hag.” “ Schir Jhone the Grayme ” was m part of the fray. The parishioners lor long have pointed out, in corroboration of the Minstrel’s narrative that Wallace was once in hiding in that region, a fortified site on Kirkland Hill, Kirkmichael, called “ Wallace’s House,” a most commanding eyrie, above ravines, scrub, and Garrel Burn, without doubt the Knockwood and Torwood of the Minstrel. And nearer Amisfield Castle, south-west of the scene of conflict, is the site of “ Wallace’s Thorn. Similarly the Minstrel mentions the expedition of Wallace into Galloway,

probably in 1297, in ‘ The Sext Bmk ’ (11. 800-833), and the appointment of Adam Gordon to be keeper of Wigtown Castle. The Gallovidians may retain their only reminiscence of this in the place name “ Wallace’s Camp ” at Minnigaff. This statement of Henry is followed by a very thrilling narrative, illustrating how Wallace, Stephen, and Kerle (wlio was an expert swimmer under water), actually captured Cruggleton Castle from the sea. A strength was on the Wattir off Cre With in a roch (rock) rycht stalwart wrocht off tree. A DARING CAPTURE. This strong fortress was held by Comyn’s men for King Edward. By the prowess of Kerle, the diver, access was got by night into the castle, wherein the three heroes slew the garrison of sixty men, thereafter levelling that hold. The Minstrel did not know the name of this place, nor did a recent editor of the poem know of the prized tradition of the family, whose ancient ancestral burial vault is in the now restored Romanesque Church of Cruggleton, Sorbie Parish, Wigtownshire. That family of Kerle, Mackerlie, or MacCairill of Cruggteton, are proud of their ancestry, older than the Crusades, and their relation or descent from this fearless swimmer, Sir William Kerle, who was the earliest as well as the last comrade of Wallace, and who was treacherously murdered at Robroyston, Henry, in ‘ The Elleuint Buik ’ (XL., 917-928), mentions a visit of Wallace to Edward Bruce in Galloway and his return to Lochmaben and Cumnock towards the end of his career. Wallace then, as Guardian of Scotland, was prepared to nominate Edward Bruce as King if Robert would not take up the gauntlet. The barbarous martyrdom of the Scottish hero on August 23, 1305, probably precipitated the thought if not the action of Bruce, wavering between sworn allegiance to the English king and his duty to his fatherland and to himself as its possible king. Dumfiiesshire retains many traditions about him reputed to be born in Lochmaben, inairied in Annan, and fleeing and fighting around. In .Dumfries town is shown the cellar in which, as tradition says, once stood the high altar of the church of the Grey Friars, before which, on February 4, 1306, Bruce stabbed us rival, Cornyn, so that thereafter he became a patriotic rebel, then king, and a fugitive like homeless \\ allace.

WINNING CHARTER. Nithsdale tradition avers, as does history, that immediately alter the bloody stroke, of which Kirkpatrick of Closeburn exclaimed in Doric, “ ise mak siccar.” with a surer blow, the two fled, and sought shelter in the hazel forest under the old fort on Tynron Dun, fourteen miles north-west ol Dumfries. Hungry, they entered the cot of a weaver, John Brownng, and besought a meal. Recognised, or making themselves known, the Bruce or both promised the dame preparing the meal a reward of anything she might choose. She made for them “ greddan,” or porridge, very hot, and said she would take as much land as she could run lound while they supped it. This was agreed to. But tne clevei dame gave the two but one horn spoon—n serious hnnclicup —with the steaming cog. She won their Cairneycroft, as it was called, and Bruce kept his promise, afterwards giv iug the Brownings a charter for the land, which was acquired by Grierson of Lag. The JVTCaigs of Milton, Lynron, over the hill, had a similar family tradition. , „ A less creditable story is that ot the sutor of Dalwhat, above Momaive. Bruce in flight with a damaged “ nvlin,” or primitive shoe, entered the cot of one M'Geachie, a cobbler, requesting repairs. By accident, or for a sinister purpose, M'Geachie prodded the stranger’s heel. Accounts of the sequel vary. There arose the local gibe, ‘We are"as gleg as M'Geachie’s elson (awl) that ran through nineteen ply of rot ten leather and into the thick ot the thigh.” Another variant is that the repair being well done tbe reward was also a land charter. Chambers, in his life of Burns (111., 142), quotes a letter of Mr Ramsay ol Ochtertyre, written to Dr Currie, in which Ramsay tells how he visited Burns in Ellisland in 1790, and states: “He (Burns) told me that he had now gotten a story for a drama, which he was to call ‘ Rob Macqueechan s Elsbon,’ from a popular story ol Robert Bruce being defeated on the Water of Cairn, when the heel of his boot being loosened in his flight lie applied to Robert Macqueecban to fit it, who, to make sure, ran awl nine inches into the King’s heel.”

CUMMERTREES TRADITIONS, i (a the Parish of Cummertrees, not far from Annan, two traditions regaiding the Bruce survive. One is that the place called Ryehill got its name from the circumstance that here the farmer s wife gave the King, in his wandering, rye bread to eat; the other is that the farmer’s wife at Priestide gave him bread and eggs without salt; the peasants there not having the privilege of making salt, then a dear commodity. The grateful King rectified that by granting the people a charter. Ah these country tales are uv line with independent stories floating in Gallowav, as well as with the narrative of Barbour, so graphically set forth in ‘The Bins ’ (Cantos 06 ct seq.i, I wherein the adventures of Bruce are described. After the coronation on I March 27, 1306, Bruce became fugitive, and betook himself with a few comrades to almost inaccessible parts on the confines of his Garrick regality, twenty miles south-east ol 1 urn berry Castle. This is the Buchan i) orest, a wild jungle of hill, rock, ravine, and scrub, between Merrick (2,764 ft high) and Lamachan (2,349), interspersed with ten lochs, all suitably styled the Dungeons of Buchan. An English force under Sir Aymer de Valence, with hunters and hounds, formed an inner ring, and a cordon of local partisans of Baliol and Comyn made an outer fence round the desperate king. Hard pressed. Bruce sought food and shelter in a hill

farm near Craigenealzie, and to Ins amazement found that a widow there and her three sons, who were export archers, favoured his cause. Sire prophesied his success. Making himself, known, he promised her a reward ii her * prophecy came true. She replied, ask-. ing “ the wee bit hassock o’ land be-* tween Palnure and Penkill.” With the* help of them and his comrades Bruce was able to defeat the English, first at Rap loch Moss, and again in Glentrool. When war was over the promise was kept, and the three gallant archers— M'Kie of Larg, Murdoch of Cumloden, and M'Lurg of Kironchtie—got Royal charters for their lands, which thendescendants long held. MEMORIALS OF THE FRAYS. The shepherds thereabouts still point out as memorials of the frays “ The Soldier’s Holm,” or “ Kirkyard Mea-

dow,” where the fallen invaders were buried; “ King’s Cave,” and “ Bruce’s Stone,” where he stood fighting; while Cairn Edward gives name to the mount from which Edward Bruce watched the retreat of the defeated, and surveyed the Corayn territory. With the adventures of John Thomson and other gallant men who held the castle in Loch Boon, Straeiton, Ayrshire, for Bruce’s son, this paper is not concerned. Another tradition lingers in Glen-

cairn. The king, after his success in Glentrool, learning that another force was coming to succour Percy in Turnberry, determined to intercept the body. He despatched Sir William Douglas round to Gleneslin, in Dunscore, to bo in the rear of the foe. Ho advanced through the glens to Moniaive to await the arrival of the English at the Norman bowbutts of Islington, in the Cairn Valley, opposite Glencairn Church. Bruce’s strategem was that Douglas should attack the foe at the rear, and should thev attempt to pass on and cross bv the ford on the Racemuir, Bruce said: “I’ll kep the gap i.e., intercept them in the narrows there. Barbour in the ‘ Brus ’ (Cantos 46 and 47) describes the fray without identi-! fving places. In moonlight Douglas attacked the unsuspecting force encamped j at Ingliston ; and as they fled westward they were met and slain in the ford by Bruce and his men who kept the gap. According to the local tradition, the place still called “ Gaups Mill ”-g°t its distinction from this exploit. \nother legend of Galloway illustrates an incident in 1315 during the campaign of Edward Bruce, when he encountered Thomas, Bishop of Whithorn, on the littoral between Wigtown and Newton Stewart. After a long running fight Douglas overtook and overcame the bishop, who fell and was buried in Cairnholy, Minnigaft. The peasants there thus account for that place-name, which, however, more accurately describes a region full of sepulchral remains from prehistoric times. And the incident maj be as apocrvphal as the local story non that Dirk Hatterick actually harboured m the cave near Ravenshall. Nevertheless, on the alleged route of the bishop s march the place-names “Bishops Burn,” “ Skirmish Knowe,” and “ Burnt Brae ” appear, and under them, without a doubt, lurk forgotten doings in the hoary past. Grey Galloway has been made classic ground again by "the stirring tales of Samuel Rutherford Crockett.