respecting Scotland which he has been able to find, and to explore the immense store of MSS. in the great national Repository, the British Museum. In the course of many years, it will readily be conceived, that, in addition to materials for local history, the Author had accumulated a large mass of papers on subjects connected with the Ancient History, Laws, Constitution, Customs, and Usages of Scotland generally. Many of these were the result of information, obtained, and brought into a focus, from various sources; whilst others were merely transcribed by an amanuensis, from authentic Writers. This is the Collection now given to the Public. To relieve the tedium which many persons experience in reading historical and antiquarian dissertations, and to produce a volume agreeable to every taste, immense stores of Anecdotes and Tales have been thrown in, which have been selected from innumerable Works, or were original communications, furnished by various friends, to whom the Author offers his thanks. Of many of these Narratives it is impossible to vouch for the authenticity; but none have been admitted of which there was reason to doubt the truth; and on all matters connected with the Public History of the country, and its past or present condition, care has been taken to exclude inaccuracy and fable, and to render the Work a safe book of reference to the Reader. In preparing the Work, whilst elegance has not been neglected, it has not been forgotten that the whole Scottish nation are a reading people; and for the accommodation of the more numerous, but not less respected classes, the national virtue of economy has been studied, and a volume is presented to the Reader, containing an immense mass of matter, at a price which brings it within the reach of all. The Author has now only to submit his Work to the protection of his countrymen, and to express his hope, that he will meet with a portion of that kindly favor which, in every part of the world, Scotsmen shew to one another. THE SCOTSMAN'S LIBRARY. BATTLE OF BANNOCK-BURN, 1314. THE arrangements adopted by King Robert for the decisive battle of Bannock-burn, are given very distinctly by Barbour, and form an edifying lesson to tactitians. Yet, till commented upon by Lord Hailes, this important passage of history has been generally and strangely misunderstood by historians. wing. The king himself commanded the fourth division, which lay in reserve behind the others. The royal standard was pitched, according to tradition, in a štone, having a round hole for its reception, and thence called the Bore-stone. It is still shewn on the top of a small eminence, called Brock's-brae, to the south-west of St. Ninian's. His main body thus disposed, King Robert sent the followers of the camp, fifteen thousand and upwards in number, to the eminence in rear of his army, called, from that circumstance, the Gillies' (i. e. the servants') Hill. The military advantages of this position were obvious. The Scottish left flank, protected by the brook of Bannock, could not be turned; or, if that attempt were made, a movement by the 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. Two days before the battle, Bruce selected the field of action, and took post there with his army, consisting of about 30,000 disciplined men, and about half the number of disorderly attendants upon the camp The ground was called the New Park of Stirling; it was partly open, and partly broken by copses of wood and marshy ground. He divided his regular forces into four divisions. Three of these occupied a front line, separated from each other, yet sufficiently near for the purposes of communication. The fourth division, formed a reserve. The line extended in a north-easterly It only remains to notice the nature of the ground direction from the brook of Bannock, which is so in front of Bruce's line of battle. Being part of a rugged and broken as to cover the right flank ef- park, or chase, it was considerably interrupted by fectually, to the village of Saint Ninian's, pro-trees, and an extensive marsh, still visible, in some bably in the line of the present road from Stirling to Kilsyth. Edward Bruce commanded the right wing, which was strengthened by a strong body of cavalry under Keith, the mareschal of Scotland, to whom was committed the important charge of attacking the English archers; Douglas, and the young Steward of Scotland, led the central wing; and Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, the left 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 honey-comb. They were a foot in breadth, and between two and three feet deep, many rows of them being placed one b B 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 vanced, the English cavalry wheeled to attack 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. 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 hasted to repair his fault, or perish. As he adhim. 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 The English vanguard, commanded by the Earls superior in numbers to Randolph, environed him, of Gloucester and Hereford, came in sight of the and pressed hard on his little band. Douglas saw Scottish army upon the evening of the 23d of his jeopardy, and requested the king's permission June. Bruce was then riding upon a little pal- to go and succour him. You shall not move frey, in front of his foremost line, putting his from your ground,' cried the king; ‘let Randolph host in order. It was then that a personal en-extricate himself as he best may. I will not alter counter took place betwixt him and Sir Henry de my order of battle, and lose the advantage of my Bohun, a gallant English knight, the issue of position.' 'In truth,' replied Douglas, I cannot which had a great effect upon the spirits of both stand by and see Randolph perish; and, there armies. Sir Henry was slain by one blow of the fore, with your leave, I must aid him.' The king battle-axe. unwillingly consented, and Douglas flew to the The Scottish leaders remonstrated with the king assistance of his friend. While approaching, he upon his temerity. He only answered, "I have perceived that the English were falling into disbroken my good battle-axe." The English van-order, and that the perseverance of Randolph had guard retreated after witnessing this single com- prevailed over their impetuous courage. Halt,' bat. Probably, their generals did not think it ad- cried Douglas, those brave men have repulsed visable to hazard an attack, while its unfavourable the enemy; let us not diminish their glory by issue remained upon their minds. sharing it." While the van of the English army advanced, Upon the 24th of June, the English army ada detached body attempted to relieve Stirling.vanced to the attack. The narrowness of the Lord Hailes gives the following account of this Scottish front, and the nature of the ground, did manœuvre, and the result, which is accompanied not permit them to have the full advantage of by circumstances highly characteristic of the chi- their numbers, nor is it very easy to find out what valrous manners of the age, and displays that ge- was their proposed order of battle. The vannerosity which reconciles us even to their fero-guard, however, appeared a distinct body, consistcity 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 ing of archers and spearmen on foot, and commanded by the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford. 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 victorious or die." The English archers commenced the attack with their usual bravery and dexterity. But against a force, whose importance he had learned by fatal experience, Bruce was provided. A small, but select, body of cavalry were detached from the right, under command of Sir Robert Keith. They rounded the marsh called Milntown bog, and, keeping the firm ground, charged the left flank and rear of the 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. 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. 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 shewed 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 It is generally alleged by historians, that the direction, and were pursued with immense slaughEnglish men-at-arms, fell into the hidden snare ter. The brook of Bannock, according to Barwhich Bruce had prepared for them. Barbour bour, was so choked with the bodies of men and does not mention the circumstance. According horses, that it might have been passed dry-shod. to his account, Randolph, seeing the slaughter The followers of the Scottish camp, fell upon the made by the cavalry on the right wing among the disheartened fugitives, and added to the confusion archers, advanced courageously against the main and slaughter. Many were driven into the Forth, body of the English, and entered into close com- and perished there, which, by the way, could bat with them. Douglas and Stuart, who com- hardly have happened, had the armies been drawn manded the Scottish centre, led their division also up east and west, since, in that case, to get at the to the charge, and the battle becoming general river, the English fugitives must have fled through along the whole line, was obstinately maintained the victorious army. About a short mile from on both sides, for a long space of time; the Scot- the field of battle, is a place called the Bloody tish archers doing great execution among the Eng-Folds. Here the Earl of Gloucester is said to lish men-at-arms, after the bowmen of England were dispersed. have made a stand, and died gallantly at the head of his own military tenants and vassals. He was When the engagement between the main bodies much regretted on both sides; and, it is said, the had lasted some time, Bruce made a decisive Scottish would gladly have saved his life, but, movement, by bringing up the Scottish reserve. neglecting to wear his surcoat with armorial bearIt is traditionally said, that at this crisis, he ad-ings over his armour, he fell unknown, after his aressed the Lord of the Isles, in a phrase used as motto by some of his descendants, "My trust is onstant in thee." Barbour intimates, that the eserve "assembled on one field," that is, in the horse had been stabbed with spears. Sir Marmaduke Twenge, an English knight, contrived to conceal himself during the fury of the pursuit, and when it was somewhat slackened, "Whose prisoner are ¡tive, was twenty-two, and sixty-eight knights. Many clerks and esquires were also there slain or taken, and soldiers innumerable. approached King Robert. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The assembly aisle is a square apartment vaulted over head like the rest of the cathedral of St. Giles, but divided from its nave by a long dark lobby, or two below and above, by some galleries, with glass folding doors, through which a certain portion of the profanum vulgus may make shift to contemplate somewhat of the venerable Edward II., according to the best authorities, scene. Opposite to this side, in the space beshewed, in the fatal field of Bannock-burn, per- tween two tall shapeless windows, is situated the sonal gallantry not unworthy of his great sire and canopy, elevated considerably above the area of greater son. He remained on the field till forced the place,-from whence, "high on a throne of away by the Earl of Pembroke, when all was lost. royal state," the commissioner looks down in He then rode to the castle of Stirling, and de- theoretic calmness upon the more active part of manded admittance; but the governor, remonstra- the convocation. His throne being surrounded ting upon the imprudence of shutting himself up witha due complement of awkward chubby-cheekin that fortress, which must so soon surrender, heed pages in long red coats, and serving men of assembled around his person five hundred men- different descriptions, in the colours of his own at-arms, and, avoiding the field of battle and the livery. Among these attendants of the mimic victorious army, fled towards Linlithgow, pursued monarch, says a popular writer, I could not help by Douglas with about sixty horse. They were recognising, with some emotions of merriment, augmented by Sir Lawrence Abernethy with twenty Duncan M'Nab, and various of the cadies, his more, whom Douglas met in the Torwood upon brethren; for, certainly, my old friends cut a their way to join the English army, and whom he strange enough figure in their new and gorgeous easily persuaded to desert the defeated monarch, costumes of blue and red, some clad like beafand to assist in the pursuit. They hung upon eaters, and some like lackeys, but all powdered Edward's flight as far as Dunbar, too few in num- as finely as butter and flour could make them; ber to assail him with effect, but enough to harass and all squeezing, or attempting to squeeze, their his retreat so constantly, that whoever fell an in- weather-beaten features into an expression of destant behind, was instantly slain, or made prisoner. corum and gravity, little consistent with the Edward's ignominious flight terminated at Dun- usual habits either of their minds or their occubar, where the Earl of March, who still professed pations. I should, perhaps, make an exception allegiance to him, "received him full gently." in favour of Duncan; for I must admit, that this From thence, the monarch of so great an empire, crafty Celt bore his new honours, bag, buckles and the late commander of so gallant and numerous and all, with a measure of meek composure in his an army, escaped to Bamborough in a fishing aspect, which shewed that he had taken the mevessel. tamorphosis in comparative tranquillity of spirit. And, after all, perhaps the powdered young puppies of plebeian pages, with their cheese-toasters bruising each others shins, ever and anon, were "here were there slain, along with the Earl of Gloucester, forty-two barons and bannerets. The number of earls, batons, and bannerets made cap |