50 Transactions. 



church, and his uncle, Sir Robert, in the sacristy or vestry, 

 on Thursday, 10th February, 1305-6. 



The accounts of this affair have varied in some particu- 

 lars from the very first, and appear even contradictory, aris- 

 ing from party representation and also the want of witnesses 

 to the transaction. But the main facts are clear enough, 

 and though well known we shall state them here for a reason 

 which win afterwards appear. 



Bruce and Comyn were heads of parties in the State, 

 and also personal rivals as descendants from the daughters of 

 David, Earl of Huntingdon, the younger brother of William 

 the Lyon, whose Hne of succession to the throne had failed. 

 And in the course of an altercation in the church of the 

 monastery Bruce struck Comyn with his dagger. Lindsay 

 and Kirkpatrick afterwards seeing Bruce pale and agitated, 

 enquired the cause, when Bruce replied, / doubt I have 

 slain Comyn. Doubt ye, said Kirkpatrick, I'se mak sicker, 

 whereupon he and Lindsay ran in and despatched Comyn 

 still alive at the high altar, and his uncle. Sir Robert, in the 

 sacristy. From this it is plain that however desu-able the 

 death of either might be to the other, Bruce did not intend 

 the death of Comyn. It was Lindsay and Kirkpatrick who 

 made all sure. The die was now cast. The wretched 

 discord which had been so baneful to Scotland was now 

 hushed. And decision of conduct on the part of the 

 survivor was imperative and indispensable. Before the 

 end of the following month Bruce was crowned King of 



Scots. 



On the 5th April, which was eight days after this, Ed- 

 ward, much enraged, made Aymer de Valance captain-gene- 

 ral of the English forces in the North, and in the letter of 

 appointment the death of Comyn is described from the 

 English point of view. Robert de Brus (says the letter) 

 sometime Earl of CaiTick, in whose fidelity we (Edward) 

 had placed entire confidence, disregarding his oath of homage 

 and fealty, has with his abettors and supporters traitorously 

 slain — nequitur et proditionaUter interfecit — John Comyn of 



