The Scalacronica. 75 



realms were assembled there by summons. Many came to claim 

 the right to the realm of Scotland for divers reasons, to wit, 

 Florens Earl of Holland, John de Balliol, Robert de Bruys, John 

 de Hastings, John de Cumyn, Patrick Earl of Marche, John de 

 Vescy, Nicholas de Soulis, William de Ros, and Patrick 

 Golightly. All these laid claim before King Edward in divers 

 challenges by petition. Therefore the King ordered that 20 

 persons of England of the most importance and the 20 most im- 

 portant and prudent persons of Scotland by general election 

 should try their challenges. These were elected, tried, and 

 sworn, and had the time until St. Michael's Day (29th September) 

 next ensuing to study the case. King Edward returned to Eng- 

 land, but came back to Berwick by St. Michael's day, when, in 

 the church of the Trinity, the right of succession to the realm of 

 Scotland was decided to be solely in the issue of the three daugh- 

 ters of Earl David of Huntingdon, who was King William's 

 brother. The others were non-suited. But there was a great 

 difficulty in regard to the is.sue of the two elder daughters of the 

 said Earl David, that is, to wit, between John de Balliol, who 

 was the son of the daughter of Margaret, the eldest daughter of 

 the said Earl and the eldest Robert de Bruys, who was the son of 

 Isabel, the second daughter of the said David, Earl of Hunting- 

 don. Between these there was a great plea. The claim of John 

 de Hastings, the issue of the youngest daughter, failed entirely. 

 Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, stoutly maintained the 

 claim of Robert de Bruys, because the latter had married his 

 daughter. The Earl de Warenne and Antony, Bishop of Dur- 

 ham, took the side of John de Balliol. His pleaders and advo- 

 cates said for Robert de Bruys that he was the nearest heir male, 

 because he was the son of Isabele, the daughter of Earl David, 

 one degree nearer the said Earl than John de Balliol, who was the 

 son of Devorgula, the daughter of Margaret, who was the said 

 Earl's daughter and the wife of Alayn of Galloway. Wherefore 

 as the nearest heir he demanded the ro)'al right. The supporters 

 of John de Balliol said that since his mother could not reign, he 

 demanded the right in succession to his ancestors lineally, as 

 rightful heir descendant, according as the law decides, to which 

 they had agreed and were obliged and bound. So it was decided 

 by the 40 persons of both realms upon their oath that the right 



