8S2 SCOTLAND. 



ing the command of 40,000 of his best troops to himself. With these 

 he attacked the Scotch army, under Wallace, at Falkirk, while their 

 disputes ran so high, that the brave regent was deserted by Gum- 

 ming, the most powerful nobleman in Scotland, and at the head of 

 the best division of his countrymen. Wallace, whose troops did not 

 exceed 30,000, being thus betrayed, was defeated with vast loss, but 

 made an orderly retreat; during which he found means to have a 

 conference with Bruce, and to convince him of his error in joining 

 with Edward. Wallace still continued in arms, and performed many 

 gallant actions against the English ; but was betrayed into the hands 

 of Edward, who most ungenerously put him to death at London, as a 

 traitor. Edward died as he was preparing to renew his invasion of 

 Scotland, with a still more desolating spirit of ambition, after having 

 destroyed 100,000 of her inhabitants. 



Bruce died soon after the battle of Falkirk, but not before he had 

 inspired his son, who was a prisoner at large about the English 

 court, with the glorious resolution of vindicating his own rights, and 

 the independence of his country. He escaped from London, and 

 with his own hand killed Gumming, for his attachment to Edward ; 

 and after collecting a few patriots, among whom were his own four 

 brothers, he assumed the crown, but was defeated by the English, 

 who had a great army in Scotland, at the battle of Methven. After 

 his defeat, he fled with one or two friends to the western isles and 

 parts of Scotland, where his fatigues and sufferings were as extreme, 

 as the courage with which he and his few friends bore them, the lord 

 Douglas, especially, was incredible. Though his wife and daughters 

 were sent prisoners to England, where the best of his friends and 

 two of his brothers were put to death, yet such was his persevering 

 spirit, that he recovered all Scotland, excepting the castle of Stir- 

 ling, and improved every advantage that was given him by the dissi- 

 pated conduct of Edward II ; who raised an army more numerous 

 and better appointed than that of his father, to make a total conquest 

 of Scotland. It is said that it consisted of 100,000 men, though this 

 has been supposed to be an exaggerated computation : however, it is 

 admitted, that the army of Bruce did not exceed 30,000 ; but all of 

 them veterans, who had been bred up in a detestation of tyranny. 



Edward, who was not deficient in courage, led his powerful army 

 towards Stirling, then besieged by Bruce, who had chosen, with the 

 greatest judgment, a camp near Bannockburn. The chief officers 

 under Edward were, the earls of Gloucester, Hereford, Pembroke, 

 and sir Giles Argenton. Those under Bruce were, his own brother 

 sir Edward, who, next to himself, was reckoned to be the best knight 

 in Scotland ; his nephew, Randolph, earl of Murray ; and the young 

 lord Walter, high steward of Scotland. Edward's attack of the Scotch 

 army was exceedingly furious, and required all the courage and firm^ 

 ness of Bruce and his friends to resist it, which they did so effectual- 

 ly, that they gained one of the most complete victories that is record- 

 ed in history. The great loss of the English fell upon the bravest 

 part of their troops, who were led on by Edward in person against 

 Bruce himself. The Scotch writers make the loss of the English 

 amount to 50,000 men. There certainly never was a more total de- 

 feat, though the conquerors lost 4000. The flower of the English no- 

 bility were either killed or taken prisoners. Their camp, which was 

 immensely rich, and calculated for the purpose rather of a triumph 

 ib,an a campaign, felj ipjo the .hands of the Scots $ and Edward. him^ 



