Life of Sir William Wallace, of Elderslie. (Volume 54)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1830. Excerpt: ... LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM WALLACE. CHAPTER I. WALLACE APPOINTED GUARDIAN OF THE KINGDOM.--INVADES ENGLAND.--INROAD OF DE CLIFFORD ON THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND. Stirling Castle capitulated immediately after the battle, and Sir Marmaduke Twenge, * who had taken shelter in it, was sent prisoner to Dumbarton. The surrender of the castle of Dundee followed ; and, with the exception of the garrisons remaining in Roxburgh, Berwick, and Dunbar, Scotland was once more completely cleared of her invaders. These places, with the excep * Langtoft tells an improbable story of the Scots having induced him to surrender, by a promise of returning to the allegiance of Edward. Twenge must have been a noted simpleton indeed, if he could have been so easily imposed upon.--See Langtoft, vol. ii. p. 300. VOL. II. A tion of the last, were also given up, as soon as they were summoned by the leaders of the Scottish army ; and about this time, at a meeting held in the Forest-kirk, Selkirkshire, Wallace was elected, or declared Regent of Scotland, in the name of King John; the appointment being sanctioned by the presence of the Earl of Lennox, Sir William Douglas, and a number of the most powerful among the nobility. Thus armed with legitimate authority, the newly appointed Guardian began to exercise it in the manner that he conceived would be most conducive to the general interest and welfare of the country. He had often experienced the difficulties which feudal vassalage presented to his efforts in behalf of the national independence. The numerous serfs who were retained in bondage by the more powerful barons, could be either restrained from taking up arms, or withdrawn at the caprice of their masters, even when their services were of the greatest importance. A power so dangerous in the hands of a party comparatively ...