I do not often agree with my lord of Carrick, the Campbell
But here I do. I believe invasion of Ireland will alarm the English more than anything else we may attempt, barring invasion of England itself. Possibly even more so. For the southern English care nothing for what goes on in their North, where we would be fighting. As we have seen. But many southern lords have great lands in Ireland. I say, let my lord of Carrick have his 2,000 men. It will not sorely hurt the realm. And may win us much.
The elderly Earl of Ross, who had seemed to be asleep throughout, suddenly raised his nodding leonine head.
I agree, he said briefly, and let it sink again.
Thus encouraged, others spoke up.
So I think, Sir Alexander Fraser announced.
As do I, Sir Robert Fleming nodded.
It can do no harm, the Lord of Crawford said.
So long as we keep it to small numbers.
I agree, Malcolm MacGregor, chief of his name, gestured, with the dramatic nourish with which he did all things.
And I, the veteran Sir Robert Boyd of Noddsdale put in-and Bruce valued his decision more than most.
The King drew a hand over his mouth. These were the fighters, his late colleagues of desperate days, speaking now, men close to him by every bond men can forge between them, the loyal est of the loyal. Many of them, he knew, were no friends of Edwards, however much they might admire him as a brave man and noted leader of light cavalry. Yet they were supporting this Irish venture.
Almost involuntarily he glanced across to where James Douglas and Gilbert Hay sat, on the benches of the great officers of state, Warden of the Marches and High Constable respectively. These two, closest of all…?
Jamie was looking unhappy. Seeing his friend and liege lords gaze, he rose.
I… I say against, he jerked, and sat down.
I also, Gibbie blurted, as briefly.
There were a few more, for and against, after that. But Bruce paid little attention now. He perceived how it was, and accepted that he must change his position. The discomfort on the faces of Douglas and Hay left him in no doubt. These two leal friends, whom he knew loved him beyond all telling, would not for anything on earth seem to take part against him; but he knew that were it not for that, they would have decided for the Irish project.
So be it My lords, he said, when there was a pause.
I am grateful for your advice and counsel. Your guidance. It is
clear that there is much division on this matter, but that many whose
opinion I value greatly do commend the Irish adventure. My lord
Chancellor need not, I think, put it to the vote. Unless so my lord of Carrick demands. As is his right. I am agreeable that a limited expedition shall go to Ireland. I will double the numbers that my lord of Carrick raises from his own lands. He shall lead the project, as it seems, he has arranged. But my men, the realms men, shall be under the command of my nephew, the Earl of Moray, whose ability, most certainly, will be of the utmost benefit to his uncle.
There was a great in drawing of breaths as all considered this.
The monarch, Bruce the hero-king, had given in. But only so far.
And he had appointed Moray, the level-headed and imperturbable Moray whom Edward hated, perhaps the one man within the kingdom who could cope with his fiery uncle, as watchdog.
Edward glared from his brother to his nephew, gulped, but nodded.
So be it, he repeated.
No vote.
The audible sigh of relief from all around was interrupted by the King himself.
One further matter, before I ask my lord Chancellor to proceed with the business. Five or six thousand men cannot be carried over to Ireland without a large fleet. My lord of Ross, Who favours this venture, will no doubt lend his galleys. But that will not serve for half of it. There will be required my lord of the Isles galley fleet That gave all pause-as it was meant to do. Angus Og was not present. On principle, he avoided parliaments, as his attendance might be construed as in some measure admitting that his lordship was a constituent part of Braces kingdom, a contradiction of his notional independence. And Angus Og cordially loathed the Earl of Carrick.
Edward looked put out.
Angus of the Isles will not refuse? Will not withhold his galleys?
That was a question rather than one of Edwards confident statements.
He is the Admiral. High Admiral of Scotland. He will do as you
say.
The galleys are his own, not the realms. And Angus of the Isles is Angus! If he disapproves of this venture …! Bruce did not need to enlarge on that.
But I will speak with him.
The King paused, and all recognised that he remained the master. That he could prevent the expedition from sailing, if he would, without having to order it. He went on.
There is another matter to be considered. In this. It was next on my lord Chancellors list for discussion. But it has relevance now.
Lame John MacDougall of Lorn, in rebellion, whom King Edward made his Admiral of the Western Sea, to harass us, has returned to the Hebrides. In force. So the Lord of the Isles sends me word. And urges a campaign against him. He by sea, myself by land. MacDougall has a large fleet. Part his own, part English, part Anglo-Irish. I need not tell you what he could do against any invasion fleet for Ireland, carrying thousands of men. Across the Irish Sea.
There was silence now. Even Edward looked thoughtful at the
prospect.
It would be better, then, if we dealt with Lame John first.
Before my lord of Carricks venture.
Edward Bruce was looking anxious. He shook his head.
No, he cried.
It must be in May. That was the agreement. With the chiefs. ONeill in especial. Before their hay-harvest, he said, when the men return to their crofts. After the end of May it will be too late. I am committed to a May expedition.
Then, my lord, I say that you should have thought more fully on how
you were to carry your thousands to Ireland! The King had his
headstrong brother now. But scoring points off Edward was not Bruces
main concern. It was the maintenance of his own magnificent team of
lieutenants and friends in harmony, as one of the most effective
fighting units in all Christendom. Much was worth sacrificing for
that. He shrugged.
The safety of my own realm is paramount, and must come first, he went on.
I must deal with John MacDougall. But it may be that this can wait until, let us say, the end of June. I shall speak with the Lord of the Isles. I may be able to persuade him to come here to the SouthWest, in mid-May, a month from this. With his galleys. To carry the Irish expedition across. And then to return for the assault on MacDougall. This I will seek to do. Is it agreed?
Heartfelt applause greeted this suggestion, this gesture, from all parts of the hall, so that Edward was constrained to join in. He was aware that he had been in some measure out-manoeuvred, made to look slightly foolish, and put in his brothers debt. But at least his project could go ahead.
My lord Chancellor, the King turned.
My regrets that I have for so long obstructed your place and function.
To the next business.
Bernard de Linton bowed.
I declare the matter of the Act of Succession to the Throne, to be
decided by this parliament. It has long been His Graces concern that
in the event of his death, without a son, the succession should be
secured, in proper fashion, for the due maintenance and good governance
of the kingdom. Since Almighty God has seen fit, in His infinite
wisdom, to deny His Grace such lawful son, the King has hereby sought
to make such provision, and now declares the matter for this
> parliaments acceptance, or otherwise. He paused.
Hear, then. It is the Kings wish and proposal that, in the event of his own death without a son being born to him in wedlock, his right noble and well-beloved brother Edward, Earl of Carrick and Lord of Galloway, does thereupon succeed to the throne as lawful King of Scots. And should the said Lord Edward die without lawful son, before or after, the said succession shall revert to His Grace the Lord Roberts daughter, the Lady Marjory, and any heirs to her body. Is this accepted and agreed?
There was a mixed reception and little enthusiasm. Few there, even amongst those who most admired his dash and spirit, considered that Edward would make a satisfactory monarch. Yet the alternative was a spiritless girl who most clearly desired no part in kingship. A regency, to rule, while Marjory reigned, might have been better-except that the regent would have to be Edward, and if he was going to rule, he might as well be the King. And, if there was -suggested a triumvirate of regents, say Moray and another, Edward would seek to dominate, inevitably; all the troubles of the old Guardianship days would be renewed. The assembly signified assent, that was all.
The Chancellor nodded.
It is the Kings added proposal that in the Act to be drawn up to make this parliaments decision lawful and binding, it should be stated that, if the said Lord Edward, or the said Lady Marjory, should die leaving a male heir who is a minor, in that event the most noble Thomas, Earl of Moray, His Graces sisters son, should administer the governance of the realm until such heir reached due age. Is this agreed?
There was more general applause for this.
Furthermore, and related to this matter, it is His Graces royal pleasure and satisfaction to make known to his loyal lieges of all Estates here assembled, that he has decided to bestow the hand of his daughter, the said Lady Marjory, upon his leal and true councillor and friend, the noble Lord Walter, High Steward of Scotland.
Which match he believes will well serve the realm and well please all those here present.
The shout of acclaim which greeted this announcement proved that belief true, at least. Everywhere men cheered. It had been feared that Marjory would never many; and Walter Stewart was well liked, of good blood and sufficiently lofty in rank to satisfy all.
Or nearly all. The young Earl of Menteith looked glum, as did his
uncle, Sir John Stewart The Earl of Strathearn, though not quite so
young, was unmarried and had had his eye on Marjory likewise; he did
not look overjoyed. Nor, for that matter, did the Earl of Carrick
himself. But such doubtful looks were confined to the earls
benches.
At the Kings signal, Walter Stewart rose in his seat amongst the great officers of state, and bowed modestly, flushing a little. It was a notable moment for the House of Stewart.
Eyes rose to search the minstrels gallery, on this occasion reserved for a few privileged lady spectators, in case the bride-to-be had slipped in to join her stepmother and aunts, there from the beginning. Such searchers were disappointed.
What have you for us further, my lord Chancellor? Bruce asked.
Certain forfeitures, grants and appointments, Your Grace …
The drama was over for the day-and men were only anxious to escape from the over-warm hall to discuss it all. The remainder of the programme was rattled through in record time.
After his formal retiral, the King summoned his brother to a small private room of the castle. There they faced each other alone.
Edward, Bruce said shortly, You will now give me such explanation as you may.
Is any required? the other demanded, equally brief.
I would have thought the matter sufficiently clear.
I had hoped, for your sake, that there might be some reason, something I knew not of. To excuse you a little.
I do not look for excuses, Edward returned.
You should know me better.
I it was who sought excuses for you. For my brother.
Then spare yourself, my good Robert! And me. I did what I did because it was the only way to force your agreement. To the Irish project. You would not have it, otherwise. I knew it to be the right course. To bring the English to heel. But you would have none of it. So I forced your hand. You will thank me, one day!
I do not thank you now. Think you I have not considered this Irish matter as deeply as you have done? And decided against it, with good reason. It is too dangerous. Its success depends on others than ourselves. There lies the greatest danger. That, and maintaining supplies by sea. Remember it. But you have, as you intended, forced my hand. You have set up your judgement against mine, and acted in secret to enforce it, to constrain me. That is neither the action of a brother, nor yet of a loyal subject.
Of a mercy, Robert-forget that you are a king, for a moment!Remember that you are just your fathers son, as am I -save that you happened to be born first! And he was a fool! We are not playacting now, before your parliament or Court. Have I not as much right to do as I believe to be right, as have you?
I would remind you, brother, that you took your oath of fealty to me, as your liege lord.
The other snorted.
I did as much to Edward Plantagenet, once!
As did you!
So! Loyalty means nothing to you? As brother or subject!
It means that I shall serve you, and the realm, to the best of my ability and my wits. As I have done. My ability. And my wits. And, for a while, in Ireland!
I see. So now we have it. I marvel that you dare to speak so. To me. Even you, Edward. When I could have you silenced so easily.
Clapped in the pit of this castle, to wait until you learned your
duty.
Could-but will not. Will not, Robert! I know you too well.
To do that you would require to be a different man from what you are. And a fool, into the bargain-which you are not. For many think more of me than you do!
I will not, no. You are right in that. I will let you go to
But… I will never trust you again, Edward. Remember it.
Have you trusted me, for long? Setting your tame watchdogs on me Thomas Randolph and the Douglas! Always watching me, holding me back. You have never trusted me, Robert.
I have ever known you headstrong. Rash. And taken pre cautious. That is all. As was my duty.
Duty …!
Edward-God help Scotland when you are King!
Laughing suddenly, cheerfully, uninhibitedly, the other clapped his elder brother on the shoulder.
At least I will be a less solemn and sober monarch, man! You will see. And still laughing, he flung out of the little room.
Frowning perplexedly, Bruce stared after him.
Chapter Six
It was two months to the day later, and Ayr was the scene of a very different activity, the bustling excitement and noise of an army in embarkation. The entire town was like a disturbed ant-hill of armed men. But like the ant-hill, there was method, order, in the seething and at first glance aimless commotion. Angus Og MacDonald and his captains and clansmen were getting used to embarking armies.
His great galley fleet, one of the most significant weapons in Braces armoury, however independent its, master claimed to be, covered not only all the harbour and jetty area but also the sand and shingle beaches for half a mile-for galleys were constructed for drawing up on the open strands of their home islands and sea lochs. In their scores they lay, long lean greyhounds of the sea, high-pr owed and high-pooped, low-wasted, banking twenty, forty, sixty oars, single masts with their great angled booms rising like a forest. These were the swiftest, most savage and dangerous ships in the world-and amongst the most comfortless to sail in.
So Edward Braces 6,000 had found, nearly a month before, when they had been ferried across the Irish Sea, from Ayr to Lame, in Ulster, in unseasonable weather, with Mac
Dougall of Lorns craft lurking hull-down to the north, afraid to attack while the Lord of the Isles was there in force. Angus had seen the invaders safely landed and consolidated, indeed win their first small battle against only moderate opposition at Carrickfergus, and then had returned here to Ayr, on the Kings business.
The royal army now assembling, despite all the activity, was in fact a modest one, by kingly standards, although handpicked.
Most of the host for the Highland expedition had been gone for two weeks, horsed, by land, around the innumerable sea-lochs and estuaries between the Lowlands and Argyll. Bruce was transporting a bare 1,000 men by sea, and with a special objective.
There had been a great splitting up of forces and captains. As well as Moray, Brace had sent Sir Robert Boyd, Sir William de Soulis, Sir Hugh Ross, Sir Philip Moubray and others, to back up Randolph as much as to support his brother. At home the Earl of Lennox, Neil Campbell and Alexander Fraser were commanding the main host marching north-west. James Douglas, Keith the Marischal, Robert Fleming and young Scrymgeour were to keep up a series of hit-and-run raids into England, and to collect the mail, or protection money therefrom, which had become an ever more important item of the Scots revenues. William Lamberton and Abbot Bernard would see to the rule and governance of the realm in the interim. While Bruce took his new son-in-law and Gilbert Hay with him in the galleys.
averse, however, to this interruption of the honeymoon period;
indeed, his father-in-law feared that he had been positively
relieved.
The bride showed no signs of distress, either.
They sailed on Midsummers Day, a stirring sight, the Queen and her ladies waving them off in fine style, into the west. The King did not go in Angus Ogs galley, as was usual, but in a command craft of his own. His thousand men were not evenly disposed over the fleet, but concentrated less than comfortably in a mere dozen vessels.
There was grumbling amongst the men at this overcrowding;
even some recognition of danger, when the fleet should reach the open sea and the notorious hazards of rounding the Mull of Kintyre.
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