}
Morus.
46.
Falsus Dux Fallacie convocavit Cetum,
(Sciensque abierit Rex noster trans Fretum)
Cremare Northumbriam statuit Decretum:
Sepe videmus, ait, post Gaudia rumpere Fletum.
}
Omer us.
47.
Luge nunc, Northumbria nimis desolata,
Facta es ut vidua Filiis orbata!
Vescy, Morley, Summerville, Bertram sunt in Fata!
O quibus, O quantis, O qualibet es viduata!
}
Ovid.
Omer.
48.
In te, cum sis vidua, cunei Scotorum
Redigunt in cinerea prædia proborum;
Willelmus de Wallia dux est indoctorum, Gaudia stultorum cumulant augmenta dolorum.
}
Cart.
49.
Ad Augmenta Sceleris actenus patrati,
Alnewyk dant ignibus viri scelerati;
Circumquaque cursitant velut insensati:
Electi pauci sunt, multi vero vocati.’
}
Veritas Evangelica.
“The above are the chief allusions in the poem to historical facts.
“There is another manuscript in the same collection, No. 1226, without a title-page, but apparently a composition of the time of King Charles the First, principally relating to the period of Scottish history in question. The work is divided into two books, and as it is possible that Dr Jamieson may know what it is from its contents, I will trouble your Lordship with the heads of the different chapters, the numbers of which are irregular.
‘Of the strif and debate that chanced betweine Robert de Bruce and John Ballioll, and how Edward Longshanks inwadit Scotland.’ Chap. 1.
‘Of the walliant deadis of Williame Wallace, in the defence of his Contrie.’ Chap. 2.
‘How Williame Wallace past to St Johnstone, and of the strange Combattis he had withe Englismen in that Jornay.’ Chap. 3.
‘How William Wallace past in the sowthe Contrie and wone Lowmabane, and of his ficht with Englis men in the way, and how he tuik the Castell of Craford.’ Chap. 4.
‘How the Englismen mowrdrit the gentill woman his wife,’ &c. Chap. 5.
‘How the Englishemen bound trwis withe Wallace,’ &c. Chap. 6.
‘How William Wallace slew Mackfadyean and his hoill armye,’ &c. Chap. 7.
‘Of the most famous battell at Estirwilling Brige’ &c. Chap. 8.
‘Of the famous Jornay and Wictories that William Wallace had into England,’ &c. Chap. 9.
‘How William Wallace past into France,’ &c. Chap. 10.
‘Of the great Wictories that Sr William Wallace had after he come forthe of France.’ Chap. 11.
‘How the Lord Steward encowntred King Edward,’ &c. Chap. 12.
“The second part of the work begins,
‘Of the most famous Wictories that the Lord Fraser had against the Englishmen.’ Chap. 1.
‘Of the great Wictorie Sr William Wallace obtained in France, and of his returne againe into Scotland.’ Chap. 2.
‘How Sr William Wallace slew yong Botler,’ &c. Chap. 3.
‘How Sr William Wallace beseaged St Johnston.’ Chap. 4.
‘How Sr William Wallace was betrayed by the false Menteithe.’ Chap. 5.
‘Of the famos raigne of King Robert de Bruise.’ Chap. 6.
‘How King Edward 3 of England inwadit Scotland, and was expellet again.’ Chap. 7.
“Several chapters follow, ‘Of Love,’ ‘The politick Law,’ &c.”
He also mentions a volume in the Cotton Library, marked Claud. D. VII. in which the 13th article is a chronicle written, or rather compiled, with additions, by a Canon of Lanercost priory, illustrative of the ravages in Cumberland towards the latter end of the reign of Edward the First. Several extracts having been made from this for the use of Mr Lysons, he found them extremely valuable, and containing more for his purpose than could be found in print.
Being anxious to bring forward every authentic information that I could possibly collect concerning Wallace, I lately transmitted to Mr Ellis a few queries, especially regarding the Lanercost MS., which had occurred to me in consequence of his former obliging communication; and, while I feel myself deeply indebted to him for the trouble he has taken, and for the promptness of his reply, I cannot pretend to give the substance of it in any language so appropriate as that which he has himself used.
“I must tell you that the Chronicle of Lanercost is a manuscript of peculiar intricacy in its contractions. The first mention which I find in it of William Wallace is in 1297, fol. 208 b. ‘Vix sex mensium tempus elapsum extitit a gravi sacramento supradicto quo se Albanacti fidelitati ac subjectioni Regis Anglorum astrinxerant, cum rediviva perfidorum malitia ad alias versutias ingenium acuit. Nam presul Ecclesiæ Glascuensis proprio agnomine dictus Robertus Wyscardus, semper in proditione primus, cum senescallo primæ’ (the word primæ is dotted under as if to be erased.) ‘terræ nomine Jacobo, novam sibi finxerunt audaciam, quinimo novam proditionis famam, fidem Regi præstitam manifeste infringere non audentes, quendam virum sanguincum Wills. Waleis, qui prius fuerat in Scotia princeps latronum, contra Regem insurgere fecerunt et Papam in sui adjutorium congregare.’
“Then follows the battle of Stirling, in which the notice of the slain contains the following anecdote: ‘Inter quos cedidit thesaurarius Angliæ Hugo de Kersyngham, de cujus corio ab occipite usque ad talum Wills. Waleis latam corrigiam sum fecit, ut inde sibi faceret cingulum ensis sui.’ The subsequent entrance of the Scots into Northumberland is of course noticed, but generally, and without any mention of Wallace’s name. The mention of the retreat of the English to Berwick opens the account of transactions under the year 1298. It is there said, ‘Wills. Waleis non tenuit eis fidem.’
“The Chronicle next mentions, that Edward having settled a truce with the King of France returned, and collecting his army, marched towards Scotland. ‘In festo autem beatæ Mariæ Magdalenæ occurrerunt ei Scoti apud Faukirk cum toto robore suo, duce eorum Willelmo Waleis superius nominato.’ The defeat is then detailed in few words. Some wretched Latin verses follow, of which I give you the only specimen concerning Wallace, viz.—
‘Sub duce de genere gens Scotia degeneravit,
Quæ famam temere foedusque fidem violavit.
Postquam Willelmus Wallen̄s nobilitavit,
Nobilitas prorsus Scottorum degeneravit.’
“Such are the scanty materials relating to Wallace’s history in the Chronicle of Lanercost.
“In 1306, fol. 211 b, we read, ‘Dominus autem Symon Freser Scottus adductus London, prius fuit tractus, postea suspensus, tertio decapitatus, et caput ejus positum super pontem London juxta caput Willelmi Waleis.’ In the same year the Earl of Athol’s head (Comes de Athetel) was placed above that of William Wallace; and in 1307 it is said, ‘In die autem sancto Paschæ Dungallus factus est miles, et infra eandem septimanam