The Digital Ark :: Robert the Bruce

The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

Robert the Bruce ( - )

References in Documents:

Consolidated catalogue of 1695: The Book of the Vice-Chancellor (MacGregor, ed.) King Robert.

Inventarie of the Gabions, in M. George his Cabinet (1638) Good Gall, said I, ofttimes I heard of oldThe wals of Perth. To be of truth these things ere while you told: But of these wals I doubt that which you said That good King William their foundations layd. Their founding is more late, I you assure; That we from strangers rage may be secure, They builded were, even then when Iames did reigne The second, and in minor age was king, Vpon a bloodie slaughter, I hear tell, Which twixt our town and highland men befell; For taking, as the custome was, a staig At Midsummer; said Gall, Monsier, you vaig. Which word indeed my spleane almost did move: Then Gall, said I, if that I did not love You most intirely, I would be offended. Said he, good Monsier, Would you have it mended? Then I that storie will you truely tell, And if I faile so much as in a spell, 40 Speak all your pleasure, I my peace shall hold, And grant my tongue in speaking was too bold: Therefore Monsier, be not so much annoy'd, These walls have oft been built, and oft destroy'd And stratagems of war have acted been, As worthie as the world hath heard or seene. By Sojours as good as the Earth hath born, This boldly to avow I dar be sworn: Englands first Edwards three can shew the same, And Scotlands Wallace, Bruce, and Stewarts fame, Whose prowes vvithin this Isle vvere not confin'd The Netherlands and France scarce them contain'd, Nor other parts of Europ, and it's cleare What great exploits they bravelie acted heere, These stories are vvell known, I must not slack, For by and by the tide vvill call us back,

Inventarie of the Gabions, in M. George his Cabinet (1638) When Edward Langshanks Scotland did surprise, The strengths first did he take, as Chiftaine vvise, Wallace expelleth the English out of Perth. But his cheif strength to keep both South and North Lovv-lands and high-lands on this side of Forth, Perth did he chuse, and stronglie fortifie With garisons of foot and chavalrie. And vvhat the former times could not outred In vvalls and fovvsies; these accomplished. Thereafter vvorthie Wallace first expell'd them, And for to leave these vvals by force compell'd them. Wallace surrenders the government. Whom after foughten vvas that fatall field VVofull Falkirk, envie did force to yeeld Up his governement; to Perth then came, And in the Nobles presence quatte the same. 41 Leanfac'd envie doth often bring a nation To civill discord, shame, and desolation. Such bitter fruit we found, all to confusion At once did run, was nothing but effusion Of guiltlesse bloud: Our enemies did take Our strengths again, and all things went to wrake, Such was our wofull state, unto the time The brave King, Robert Bruce, came to this clime,Bruce. Most happily, yet small beginnings had: For many yeers before this land he fred From enemies rage, till wisely he at length By soft recoiling recollected strength; Then came to Perth, and did the same besiege Buchan. lib. 8. pag. 272. And take; who through persuit and cruell rage Kil'd Scots, and English all were in it found, Brake down the walls, them equal'd to the ground. But after this victorious King did die, And brave Earle Thomas Randolf, by and by All things perplexed were, the Baliol proud With English forces both by land and floudBaliol. In Scotland came, arrived at Kinghorne, And through the countrie mightily did sorne. Our Governours, the Earles of Merche and Marre Sufficient armies levying for warre This pride for to represse, did fixe their tents At Dupline camped Marre: mine heart it rentsDuplin field To tell the wofull event, in the night This Earle and all his hoste surprisde by sleight, Yee know the storie, all to death neer brought, The Englishmen on Scots such butcheries wrought. 42 Thus Baliol proud to Perth did make his way, The city all secure ere break of day For to surprise, naked of walls and men, As pray most easie did obtaine, and then To fortifie the same, in haste, did call, Go cast the fousie, and repair the wall. The Earle of Merch, hearing the wofull chance, Incontinent his armie did advance To Perth, hoping the same he might regaine, Did straitly it besiege, but all in vaine, He forc'd was to reteir; Baliol to Scone Then went, was crown'd, rather usurp'd the crown. By these fair Fortuns having gain'd a faction, Not for the countreyes peace, but for distraction Did overswey the ballance, none with reason Durst call the Baliols enterprise a treason, Because it had good successe; so doth reele Th'inconstant course of giddie Fortunes wheele. Constant in changes of blindfolded chance. Meane while King David Bruce did flee to France As yet a child, his tender life to save From tyrannizing Baliols bloodie glave.

Inventarie of the Gabions, in M. George his Cabinet (1638) The brave King, Robert Bruce, came to this clime,Bruce.

Inventarie of the Gabions, in M. George his Cabinet (1638) Thus was the citie strongly fortified, King Robert the second beliggereth Perth, assistedby the Douglas, & Earle of Rosse. Till Robert the first Stuart first assayed With foure great armies, yet by force repell'd And after three months sage with grief compell'd To sound retreat, Douglas meane while in Tay Most happ'ly did arrive: then they assay To reinforce the charge, and with munition For batterie new prepard, and demolition, Most furiously assault, a month and more, Yet nothing could availe their endevoure, Untill the Earle of Rosse with new supplie Did fortifie the leaguer, and drew by The water, which the wall did compasse round, By secret conduits, and made dry the ground. Then after sharp assault, and much bloud spended, Bravely pursued, and no lesse well defended, Finding themselves too weak who were within More to resist, to parlie they begin, Perth surrendered by the English. And treat of peace; both parties jump in one, With bag and baggage that they should be gone, And so it was: The citie they surrender No English since hath been thereof commander. Read George Buchanane Boëce, Master Mair These histories they word for word declare.

Inventarie of the Gabions, in M. George his Cabinet (1638) From thence we, passing by the Windie gowle, Windie gowle. Did make the hollow rocks with echoes yowle; And all alongst the mountains of Kinnoule, VVhere did we shut at many foxe and fowle.Kinnoule castle. 68 Kinnoule, so famous in the dayes of old! Where stood a castle and a stately hold Of great antiquity, by brink of Tay Woods were above, beneath fair medowes lay In prospect proper Perth, with all her graces, Fair plantings, spatious greens, religious places, Though now defac'd through age, and rage of men, Within this place a Ladie did remaine Kinnnouls Ladie did see Wallace and the Bruce. Of great experience, who likewise knew By sprite of prophecie, what should ensue, Who saw wight Wallace, and brave Bruce on live, And both their manhoods lively did descrive Unto that noble Prince, first of that name, Worthie King Iames, who hearing of her fame, Went to her house, these histories to learne, When as for age her eyes could scarce discerne.

Inventarie of the Gabions, in M. George his Cabinet (1638) Within this place a Ladie did remaine Kinnnouls Ladie did see Wallace and the Bruce.