Be pleased to make the hood

Be pleased to make the hood DAVID PILLING'S HISTORY STUFF FEB 4 READ IN APP Spring 1304. William Wallace and Simon Fraser were on the run, hunted by King Edward's knights. Among the latter was Robert de Bruce, now the royal sheriff of Lanark and Ayr. Edward sent Bruce a complimentary gift of wine, and a letter of thanks for his work to date: “Know that for the great diligence and care that you have used and do use in our affairs from day to day, and because you are thus agreed to follow th eenemy, we thank you as earnestly as we can, and pray and require especially, as confide in you, who are our good people, and have well begun the said business, that you will complete it...that whereas the robe is well made, you will be pleased to make the hood.” Bruce was part of a heavily armed mobile posse, led by John Segrave. While they scoured the countryside, the king employed two spies to look for Wallace and Fraser. One was 'a certain Scottish boy' employed to 'infiltrate Sir Simon Fraser and Sir William Wallace'; the other was a Scotsman, John of Musselburgh, paid ten shillings by the king's own hand for his labour. On 5/6 March the fugitives were cornered at Happrew near Peebles. Not much is known of the fight, except a Gascon trooper, Boico de Burdill, claimed expenses for the loss of two horses. Wallace and Fraser were beaten – or 'discomfited' - but managed to escape. This was a measure of revenge for Segrave, who had led the English force defeated at Roslin in February. It is not clear if Bruce was present, but he was certainly kept busy at this time. One of his jobs was to arrange the transport of siege engines to Stirling, now the last bastion of resistance. Ten days later, 15 March, 129 Scottish landowners knelt before the king at St Andrews, and re-swore their oaths of homage and fealty. Wallace, Fraser and the garrison were then formally outlawed: Wallace did not receive a 'trial' at Westminster after his capture, because outlaws did not get trials. On the same day, as a final order of business, John of Musselburgh got his ten shillings. Invite your friends and earn rewards If you enjoy David Pilling's History Stuff, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe. Invite Friends © 2024 History Stuff 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 Unsubscribe