Nigel Tranter - The Steps to the Empty Throne

Its leaders might have maintained some more suitable spirit—but by and large the leaders were not there, nor had been most of the long day.

The Scots insurgent force had moved out of Irvine, south by east, early in the morning, on word of the English approach. Wallace had sent that word, that Clifford was now no further off than Kilmarnock, a mere six miles away, with Percy coming up from Lochmaben. Even then, the Steward, the Bishop and others, had been for a prompt withdrawal northwards, while there was yet time, making for Glasgow; and only Douglas, this time reinforced by Bruce, Moray and Lindsay, had managed to carry the day in favour of resistance. They had marched out to take up strong defensive positions along the line of the River Irvine and its tributary the Annick Water, facing south and east across what was largely swampland, water-meadows and even a small loch, to slow down any English attack. It was an excellent position—although rather strung-out for their numbers, which still reached only about four thousand. The position was almost too strong in fact, since it. produced too great a feeling of security, too defensive an atmosphere altogether.

Bruce and Moray paced a grassy bank above their own lines, ill at ease and short of temper. Since the affair at Ayr, they had drawn together. Andrew Moray’s quiet and thoughtful nature making an excellent counter-balance to Bruce’s impetuosity. But today even Moray was disgruntled and impatient. They had marshalled their men together, the Annandale and Maybole contingents—the latter now much reinforced—and the Both well company from Lanarkshire, totalling in all almost a thousand. They had selected a good position at the right of the long line, not more than a mile from the sea, and holding the Warrix ford. But as the day wore on, and Wallace’s scouts were sent back with word that the English were still at Kilmarnock, obviously awaiting the arrival of Percy’s force from Lochmaben—where Wallace had in fact boldly attacked them two nights before with indecisive results—Bruce had urged action, a sally. It was crazy, he declared, to let the two English hosts join up, when they might prevent it.

A flanking movement with their cavalry could cut off Kilmarnock, north and south. The foot could march the six miles in two hours. Kilmarnock was no strong-point, no citadel or walled town-and the townsfolk would turn against the invaders’ rear when they saw the opportunity. Wallace and his men could go in, to rally them.

But there was no convincing the majority of the other lords. It would be folly to desert the strong position here, most said.

Others, the most senior, were still advising a retiral northwards.

Even Douglas was not for attack meantime.

So it had gone on all day. Wallace himself had sent Sir John the Graham—who was now frequently in his company—to urge the lords to move over to the attack, more or less as Bruce advised.

But without avail.

It was in a thwarted and discouraged frame of mind, therefore, the two young noblemen heard some shouting and commotion from further up the riverside, and, for want of better employment, walked in that direction to see what went on. They discovered Lindsays and Montgomeries, their neighbours in the line, in some consternation and excitement.

“Lundin has ridden off. Deserted to the English!” one of them told the newcomers.

”Sir Richard Lundin. He rode off, through our left, there. Over that

bit ford. Towards Kilmarnock. With his esquire and three men …”

“They say he has had enough. Of folk who dinna ken their am minds!” another supplemented.

“The English aye ken that, at least!”

“This is nonsense!” Bruce declared.

“You talk like fools.”

“It’s true. We saw him, my lord …”

“Perhaps he rides as messenger? Courier?” Moray suggested.

“To the English?”

“Who else? They would not send him to Wallace. Such as he!”

“Courier for what, then? What have they to say to the English?”

Bruce frowned. “

“Fore God—we shall look into this!” He turned, to hurry back for his horse. They rode hastily back to the Mill of Fullarton, where the insurgent leaders were gathered.

They heard upraised voices even before they entered the musty smelling place.

It took some time for them to gather what was in debate—that it was not now whether to attack or not, but in fact whether to stand fast, retire, or make terms. Shocked, the young men demanded what this meant.

Many of the others seemed actually to welcome their arrival, as opportunity to expound their views and seek support. Out of the declamation and persuasion, they learned that a new situation had arisen.

Clifford had sent an envoy from Kilmarnock, a Scot, one Sir Archibald Livingstone. He had brought two messages. One, the main body of the English foot, allegedly now fifty thousand strong, was less than thirty miles away, having already won through the Mennock Pass. And secondly, that he, Clifford, well understood mat what had prompted this revolt of the Scots lords was the command, issued from London, mat all Scots nobles, like their English counterparts, should forthwith muster men and, under heads of families or their heirs, bring them to join and assist King Edward in his war against the French. This, the Earl of Surrey, Viceroy for Scotland, recognised to be not only unpopular, but mistaken policy, and bound to provoke serious misgivings in Scotland, the French war being scarcely more popular in England. He, Clifford, therefore, and Sir Henry Percy, Sheriff of Ayr, had the Viceroy’s authority to declare those Scots lords and knights who had assembled in arms in protest against this policy, if they yielded now, dispersed their forces, and gave certain assurances for their future good and loyal behaviour, would be received back into the King’s peace without further penalty. Moreover, the Earl of Surrey undertook to try to persuade King Edward such commands for Scots levies for the French war should be withdrawn.

All this took some time to be enunciated, by many mouths, with much interpolation, question and refutation.

Douglas’s strong voice prevailed over all, eventually.

“It is a trick, I tell you!” he cried.

“A ruse, to have us yield. Without fighting. This, of going to war in France. Have you heard of it?

Have any? He would cozen us.”

“Why should he? With his force. With fifty thousand and more, need he trick us?”

“The English, it may be, want no revolt in Scotland, while Edward and his main might is in France,” Lindsay declared, “Clifford and Percy have men enough to beat us, to destroy us here. But they would rather have peace. Not have to fight.”

“Aye—we cannot win. Not against fifty thousand. I say they are right,” Sir John Stewart of Bonkill said.

“It is madness to fight!”

“Better to make for Glasgow, while there is yet time.”

“If they would treat with us, we are fools to reject it…”

Douglas managed to shout them all down.

“Fools, aye! If we yield! We have a strong position. They are not over-eager to attack.

The people of the land are for us. Would you surrender without a blow?

Could you raise your heads after, if you did?”

“Not only our heads, yes—but our arms, my lord,” the Steward intervened thickly.

“Do you not see it? At this present we cannot prevail. We may hold off Clifford and Percy, with their horse. But when the fifty thousand foot come up, we are lost. I had been of the opinion we should hasten northwards, with our force intact. But now, I think we might be better to accept these terms. And fight another day. They are easy terms, are they not?”

“So say I,” Lindsay concurred.

“These are easy terms, yes.

Why they should make them so easy, I know not…”

“A trick, I say!” Douglas insisted.