Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-09-14
BRUCE AND WALLACE.
By CHARLES DICKENS.

ward s coronation. Alexander fao Third
the King Of Scotland, died Of fall from
horse. He had been married to Mar
garet, King Edwards sister. All their
children being dead, the Scottish crown
became the right Of a young Princess
only eight years old, The daaglster q
Erie, King OF Norway, who had married
daughter OF the deceased sovereign
King edward proposed that the Maiden
of Norway, as this Princess was called,
should be engaged to be married TO his
eldest son but, unfortunately, as she was
coming over to England she fen sick,
and landing on one Of the Orkney
Islands, died there. a great commotion
Immediately began in Scotland. where a.
many as thirteen noisy claimants to the
vacant throne started up aud made a gen
eral confusion.
King Edward being much renowned
for bis sagaeity and justice, it seems 10
have been agreed to refer the dispute to
him. He accepted the trust, and went
with an army to the Border land where
England and Scotland joined. There.
he called upon the Scottish gentlemen 10
meet him at the Castle Of Norham. on
the English side o. the river Tweed, and
TO that Castle they came. But, before
he would take any step in the business,
he required these Scottish gentlemen,
one and all to do homage to him as their
superior Lord and when they hesitated,
he said, " By holy Edward, whose crown
| wear, I viii have my rights, or l will
die in maintaining them :" The Scot
tish gentlemen, who had not expected
this, were Disconnected, and asked for
three weeks to think about il.
AT the end Of three weeks, another
meeting TOOK place, on a green plain on
the Scottish side Of the river. OF all
the competitors for the Scottish throne,
there were only two who had any real
claim, in the right Of their near kindred
to the Royal family. These were John
Baliol and Robert Bruce; and the right
was, have no doubt, on the side Of John
Baliol. AT this particular meeting John
Baiiol was not present, but Robert Bruce
was-and on Robert Bruce being form
ally asked whether be acknowledged the
King Of England for his superior lord.
he answered plainly and distinctly-Yes.
he did. Next day John Ballot appear
ed, and he said the same. This point
settled, some arrangements were made
for inquiFing into their titles.
The inquiry occupied pretty long
time-more than a year. while it was
going on, King Edward took the oppor-
tunity Of making a journey thro' Scot
land, and calling upon the Scottish peo-
pie Of all degrees to acknowledge them
selves his vassals, or be imprisoned until
they did. In the meanwhile, Commis-
sioners were appointed 10 conduct the in
quiry,a Parliament was held at Berwick
about It, the two claimants we're heard
at full length, and there was a vast
amount Of talking. At last, in the great
hall of the Castle Of Berwick, the King
gave judgment in favor Of John Baliol
who, consented to receive his crown By
the King Of England favor and permis-
sion, was crowned az Scene, in an old
stone chair which had been used f0raees
in the Abby there at the coronation Of
Scottish Kings. Then King Edward
caused the great seal Of Scotland, used
since the late King death, 70 be broken
in four pieces, and placed in the English
Treasury, and considered that be now
had Scotland according to the common
saying under bis thumb.
Scotland bad a strong viii Of il own
yet, however, King Edward, deiermin-
ed that the Scottish King should not for
ger he was BIS vassal, summoned him re-
peatedly to come and defend himself ana
bis Judges before the English Parlia-
nent when appeals from the decisions oi
Scottish courts Of justice we're being
heard. At length John Baliol. wlo had
10 great heart 81 bis own, had 50 mucli
heart put into him By .he brave spirit ii
the Scottish people, who toak this a. a
national Insult, that be refused 10 come
any more Thersapoa the King faFIhe.
required bim 10 help him 10 Bis wal
abroad. (which was then IL progresa.j
and 70 give up. Is security for bis good
behavior 10 future, the strong Scottish
castles Of Jssl5srgb, Kozbargh, and Ber.
wick Aoshing Of ibis being done o.
the contrary, the seotsisA people eoaee@l
ing their king anoag tbeif na0ansaias L
the Highlands. ard showing determines
ton 10 resist, Edsafd marclsssd q Bsg