length in 1313 Stirling Castle was the only great fortress that was left in the hands of the English. It was 1313 besieged by Bruce's brother Edward; and the garrison A.D. agreed to give it up on the 24th June in the following year, unless 'strengthened before that day. 4. Edward marched to the aid of Stirling Castle with a more powerful force than had ever been led against Scotland by any king or captain. A mass of archers with their 1314 six-foot bows were there, each man with his four-andA.D. twenty cloth-yard arrows,2 and his archer's boast that "every English bowman carried two dozen Scotsmen's lives at his belt." The force of cavalry, heavy and light, was forty thousand strong. The host which rolled northward from Berwick towards Stirling numbered altogether more than one hundred thousand men. 5. King Robert, well aware of the mighty force advancing against him, gathered his army. It did not exceed forty thousand fighting men. His plan was to await the enemy on ground where their vast cavalry should not have room to act with effect. He chose his position in what was then called the New Park, near Stirling-a space of ground covered with trees. The Scottish army, fronting to the 'expected advance of the English, looked towards the south-east. 6. The enemy could not get in upon their right, for it was covered by the Bannock Burn,3 whose banks were steep and wooded. On the left, again, where the ground was open, Bruce caused a vast number of pits to be dug, and to be filled with stakes and covered with turf; so that the field, which seemed level and firm to the eye, was in truth like a 'honeycomb, and quite 'impassable to cavalry. In front of the position was a marsh, so that only one way of approach was open to the English. Count 7. On Sabbath the 23rd of June they came in sight. less banners, standards, and 'pennons floated gaily above their dense masses. The sun shone brightly, and the land seemed in a blaze with their glittering helmets, and the showy colours of the coats which the knights wore above their mail. They came so near that it seemed as if they were going to attack at Bruce was in front of his own line, 'arraying his men. He had his full armour on, and a battle-axe in his hand; but, once. Robert I.] DEATH OF DE BOHUN. 77 to keep his 'charger fresh for the day's work, he rode as yet only a little 'palfrey. He was easily known by a light crown of gold which he wore upon his helmet. He was laughing and talking gaily as he rode to and fro along the line. 8. An English knight, Sir Henry de Bohun, riding out a bow-shot from the front, knew the King by the crown on his helmet. Seeing him so poorly horsed, he thought that he could easily have him at his will. Levelling his spear and spurring his charger, he came on at speed. The King, measuring him with steady eye, awaits his approach. He comes rushing at full PLAN OF THE FIELD OF BANNOCKBURN. A Eduurd Bruce; B Randolph; C Douglas; D King Robert; E Scottish Standard. career: the Bruce, by a touch on his palfrey's rein, avoids the shock, and rising in his stirrups as the English knight sweeps past, smites him fiercely on the helmet with his battle-axe. The axe crashes through helmet and skull deep into the brain, and the riderless steed gallops wildly away. This was the first stroke of the fight. It was not the purpose of the English, however, to begin the attack that night. They drew off, and encamped. All night long sounds of 'revelry were heard from their lines. The Scots lay in arms upon the field. ar-mour, war-dress made of metal; | cav-al-ry, horse soldiers. coat of mail. charger, war-horse; horse for charg. ing the enemy. ar-ray-ing, setting in order. count-less, so many that they could not be counted. ex-ceed, go beyond. met-tle, high spirit. 1 West/minster Abbey, in London. Edward the Confessor built a church on the present site in 1065. The chief parts of the existing Abbey were built by Henry III., 1220-45; Richard III., 1483; and Henry VII., 1485-1509. There most of the kings of England from Henry VII. to George III. are buried, as well as many great Englishmen. QUESTIONS.-1. What did Edward do on hearing of Bruce's doings? Where did he die? What was his dying command?-2. What did Edward II. do? How did Bruce occupy the next six years?-3. What was the state of matters in 1313? What agreement was made by the garrison of Stirling ?-4. How many did Edward's army number altogether? How many cavalry? What was the boast of every English archer?-5. What did Bruce's army amount to? What was his plan? Where did he choose his position?-6. How was his right protected? and his left? and his front?-7. When did the English come in sight?-8. What was the first stroke of the fight? Narrate the incident. 4. THE DEATH OF DE BOUNE. From Scorr's Lord of the Isles, canto vi. THE Monarch rode along the van, 10 Robert I.] THE DEATH OF DE BOUNE. He ranged his soldiers for the fight, Of either host.-Three bow-shots far,2 Flashing with steel and rough with gold Rode England's King3 and Peers; Yon knight who marshals thus their line?" The Bruce, my liege: I know him well.' And, at King Edward's signal, soon Dashed from the ranks Sir Henry Boune. He spurred his steed, he 'couched his lance, As motionless as rocks that bide The wrath of the advancing tide, The Bruce stood fast.-Each breast beat high, Right on De Boune, 'the whiles he passed, ac-cou-tred, dressed; furnished with | gauntlet, an iron glove. arms and dress. ad-ven-ture, dare; venture. mar-shal, put in order; arrange. mon-arch, one who rules alone; 60 70 80 85 au-da-cious, bold; impudent. 1 Ar'gentine, an English knight, | in token of having accepted his chalwhose glove Bruce wore in his helmet | lenge to single combat. |