Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

92 REIGN OF JOHN BALIOL.
ings, who held a factory there — a strong building called " The Red House,"
which by their charter they were bound to defend against the English. — Hem-
ingsford, &c.
Baliol, by the advice of his Parliament, now made a solemn renunciation of
the allegiance which he had sworn to Edward. The reasons assigned were : —
ist. That Edward had wantonly, and upon slight suggestions, summoned
Baliol to his courts.
2d. That he had seized his English estates.
3d. That he had seized his goods, and the goods of his people.
4th. That he had forcibly carried off and still detained certain natives of
Scotland.
He added, that when he made remonstrances, Edward, instead of redressing,
continually aggravated the injuries, and now had invaded Scotland, wasting
the country with fire and sword.
April 5. Henry, Abbot of Aberbrothoc, and three of his monks, delivered this instru-
ment to Edward at Berwick, where he remained for some time throwing up
new fortifications.
1296. Edward received it with angry contempt, exclaiming, " Ha, ce fol felon ! quel
folie fait il ! S'il ne voult venir a nous, nous viendrons a lui."
Scotland was at this time divided into three factions. At the head of the
most powerful of these was "John Cumyn, Earl of Buchan," who, with eleven
other nobles, had taken the government into their own hands, and detained
Baliol in a stronghold in the Highlands, lest his facile disposition should
induce him to sacrifice the honour and interests of the nation.
But the treatment to which he was thus subjected raised up a second party
in his favour.
The third and most powerful party, next to the Cumyns, comprised Bruce,
Earl of Carrick (father of the king), the Earls of March, Angus, &c. &c.
By order of the self-constituted regents a decree was set forth in Baliol's
name, by which all Englishmen holding property in Scotland were dis-
possessed, neutrals being included in this forfeiture.
This decree was principally aimed against the rival house of Bruce ; and
in consequence of it John Cumyn, Earl of Buchan, obtained a grant of Annan-
dale, whose Lord, " Robert Bruce," father of the jeune Earl of Carrick, the
future king, was then with Edward at the head of his retainers.
It was about this time that Bruce (le viel Counte) is said to have reminded
Edward of his promise of placing him upon the throne, in case of Baliol's
failure. " Ne avons nous autre chose a faire, que a vous Reaumys gagner,"
was the reply of the haughty monarch ; after which Bruce retired to his estates
in England, and took no part in Edward's further proceedings in the north.