Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

1 64 KING DAVID II.— BATTLE OF DUPPLIN.
arms against his uncle with the English army ; but when restored to his country
in 1 3 14, Bruce had employed him in subordinate positions, and found him
wanting. He was now placed at the head of the large force collected by Ran-
Aug. 6. dolph, but lingered with it at a distance ; whilst Alexander Seton, with a hand-
Fordun ; f u j f soldiers, threw himself upon the English, and was cut to pieces.
V qJ jj' Edward Baliol, advancing to Dunfermline, took possession of all the stores
p. 12. Randolph had collected ; and pushing on towards the Tay (his ships being
ordered to sail round and anchor at its mouth), he encamped at Forteviot, on
the Earn.
Some ancient chronicles assert that the Earl of Marr had entered into a
secret correspondence with Baliol ; but he could scarcely have intended to
involve himself, along with his whole army, in destruction. Keeping no watch,
and allowing his soldiers to abandon themselves to riot and intemperance, he
Aug. 12. was surprised by the English marching upon them through Gask and Dupplin
during the night, and making a frightful carnage.
The young Randolph, Earl of Moray, was that day slain, twenty-three days
after his noble father. Also Robert, seventh Earl of Carrick, eldest son natural
of Edward Bruce ; and Robert Bruce, natural son of King Robert ; Alexander
Fraser, Chamberlain of Scotland, husband of Bruce's sister, the Lady Mary ;
Murdoch, Earl of Menteith ; and the Regent Marr himself, with 12,000 men.
The Earl of Fife was taken prisoner, after having 360 men-at-arms slain around
him. All the chiefs fought nobly, and tried vainly to retrieve the first surprise.
Another Scottish army, commanded by the Earl of March (as little fitted for
the post as the Earl of Marr), was at hand ; but Edward Baliol was allowed to
proceed to Scone, and there was crowned — Duncan, Earl of Fife, who now
joined the English party, and Sinclair, Bishop of Dunkeld, officiating. Perth,
committed to the custody of the Earl of Fife by Baliol, was soon after taken by
Sir Simon Fraser and Sir Robert Keith, and the Earl of Fife and his daughter
made prisoners.
Sir Andrew Moray, husband of the Lady Christian Bruce, Countess of Marr,
was elected regent. His first care was to send the young King David, then
nine years of age, and his young queen to France, where they were well and
honourably received. It was Sir Malcolm Fleming, Governor of Dumbarton
Castle, who found means of conveying them to France. He also provided for
the safety of the Steward, afterwards Robert II., who crossed over from Bute,
where he at first took refuge after the battle of Hallidon ; and some authors
assert that it was not until after that battle, that David and his queen went to
France. However this may be, Sir Malcolm Fleming had them in safe keep-
ing, and was rewarded by David in 1341 by a charter of the earldom of Wig-