Scotland/Scots > Life of Sir William Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie, and Guardian of Scotland

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LIFE OF
ing advantage of the animosities he thus excit¬
ed, furthered his own ambitions and tyrannical
designs.
These remarks begot the confidence of his
rival, who communicated without reserve, the
promises that had been held out to him by Ed¬
ward, which drew from Comyn a proposal for
the delivery of their country, in which he offer¬
ed to give Bruce his estates, on condition that
he relinquished his claim, and assisted him to
gain the crown, or to accept of Bruce’s estates
on the same terms. Bruce, whose claim was ge¬
nerally acknowledged to be better founded than
Comyn’s, agreed to make over his estates, on
attaining to the kingdom through the assistance
of Comyn; and a private bond was entered in¬
to between them for this purpose. In order to
cover their intentions, Bruce agreed to accom¬
pany Edward to London, and leave his bro¬
ther, Edward Bruce, to attend to his interest in
Scotland.
The English monarch having now, as he
thought, completely depressed the spirit of the
Scots, and brought them effectually under his
yoke, began to make preparations for his return
to England; and with this view, he appointed
Aymer de Vallence, regent or viceroy of the
kingdon), and filled all places of trust with Eng-