Historical account of the family of Frisel or Fraser, particularly Fraser of Lovat

S4
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
• Feedera, Vol. I,
Part 2. p. 374..
' Caledonia, I. 66!).
Tiivetiis, 3.38.
w Stow, Chr. 209.
» M. Westminster,
ioa.
y Ibid. 4,56.
Trivetus, 342.
* Martial Achieve-
ments, I. o'/l.
M'Kenzie's Lives of
Eminent Scots
Authors, ^'ol. I.
pi 267.
ward's enmity, as to be excepted out of the act of grace in 1304, and
fined in three year's rent of his estate. "
The mock Council of St Andi-eVs had then bowed to the usurper's
yoke ; but there remained a band of patriots, disdainful of the victor's
clemency. Unmoved at the disasters of then- country, these men
thought no saciifice too great for her dehverance, and no misfortune
so foul as dishonour. The English monarch heard every tongue ac-
knowledge his pretensions but Su Simon Fraser, Sir WUliam Wallace,
and the garrison of Stirhng. Indemnity was granted by the Great
Council to every individual but them, and a decree was fulminated, de-
nouncing them as outlaws. "
His countrymen have regarded the exploits of Wallace with feelings
little short of idolatry. If to him be due the glory of being the first to
awaken Scotland from her ignominious slumber, his efforts were nobly
seconded by Sir Simon Fraser j who alone of the aristocracy was indis-
posed to view with envy the merit which called this hero to command.
Having, as he fancied, subdued Scotland, Edward departed, leaving
the task of settling the government to the Bishop of Glasgow, the Earl
of Carrick, and John de Moubray. Wallace was soon after betrayed by
Sir John Monteith, sheriff" of Dunbarton, and suffered death on the 23d
August, 1305, maintaining to the last the intrepidity of character which
had so eminently distinguished him. " But his country found a new
champion in Robert Bruce. An accidental circumstance threw his
rival, Cumine, in his path, ''and the mortal consequences of their interview
led to an avowal of his pretensions to the throne. He was crowned on
the 27th March, 1306, ^ with such materials as his necessities allowed.
His followers were at first few, and his actions but unimportant ; but,
amongst the earliest of his friends, we find Sir Simon Fraser. '■ The
news of these events raised Edward's anger to the highest pitch. His
fury knew no bounds, when he was told that a country, so often over-run
by his arms, had yet courage to question his authority and deride his
power. He immediately raised a large army, which he entrusted to the
command of Rymer de Valance, Earl of Pembroke ; at the same time