The English now possessed scarcely any place of importance in Scotland, excepting Stirling, which was besieged, or rather blockaded, by Edward Bruce, the King’s brother. To blockade a town or castle is to quarter an army around it, so as to prevent those within from getting provisions. This was done by the Scots before Stirling, till Sir Philip Mowbray, who commanded the castle, finding that he was like to be reduced to extremity for want of provisions, made an agreement with Edward Bruce that he would surrender the place, provided he were not relieved by the King of England before midsummer. Sir Edward agreed to these terms, and allowed Mowbray to go to London, to tell King Edward of the conditions he had made. But when King Robert heard what his brother had done, he thought it was too great a risk, since it obliged him to venture a battle with the full strength of Edward the Second, who had under him England, Ireland, Wales, and great part of France, and could within the time allowed assemble a much more powerful army than the Scots could, even if all Scotland were fully under the King’s authority. Sir Edward answered his brother with his naturally audacious spirit, “Let Edward bring every man he has, we will fight them, were they more.” The King admired his courage, though it was mingled with rashness. “Since it is so, brother,” he said, “we will manfully abide battle, and assemble all who love us, and value the freedom of Scotland, to come with all the men they have, and help us to oppose King Edward, should he come with his army, to rescue Stirling.” NOTES AND QUESTIONS =Discussion.= 1. What incident made Robert Bruce leave the English army? 2. What qualities for leadership did he possess? 3. What happened when Comyn and Bruce met at the church in Dumfries? 4. How was Bruce punished for this deed? 5. Mention some of Bruce’s misfortunes. 6. Which did you wish Bruce to do, fight the Saracens, or fight for Scotland? 7. Why? 8. What did the spider show Bruce? 9. How did Bruce and James Douglas meet? 10. What do you know about Sir Thomas Randolph? 11. Describe the taking of Edinburgh Castle. 12. By what stratagem was the Castle of Lithgow taken? 13. Read lines that show the character of the King’s brother, Sir Edward. 14. Pronounce the following: patriotic; yeomanry; severity; audacious. =Phrases= resist the usurper, 301, 9 baseness of this conduct, 301, 10 foreign yoke, 301, 31 down from London, 302, 15 church of Minorites, 302, 17 mutual pretensions, 302, 19 unpleasing intelligence, 304, 4 stout-hearted men, 305, 34 stout yeomanry, 308, 23 bold peasantry, 308, 23 THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN (1314)