Life of Sir William Wallace of Elderslie, Vol. 1 (of 2)Carrick, John D. (John Donald)
History
Life of Sir William Wallace of Elderslie, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Carrick, John D. (John Donald)
Wallace, William, Sir, -1305
“But according to the registry of the Priory of Lewes, the Earl died
that day at Kennington, having, says Dugdale, been Earl of Surrey no
less than fifty-four years; though, as he succeeded his father in 1240,
it is evident he must have borne that title sixty-four years. He was
buried in the midst of the pavement, in the quire of the Abbey of
Lewes, before the high altar, and the following epitaph was engraved
upon his tomb.
“=Vous qe passez on bouche close.
Priez pur cely ke cy repose:
En vie come vous estis jadis fu,
Et vous tiel serretz come je su.=
=Sire Johan Count de Gareyn gyst ycy.
Dieu de sa alme eit mercy:
Ky pur sa alme priera,
Trois mill jours de pardon avera.=”
“Of the subject of this article, but little that is favourable to his
memory can be said; though his faults, or more properly his vices,
were those of the age in which he lived. His treachery at the battle
of Lewes has, to apply the beautiful expression of a distinguished
statesman of the present day, ‘left indelible stains upon his
character, which all the laurels of’ Dunbar ‘cannot cover, nor its
blood wash away;’ whilst his subsequent conduct was invariably marked
by a turbulent and intractable spirit. Not only was he frequently
embroiled in disputes both with his compeers and his sovereign, but,
with almost unparalleled hardihood, he dared, in a court of justice,
to use personal violence towards a baron of the realm. That he should
acquire renown in the field, and consequently become possessed of the
King’s esteem, is perfectly consistent with that impetuous temper for
which he is celebrated. Bravery is, however, but one redeeming trait in
a picture, where all besides is dark and repulsive; and even the bold
answer relative to his right to his lands, when properly considered,
affords no room for praise; for the same resolute opposition to such
an inquiry would, there is no doubt, be as readily evinced to defend
any part of his property, if it had been acquired by the most flagrant
injustice on his part, instead of on that of his ancestors.
“A proof of the estimation in which the Earl was held by Edward the
First, is afforded, in Dugdale’s opinion, by the fact, that the King
issued precepts, directed to the Bishops of Canterbury and London, and
to several Abbots, commanding them to cause masses to be said for his
soul; but this testimony of the royal consideration might have arisen
from the near connection between the Earl and his Majesty, as is shown
by the annexed table:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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