The conclusion of peace with France in 1303 left Edward free to direct all his strength against Scotland; and the Scots, under Comyn as regent, were now in better condition to resist. They had defeated the English army under Sir John Segrave in February, and were preparing for greater exertions, when the news arrived that not only the Pope but the French had deserted them. No provision in their favor was contained in the treaty of peace; and Edward was already in the country in full force. The year 1303 appeared to be a fatal year to the hopes of Scotland. Edward marched the whole length of the country as far north as the Moray Frith, and within sight of Caithness. Stirling alone of all the castles of the land was left in the possession of the native people, and after a futile attempt under the walls of Stirling to intercept the invader, they seem to have given up all idea of resistance. The so-called governors of the Scots surrendered and submitted on condition of having their lives, liberties, and estates secured; a few patriotic men were excepted from the benefit of the act, the chief of whom was Wallace, against whom as the leading spirit of liberty Edward’s indignation burned most hotly, and whom the selfish and jealous lords cared least to protect. Stirling, after a brave resistance, surrendered in July, and Scotland seemed to be at last subdued. The hero Wallace, taken by treachery in 1305, was sent to London to be tried and put to death as a traitor. The execution of this sentence is one of the greatest blots upon Edward’s character as a high-minded prince. Only the profound conviction that his own claims over Scotland were indisputably legal and that all the misery and bloodshed which had followed the renewal of the war must justly be charged upon Wallace--a conviction akin in origin to the other mistakes which we have traced in Edward’s great career--can have overcome the feeling of admiration and sympathy which he must have felt for so brave a man. [Sidenote: Edward’s new constitution for Scotland. ] [Sidenote: Return of Robert Bruce to Scotland. ]