Among the ruins of Melrose Abbey, ivy covered and deserted, lies buried
the heart of Scotland’s greatest king--Robert Bruce. Why is it there,
so far away from his grave at Dunfermline? Bannockburn was the greatest
achievement of Bruce’s life. This decisive battle was fought on June
24, 1314. Robert Bruce was born in 1274, at a time when Scotland was
struggling fiercely to throw off the yoke of England under Edward I.
Bruce grew up with the love of freedom strongly implanted in his heart.
He was a natural leader.
Finally, his chance came. On March 27, 1306, he had himself crowned
king of Scotland; but he was as yet a king without a kingdom. He
gathered his supporters together and overran Scotland until only
Berwick, Stirling, and Bothwell remained to the English. Edward I had
died, and Edward II, a weak and unstable man, was on the British throne.
But even this weakling now saw that unless a strong blow was struck
Scotland would be lost. He assembled his army and advanced on Bruce.
And then Bruce, by a wonderful exhibition of strategy, rapidity of
movement, and personal bravery, so decisively defeated him that the
complete rout of the English determined the independence of Scotland
and confirmed the title of Bruce.
After peace had been made the new king of Scotland proved himself as
able a lawmaker as he was a warrior. But he did not live many years to
enjoy his triumph. On June 7, 1329, he died of leprosy, contracted in
the hardships of earlier life, and was buried at Dunfermline.
Now comes the story of the “Heart of Bruce.” During his life he made
a vow to visit the Holy Sepulcher. But he could not do this; so he
begged Douglas to carry his heart there after his death. But the brave
Douglas, on the way to the Holy Land stopped off in Spain to help the
Spaniards against the Moors and was killed. However, the box containing
Bruce’s heart was recovered by Sir William Keith, and at last was
brought back to Scotland and found a resting place in Melrose Abbey.
Melrose Abbey is eight hundred years old, and, though battered both by
time and the assaults of many hostile armies, is still famous for its
architecture. It is situated on the River Tweed, near the little town
of Melrose.
Sir Walter Scott has immortalized this famous old ruin forever, when in
“The Lay of the Last Minstrel” he describes the visit to Melrose Abbey
of William of Deloraine, who had come to steal from the hand of the
dead magician, Michael Scott, his book of magic.
How beautiful the abbey may have been we can only guess; but it is
still picturesque, though the windows, once filled with wonderful
stained glass, are now bare and desolate, and the only incense on its
ruined altar is the breath of the wild rose.
PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION
ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR, VOL. 1, No. 10, SERIAL No. 10
COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC.
[Illustration: ABBOTSFORD, SCOTLAND]
_SCOTLAND_
_Abbotsford_