EDWARD AGAIN INVADES SCOTLAND.--SIEGE OF CARLAVEROCK.--MISCELLANEOUS
OCCURENCES DURING THE SIEGE.
The accounts which Edward was daily receiving of the progress of the
Scots, determined him to renew hostilities, as soon as circumstances
would permit. Having regained the good will of his barons, by a
gracious compliance with their demands, by writs tested, on 29th
December 1299, he summoned all who owed him military service in England
and elsewhere, to attend at Carlisle on the feast of the nativity of
John the Baptist.
1300. “On the day appointed,” (1st July), says an eye-witness,[40] “the
whole host was ready, and the good King, with his household, then set
forward against the Scots, not in coats and surcoats, but on powerful
and costly chargers, and, that they might not be taken by surprise,
well and securely armed.
“There were many rich caparisons embroidered on silks and satins; many
a beautiful penon fixed to a lance; and many a banner displayed.
“And afar off was the noise heard of the neighing of horses; mountains
and vallies were every where covered with sumpter-horses and waggons
with provisions, and sacks of tents and pavilions.
“And the days were long and fine. They proceeded by easy journeys,
arranged in four squadrons.”
The first squadron was led by Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln.[41]
The second was under John, Earl of Warren and Surrey.
King Edward conducted the third squadron himself, and, says the
fore-mentioned author, “brought up the rear so closely and ably, that
none of the others were left behind. In his banner were three leopards
courant of fine gold, set on red; fierce, haughty, and cruel; thus
placed, to signify, that, like them, the King is dreadful fierce, and
proud to his enemies, for his bite is slight to none who inflame his
anger; not but his kindness is soon rekindled towards such as seek his
friendship or submit to his power.” This part of his character, the
Scots would not call in question.
The fourth squadron was led by “Prince Edward, a youth of seventeen
years, and bearing arms for the first time. He was a well-proportioned
and handsome person, of a courteous disposition, and intelligent; and
desirous of finding an occasion to display his prowess. He managed his
steed wonderfully well, and bore with a blue label the arms of the good
King his father.” John de St John, an experienced warrior, was in close
attendance upon the Prince, ready to instruct him in what his duty
required.
Eighty-seven of the most illustrious vassals of the Crown of England,
with their retainers, were in this array, including knights of
Bretagne, Lorraine, and renegades of Scotland, among whom we find
Alexander de Baliol, brother to the King of Scots, Patrick, Earl of
Dunbar, and his son, Sir Simon Frazer, Henry de Graham, and Richard
Siward. This formidable and splendid assemblage of feudal power,
which completely filled the road from Newcastle, halted about nine
miles south of Dumfries, for the purpose of besieging the Castle of
Carlaverock, a stronghold belonging to Herbert Maxwell, chief of a
powerful border clan of that name, and who had refused to surrender to
a summons which Edward had sent forward. The siege of this place has
been passed over, or very slightly noticed, by the historians of both
countries. Langtoft merely says--
“A pouere hamlete toke,
The Castelle Karelauerok,”--
passing over, in this brief manner, a siege which not only engaged the
attention of the King, but also interrupted the progress of his whole
army.
The account which is given by Walter of Exeter, is not only valuable
from its being the only well-authenticated description extant, by an
eye-witness of the leaguer of any of the Scottish fastnesses during
this period, but also from its being extremely interesting, by the
minuteness of its details, and the graphic manner in which the author
has pourtrayed the appearance and demeanour of the combatants. It would
be doing the reader injustice to present it to him otherwise than in
the nervous, elegant, and appropriate language of the accomplished
translator.
“Carlaverock was so strong a castle, that it did not fear a siege,
therefore the King came himself, because it would not consent to
surrender. But it was always furnished for its defence, whenever it
was required, with men, engines, and provisions. Its shape was like
that of a shield; for it had only three sides all round, with a tower
in each angle; but one of them was a double one, so high, so long, and
so large, that under it was the gate, with a draw-bridge, well made
and strong, and a sufficiency of other defences. It had good walls,
and good ditches filled to the edge with water; and I believe there
never was seen a castle more beautifully situated; for at once could be
seen the Irish sea towards the west, and to the north a fine country,
surrounded by an arm of the sea, so that no creature born could
approach it on two sides, without putting himself in danger of the sea.
“Towards the south it was not easy, because there were numerous
dangerous defiles of wood, and marshes, and ditches, where the sea is
on each side of it, and where the river reaches it; and therefore it
was necessary for the host to approach it towards the east, where the
hill slopes.
“And in that place by the King’s commands, his battalions were formed
into three, as they were to be quartered; then were the banners
arranged, when one might observe many a warrior exercising his horse:
and there appeared three thousand brave men at arms; then might be seen
gold and silver, and the noblest and best of all rich colours, so as
entirely to illuminate the valley; consequently, those of the castle,
on seeing us arrive, might, as I well believe, deem that they were in
greater peril than they could ever before remember. And as soon as we
were thus drawn up, we were quartered by the Marshall, and then might
be seen houses built without carpenters or masons, of many different
fashions, and many a cord stretched, with white and coloured cloth,
with many pins, driven into the ground, many a large tree cut down to
make huts; and leaves, herbs and flowers gathered in the woods, which
were strewed within; and then our people took up their quarters.
“Soon afterwards, it fortunately happened, that the navy arrived with
the engines and provisions;[42] and then the footmen began to march
against the castle; then might be seen stones arrows, and quarreaux,
to fly among them; but so effectually did those within exchange their
tokens with those without, that in one short hour there were many
persons wounded and maimed, and I know not how many killed.
“When the men-at-arms saw that the footmen had sustained such losses
who had begun the attack, many ran there, many leaped here, and many
used such haste to go, that they did not deign to speak to any one.
Then might there be seen such kind of stones thrown as if they would
beat hats and helmets to powder, and break shields and targets in
pieces; for to kill and wound was the game at which they played. Great
shouts arose among them, when they perceived that any mischief occurred.
“There, first of all, I saw the good Baron Bertram de Montbouchier, on
whose shining silver shield were three red pitchers, with besants, in a
black border.
“With him Gerard de Gondronville, an active and handsome bachelor. He
had a shield neither more nor less than vaire. These were not resting
idle, for they threw up many a stone, and suffered many a heavy blow.
“The first body was composed of Bretons, and the second were of
Lorrain, of which none found the other tardy; so that they afforded
encouragement and emulation to others to resemble them. Then came to
assail the castle, Fitz-Marmaduke, with a banner and a great and full
troop of good and select bachelors.
“Robert de Willoughby I saw bore gold fretty azure.
“Robert de Hamsart I saw arrive, fully prepared, with five followers,
holding a red shield by the straps, containing three silver stars.
“Henry de Graham had his arms red as blood, with a white saltire and
chief, on which he had three red escalop shells.
“Thomas de Richmont, who a second time collected some lances, had red
armour, with a chief and two gemells of gold. These did not act like
discreet people, nor as persons enlightened by understanding; but as
if they had been inflamed and blinded with pride and despair, for they
made their way right forwards to the very brink of the ditch.
“And those of Richmont passed at this moment quite to the bridge, and
demanded entry; they were answered with ponderous stones and cornues.
Willoughby in his advances received a stone on the middle of his
breast, which ought to have been protected by his shield, if he had
deigned to use it.
“Fitz-Marmaduke had undertaken to endure as much in that affair as the
others could bear, for he was like a post; but his banner received many
stains, and many a rent difficult to mend.
“Hamsart bore himself so nobly, that from his shield fragments might
often be seen to fly in the air; for he, and those of Richmont, drove
the stones upwards, as if it were rotten, whilst those within defended
themselves by loading their heads and necks with the weight of heavy
blows.
“Those led by Graham did not escape, for there were not above two who
returned unhurt, or brought back their shields entire.
“Then you might hear the tumult begin. With them were intermixed a
great body of the King’s followers, all of whose names, if I were
to repeat, and recount their brave actions, the labour would be too
heavy, so many were there, and so well did they behave. Nor would this
suffice, without those of the retinue of the King’s son, great numbers
of whom came there in noble array; for many a shield, newly painted,
and splendidly adorned, many a helmet, and many a burnished hat, many
a rich gambezon, garnished with silk, tow and cotton, were there to be
seen, of divers forms and fashions.
“There I saw Ralph de Gorges, a newly dubbed knight, fall more than
once to the ground from stones and the crowd, for he was of so haughty
a spirit that he would not deign to retire. He had all his harness and
attire mascally of gold and azure.
“Those who were on the wall, Robert de Tony severely harassed; for he
had in his company the good Richard de Rokeley, who so well plied those
within, that he frequently obliged them to retreat. He had his shield
painted mascally of red and ermine.
“Adam de la Forde mined the walls as well as he could, for the stones
flew in and out as thick as rain, by which many were disabled. He bore,
in clear blue, three gold lioncels rampant crowned.
“The good Baron of Wigtown received such blows, that it was the
astonishment of all that he was not stunned; for, without excepting any
lord present, none shewed a more resolute or unembarrassed countenance.
He bore, within a bordure indented, three gold stars on sable.
“Many a heavy and crushing stone did he of Kirkbride receive, but
he placed before him a white shield with a green cross engrailed.
So stoutly was the gate of the castle assailed by him, that never
did smith with his hammer strike his iron as he and his did there.
Notwithstanding there were showered upon them such huge stones,
quarrels, and arrows, that with wounds and bruises they were so hurt
and exhausted, that it was with great difficulty they were able to
retire.
“But as soon as they had retreated, he of Clifford, being advised of
it, and like one who had no intention that those within should have
repose, sent his banner there, and as many as could properly escort
it, with Bartholomew de Badlesmere, and John de Cromwell, as those who
could best perform his wishes; for whilst their breath lasted, none of
them neglected to stoop and pick up the stones to throw them, and to
attack.
“But the people of the castle would not permit them to remain there
long. Badlesmere, who all that day behaved himself well and bravely,
bore on white, with a blue label a red fess between two gemelles.
Cromwell, the brave and handsome, who went gliding between the stones,
bore on blue, a white lion rampant, double-tailed, and crowned with
gold; but think not that he brought it away, or that it was not
bruised, so much was it battered and defaced by stones before he
retreated.
“After these two, La Warde and John de Gray returned there, and renewed
the attack. Those within, who were fully expecting it, bent their bows
and cross-bows, and prepared their espringalls, and kept themselves
quite ready both to throw and to hurl.
“Then the followers of my Lord of Brittany recommenced the assault,
fierce and daring as lions of the mountains, and every day improving
in both the practice and use of arms. Their party soon covered the
entrance of the castle, for none could have attacked it more furiously;
not, however, that it was so subdued, that those who came after them
would not have a share in their labours; but they left more than enough
for them also.
“After these, the people of my Lord of Hastings assembled there, where
I saw John de Cretinques in danger of losing a horse. When upon it,
one came beneath pricking it with an arrow; but he did not seem to be
dissembling, he used such haste to strike him. On his white shield he
caused to be depicted a red chevron, with three mullets.
“He who bore a dancette and billets of gold on blue, John Deincourt by
name, rushed on to the assault, and there extremely well performed his
duty.
“It was also a fine sight to see the good brothers of Berkeley
receiving numerous blows; and the brothers Basset likewise, of whom
the eldest bore thus,--ermine, a red chief indented, charged with
three gold mullets; the other, with three shells; found the passages
straitened. Those within continually relieved one another; for always
as one became fatigued, another returned fresh and stout; and,
notwithstanding such assaults were made upon them, they would not
surrender, but so defended themselves, that they resisted those who
attacked, all that day and night, and the next day until tierce. But
their courage was considerably depressed during the attack, by the
brother Robert, who sent numerous stones from the robinet, without
cessation, from the dawn of the preceding day until the evening.
Moreover, on the other side, he was erecting three other engines, very
large, of great power, and very destructive, which cut down and cleave
whatever they strike. Fortified town, citadel, nor barrier--nothing
is protected from their strokes. Yet those within did not flinch,
until some of them were slain; but then each began to repent of his
obstinacy, and to be dismayed. The pieces fell in such manner, wherever
the stones entered, that when they struck either of them, neither iron
cap nor wooden target could save him from a wound.
“And when they saw that they could not hold out any longer, or endure
more, the companions begged for peace, and put out a pennon; but he
that displayed it was shot with an arrow, by some archer, through the
hand into the face; then he begged that they would do no more to him,
for they will give up the castle to the King, and throw themselves
upon his mercy. And the marshal and constable, who always remained on
the spot, at that notice forbad the assault, and these surrendered the
castle to them.”
The besieged, who had thus retarded the progress of this mighty host,
were now passed in review before Edward, and, _including all ranks_,
were found to amount to “_sixty men_,” “who were,” says our author,
“beheld with much astonishment.”--“They were all kept and guarded, till
the King commanded that life and limb should be given them, and ordered
to each of them a new garment:” “But this account of the treatment of
the prisoners,” says Mr Nicolas, “differs entirely from that in the
Chronicle of Lanercost, where it is said that many of them were hung.”
The banner of Edward now waved on the battlement of Carlaverock Castle,
along with those of St Edmond, St George, St Edward, Sir John Segrave,
the Earl of Hereford, and that of Lord Clifford, to whom Edward had
given it in charge. The army then proceeded on their march.[43]