Note 33 — Chapter V · STATE OF SCOTLAND AFTER THE RETURN OF EDWARD.—VARIOUS EXPLOITS OF WALLACE.—BALIOL DELIVERED OVER TO THE POPE.—THE SCOTS BESIEGE STIRLING CASTLE.—EDWARD RAISES AN ARMY FOR ITS RELIEF.—THE ENGLISH BARONS REFUSE TO ACCOMPANY HIM.—SURRENDER OF STIRLING CASTLE.—CONDUCT OF CUMYN.
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The strength and importance of Dumbarton castle, is thus described by an English spy who visited Scotland during the regency of the Duke of Albany, and afterwards in the reign of James I. It would appear, that in those days the rock was completely surrounded by water at every influx of the tide.
——passe on forthwarde to Dumbertayne, A castell stronge and harde for to obteine. In whiche castell S. Patryke was borne, That afterwarde in Irelande dyd wynne, About the whyche floweth, euen and morne, The westerne seas without noyse or dynne, Twyse in xxiiii. houres without any fayle, That no man may that stronge castell assayle. Vpon a rocke so hye the same dothe stande, That yf the walles were beaten to the roche, Yet were it full harde to clymbe with foot or hand, And so to wynne, yf any to them approche, So strong it is to get without reproche; That without honger and cruell famyshemente, Yt cannot bee taken to my iudgemente. John Hardyng’s Chronicle, p. 426.