Note 56 — Chapter IX · SECOND VISIT OF WALLACE TO THE FRENCH COURT.—ENCOUNTERS AN ENGLISH PIRATE.—THE ENGLISH AGAIN ENTER SCOTLAND.—SUBMISSION OF THE NOBLES.—WALLACE RETURNS.—CONFLICTS WITH THE ENGLISH.—EDWARD DESTROYS AND CARRIES OFF THE RECORDS OF THE MONASTERIES.—MARCHES THROUGH THE COUNTRY.—WALLACE FOLLOWS THE INVADERS.
Reading edition
The havoc made, and the oppressions sustained by the inhabitants, are thus described by Barbour, p. 9, vol. i. of The Bruce.
“Fra Weik anent Orkenay, To Mullyrs nwk in Gallaway; And stuffyt all with Ingliss men. Schyrreffys and bailyheys maid he then; And alkyn othir officeris, That for to gowern land afferis, He maid off Ingliss nation; That worthyt than sa rych fellone, And sa wykkyt and cowatouss, And swa hawtane and dispitouss, That Scottis men mycht do na thing That euir mycht pleyss to thar liking. Thar wyffis wuld thai oft forly, And thar dochtrys dispitusly: And gyff ony of thaim thair at war wrath, Thai watyt hym wele with gret scaith; For thai suld fynd sone enchesone To put hym to destructione. And gyff that ony man thaim by Had ony thing that wes worthy, As horss, or hund, or othir thing, That war pleasand to thar liking; With rycht or wrang it wald have thai. And gyff ony wald them withsay; Thai suld swa do, that thai suld tyne Othir land or lyff, or leyff in pyne. For thai dempt thaim eftir thair will, Takand na kep to rycht na skill. A! quhat thai dempt thaim felonly! For gud knychtis that war worthy, For litill enchesoune, or than nane, Thai hangyt be the nekbane.”