An universal homage was now required; and, resolv ed to regulate the succession to the crown of Scotland, and ultimately to revive his own claim of feudal sove reignty, Edward desired the nobility and clergy of Scotland to meet him at Norham. The justiciary of England required their recognition of his title as lord paramount. The assembly stood motionless and silent. At length, some one had the courage to reply, "No answer can be made while the throne is vacant." "By holy Edward, whose crown it is that I wear," cried the king, "I will vindicate my just rights, or perish in the attempt." At the adjourned conference, Bruce and Baliol, with the other expectants of royalty, assented to the claim of Edward as lord paramount of Scotland, and bound themselves to submit to his award. The competition was decided at Berwick, and Edward decreed that Baliol should have seisin of the kingdom of Scotland.
Baliol swore fealty to Edward in November; in ten days after, was crowned at Scone, and did homage for the kingdom of Scotland at Newcastle. But the lord paramount soon threw off the mask, and commanded that all appeals should be made to England. He even required king John himself, by six different summonses on trivial occasions to appear in London, but the Scot tish parliament advised him to dismiss his English at tendants, and with their approbation, he concluded a treaty with Philip of France; while, to strengthen the alliance, Baliol's son married the daughter of the Count of Anjou, and the niece of Philip.
In consequence of this treaty, the Scots invaded Cumberland. and assaulted Carlisle, but were repulsed. Meanwhile Edward hastened to chastise his rebellious vassals. An army of 40,000 foot, and 500 horse, marched to the borders to defend the provinces that Edward was preparing to attack.
The Scots had the precaution to throw a strong gar rison into Berwick; Edward assaulted it by sea and land. His fleet was burnt or disabled; but his army took and sacked the town, and put the garrison to the sword. Baliol had, by the advice- of his parliament, renounced the allegiance and fealty which he had sworn to Edward. This renunciation was communi cated to Edward after the capture of Berwick. He received the instrument with contempt rather than with anger, and despatched Earl Warenne to recover the castle of Dunbar, which had been betrayed to the Scots. On the third day, the whole forces of Scotland appeared in order of battle, but they were broken and dispersed, and 20,000 were slain or captured.
The castles of Roxburgh, Edinburgh, and Stirling, were successively surrendered to the English. The unfortunate Baliol implored mercy. Divested of his royal ornaments, and bearing a white rod in his hand, he performed a humiliating feudal penance, acknow ledged the justice of the English invasion and con quest, and resigned Scotland to his liege lord.
After the abdiCation of Baliol, Edward proceeded to Elgin, and returned home, carrying with him the "fatal stone" which was conveyed to Westminster.
The great seal of Baliol was broken, and he was com mitted to the Tower; but, in two years after, he was restored to liberty and retired to France, where he died.
The first acts of Edward's administration were mo derate and politic. He held a parliament at Berwick, and received the formal submission of the clergy and laity of Scotland. Few of those who had held offices under Baliol were displaced; and he suffered the nume rous jurisdictions throughout Scotland to remain with their ancient possessors. To conciliate the favour of the Scottish bishops, he granted them for ever the privilege of bequeathing their effects by will. The go vernment of the southern districts and castles was committed to the fidelity and vigilance of Englishmen. But the internal police of the country became disorga nized, contempt of government prevailed, while Ed ward, engrossed with other objects of ambition, ne glected that which the exigency of affairs required.
At this crisis arose Sir William Wallace. He had been outlawed, and having fled, offered himself as a leader to a few companions whose desperate fortune, or hatred of the English government, had reduced them to a similar necessity. . With a resolute band, he in fested the English.quarters. His success in these pre datory expeditions attracted multitudes to be his com panions in arms; of this number was Sir William Douglas. With their united forces, they attempted to surprise the English justiciary at Scone. The viceroy fled to England, and was followed by all the officers of state. Emboldened by their success, the Scots assailed the castles, surprised and put to the sword the English who came within their power. Many persons of rank openly declared for their cause. Robert Bruce the younger, after some hesitation, joined the Scottish army.
Warenne despatched a chosen body of troops against the enemy, enfeebled by dissensions; the more prudent saved themselves by humble submission to Edward. Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell was the only baron who adhered to 'Wallace, and they retired towards the north. The English meantime advanced towards Stir ling. Wallace hastened to guard the passage of the Forth, and encamped near Cambuskenneth. The English general ordered his troops to cross the Forth by a wooden bridge, but scarcely had a division passed over, when Wallace attacked them, routed them, and pushed them into the river. The English burned the bridge, abandoned their baggage, and fled to Berwick. Thus Scotland was once more free; and the castles which the English had retained were immediately sur rendered. Wallace then marched his army into the north of England, where the country from Carlisle to Newcastle was wasted with all the fury of revenge and rapacity.