ABSTRACT
English rule in Scotland was always based on the flimsiest foundations. It needed but the personal ambition of a pretender to set all Scotland in a blaze. It was in the early months of 1306 that the fiery torch was kindled, and the kindler was Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, who, since his father's death in 1304, had become head of the family and inheritor of his grandfather's claims. Edward himself was far too ill to take an active part in the campaign, but he had slowly followed his son northwards in a horse litter. In January, 1307, at Carlisle he met the last Parliament of his reign, which spent its time in repulsing the attempts of Papal agents to levy taxes in England. Edward met the demands in his usual vacillating manner, putting off the evil day by an unnecessary pilgrimage to Canterbury, and when the Ordinances were actually laid before him, trying to compromise.
