ABSTRACT
Chief among the many reasons for the reconciliation of Edward and his baronage in 1313 was the threatening attitude of the Scots. Busy over their private quarrels, Englishmen had ignored the steady progress of Robert Bruce, though of late the King had been borrowing largely on the excuse of the northern war. Influenced, doubtless, by the strength of the Scottish position as approached from the South, Edward determined to wheel round the Scottish left flank, and crossing the Burn he established his camp on the Northern side of the stream, just in the bend which it makes before joining the Forth. Scottish patriots had good reason to rejoice at their signal victory, and their maidens celebrated the event in taunting song addressed to their Southern enemies. Time had taught Edward no lessons, he never learnt the art of conciliation, and the baronage was becoming daily more alienated from him, owing to the favour shown to new favourites.
