Submitted by Owen McCafferty on Thu, 2009-11-19
In the spring of 1305, Edward had appointed The Bishop of Glasgow, Sir John Mowbray and Robert Bruce to submit suggestions for the future of Scotland. They suggested that Scotland send 10 representative to the next English parlament to draw up a new constiutution. Edward agreed and in September, 10 Scottish representatives attended the Parlament in Westminster.
Edward appointed his nephew, the Earl of Richmond, to be Viceroy of Scotland. Under him would be a council of 22 Scots, made up of Bishops, Abbots, Earls and Barons. Among those were Robert Bruce, Bishop Lamberton and John Comyn. In the interrim, Edward appointed a council of four, to runle until the viceroys arrival. This council was headed by William Lamberton, Bishop of St. Andrews. What Edward di not know, was that the Bishop had his own secret plans for the freedom of Scotland.
Lamberton wanted a free Scotland, but he knew it also needed a figurehead, someone all of the classes could unite behind. Baliol was both inept and uninspiring. Comyn had been discredited, that left only one man with both the drive, charisma and legal claim. Robert Bruce.
Over the last several years, Bruce had walked a careful line between Edward and Scotland. trying to both stay in Edwards favor and not hinder Scotlands independance. When, in 1304, Bruce was asked by Edward to forward siege engines for the siege of Stirling, Bruce readily send the equiptment. He did, however, carefully omit a critical piece of each, rendering them useless.
In 1304, Bruce and Lamberton had met and signed a pact of mutual support. One thing that still had to be addressed, however, was what to do about John Comyn. For several years, he had resisted the English, though ineffectively. But he was the head of one of the most powerful families in Scotland and they either needed to enlish his support or eliminate him.
In October of 1305, Bruce approached Comyn with a simple choice. Bruce would give him his lands in exchange for Comyn’s support, or, Comyn should give Bruce his lands in exchange for Bruce’s support. Comyn chose the lands and gave his support to Bruce.
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