Sisters of The Bruce 1292-1314 (Abridged Version )

Sisters of The Bruce: Part 2; Chapter 8.1&2

                                                                                         I

Scotland

Dingwall Castle

April 1314

Dearest Isa,

It surprised me to see Seonaid arrive with Murchadh, but she brought news. Your plan worked well. Bethoc chose to stay on and this strengthened Floraidh's resolve to return, even though Marthoc's recriminations are still in evidence. Ill-feeling festers and grows in such a small community, poisoning all who let it.

Seonaid felt free to accept Murchadh's offer of marriage of which we were none the wiser, though I think Marthoc may have suspected, fuelling her jealousy even further. Most grievous of all, Meg is lost without her companion, but Ellen occupies her with games and the like.

Margaret received news of her betrothal to Sir William de Carlyle, one of Robert's adherents in the south near Lochmaben. A solid support base in the south will not go astray. After June, all will be made clear as to which path the war will take. Rob is cautiously optimistic. But Hugh says, if we lose I am to sail for Orkney with the children. We may all end up on your doorstep even yet. Though I would dearly love to see you again, I pray with all my heart that this does not come to pass.

Earlier this year, Rob turned his attention to two of our most formidable castles, Roxburgh and Edinburgh, to break the English hold on the south. Our 'good Sir James' led a raid on Roxburgh and took the garrison who were well occupied, drinking and dancing during a celebration. All the while, Scots, under dark cloaks, crawled on hands and knees right up to the castle walls. When a sentry saw the moving shapes, he commented - loud enough for our men to hear - that oxen in the fields were moving about. Once over the walls, a local man, Sim of the Ledows, put a dirk into the guard. Our men clambered up the rope ladders unhindered. The little Gascon commander – injured, with neither food nor ale – shut himself into a tower. The following day he surrendered. He and his men were allowed to go free to England. Now, Roxburgh Castle lies in ruins. This will please Mary.

Three weeks later, our nephew, Thomas, led a raid on Edinburgh Castle. How could anyone break into such a fortress set so high on its rocky peak? A man, whose father served in the castle, showed our men the way up the face of the crag to the ramparts. It was nothing short of a miracle that no one fell to their death, for the night was as black as tar. The garrison were focussed upon defending themselves from a frontal assault. When the insurgents encroached from behind, they surprised and killed many. The commander, another Gascon by birth, saved himself by changing sides; a short-lived reprieve - he was later executed for treason.

In April, our brother, Edward, ensconced himself in Rose castle in Cumberland; the foolish folk refused to pay their tribute. Any towns without immunity are plundered. Robert needs to fill our military chest. The war is about to escalate.

News has come – King Edward masses his host across the border. July is not far off. Robert trains our men to fight in pitched battle. Indeed, twenty-one clans have pledged to fight. Though he remains on edge, he is pleased morale is so high. The level of discipline is reassuring; they will need this to hold their ground.

Pray for Scotland, Isa. If we are not successful, it could be the death knell for our country.

Mathilda

                                                                                         II

Norway

Bergen

June 1314

Dearest Mathilda,

A contingent of huskarls, commissioned by me, are heading across to join forces with Earl Magnus and his men of Caithness. Of course, it is with the king's blessing. He will not offer his full support directly, loath as he is to enter into such a conflict. His sights are set eastwards. I pray daily for a Scots' victory.

Isa