Archaeological Journal/Volume 2/Original Documents (Part 2)
Original documents.
The accompanying letter from Edward the First to Robert Bruce is copied from the original, under the privy seal, preserved in the office of the Duchy of Lancaster. It presents strong internal evidence of having been dictated by the king himself; the expression "whereas the robe is well made you will be pleased to make the hood" is too colloquial to have proceeded from the pen of a secretary: and it may be observed, that many of the letters-missive both of Edward and his father, Henry the Third, exhibit peculiarities of expression which can only be accounted for by assuming that they were written on the spur of the moment and in the sovereign's presence. Besides its curiosity in other respects, this document maybe considered as an interesting addition to the collections already printed relating to the Scottish wars of Edward. It is dated at Aberdour, 3rd of March, A.D. 1304.
Edward par la grace de Dieu Roi Dengleterre Seignour Dirlande et Dues Daquitaine; à noz foialx et loialx Robert de Brus Counte de Carrik, et a touz noz autres bones gentz qui sont en sa Compaignie, saluz. Nous avoms entendu que entre vous et Monsr Johan de Segrave et nos autres bones gentz de sa compaignie estes assentuz de suire les enemys, et voudriez que nous vous tenissiens pur excusiez si vous ne venissez à nous au jour assignéz: Sachez que de la grant diligence et . . . . . . . . que vous avez mis et mettez en noz busoignes de jour en autre, et de ceo que vous estes ensi assentuz de suire les enemys, vous mercions si cherement comme nous pooms, et vous prioms et requeroms especialment si comme nous nous fioms de vous qui estes noz bones gentz et avez la dite busoigne bien commencé que vous la vueillez parfaire, et que por Pallement, ne pur nule autre chose vous ne leissez que vous ne . . . . . . . diligeaument vostre entente de pursuire les enemys et de mettre les busoignes a fyn avant vostre departir des parties de dela. Car si . . . . acez ce que vous y avez commencez, nous tendriens la guerre par le fait dentre vous finée, et tote la terre D'Escoce gaignee. Si vous prioms derrechief tant come nous pooms, que si comme la Chape est bien faite, veueillez faire le Chaperon. Et par voz lettres et par le porteur de cestes, nouz remandez sur ce vostre respous sanz delay, ensemblement ove les Noveles de devers vous. Donées souz nostre privé seal à Aberdour le iij. jour de Marz, lan de nostre regne xxxij.
TRANSLATION.
Edward, by the grace of God, king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine, to our faithful and liege Robert de Brus, earl of Carrick, and to all our other good people who are in his company, greeting. We have heard that it is agreed between you and Sir John de Segrave, and our other good people of his company, to follow the enemy, and that you desire we should hold you excused if you come not to us on the day appointed: Know that for the great diligence and that you have used and do use in our affairs from day to day, and for that you are thus agreed to follow the enemy we thank you as earnestly as we can, and pray and require especially, as we confide in you who are our good people, and have well begun the said business, that you will complete it, and that you leave not either for Parliament or for any other thing until you diligently your intention to pursue the enemy, and to put an end to affairs before your departure from those parts. For if . . . . . .[1] that which you have there begun, we shall hold the war ended by your deed, and all the land of Scotland gained. So we pray you again, as much as we can, that whereas the Robe is well made you will be pleased to make the Hood[2]. And by your letters, and by the bearer of these, send back unto us your answer hereupon without delay, together with the news of your parts. Given under our privy seal at Aberdour, the third day of March, the thirty- second year of our reign. T. H. T.