Page 140 of Bound By Honor
“Let us hope he has difficulty recruiting men to the Buchan cause with King Robert’s popularity growing among the people,” suggested Lennox.
During this time, Bishop Murray brought them news of Queen Elizabeth. “She is being held in Yorkshire at Burstwick in Holderness,” he told Sir Edward in Angus’ presence. “Should we tell the king?”
“It might comfort him to know she is safe,” said the king’s brother, “yet there remains the issue of his daughter, our sisters and Isabella MacDuff, Buchan’s countess he abandoned, for her crowning Robert king. Mayhap it would be best to say nothing.”
Angus, too, wondered what was best. He knew the king missed his wife with every passing day, but the news would be only slightly encouraging. And it would remind him of the others whose fates were less certain. Thus, he finally agreed they should say nothing unless the king asked.
As the snows melted and spring approached, King Robert continued to grow stronger, though he still could not gain his saddle without help. When told that John Comyn, the Earl of Buchan, had amassed a great force only five miles northeast of Inverurie, including English soldiers under Sir John Mowbray, Angus and John went to the king to confer with him on how Buchan should be dealt with.
They entered the small cottage to hear Sir Edward telling the king that Sir David Brechin, a knight in King Edward’s service whose mother was a Comyn, had attacked a detachment of Bruce’s men on the outskirts of the village.
The king struggled to stand. Angus could see his friend was determined and moved to help him. The knights watched, sharing looks of concern.
King Robert said, “I will lead the men myself. Help me with my armor.”
The king’s servants moved quickly to assist him into his mail and then handed him his weapons, sword, dagger and small axe.
“But Robert,” said his brother, “you are not yet fully recovered. You can only sit a horse with help.”
With one arm holding on to Angus, the king slid his sword into its scabbard. “I am aware of my weakness and that Buchan thinks I am too ill to lead the men. I must prove him wrong and gain the advantage.”
“’Tis true, my lord,” said Angus, “if John Comyn believes the rumors, he thinks you on your deathbed and has so informed his army. If you can manage to show yourself, your reputation of courage in battle will speak strength to your men and fear to the enemy.”
The king braced himself on a table. “Of what does their army consist?”
Sir Robert Boyd said, “Like our own, some cavalry but mostly foot soldiers, more than a thousand. The difference is that ours are patriots who believe in their king.”
“It will be enough. We must ask Bishop Murray to pray for us.” The bishop was summoned and the king stepped out of the door, leaning on his brother for support. The king’s captains knelt and Bishop Murray prayed for them, asking for God’s blessing and strength for the king.
“I will ride close on your right side,” said Sir Edward, “and Sir Gilbert will be on your left. Our hands will steady you. You shall not falter.”
“My brother, my stepson and I will be at your back,” said Angus, “and the other knights will ride in front of you.”
The king was pale but resolute as he was helped onto his horse. His army cheered to see their leader once again among them.
At Sir Edward’s order, the army formed up and marched toward Old Meldrum where the Earl of Buchan and Sir John Mowbray had drawn up on the road.
As the king appeared, his crowned helmet shone in the morning sun, as if God Himself had approved.
Buchan and his captains, with shocked expressions, began to edge back. The sight of their leaders backing away from Robert Bruce caused Buchan’s army to break apart and scatter, running in all directions.
“After them!” yelled King Robert.
With shouted battle cries, the king’s army charged forward. The fighting that ensued soon became a rout. Even Buchan fled, north toward his lands.
King Robert, who watched all from his horse, smiled at Angus. “So you said, so it was.” To his brother, the king said, “We must destroy Buchan’s lands in the northeast so there is no doubt who rules the Scots. I am not yet strong enough to do it, so I put you in charge.”
“With pleasure,” said Sir Edward. “I leave you in the good care of the Lord of the Isles and your knights.”
During the time of the king’s recovery in Inverurie, he sent men to retrieve James Douglas. “Look for him in the forest of Selkirk,” he told the messengers who were to ride south. Then, to Angus, he said, “Jamie will be useful to us for what comes next.”
By the time Douglas had been found and made his way north to join the king, it was late spring, and the king had recovered his strength.
Around the fire that night, Douglas described his success. “While the young King Edward married his French bride, Isabella, and argued with his barons over his too-intimate relationship with his favorite, Piers Gaveston, we were well-occupied. The tenants of Aymer de Valence joined with us, much to the disappointment of their English lord. We have taken, without much trouble, the forests of Selkirk and Jedburgh.
“One night, we came upon a contingent of English soldiers on the water of Lyne and attacked in the dark. They fled before our swords, leaving behind two prisoners of some importance: your nephew, Thomas of Strathdon, and my first cousin, Sir Alexander of Bonkill, brother of James, the High Steward.”
“Well done!” said the king.
