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At the head of the Annandale Valley, along the English border in
southern Scotland, lies Lochmaben. In the late twelfth century, on a small, level
peninsula that thrust out into the loch, there was built a defensive structure
called a motte. This was little more than a hill, a massive earthwork,
surrounded at its base by the waters of the loch and earthen ramparts and
ditches.
Perhaps a century later, a wooden tower, thought to have been built by the
Bruce, or de Brus, family, was added atop the hill, and buildings of stone were
established there by 1298. Shortly after, the structure was altered to become a
full-fledged castle, complete with a formidable gray stone curtain wall
surrounding a typically square courtyard. A wide moat fed by waters of the loch
changed the peninsula into an island, and, with other channels, allowed none to
enter the castle without approaching by boat or drawbridge. The main gate, which
opened upon the ditch, was defended by positions on all four walls of the court.
It was one of the strongest of Scotland’s fortresses, and a breathtakingly
awesome sight when viewed from any direction across the rugged Scottish
landscape.
Robert de Brus, "The Noble," lived at Lochmaben before his death in 1296. He was
the esteemed Lord of Annandale who had vied for the Scottish crown against John
Balliol and others, after the child heir to the throne, "The Maid of Norway,"
died before reaching Scotland from her native land. (Thus did de Brus come ever
after to be called "The Competitor.") Both Balliol and de Brus were of royal
blood and held the strongest of the claims, thus the decision eventually came
down between those two.
The Scottish nobles, unable to decide amongst themselves who should ascend the
throne, called upon Edward, king of neighboring England, to aid in deciding
whose claim was the stronger. His requirements before giving such help to the
Scots included the stipulation that Scotland be placed under his direct
suzerainty until the matter was settled. Rankled and hesitant, the Scots
nevertheless agreed.
After much formality and legal wrangling Balliol was awarded the crown, only to
be bullied and eventually dethroned, imprisoned, and exiled to the Continent by
King Edward. Whether premeditated or not, Edward had set upon the Scottish
throne the one who was less competent to withstand his hectoring, and with the
Scottish throne again vacant, Edward assumed overlordship of the sovereign land.
The stubborn Scots resisted with all their might through the blood and strength
of her people, led by two patriot sons, the noble Andrew Murray and the commoner
William Wallace.
Murray died late in the year of the tremendous Scottish victory at Stirling
Bridge, possibly of wounds received there, and Wallace became Scotland’s
champion, knighted by her nobles and appointed sole Guardian of Scotland. Just
in his early twenties, Sir William fought valiantly, and his efforts at first
gave great courage and hope to the Scots. However, his lack of training and
battlefield experience eventually led to failed campaigns and lost battles, and
Scottish hopes were dashed. Sir William escaped capture and was unheard from for
several years. When he returned and again attempted to gather and lead an army
of Scots, he was betrayed to and captured by English forces.
Wallace was tortured and executed August 23, 1305. It was a bloody affair that
ended with the misfortunate Sir William beheaded and his body quartered by a
London butcher and sent for display in four separate parts of the land. His
severed head was set upon a pike high on London Bridge as fair warning of the
punishment meted out for "insurrection." Many of Scotland’s patriots had
suffered similar fates.
"Good King Edward" must have been of particularly cruel bent to have created
such a horrible death for his enemies, but times were generally harsh. Most
commoners of the period were literally enslaved to lands they would never own,
and the savagery of life itself could easily spell a meanness to the spirit and
body of the beholder.
Robert de Brus "The Competitor" had a son, also named Robert, who held the title
Earl of Carrick in right of his wife, her late father having been so titled.
When Earl Robert died on a crusade to the Holy Land in 1304, his eldest son and
namesake inherited the earldom, as at "The Competitor’s" death he had become
Lord of Annandale.
Through various other family affiliations, thirty-two year old Lord Robert de
Brus, grandson of "the Competitor," also owned or controlled many estates and
lands other than Carrick and Annandale, both in Scotland and in England. Though
he had initially supported Wallace, de Brus was looked upon with favor by the
King of England for his part in bringing peace, such as it was, between the two
nations.
He was a wealthy, powerful man.
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