"Only that the land is in turmoil, and that the
king, our lord, has written to the chartered towns, and to the barons and knights of the country to be prepared to come to him when he sends for them, and forbidding governors and castellans of the towns, cities and castles of
Northumberland from letting anyone in on pain of death, and enjoining them to take great care for the security of all that is in their charge. As for the common people who are taking their rebellion to
London, I do not know anything specific that I could relate to you with certainty, except that the officers of the
diocese of Lincoln, the county of
Cambridge,
Suffolk,
Bedford, and the
diocese of Norwich have written to me that the common people under their jurisdiction are very keen for the situation to turn out unfavourably and for there to be great strife in
England."
"And in our lands?" said the
duke of Lancaster, "is there no revolt in
Derby and
Leicester?"
"My lord," replied the
knight, "I have not heard of them having passed beyond
King's Lynn,
Lincoln or
Beverley."
Thus was the
duke soothed and took leave of the
knight, taking the road for
Roxburgh where he was received by the castellan, for he had stationed him there himself on passing.
SHF 2-224 syncNow the
duke of Lancaster took advice and counsel, since he could not be sure of what was happening in
England nor by whom he was beloved or despised, that he would notify the barons of
Scotland of his situation and entreat them to send him a number of men-at-arms in accordance with the safe passage they had granted him.
The burden of this counsel was communicated by letter to the
earl of Douglas who was residing at
Dalkeith.
When the
earl saw the
duke's letters he rejoiced and greatly celebrated the circumstance with the
earl of Moray and the
earl of Mar, his brother, and commanded that immediately and without delay they and their men should be mounted and ready within three days at
Morlane. As soon as these lords were given these instructions they summoned their men and closest allies and came to
Morlane where they found the
earl of Douglas. They rode together, numbering a good five hundred lance, and came to
Melrose Abbey, just nine short leagues from
Roxburgh, making their arrival known to the
duke of Lancaster. He and his men were quickly ready and mounted and left
Roxburgh, entering into the path of the barons of
Scotland. They met and greeted one another warmly and then rode together deep in discussion and conversation, making such good progress that they reached
Edinburgh where the
king of Scotland customarily spends most of his time, for there is an impressive castle and town there and a fine harbour. However, that day the
king was not there, he was out in the
Highlands of Scotland, staying and residing there. And so to honour the
duke of Lancaster, the
earl of Douglas and the barons of
Scotland made
Edinburgh Castle available to him, for which he was most grateful to them, and he remained there for a time until fresh news reached him from
England, which was not very soon at all, if what I am told is true. Now observe how wicked people filled with hatred and deceit start outrageous and absurd rumours.
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