Well aware of their predicament, Bruce spoke again.
My friends-in a parliament, all should speak their minds. Their true minds. For the weal of the realm. It is your duty to give me guidance.
Without fear or favour.
Lamberton rose.
I am against such adventure, Sire, he said.
Ireland could become a bleeding wound in Scotlands side. As it has been in Englands. I say no.
From the nods of the six other bishops present, it was clear that the Lords Spiritual as a body were the Primate.
Edwards snort was eloquent of his contempt for all such.
I also am against, the Earl of Lennox said.
As am I, Patrick of Dunbar declared.
The English hold on Ireland is stronger than my lord of Carrick deems it.
I believe it rash, to the point of foolhardiness, Randolph, Earl of Moray, said.
That you would! Edward exclaimed.
All of you!
There was a shocked hush, at this discourtesy, and the King wondered whether his brother was going to destroy his own case.
Then, unexpectedly, and out of due order, Neil Campbell spoke although not so much out of order as it seemed perhaps, for Sir Neil was now the Kings kinsman by marriage, and moreover had been promised the earldom of Atholl, which was in process of forfeiture, David de Strathbogie being still sufficiently offended over his sisters betrayal to remain in England and in enmity.
I do not often agree with my lord of Carrick, the Campbell
But here I do. I believe invasion of Ireland will alarm the English more than anything else we may attempt, barring invasion of England itself. Possibly even more so. For the southern English care nothing for what goes on in their North, where we would be fighting. As we have seen. But many southern lords have great lands in Ireland. I say, let my lord of Carrick have his 2,000 men. It will not sorely hurt the realm. And may win us much.
The elderly Earl of Ross, who had seemed to be asleep throughout, suddenly raised his nodding leonine head.
I agree, he said briefly, and let it sink again.
Thus encouraged, others spoke up.
So I think, Sir Alexander Fraser announced.
As do I, Sir Robert Fleming nodded.
It can do no harm, the Lord of Crawford said.
So long as we keep it to small numbers.
I agree, Malcolm MacGregor, chief of his name, gestured, with the dramatic nourish with which he did all things.
And I, the veteran Sir Robert Boyd of Noddsdale put in-and Bruce valued his decision more than most.
The King drew a hand over his mouth. These were the fighters, his late colleagues of desperate days, speaking now, men close to him by every bond men can forge between them, the loyal est of the loyal. Many of them, he knew, were no friends of Edwards, however much they might admire him as a brave man and noted leader of light cavalry. Yet they were supporting this Irish venture.
Almost involuntarily he glanced across to where James Douglas and Gilbert Hay sat, on the benches of the great officers of state, Warden of the Marches and High Constable respectively. These two, closest of all…?
Jamie was looking unhappy. Seeing his friend and liege lords gaze, he rose.
I… I say against, he jerked, and sat down.
I also, Gibbie blurted, as briefly.
There were a few more, for and against, after that. But Bruce paid little attention now. He perceived how it was, and accepted that he must change his position. The discomfort on the faces of Douglas and Hay left him in no doubt. These two leal friends, whom he knew loved him beyond all telling, would not for anything on earth seem to take part against him; but he knew that were it not for that, they would have decided for the Irish project.
So be it My lords, he said, when there was a pause.
I am grateful for your advice and counsel. Your guidance. It is
clear that there is much division on this matter, but that many whose
opinion I value greatly do commend the Irish adventure. My lord
Chancellor need not, I think, put it to the vote. Unless so my lord of Carrick demands. As is his right. I am agreeable that a limited expedition shall go to Ireland. I will double the numbers that my lord of Carrick raises from his own lands. He shall lead the project, as it seems, he has arranged. But my men, the realms men, shall be under the command of my nephew, the Earl of Moray, whose ability, most certainly, will be of the utmost benefit to his uncle.
There was a great in drawing of breaths as all considered this.
The monarch, Bruce the hero-king, had given in. But only so far.
And he had appointed Moray, the level-headed and imperturbable Moray whom Edward hated, perhaps the one man within the kingdom who could cope with his fiery uncle, as watchdog.
Edward glared from his brother to his nephew, gulped, but nodded.
So be it, he repeated.
No vote.
The audible sigh of relief from all around was interrupted by the King himself.
One further matter, before I ask my lord Chancellor to proceed with the business. Five or six thousand men cannot be carried over to Ireland without a large fleet. My lord of Ross, Who favours this venture, will no doubt lend his galleys. But that will not serve for half of it. There will be required my lord of the Isles galley fleet That gave all pause-as it was meant to do. Angus Og was not present. On principle, he avoided parliaments, as his attendance might be construed as in some measure admitting that his lordship was a constituent part of Braces kingdom, a contradiction of his notional independence. And Angus Og cordially loathed the Earl of Carrick.
Edward looked put out.
Angus of the Isles will not refuse? Will not withhold his galleys?
That was a question rather than one of Edwards confident statements.
He is the Admiral. High Admiral of Scotland. He will do as you
say.
The galleys are his own, not the realms. And Angus of the Isles is Angus! If he disapproves of this venture …! Bruce did not need to enlarge on that.
But I will speak with him.
The King paused, and all recognised that he remained the master. That he could prevent the expedition from sailing, if he would, without having to order it. He went on.
There is another matter to be considered. In this. It was next on my lord Chancellors list for discussion. But it has relevance now.
Lame John MacDougall of Lorn, in rebellion, whom King Edward made his Admiral of the Western Sea, to harass us, has returned to the Hebrides. In force. So the Lord of the Isles sends me word. And urges a campaign against him. He by sea, myself by land. MacDougall has a large fleet. Part his own, part English, part Anglo-Irish. I need not tell you what he could do against any invasion fleet for Ireland, carrying thousands of men. Across the Irish Sea.
There was silence now. Even Edward looked thoughtful at the
prospect.
It would be better, then, if we dealt with Lame John first.
Before my lord of Carricks venture.
Edward Bruce was looking anxious. He shook his head.
No, he cried.
It must be in May. That was the agreement. With the chiefs. ONeill in especial. Before their hay-harvest, he said, when the men return to their crofts. After the end of May it will be too late. I am committed to a May expedition.
Then, my lord, I say that you should have thought more fully on how
you were to carry your thousands to Ireland! The King had his