King Edward, not forgetting the war against France that he had postponed, garrisoned all the strongholds of Scotland, to resist the rebellion of the Scots; then went with an army to France, leaving behind him Hugh Cressingham, to be Regent of Scotland until his return; and expected little harm to be attempted by the Scots, because of the great affliction done to them by his wars described above. But tyranny is of such nature, that it may never have sufficient munition, nor certain shield, notwithstanding whatsoever forces be laid in defence thereof: for all peoples, that are oppressed by tyranny, will labour to free themselves from it, whenever they may find any sufficient opportunity.

            The lords of Scotland, soon after the departing of King Edward, renounced all treaty and promise made to him, and convened together, all of one mind, at Stirling, to recover their realm and liberty. In this council 12 noblemen were chosen, to be governors of Scotland, each man within their own lands, that they might the more easily resist the tyranny of King Edward: among whom John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, was principal, a man of singular prudence, both in war and peace. This Earl of Buchan came with an army to Northumberland, where he ceased from no manner of cruelty that could be devised, and wasted all the lands thereof with fire and sword. At last he besieged Carlisle; but it was so strongly defended, it could not be taken.

            In this time there was a young man, named William Wallace, son to Sir Andrew Wallace of Cragy, Knight. He was of stature and bodily strength above all other men seen in his days, with such prudence and craft of warfare, that none was found equal to him. This Wallace, from his first youth, pursued Englishmen with extreme hatred, and, in several exploits, did many valiant deeds in support of the Scots; and was of such incredible strength, at his coming of age, that he often vanquished 3 or 4 Englishmen at once in single combat. When the fame of his illustrious honour was known throughout the realm, many noblemen, to deliver themselves from servitude to the Englishmen, supported him: through which he was so strong, that he might in no way be defeated by treachery of the Englishmen: and, finally, comported himself so manly at all combats, that he was chosen by general voice, when the most trouble appeared, Governor of Scotland, in place of John Balioll, to deliver the land from servitude and tyranny of the Englishmen.

            At this time, many of the abbotcies and prelacies of Scotland were in Englishmen's hands; nonetheless, William Wallace, by commission of Wilham Fraser, Bishop of Saint Andrew's, expelled them from all parts of Scotland; and left neither temporal, spiritual, nor religious man of their blood in Scotland. And, soon after, he received the army that John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, had before; and constrained the Scots to obey him, either by force or favour: then came, with proud banner, through several parts of Scotland, attacking Englishmen, and all others who supported them. After several great battles, he won the castles of Forfar, Dundee, Brechin, and Montrose, and slew all the soldiers found in them. Wallace, proud of these successes, took Dunnottar, after the principal captains thereof were away, and slew all persons found in it; then garrisoned it in his strongest manner. After this he went to Aberdeen, which was left waste for his coming; and, because the castle was garrisoned with such provision that it coul not by taken without great slaughter of people, he left it, and returned to Angus.

            King Edward, who was in France, on hearing of these events, sent Hugh Cressingham with an army to attack Wallace. As soon as Wallace was informed of the coming of this army, he left the siege of Cupar, and went to the bridge of Stirling, to stop the arival of Hugh Cressingham; and finally slew him by singular courage, and put his army to flight. After this victory, he returned to the siege of Cupar, which was surrendered to him soon after his return.

            Many Scots sent their ambassadors to Wallace after this victory, promising to support him with money and victuals if he would receive them in favour. Several other castles were surrendered to him, which were garrisoned by him with all provision. After this he dispersed his army, and came to Stirling, with some of his most dear friends: and, because he saw a miserable dearth rising in all parts of Scotland, to the great mortality of the people thereof, he gave his business to relieve the people, and to sustain them on the fruits of England. Immediately, he commanded all Scots to be ready on a prefixed day, to go against their old enemies; and, in the meantime, he made such punishment on them who refused to obey his proclamation, that the remaining people, for fear thereof, supported him. Soon after, Wallace, with 3 forces arrayed with most awful ordinance, burned and plundered all Northumberland as far as Newcastle; and, by the fame of his forceful warfare, become such a terror to his foes, that he returned with rich spoils, and great triumph, to Scotland, without any battle.

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