tion, is a place called the Bloody Folds, where the Earl of Gloucester is said to have made a stand, and died gallantly at the head of his own military tenants and vassals. There is also a place in this neighbourhood called Ingram's Crook, which is supposed to have derived its name from Sir Ingram Umfraville, one of the English commanders. In the rear of the position occupied by the Scottish army is the Gillies' Hill, which derived its name from the following circumstance-In a valley westward of this hill, Bruce stationed his baggage, under the charge of the gillies or servants and retainers of the camp. At the critical moment when the English line was wavering, these gillies, prompted either by the enthusiasm of the moment, or the desire of plunder, assumed, in a tumultuary manner, such arms as they found nearest, and showed themselves on the hill like a new army advancing to battle. The English taking these for a fresh body of troops, were seized with a panic, and fled in every direction. About a mile westward from the field of Bannockburn, was fought, in 1488, the battle of Sauchieburn, in which James III. was defeated and slain. The Barons of Scotland, being dissatisfied with the government of the king, rose in rebellion against him, and drew into their party the king's eldest son, then a youth of fifteen, afterwards James IV. The unfortunate monarch, with inferior numbers, attacked the army of the insurgents. The consequences proved most calamitous. The royal forces, after an obstinate struggle, gave way, and the king, flying from the field, fell from his horse as it started at a woman and water-pitcher near the village of Millton. He was carried into the mill in a state of insensibility by the miller and his wife, without being recognised. On recovering his senses he asked for a priest, to whom he might make confession. One of his pursuers coming up, exclaimed, "I am a priest," and, approaching the unfortunate monarch, who was lying in a corner of the mill, stabbed him several times to the heart. James IV. was seized with deep remorse for his conduct in this affair, which manifested itself in severe acts of penance, among L others, in wearing a heavy iron belt, to the weight of which he added certain ounces every year as long as he lived.* St. Ninians, or, as it is commonly called, St. Ringans, is a thriving village a short way south from Stirling. Its steeple stands separate from the church, which is in its immediate vicinity. The old church, being used as a powder magazine by the Highlanders in 1746, was accidentally blown up; but though the church was completely destroyed, the steeple remained uninjured. A mile farther on, the tourist enters the royal burgh of STIRLING, delightfully situated on an eminence near the river Forth, and bearing in its external appearance a considerable resemblance to Edinburgh, though on a smaller scale. The most interesting and conspicuous object in Stirling is the Castle, the first foundation of which is lost in the darkness of antiquity. It was frequently taken and retaken after protracted sieges, during the wars which were carried on for the independence of Scotland. It became a royal residence about the time of the accession of the house of Stuart, and was long the favourite abode of the Scottish monarchs. It was the birthplace of James II. and James V.; and James VI. and his eldest son Prince Henry were baptized in it. The palace, which was built by James V., is in the form of a quadrangle, and occupies the south-east part of the fortress. The buildings on the south side of the square are the oldest part of the Castle. One of the apartments is still called Douglas's Room, in consequence of the assassination of William Earl of Douglas by the hand of James II., after he had granted him a safe-conduct.+ *So little had the prince been accustomed to his father's company, that he was almost a stranger to his person; for when Sir Andrew Wood appeared before him, a few days after the battle, struck with his stately appearance, or, perhaps, with some resemblance he bore to the late king, he asked him, "Sir, are you my father?" To which the admiral, bursting into tears, replied, "I am not your father, but I was your father's true servant.' " "Ye towers! within whose circuit dread, A Douglas by his sovereign bled." |