Ambassadors sent to the K. of Scots.
But to returne now to the dooings of king Edward, who in this meane time, hauing a perfect knowledge of the league concluded betwixt the king of France and the king of Scotland, prepared an armie, and first sent ambassadors into Scotland, to giue summons to king Iohn to appeare at Newcastell within certeine daies, that he might there shew the cause whie he had broken the league: and further, to declare vnto him that he was deceiued, if he thought he might serue two maisters, contrarie to the words of the gospell, and according to the old saieng which seldome neuer faileth in consequence,
Deficit ambobus qui vult seruire duobus.
For how much fauour as he purchased at the hands of the French king, so much displeasure might he assure himselfe to procure at the hands of the king of England, whome to obeie, it should be most for his aduantage. The ambassadors that were sent, did their message throughlie, but king Iohn was so farre off from answering anie thing that might sound to the maintenance of peace, that shortlie after he sent letters of complaint vnto king Edward, for wrongs which he alledged he had susteined by his means and at his hands. Herevpon king Edward, by aduise of his councell, determined to set forward with his armie into Scotland.
Nic. Triuet.
The lord Ros reuolteth to ye K. of Scots.
William de Ros continueth faithfull to the king of England.
Englishmen distressed.
Rich. South.
In the meane time, Robert Ros, capteine of Warke castell, reuolted to the Scotish king, mooued therevnto through the loue of a Scotish gentlewoman, whome he meant to marrie, notwithstanding he had sworne fealtie vnto king Edward. Wherevpon, his brother William de Ros giuing knowledge to king Edward, required to haue some aid, whereby he might defend the castell against the Scotishmen. King Edward sent vnto him a thousand souldiers, (Polydor saith an hundred) the which as they lodged one night in a towne called Prestfen, were slaine by the Scotishmen of the garison of Rockesborough, that were led and guided by the said Robert Ros: some of them although but few escaped awaie by flight. King Edward aduertised hereof, hasted foorth, and came to the said castell, glad of this (as is reported) that the Scotishmen had first begun the warre, meaning, as it should séeme by their procéedings, to follow the same, for vpon Good friday, diuerse Scotishmen entring the borders, burnt sundrie villages, and spoiled the abbeie of Carham.