And with his scrit full stable, and seled at the lest;
To him and all his, to have in heritage;
And non otherwise, als terme, tyme and stage.
But als a propise thing, that were conquest tille him.”
This assuredly was one of the most audacious demands ever made. The outlaw knew full well that he had sinned in no ordinary manner and degree, and that, not against Edward only, or chiefly, but against all England. His name was heard throughout the realm with rage and horror. Mr. Tytler justly describes his position in a few plain words:—“Wallace was too well aware of the unpardonable injuries which he had inflicted on the English” to conceive it possible for Edward to spare his life. And it is with wonder, therefore, that we read, in the treaty made with Comyn in 1304, the distinct inclusion of Wallace:—“As to William Walleys, if he thinks fit to surrender himself, it must be unconditionally, to the will and mercy of our lord the king.”[129] In another place it is said, that “William Walleys might put himself on the grace and mercy of the king, if he thought proper.”[130] Now, as to the meaning of such language in Edward’s mouth, there can be no doubt whatever. We have just seen one instance in the case of the garrison of Stirling; to whom he had refused the least promise of grace or mercy. In fact, to be allowed to surrender, was tantamount to a grant of life at least. As we have recently seen, when his judges reminded him that “he might show mercy,” to a certain criminal, his exclamation was, “May show mercy! why I will do that for a dog, if he seeks my grace!” On the other hand, when any one had sinned past forgiveness, like Bruce in 1306, then he was “not to be received;” and the young prince was rebuked for holding any communication with him. As to Wallace, it is evident that the king viewed him in the same light as he had viewed the garrison of Stirling. He would enter into no engagement with them: if they chose to surrender, it must be unconditionally, to the king’s absolute will.
Wallace, as Mr. Tytler tells us, “was too well aware of the unpardonable injuries which he had inflicted on the English” to be able to believe it possible for the king to show him mercy; and thus he threw away the only chance that remained to him. His demand, which we have just given in Langtoft’s words—that he should have, under the king’s hand, not only assurance of his life, but also an estate secured to him and to his heirs for ever,—was just the surest way of raising the king’s indignation. Obviously no pretension could have been more preposterous. He was an outlaw, liable to be taken and brought to justice; he was poor and wretched; and his offences, as he well knew, were such as it must be difficult for the king to pardon. Yet, instead of grasping at the single chance which was now offered him, he must needs give the king fresh provocation. And thus his doom was sealed. His demand was made known to the king, and Langtoft tells us the result:—
“When they brought that tiding, Edward was fulle grim:
He belauht him the fiende; als his traitore in lond.
And ever ilkon his frende, that him susteynd or fonde.