Edward made light of this rebellion.  Resolved to go to Flanders at all costs, he contented himself with calling upon the levies of the shires north of the Trent to protect his interests in Scotland.  Early in July, Henry Percy, Warenne’s grandson, rode through south-western Scotland, at the head of the Cumberland musters, and on July 7, the local insurgent leaders, with the exception of Wallace, made their submission to him at Irvine.  Moreover, Edward released the two Comyns from their veiled imprisonment, and sent them back to Scotland to help in suppressing the insurrection.  Henry Percy boasted that the Scots south of the Forth had been reduced to subjection.  But a few days later Wallace was found to be strongly established in Ettrick forest and was threatening Roxburgh.  At last Edward stirred up Warenne to return to his government.  The king took the precaution of leaving some of his best warriors in England in case their services were needed against the recalcitrant barons or the Scots.  Then, as has been said, on August 24 he crossed over to Flanders.

The constable and marshal were still in arms, and Winchelsea, who, in spite of his reconciliation with Edward, was in close communication with them, declined to take an active part on the council of regency.  Two days before Edward took ship, Hereford and Norfolk appeared in arms at the exchequer at Westminster, and forbade the officials to continue the collection of supplies, until the Great Charter and the Charter of the Forest had been confirmed.  They strove to win the support of the Londoners, who had long had a grievance against Edward for depriving them of their right to elect their own mayor, and for subjecting the city to the arbitrary rule of a warden nominated by the crown.  They forbade their followers to commit acts of violence, but they made it clear that there could be no peace until the charters were confirmed.

In August, Warenne grappled with the Scottish rising, but his own incompetence, and the half-heartedness of the Scottish magnates, on whom he relied, made his task very difficult.  Wallace retreated beyond the Forth, and Warenne reached Stirling on September 10 in pursuit of him.  He learnt that Wallace was holding the wooded heights, immediately to the north of Stirling bridge on the left bank of the Forth, not far from the abbey of Cambuskenneth.  The Steward of Scotland, who, after the collapse of the revolt in the south-west, served under Warenne, offered his mediation.  But no good result came from his action, and the English suspected treachery.  Wallace took up a bold attitude, scorning either compromise or retreat.  He had only a small following of cavalry, but his infantry was numerous and enthusiastic.  The English resolved to attack him on September 11.  The Forth at Stirling was crossed by a long wooden bridge, so narrow that only two horsemen could pass abreast.  It was madness to send an army over the river by such a means in the face of a watchful