30, 1298, a preliminary award.  It suggested the possibility of a settlement on the basis of each belligerent retaining the possessions which he had held at the beginning of the struggle, and entering into an alliance strengthened by a double marriage.  Edward was to marry the French king’s sister Margaret, while Edward of Carnarvon was to be betrothed to Philip’s infant daughter Isabella.  The latter match involved the repudiation of the betrothal of Edward of Carnarvon with the daughter of the Count of Flanders.  But all through the award there was no mention of the allies of either party.  Boniface was too eager for peace to be over-scrupulous as to the honourable obligations of the two kings who sought his mediation.

The English regency, which grappled so courageously with the baronial opposition, showed an equal energy in protecting the northern counties from the Scots.  About the time of the confirmation of the charters, Wallace crossed the border and spread desolation and ruin from Carlisle to Hexham.  Warenne and Henry Percy, who had attended the October parliament at London, were soon back in the north.  By December the largest army which was ever assembled during Edward I.’s reign[1] was collected together on the borders, and preparations were made for a winter campaign after the fashion which had proved so effective in Wales.  But all that Warenne was able to accomplish was the relief of Roxburgh.  The quality of the troops was not equal to their quantity, and all his misfortunes had not taught him wisdom.  Early in Lent Edward stopped active campaigning by announcing that no great operations were to be attempted until his return.  Thereupon Warenne sent the bulk of the troops home, and remained at Berwick, awaiting the king’s arrival.

    [1] Morris, Welsh Wars of Edward I., pp. 284-86.

Edward landed at Sandwich on March 14, 1298, and at once set about preparing to avenge Stirling Bridge.  He met his parliament on Whitsunday, May 25, at York.  The Scots barons were summoned to this assembly, but as they neither attended nor sent proxies, their absence was deemed to be proof of contumacy.  A month later a large army was concentrated at Roxburgh.  The earls and barons with their retinues mustered to the number of 1,100 horse, while 1,300 men-at-arms served under the king’s banners for pay.  Though Gascony was still in Philip’s hands, the good relations that prevailed between England and France allowed the presence in Edward’s host of a magnificent troop of Gascon lords, headed by the lord of Albret and the Captal de Buch, and conspicuous for the splendour of their armour and the costliness and beauty of their chargers.  On this occasion Edward set little store on infantry, and was content to accept the services of those who came of their own free will.  Yet even under these conditions some 12,000 foot were assembled, more than 10,000 of whom came from Wales and its march.