But though Scotland lay prostrate, the spirit of resistance yet lingered in the hearts of the commonalty.

Although conquered now the memory of their past success still inspired them, but until some leader presented himself none could stir.

It was in August that Wallace had been executed.

Archie had received several summonses from the English governors of Stirling and Lanark to come in and do homage to Edward, but he had resolutely declined, and the task of capturing his castle was too heavy a one to be undertaken by any single garrison; still he saw that the time must come, sooner or later, when he would have to choose between surrender and death.

When matters settled down it was certain that a great effort would be made to root out the one recalcitrant south of the Forth.