This demand was not, however, complied with, and the matter was still pending when the Maid of Norway died.

The three principal competitors--Bruce, Baliol, and Comyn--and their friends, at once began to arm; but William Fraser, Bishop of St.Andrews, a friend of Baliol, wrote to King Edward suggesting that he should act as arbitrator, and more than hinting that if he chose Baliol he would find him submissive in all things to his wishes.

Edward jumped at the proposal, and thereupon issued summonses to the barons of the northern counties to meet him at Norham on the 3d of June; and a mandate was issued to the sheriffs of Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, York, and Lancaster, to assemble the feudal array at the same rendezvous.
"Now, you know, my son, that, owing to the marriages between royal families of England and Scotland, there has been a close connection between the countries.

Many Scotch barons have married English heiresses, and hold lands in both countries, while Scottish maidens have married English knights.

Thus it happens that a great number of the Scotch nobility are as much Englishmen as Scotchmen, and are vassals to England for lands held there.