It was Sir Hugh le de Spencer, a near kinsman of the Earl of Hereford, the tumultory constable of England.

He was the envoy who had brought the Prince of Wales' dispatches to Stirling.

Wallace was standing when he entered, and so were the chieftains, but at his appearance they sat down.
Wallace retained his position.
"I come," cried the Southron knight, "from the lord warden of Scotland, who, like my prince, too greatly condescends to do otherwise than command, where now he treats; I come to the leader of this rebellion, William Wallace, to receive an answer to the terms granted by the clemency of my master, the son of his liege lord, to this misled kingdom." "Sir Knight," replied Sir William Wallace, "when the Southron lords delegate a messenger to me, who knows how to respect the representative of the nation to which he is sent, and the agents of his own country, I shall give them my reply.

You may withdraw." The Southron stood, resolute to remain where he was; "Do you know, proud Scot," cried he, "to whom you dare address this imperious language?
I am the nephew of the lord high constable of England." "It is a pity," cried Murray, looking coolly up from the table, "that he is not here to take his kinsman into custody." Le de Spencer fiercely half drew his sword; "Sir, this insult-" "Must be put up with," cried Wallace, interrupting him, and motioning Edwin to lay his hand on the sword; "you have insulted the nation to which you were sent on a peaceful errand; and having thus invited the resentment of every chief here present, you cannot justly complain against their indignation.

But in consideration of your youth, and probable ignorance of what becomes the character of an embassador, I grant you the protection your behavior has forfeited.