CHAPTER XXXIV.
Thretty for thretty faucht in barreris, At Sanct Johnstoun on a day besyde the black freris.
WYNTOUN.
Palm Sunday now dawned.

At an earlier period of the Christian Church, the use of any of the days of Passion Week for the purpose of combat would have been accounted a profanity worthy of excommunication.

The Church of Rome, to her infinite honour, had decided that during the holy season of Easter, when the redemption of man from his fallen state was accomplished, the sword of war should be sheathed, and angry monarchs should respect the season termed the Truce of God.

The ferocious violence of the latter wars betwixt Scotland and England had destroyed all observance of this decent and religious Ordinance.

Very often the most solemn occasions were chosen by one party for an attack, because they hoped to find the other engaged in religious duties and unprovided for defence.