Edinburgh, Roxburgh, Perth, and most of the Scotch fortresses fell one by one into King Robert's hands.

The clergy met in council and owned him as their lawful lord.

Gradually the Scotch barons who still held to the English cause were coerced into submission, and Bruce found himself strong enough to invest Stirling, the last and the most important of the Scotch fortresses which held out for Edward.

Stirling was in fact the key of Scotland, and its danger roused England out of its civil strife to an effort for the recovery of its prey.

At the close of 1313 Edward recognized the Ordinances, and a liberal grant from the Parliament enabled him to take the field.