Brown's Sweetheart Abbey

Determined genial widows and the Scottish Brown Clan is the linkage that endures and endeavours to preserve and prevail, carrying the legacy of their husbands ......

Sweetheart Abbey sits in the centre of the Brown-Broun Clan lands, overlooking the Solway-way of the Soul. The Abbey was built by Lady Dervorgilla of Galloway as a visual testament in stone for her everlasting love for her deceased husband. Lady Dervorgilla name root comes from Diorbhail which is auld Scots for "Gift From God". Dervorgilla was a princess with Royal Blood, her Grandfather was brother of King William the Lion. In 1233 she married John Balliol, a wealthy landowner whose family had lands in France, England and Scotland. There Son allso John was inaugurated as King of Scotland at Scone, 30 November 1292, St. Andrew's Day. Many believe he was the last King to sit on the authentic Stone of Destiny before it was swiped bye King Edward I in 1296. In a cruel twist of fate speculation swelled, when William Wallace taunted his executioner assassins with his final remarks which claimed the Destiny stone was a forgery. Wallace himself was privy to its secret last stop, he was according to his biographer Blind Harry,(himself a gifted seer) guided bye the Arch Angels to place the stone on the Holy of Holies, inscrutable guesswork through the ages have speculated where Wallace hid Jacob's stone, one theory is last destination of the stone is located in the New Jerusalem, as told in Revelations 21. Wallace was directed bye the divine, he understood the consequences of his perilous work would be evaluated, in a desperate attempt to exonerate himself, he new the Day of Judgemeant would prove why he was driven bye the destitute circumstances of the day, reincarnation would expose the guardian's secret when the truth would secure his passage up Jacob's Ladder homewards to heaven, described in the Book of Genesis, the start of the plan cycle that leads to the End.

In a unrivalled Hollywood twist, the Ballie clan, identify themselfs with the Balliol clan, whom they claim where integrated, the reason being the unfavourable stigma attached to a failed humiliated King, in turn the Ballie clan claim William Wallace, sole Daughter of the guardian was said to have married Sir William Baillie of Hoprig and Lamington, which bye all accounts she married into the royal family authentic surname!

The University of Oxford was founded by this enterprising couple in 1263 and today still retains the John Balliol name. In fact, the two principal schools of learning in Britain are named in honour of our two, lost sweetheart couples, we find the University of Cambridge is named after Saint Mary Magdalene, the sweet-heart of our saviour and the second timeless love story. Generations of Pisceian people felt the lamentations of grief in their souls, and were denied the chance to express their sympathy for the saviour's widow and heal the miscarriage of justice suffered by "the wife of the lamb" (Revelations 21/9).

The Gypsies were avowable crystal-gazers and mastered the realm of Psychic Clairvoyance. Their reputation was gained in times gone by for providing enlightening revelation. Thus, they where recognised and accepted for there precognitive messages a great tradition survives today for there enchanting services of future fortune storytellers. The Royal bloodlines of Stewart and Sinclair were historically consorts and disciples of the Gypsies.

The "Gypsy Glens" of Traquair in Peeblesshire and Roslin in Midlothian today. still retain their name tags. They are owned by the Maxwell-Stuart family at Traquair and the Sinclair family from Roslin, respectively. Ground was duly set aside and the Gypsy families were treated with consideration and honour. These prize sites were carefully selected, directly on the Roseline so that the Gypsies could transmute and transmit their messages to the gentlemen and knights in their privy chambers. These disclosures were accepted to be from a higher source, the Divine Providence.

Due directly North on the Roseline the Gypsy connection is reinforced in the fife town of Kirkcaldy-Sinclairtown, this town was a satellite town of the Sinclairs of Roslin, there impressive land empire did not finish here the almighty Norman Sinclair clan had ground and castles in Caithness and Orkney,strategic negotiations ensured the high bred Sinclairs would be entitled to the prime roseline meridian energy communication locations. Like the antiquity of the Ring of Brogar on the Roseline in Orkney, the preserved stone circle secrets that map sun and moon transits, the full moon projection was valued as the prime time for revelation, the stones themselfs could help amplify the messages to the experienced shaman. This secound sight intuitive gift is at times known to be heredity, the Sinclair family of Roslin chapel fame where chosen bye God and sworn in bye man, to keep the masonic keys of the great chain that anchors the unicorn in scottish ancient heraldry composition, the clair component in the surname Sinclair stems directy from clairvoyance the ability to gain information and knowledge about an object, person or situation past or present.William the Conqueror a sinclair himself tapped into this enlighten information, when he prepared for his momentous window that has given us allmost a thousand years of history, Revelations chapter 20 presents a conscious premeditated plan that partially partners the secound last bible chapter, it hints of the secret suspicious nature of the sceptical beliefs of the Roseline...........

"That ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satin whom is bound for a thousand Years. Bound and sealed over for a Thousand Years to keep him deceiving the Nations Any more!"

When we question the insecure nature of the supernatural mysterys our Instinct is to lambast our ignorance with negative Galileo flat earth denial, until one can explain with a degree of universal clarity and mount sufficient evidence to the contrary the challenge will allways be on trial. Until that day arrives our past records succumb to the darker half of the aspects of life as we know it.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge took place at the village of Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire in England on 25 September 1066, between the English army under King Harold Godwinson and an invading Norwegian force led by King Harald Hardrada of Norway and the English king's brother Tostig Godwinson. After a stubborn battle, both Hardrada and Tostig along with the majority of the Norwegians were killed. Although Harold repelled the Norwegian invaders, his victory was short-lived: he was defeated and killed at Hastings less than three weeks later, which took place on 14 October 1066,(X66) this decisive Norman victory was masterly engineered with the help of clairvoyant wisdom of William the Norman Conquester of England, the outcome hinged on the advantageous foresight of the Battle at Stamford Bridge, William new beforehand that King Harolds forces would be physically and mentally exhausted after abandoning there advantageous positions in anticipation of the Norman assaut on the south coast he marched his Army North to Stamford and take the Viking army bye surprise, the victory was bloody but decisive, in a herculean feat of endurance one can only imagine the anguish of disgruntlement from the ranks as the heavy clad army as they raced back down to the south coast, to encounter a fresh attack just 3 weeks after abandoning there advantageous positions in anticipation of the Norman assault, the end result left the victorious William with the conquest that was prophsied.........

Revelation 6 The Seals.

"Come!" with the help of the Lamb "I will show you the first of the seven seals"........ I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

The conqueror's victory swung as a direct consequence of the fatal arrow that caused death to King Harold, the white horse is synonymous with the messenger of approaching doom as told in Revelations, the Battle of Hastings was fought in the English south east coast, the area has a past historical liaison with the white horse legends,St. George the patron saint of England was assumed to be a reincarnation of John the Baptist, the messenger has a sustained relationship with the white horse omen, in a conspicuous clash of timing in April 2010-MMX a giant white horse Memorial was granted planning permission, designed by Turner Prize winner Mark Wallinger. Costing £2 million the horse stands at 164ft in height, makeing it the biggest public work of art and folly in the UK. It will stand on a hill due north of Hastings near Ebbsfleet International station Gravesend!

Bible Introspection of the number 164 leads us to Palm 119:164 here we find the Chapter on Sin, 164 Seven times a day I Praise you for your righteous laws. The number seven theme interweaves Genesis with John and Revelations.Joseph the son of Jacob, interpretation of Pharoah's dream of seven years of plenty followed by 7 years of grain failure that results in famine, thus gives rise to the all encompassing reliance we trust in the faith of our creator's gift that "Gives us our daily Bread", ruthless inhumane jealousy by Joseph's brothers wedged a resentful green eyed envy towards Jacob's favoured son. With God's help Joseph found compassion and forgiveness in his heart that ceased bad blood bitterness against his remorsed brothers. When Moses fled Egypt at the time of the Exodus 13:19 Moses servant of God took the bones of Joseph with him towards Succoth, in the belief and promise made bye God that he would come to the aid of the chosen ones and help them in there darkest moments like a caring "shepherd of the flock". The Rampant Judea-Scottish Lion allied with the white-unicorn horse are allegorical symbols that vouch for King Bruce's expansive tributes, the Chained Unicorn is a mind play symbol of God's Eucharistic master baker thanks and favours towards mankind, never to be forgotten or broken that tie ancient Egypt with Britain and Scotland the metaphorical Corn is our daily bread that UNItes us to the intregrated whole of our existance a life thwarted with sin and temptation.

Once established in Britain the newly Crowned King of Norman-Sinclair's stock allied with the elite Scottish Clan Chiefs whom themselfs had a historical back ground in earth energys spiritual communication network. The Normans where effectively invited in to Scotland post 1066 Battle of Hastings English territory invasion, the Scot's calculated, the tormented threat from the south and the viking raids would be abated with this promising political alliance of convenience a stunning display of mutually exchanged marriage partners brighten the dreary existence for the battles of the 1000 year abyss of survival.

Isabel de Clare of the Sinclair dynastry (grandmother of Robert The Bruce) married Robert Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale (Robert de Brus) as the name implys His Bruce's ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage originating in Brieux, Normandy thier son Robert the Bruce 6th Lord of Annandale married Marjorie of Carrick (1256–1292) whom was countess of Carrick,Ayrshire Scotland, Marjoriea was the mother of Robert the Bruce. Robert the Bruce 7th Lord of Annandale and Earl of Carrick and his wife Isabella's only child, was Marjorie Bruce, whom married Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland (1293–1326), it is from him the Royal House of Stewart are descended, they where stewards of the Carrick-Stone-keys. The Door for the house in Argyll was gifted to the hereditary "Stewards of Bute" since 1157, but there true allegiance goes back to the Stewards whom where allocated with the gruelling task of administation and adopting law and order towards moral world practices, handed down from at times hushed glove traditions emanating as told bye Robert the Bruce Earl of Carrick-Stone address at the Declaration of Arbroath hinting the Scots pedigree came from God's elite messenger Moses and there trials of the Exodus Egypt Abyss leading mankind towards the golden pent road, found in the astrolgical circle of Pi that embraces Phi=love it is here the "Promised land of Milk and Honey" is revealed, the bee was among the Egyptians the symbol of an obedient people.

At birth, Charles Stuart II automatically became Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay (Bute) The current Prince of Wales is Prince Charles, the eldest son of Queen. Heir to the Throne. In Scotland he is known as The Duke of Rothesay, and The Duke of Cornwall in Cornwall. Plymouth Argyle football team name shelters a ancient clandestine secret to the orgins of the British royal family as told in the roseline pages, information seems to be private to a slect sect. Ecclesiastes 3 states there is "A time for Everything" the meaningless chase after shadows in the wind has come full circle, "now God will call the past to account" as Judgemeant Day approaches harvest of the exhaustive spent Stag.

James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch (9 April 1649 – 15 July 1685), was an English nobleman, born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II and his mistress, Lucy Walter. Monmouth was executed in 1685 after making an unsuccessful attempt to depose his uncle, King James II, commonly called the Monmouth Rebellion.The title Duke of Buccleuch was created in the Peerage of Scotland on 20 April 1663 for the Duke of Monmouth, he married Anne Scott, 4th Countess of Buccleuch. The Clan Scott is claimed the name orgins come from princess Scotia the Pharaoh's daughter, whom bought the stone of Destiny with her, as part of her inheritance, spicy speculation flusters to the belief Moses, was a close relative of Scotia, or even his daughter.

The 10th Duke of Buccleuch is the hereditary Clan Chief of the Scott-Scotia's interestingly the late 9th Duke while visiting his vast estates would be seen in a very rare coloured car, it combined the Black and Gold Bee colours that link with his family and ancient Egypt also seen in the Dukes family coat of arms.The bucc name arose from buck to stand up and take notice, alternatively a buck is a male deer stag, or even hart, our heads are in the clouds if we delve deeper into this secondly or even reversible meanings. The Scott Clan crest is worthy of a extra look, it has a stag shown with one foot up as if trotting towards its destination, encircled with the deer's reunification with the line marker rope, in old Scots the carrick bend is formed by looping and interlacing the ends together it in turn represents the Ouroboros, a ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon swallowing its own tail and forming a circle. The Ouroboros often represents self-reflexivity or cyclicality, especially in the sense of something constantly re-creating itself, the eternal return, the Alpha and Omega is the Starting-End line revenerated, The Buck -Stag is the end of our life's circle the fawn represents our elementary advancemeant along our life-lifes journey. The Dharmacakra wheel symbol It is one of the oldest known Buddhist symbols found in India it is represented as a chariot wheel inscribed with eight or more spokes, the circle is often seen flanked with two fawns Eskdalemuir's Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist monastery, on the roseline at johnstone, only a few miles south from buccleuch home farm, the main entrance towards the Temple from the south visitors will be enthralled with a gold coloured Dharmacakra, a time tested Sanskrit symbol towards enlightenmeant, where is our preferred destination to determine our new understanding, glancing the Scott's motto badge sums up the right direction on the rocky path towards moral philanthropy “Amo” meaning “I Love”.The chariot wheel emulates Elijah horse driven ride towards heaven and the End, Elijah bridged the Old testament with the New in the reincarnation package of John the Baptist as told bye Jesus, John the Baptist initiated Jesus ministry with the metaphorical washing of sins.

Bacchus of Greece was symbolised by the "fawn" Bacchus. The Romans portrayed Bacchus as there god of wine Christian Eucharistic sacrement presents the wine as being the blood of Christ. Bacchus is Leonardo da Vinci distorted name for Buccleuch it is here Bacchus, painting formerly Saint John the Baptist, is found in the Musée du Louvre, it is based on a drawing by the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci but is presumed to have been executed by an unknown follower, rich in symbolic features the Buck and fawn grace this master-piece superhighway tip off. The main feature in the picture shows John the Baptist as the "Man With a Measuring Line". True North is alined with the pole star resulting in the rose compass legacey that ancient mariners used to navigate, the line was drawn in the heavens as well as earth, which acts as the start and end line.

Subsequently this is where we get the notion towards the elements that compose the fictonal Santa Clause. We are told as kids if we want to go to heaven,and receive our Christmas presents the clause is that we need to behave, or Santa will refuse our gifts that are a recognition towards our impeccable actions and manners, santa has the mysterious power to observe our conduct, for a seven year old child, the head buzzing and anxiety that bewilder the puzzle of Christmas can leave a sensitive kid with trepid insomnia traumatized with intriguing delusion. Santa, itself is spanish for Saint, like the clairvoyant Clair clan the temptation to stray to wards sin is a constant threat,our performance is constantly evaluated in this process which in turn makes us into mere saints or sinners.

Kirkcaldy-Sinclairtown is where Adam Smith, the famous Philosopher and Economist was Born in June 1723 recorded details in his biography state that Smith was abducted by gypsies at the age of four and later released when others intervened. The Gypsies had a shameful predatory reputation for blond haired blue eyed Aryan boys. Gypsie leaders had periods in time that clambered to capture these classic features to reputably enhance there own bloodlines, a sentiment that we have seen echoed elsewhere. Smith's assault was to play a overlooked aspect to the great man's abilitys, the Gypsie encounter would have tailored the gifted boy Adam's mind towards meditation and channel spiritual induced wisdom. Gordon Brown, the out going 2010 U.K.Prime Minister was brought up in Kirkcaldy - the home of the visionary Adam Smith who described in his dynamic Wealth of Nations the economic benefits of open markets It was first published in 1776. It is an account of economics at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the Scottish architect's economic plan influenced the Founding Fathers of the United States initial constitution in Washington. Independence was declared on July 4, 1776 eclipsing Smith's master monetary formula. The United States Constitution was written in 1787, but it did not come in to force until after it was ratified in 1789. Smith's legacy of globalization trade was to play a interrelated role that through time has influenced every country on the planet eager to create the moral attributes and favourable doctrines that reciprocal trade brings to a cash flowing Vibrant economy. New Labour embraced Smith's coceptualization of "the invisible hand" to map, manipulate and manage policy, where rudiments taken from the U.S.influenced a new clandestine spin doctor media dispatch to tackle the daily problems and solutions in governing Britain. Tony Blair's memoirs in his book "A Journey" gives us insight to the events leading up towards New Labours General election victory. In a extraordinary discosure Blair retrieves his reasons for his meteoric opportunist calling, a premonition that coincided with then leader of the Labour party, John Smith's untimely funeral on the Isle of Iona, spiritual home to the Scottish celtic church, Blair recounts his soul's purpose was to challenge the vacant seat of leadership, the then youthful appealing "Tony" with overflowing amounts of charisma was the "New Age" philosophy role model that characterized the belief in alternative medicine and embraced spiritualism doctrine a crossroads in History summoned.......New Labour members flurred at the excitement of new prospects, endorsement that favoured the positive mood. The British Nation was sick of a dreary Tory John Major's grey dull government stale outlook, Major had not a hope in hell to match Tony's systematic visionary study of human understanding, whom as we now know had divine backing. New Labour enjoyed a landslide victory in 1997 enter the Right man at the Right time, with the Right Agenda. As we where led along the "journey's path", Tony converses the reversed darker "manipulator" aspects of the devious side of Blair's character, his forte gift was to grasp the feelings of others and instinctively play on them, his chargeable act of charm and charisma was able to deceive and fleece yet unite the British public into a mood that conjured a record number of 3 election victorys. Unconscious direction that was blind to the majority of the misapprehended British public. New Labour's exuberant style was backed with moral sentiments a doctored fancy that influenced and served New Labour policy well, with over 10 years in charge of the U.K's revenues that pledged 'No return to boom and bust' implanted in our minds a cautious check of the economoc fuel pressure gauge looked imprudent, basking in global brand corporate profits impressionist Brown was the longest serving chancellor in modern history. A job that requires the skills of a futuristic forecaster so that he could interpret forseeable budget trends and detect and control any forthcoming shortfalls. Or, at least, so we thought! The ultimate reflection of his skills and accomplishments was his length of time in office.

On 27th of June, 2007, Gordon Brown, the one eyed Labour M.P, reached the top of the pyramid in British political aspiration, when he was sworn in as the PRIME MINISTER of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Tenacious Brown's term, was procrastinated with the unwilling delay to tackle the wave of wreckless easy loan Debt, this false expendable profit escalated towards international "Irrational exuberance" late Aug 2008 the Credit Crisis exploitation woke up from its lavish spree to face Financial Markets Armageddon, a cascade of bank runs around the world, seen world leaders and followers in humiliating states of discreditable smeared pride..... Like Aaron's Golden Cash cow that had melted before our eyes the deceptive means of the devils force of 666 false profit had taken us All for spendthrift ignorant fools...........Come the hour come the Man..... Flash Gordon set in motion to shore up his countrys banks, a move that was to be followed around the Globe, a wrestling power struggle emerged as Banks where Nationalised, merged or vulturised by finance survival and frigid politics.

As the a murky dust from world trade collapse settled, filthy finger pointing started in earnest Dec 2008 ... Gordon Brown was mocked and ridiculed over his 'save the world' verbal slip-up in Commons, national press striped disrespected Brown of his now tarnished credibility, a forlorn bleak outlook due to bank failure repercussions now impending. They say a few days in politics is a long time Hero to Zero must have been in the mind of P.M. Brown's mind as the count down towards the next election was gathering pace, Brown faced increasing pressures for his disenchanted dream that turned allmost over nite towards a entraped debt living nightmare, infuriated weekly challanges, even from with in his own disillusioned party inflamed the sceptics rage towards the unpalatable Brown's insupportable politics future.

Brown's father, the late John Brown, was a Church of Scotland minister in Kirkcaldy-Sinclairtown and was influential in Gordon's impelling drive in the politics vechicle. Young Gordon would have been indoctrinated with his Father's weekly service, sermons that informed us of the moral life towards redemption, the Clair clan is split between Saint-Clair and Sin-clair a family division that can be traced back to pre 1066 Hastings battle. The reason for this segregation is the historical acceptance that arrives from daily issues that makes us Saints or Sinners, as we travel our soul towards judgemeant day that results in sentence of heaven or hell as told persistently in the bible.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown follows on from Tony Blair making 2 Scots born Prime Ministers in succession. Brown's reign was short lived a confused electorate reflected the mood of the nation in United Kingdom's general election of 2010 held on Thursday 6 May 2010 with disconcerted voters prescribing a hasty convenience coalition with the conservative leader David Cameron empowered with the top P.M. job and Liberal Democrats, led by Nick Clegg his Deputy, intriguingly at this controversial crossroads in time the Scottish control at Westminster continued, Cameron whom studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford. His father Ian was born near Inverness, and held the senior practice partner of the stockbrokers Panmure Gordon, in which the firm's partnerships had long been held by Cameron's ancestors, including David's grandfather and great-grandfather, David was born in London but if we relay the Scottish national football rules towards eligibility, David would meet the requirements as his Father and Grand-father where both born in Scotland, 1Peter chapter 2........... "The Living stone and a Chosen People" may be worthy of a secound thought as genealogists claim President Barack Obama's ancestry can allso be to traced to William the Lion, the ruler of Scotland and in turn Lady Dervorgilla = "Gift From God"!

When John Balliol died in 1269, Lady Devorguilla had his heart embalmed, and kept it in a ivory casket laced with silver, it never left her side. Four years later, the ambitious foundations for her temple of rememberance for her husband were laid at Sweetheart Abbey near Dumfries. Lady Devorguilla was later buried beside her lover and husband in the grounds of the reverential Abbey in 1290, aged 80. Their son, King John Balliol, was the puppet King of Scotland, for 4 amenable years(1292-96), becoming known as the "Toom Tabard", empty coat. William Wallace remained loyal in his enduring trials of national independance.

Brownies are the junior members of the Girl Guides or Girl Scout movement, the parallel female movement to Scouting. When Scouting was founded in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell, it was intended for boys only. As early as 1909, girls wanted to join the Scout groups. Baden-Powell rejected these wishes and asked his sister Agnes to start a parallel movement for girls. A guide is one who directs another in their course or shows the way to travellers. Confirmation of an energy line Scout link is gained when we find that the Patron saint of Scouts in the Dragon killer himself, Saint George.

The Clan Sinclair badge has the motto "Commit thy work to God" enclosed with a Cockeral standing on a rope. The Cockerel relates to the Sinclair's French origins and the rope is a guide-rope to lead or direct fellow servants towards God's work. The Scouts' guide-line direction for a taste of future life is highlighted on their badge. Each member received a badge that illustrated a combined compass point (life's direction) and spearhead. The badge's logo was similar to the fleur-de-lys that Scouting later adopted as its international symbol. The Scouts highlight on their calender is the field trip to a tented camp, where bonding and the art of outdoor survival is taught by their seniors.

No less than 13 Scottish noblemen, including the head of the Bruce family, declared themselves as potential inheritors of the vacant throne, almost resulting in a state of Civil War. King Edward I was invited to be the arbitrator. John Balliol was chosen by a meeting of Scottish nobles and Edward at Berwick. There is a hint that some underhand forces were at work in the ballot box. John's durability was seen as suspect and he was easily influenced. Despite severe misgivings, he was duly inaugurated as King of Scotland at the Moot Hill, Scone, on the 30th November 1292, St Andrew's Day.

Sly and cunning Edward I had skillfully extended his dominion at the exspense of the internally disputative Scots. He declared his own position as Lord Paramount of Scotland. The feudal superior of the Scottish realm steadily eroded and undermined the authority of King John, repeatedly humiliating the Scots King. Edward treated Scotland as a feudal vassel state, effectively now a province of England. Every Scottish Castle was now under Edward's control and all high office bearers were replaced with Englishmen. King John's reign was now accordingly void, a mere figurehead with Scottish roots. The Nation was in involuntary seige under the English Army's control.

In 1294 political tensions in Scotland were further aroused when King Edward sent orders to the Scottish King John, demanding him to mobilise his Army and send his troops to war in Flanders, in surpport of the English cause against the French.The weak minded John was under severe pressure yet found the courage to refuse Edward's order.

With a rebellion in Wales to contend with, the Scots King knew Edward's resources were stretched. In Paris on the 23rd October, 1295, King John and King Philip IV of France demonstrated their allegiance to each other by signing the Auld Alliance agreement and conspiring in unison to halt the advances of Edward's Army.

Edward's anger at this show of contempt for his authority was to provoke a slaughter of the innocents that would haunt the Scottish people for generations. Berwick upon Tweed was Scotland's leading port and had built up trading links all over Europe, it was the 4th largest port in the U.K.

On March the 30th, 1296, Berwick was subjected to the storm of Edward's wrath.

The English Army's destruction of the town was undiscriminating in status, age or sex. The stricken and wounded inhabitants fled to the churches, but the offended King's pride was stronger than his faith, over 8000 of the towns inhabitants where hacked to death, remorselessly butchered or burnt to death in the false sanctuary of the churches. Only a few survivors avoided the mass cull.

No sooner were the dead buried and the English flag raised, than Edward commissioned a vast force of Northumbrian workers to rebuild the Royal Burgh. Edward understood the importance to the Scottish economy of this jewel of the Border towns. Vast defensive earth mounds, with deep water moats were constructed round the town's boundaries. A declaration of intent was delivered to the Scots, Berwick on Tweed was to be the new seat of Government for Scotland. Hugh Cressingham, Edward's lackey, would be in charge of collecting taxes from the Scots.

John Comyn, the Earl of Buchan, made a number of cross border reprisals, mainly at soft targets. His failed attempt to sieze Carlisle Castle, where the young Robert the Bruce was helping to defend his English interests, was seen as agitation and served simply to aggravate Edward's fury.

The Scots people were still in deep shock, from their empathy for those slaughtered at Berwick, arose an immediate call for violent retribution. Dunbar Castle was seized by the Scots, prompting Edward to dispatch the Earl of Surrey, John de Warenne - no less than King John Balliol's father-in-law, along with 12000 battle wise veterans. On 27th April, 1296, 40000 ill managed and badly equipped men, confronted the English at Spottsmuir on the Lammermuir hills near Dunbar. The Earls of Atholl and Mar withdrew their contingents of fighting men at the last minute, due to internal indiscipline, strife and dispute. King John's ill-judgment in refusing to be in charge, or even present at the battle, was avowed to be one of the major factors contributing to the Scots army's rout by the heavy English cavalry.

After the disastrous Battle of Dunbar, no significant resistance remained, Dunbar Castle was recaptured the next day, closely followed by Roxburgh, Dumbarton and Jedburgh. Edinburgh Castle surrendered after several days of pounding by Edward's effective Siege Engines. By mid June, Edward's army had reached Stirling Castle. His reputation had preceded him, the gates where allready open when he arrived, the garrison had fled shortly before his arrival.

King John Balliol's limited options were now at an end. On the 2nd of July, 1296, King John wrote a letter from his hideaway in Kincardine, requesting clemency and offering to relinguish his throne, in return for safe passage.

The letter had Scotland's official insignia stamped on it, known inspiringly as "The Great Seal of Scotland, the insidious Edward, waiting and watching for this opportunity to entrap his opposition's leader, accepted the letter and conjured up a devious plan to bring about King John's final humiliation.

On 10th July, 1296, John Balliol's "coup de theatre" was staged at Brechin. Wearing a white night gown and carrying a broken staff, Balliol was made to make confession for his sins before the Bishop of Durham, Antony Bek. The pantomime was repeated the same day at Montrose. This time John had to beg for his pardon in front of Edward and swear him an oath of allegiance. Edward stripped John's Royal Seal from his robe, stigmatising him and his family for ever after with the description "Toom Tabard" (empty coat)

At the beginning of August,1296, John Balliol and his son were imprisoned for a spell in the Tower of London. Balliol was later allowed a house with hunting grounds in Hertford. In due course, in July, 1299, under the escort of the Bishop of Vicenza, he made his way to France. In 1302 he was allowed to return to his ancestral estate at Bailleul in Picardy, where he died in 1314. His son Edward (!), returned to Scotland in 1333, three years after King Robert the Bruce died, to sit on the Scottish throne for five years. His reign was under the direct control of his English neighbour, Edward III. Edward Balliol had inherited his father's submissive traits.