Meeting of the Scottish Estates at Brigham
Accordingly, as soon as the important project became generally known, a meeting of the Estates of Scotland assembled at Brigham, a village on the Tweed, near Roxburgh, and from thence directed a letter to Edward, which was signed by the dignified clergy, and by all the earls and barons, of the realm. It stated, that they were overjoyed to hear the good news which were now commonly spoken of,—" that the Apostle had granted a dispensation for the marriage of Margaret, their dear lady and their queen, with Prince Edward." It requested King Edward to send them early intelligence regarding this important measure; and assured him of their full and ready concurrence, provided certain reasonable conditions were agreed to, which should be specified by delegates, who would wait upon him at his parliament, to be held next Easter at London.A letter was at the same time despatched by this assembly of the States to Eric king of Norway, which informed him of their consent to the marriage; and requested him to fulfil the terms of the treaty of Salisbury, by sending over the young queen, at the latest before the Feast of All Saints; and intimating to him, that if this were not done, they should be obliged to follow the best council which God might give them, for the good of the kingdom. The nobility of Scotland could not be more anxious than Edward for the arrival of the intended bride; but the king employed a more effectual way than entreaty, by despatching to Norway one of his ablest counsellors, Anthony Beck bishop of Durham, who, under the plausible name of pensions, distributed money among the Norwegian ministers, and obtained a promise, that she should immediately be sent to England. So assured of this was Edward, that, on the arrival of the Scottish envoys to his parliament held in Easter, he came under an engagement to pay 3000 marks to Scotland if Margaret did not reach England, or her own country, before the Feast of All Saints. He next appointed the Bishop of Durham, and five other plenipotentiaries, to attend a meeting of the Scottish Estates, which was held at Brigham (July 1290,) intrusting them with full powers to conclude that treaty, on the basis of which the marriage was to take place, and, after due conference, to concur in those securities which the Scottish Estates demanded for the preservation of the independence of their country.