How the good King Robert of Scotland entrusted Sir James Douglas with carrying his heart to the Holy Sepulchre.

After the Scots, as you've heard, slipped away by night from the mountain where the king and the English lords were besieging them, they rode twentytwo leagues from that wild place without stopping, and crossed the Tyne near Carlisle and returned to their own land next day and all set off for home. Fairly soon after, a number of lords and worthy gentlemen negotiated on behalf of the King of England and his council and the Scottish king, and agreed a truce to last for a term of three years.

It was in this time of truce that King Robert of Scotland, who had been so valiant, grew ever older and weaker – afflicted with leprosy, it was said – and was clearly close to death. When he saw that his death was imminent he summoned all his most trusted barons to him and said he was about to die as they could see; and he earnestly implored them to fulfil their loyal duty and protect the kingdom during the minority of his son David, and obey him when he was come of age and crown him king and arrange a fitting marriage.