|
Sir John Menteith was the second son of Walter Stewart,
Earl of Menteith, and was born on the island of Inchmahome. On the death
of his father, Sir John succeeded to the estate of Rusky, and resided
“Where the majestic Grampians spread
Their shadow o’er old Husky’s head;
Where' friendship warms the escutcheoned walls
Of frowning Husky’s antique halls.”
Sir John selected as his place of residence a small
island on Loch Rusky—a dark and deep, but beautiful sheet of water,
about midway between Callander and Lake of Monteith, having a commanding
view of the surrounding country. On this little island he built a strong
castle, the ruins of which still remain. Sir John is reported to have
kept a fleet stud of horses, for the purpose of carrying out his
traitorous designs with the English King; and, in support of this
tradition, the course for training the horses is still to be seen on the
banks of the loch. Another of Sir John’s castles was the Castle of
Monteith, now called Castle of Rednock, a considerable portion of which
is still standing. This castle was originally very strong, of great
dimensions, and beautifully situated beneath a proud wing of the
Grampians, from the summit of which there is one of the most varied and
commanding views in Scotland. One roll of the traitor’s eye could view
the country from Leith to Lennox—that fertile country, studded with
trees, dotted with villages, and rivers rolling through its plains — the
very garden of Scotland — the cradle of Scottish patriots. When occasion
served, Scotland’s direst enemy—he who was nurtured in her own arms, and
who spilt her best blood — swept from his impregnable fortress, like the
wild eagle from his eyrie, upon his doomed prey. Many reasons are
assigned as the cause of Menteith betraying Wallace. Some assert that he
was dissatisfied with the conduct of Wallace on some particular
occasion. Supposing this to be true, it is no justification why he
should deceive his early friend; for, according to Barbour, Sir John was
one of Wallace’s earliest friends. For my own part, I am ready to
believe that it is only a glaring proof of the deceitfulness of the
human heart, prompted by English gold, which had unfortunately found its
way to the shores of the Lake of Monteith. The attempt of Sir John to
betray Bruce in Dumbarton Castle is another proof that the man was a
base-hearted villain. There is an attempt made by one historian to
whitewash Sir John of the crime of betraying Wallace. It is, however,
but a miserable “daub,” and not borne out by a single writer except
himself; and alluding to the betrayal, other writers declare that he was
justly and deservedly hated by the Scotch nation. The manner of the
betrayal is well known; how, when they met at Robroyston, the two chiefs
recognised each other as old familiar friends; and how Menteith had
previously arranged with Edward’s spies about the turning of the “loaf”
when the favourable moment arrived for falling on and securing the chief
of Scottish patriots. It was for a very long time asserted, that the
deepest insult one could give to an individual of the name of Menteith
was the turning of the loaf in his presence, thus calling to mind that
they were the descendants of the infamous Sir John. I have known, even
in my own day, a fiery Menteith take signal vengeance on a fellow-mortal
who had the audacity to “whummel the bannock” in his presence.
The tradition regarding the attempt of Menteith to betray
Bruce is not generally known. The story, however, varies a good deal,
and is told in different forms; but as Buchanan alludes to it, and as
his version will no doubt be the most correct, I have followed that
historian pretty closely. When the rest of the fortified places were
reduced, Dumbarton Castle was held almost alone by the English; and
because it was by nature very strong, Bruce entered into negotiation
with Menteith, who had received the governorship as the price of
Wallace, through his friends and relations, for its recovery. As the
price of the surrender, Menteith had the “cheek” to demand the Earldom
of Lennox, and would listen to no other proposal. Bruce would listen to
no such condition, although he greatly desired the Castle—Lennox being
his firmest and almost only 'friend in all his misfortunes. The Earl
himself, as soon as he heard this, insisted that the King should not
refuse the condition. The agreement was therefore completed on
Menteith’s own terms, and the King went to receive possession of the
Castle. On his journey, he was met in the wood near Dumbarton by a
joiner, said to be named Rolland, who, having obtained an audience of
the King on a matter of great importance, discovered to him a plot,
projected and prepared by Menteith against him. In an underground cellar
a considerable number of Englishmen were hid, who, when the rest of the
Castle was given up, and the King seated at dinner, were to rush forth
and either kill or take him prisoner. After Bruce had received the
Castle from Menteith, he was invited to an entertainment. The King,
however, refused to partake until he had searched the concealed cellars.
Menteith pretended that the smith who had the key was absent and would
soon return, but the door was broken open and the snare discovered. The
armed English were instantly put to death; some having confessed that a
war-ship was riding in the bay, ready to convey the King to England. Sir
John’s life was spared, on condition that he should be put in the very
front of the battle at Bannockburn, and take “pot luck.” There, it is
said, he served his King faithfully. I have not been able to trace where
Sir John died, or where he was buried, though tradition asserts he died
in his castle on Loch Rusky, and was interred in the choir of the church
of Inchmahome. |
