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372 SCOTTISH ANNALS
the king and queen and the kingdom of Scotland otherwise
than as was fitting and expedient.
And when he came near to the kingdom of Scotland he
sent before his face Richard, earl of Gloucester, and John
Hansel, the lord king's special clerk and counsellor, to learn
discreetly whether Robert de Ross had carried his protest into
action, and whether perchance he presumed .
rebelliously to
defend his fault and the charge brought against him, and to
kick against the pricks.
So the earl and John went in front, according to the king's
command, accompanied by a chosen suite and a numerous
retinue and ; being assured that the king and queen of Scots
abode at that time in Maidens' Castle, they suddenly arrived
there without any noise. And leaving their company behind,
to follow, that is, at some distance, the earl and John entered
cautiously, as though they had been humble knights of the
household of Robert de Ross, deceiving the doorkeeper and the
other warders. Thereafter their company and suite followed
ijiem a few at a time, and united suddenly into a great army,
so that if those who were in the castle to defend it should
dare to rise, those who had now entered in should have
no fear of them.
So the Scots' queen went to them with confidence, and
complained grievously that she was unfitly guarded or rather
imprisoned in that castle, a dreary and solitary place, wholly
lacking wholesome air or verdure, as being near the sea. Nor
was she permitted, so she said, to go about in her realm, or
to keep a special household, or even the girls whom she desired
to have, as attendants and chambermaids. Nor was the
king her husband permitted to have conjugal access to her,
or to rejoice in mutual embraces. And whether anything
secret was added to her complaints is unknown.
But the earl and sir John, as men most eloquent and
discreet, soothed her and checked her tears and sobs, and
consoled her courteously and temperately, promising her
certain amendment of these abuses. And they caused them
without restraint to sleep together in one bed, the king to wit
and queen of Scots, as husband and wife. And Robert
de Ross was strictly summoned to come prepared to answer
in the court of his lord the English king to the charges laid
against him. And Robert in trepidation at first absented
himself, but afterwards was humbled and came.
And there were some of the nobles who were wroth that
the earl and John had so suddenly and unhindered by op-