The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. Ill] OF SCOTLAND 215
been entered into between England and Scotland, John's
opposition did not produce any consequences detrimental to
the government.
It was not long after this time that a very extraordinary
change took place in the character and situation of the different
factions in Scotland, which once more served to detach John
of the Isles from the English interest, and to class him among
the supporters of Scottish independence. Previously to the
return of David II. from captivity in England in 1357, the
established government and the principal barons of the kingdom
had, with the exception of those periods when Edward Baliol
had gained a temporary success, been invariably hostile to
the English claims, while it Was merely a faction of the nobility,
who were in opposition to the court, that supported the cause
of Baliol and of English supremacy. John, from the natural
causes arising from his situation, and urged by the continued
policy of the government being directed towards the reduction
of his power and influence, was always forced into opposition
to the administration for the time by which this policy was
followed, and when the opposing faction consisted of the
adherents of the English interest, the Island lord was naturally
found among them, and was thus induced to enter into treaty
with the king of England. On the return of David, however,
the situation of parties became materially altered ; the king
of Scotland now ranked as Edward of England's staunchest
adherent, and secretly seconded all his endeavours to overturn
the independence of Scotland, while the party which had
the throne of Scotland and the cause
throughout supported
of independence were in consequence thrown into active opposi-
tion to the crown. The natural consequence of this- change
was that the lord of the Isles left the party to which he had
so long adhered, as soon as it became identified with the
royal faction, and was thus forced into connexion with those
with whom he had been for so many years at enmity.
The Steward of Scotland, who was at the head of this
party, was of course desirous of strengthening himself by
means of alliances with the most powerful barons of the country,
and he therefore received the accession of so important a person
Avith avidity, and cemented their union by procuring the