A truce for Two years
The natural consequence of a long series of defeats sustained by Edward, was an anxious desire upon his own part, and that of his parliament, for a truce between the kingdoms; and as the Scots were satiated with victory, and, to use the words of an English historian, so enriched by the plunder of England that that country could scarcely afford them more, the Scottish king lent a ready ear to the representations of the English commissioners, and agreed to a truce for two years between the kingdoms, to commence from Christmas 1319. Conservators of the truce were appointed by England,and, in the meantime, commissioners of both nations were directed to continue their conferences, with the hope of concluding a final peace.One great object of Bruce in consenting to a cessation of hostilities, was his earnest desire to be reconciled to the Roman desire which apparently was far from its accomplishment; for the pope, instead of acting as a peace-maker, seized this moment to reiterate his spiritual censures against the King of Scotland and his adherents, in a bull of great length, and unexampled rancour; and some time after the final settlement of the truce, the Archbishop of York, with the Bishops of London and Carlisle, were commanded and the order is stated to have proceeded on information communicated by Edward to excommunicate Robert and his accomplices, on every Sabbath and festival-day throughout the year.