A quarrel however which broke out between Philip le Bel and the Papacy removed all obstacles.

It enabled Edward to defy Boniface and to wring from France a treaty in which Scotland was abandoned.

In 1304 he resumed the work of invasion, and again the nobles flung down their arms as he marched to the North.

Comyn, at the head of the Regency, acknowledged his sovereignty, and the surrender of Stirling completed the conquest of Scotland.

But the triumph of Edward was only the prelude to the carrying out of his designs for knitting the two countries together by a generosity and wisdom which reveal the greatness of his statesmanship.