Scottish Wars of Independence

King Alexander III of Scotland died

March 1886

Margret the Maid of Norway

Alexander III’s only surviving heir, his granddaughter.

Reasons why many were opposed to a female ruler

• she would have to marry

• she was a woman

• she was only three

• she lived in Norway

The Six Guardians of Scotland who were chosen to rule Scotland until Margret was old enough

• Bishop William Fraser

• Bishop Robert Wishart

• John Comyn of Badenoch

• James Stewart

• Alexander Comyn of Buchan

• Duncan of Fife

Reasons Scotland faced civil war, despite the Guardians being appointed

Robert Bruce began to gather support and target territories and allies related to the Comyn family

The treaty of Birgham was signed

1290

Terms of the treaty of Birgham

• Edward (Edward I’s son) would marry Margret

• Scotland and England would remain independent of each other

• all decisions affecting Scotland would be made in Scotland

Margret dies on her way to Scotland

September, 1290

The two heirs with the strongest claim after the death of Margret

Robert Bruce and John Baliol

The Guardians required external legal assistance when choosing between the heirs

Edward I was summoned to assist with the great cause

Edward arrived with an army at the Scottish border in April 1291.

The Guardians were forced to hold the parliament at Norham Castle, on the English side of the border.

Reasons The Guardians recognised Edward as the overlord of Scotland

• Edward I threatened to blockade Scottish ports with his navy

• He had a large military presence

• He would not choose an heir who did not recognise him as overlord

The Award of Norham

All 13 competitors to the throne recognised Edward I as overlord of Scotland

Edward I announced that John Balliol had a better claim to the throne and would become King of Scotland.

November 1292

Reasons why John Baliol was chosen over Robert Bruce

• he held lands in France Scotland and England

• his claim was the strongest legally due to primogeniture

Primogeniture

inheritance is passed down from the eldest child

John Baliol was made king of Scotland

St Andrews day 1292

Reasons Baliol faced problems during his reign

• he was an inexperienced politician and unprepared to be king

• Scotland had not had a king for six years and the administrative system was weak

• Many nobles supported Robert Bruce and therefore did not support Baliol’s rule

John Baliol pays homage to Edward I at his court in Newcastle

December 1292

The Burgess of Berwick case

In 1292, one of Baliol’s legal decisions was taken to Edward’s court by a Burgess. Baliol was forced to reverse his decision

The MacDuff Case

In 1293 a Lord claimed he had been deprived of his inheritance by Baliol. Edward summoned Baliol to his court because of this and threatened to remove Baliol’s castles when he rejected Edward’s demand.

Baliol’s letter to Edward

Baliol believed that Edward should still adhere to the treaty of Birgham. Edward protested that the treaty was void since the marriage did not occur.

An example of Edward’s treatment of Baliol as a feudal lord instead of a king

Edward summoned Balliol to fight in the Anglo - French war

The Franco Scottish treaty is signed

February 1296

The siege of Berwick

March 1296

Number of townspeople killed during the siege of Berwick

between 7500 and 15000

The battle of Dunbar

April 1296

Balliol surrenders to Edward I

July 1296

Nickname given to Balliol after being stripped of his royal badge

Toom Tabard

August 1296

The ragman roll is signed by Scottish nobles

Measures taken by Edward to remove Scottish identity

• Important Scottish records were transported to London

• the Stone of Destiny was transported to Westminster along with the Scottish Crown Jewels

May 1297

William Wallace kills the sheriff of Lanark

Supporters of Wallace

Bishop Wishart of Glasgow, Sir William Douglas and Robert Bruce

The Battle of Stirling Bridge

September 1297

Wallace and Moray are appointed Guardians of Scotland

Late 1297

Andrew Moray’s death

weeks after the battle of Stirling bridge

Wallace invaded Northern English towns

November 1297

October 1297

letter was sent to the merchants of Lubeck and Hamburg in northern Germany, stating that they could resume trade in Scotland

The Battle of Falkirk

July 1298

Wallace travelled to Europe to gather support for Scottish independence

1299

Wallace is betrayed and captured by the English

Summer 1305

Wallace is found guilty of treason and is executed

August 1305