Key Issue 1-Alexander III and the Succession Problem

The Guardians

1-There were 6 Guardians 3 from Balliol and 3 from Bruce

2- Bruce and Balliol themselves weren’t made guardians as there claims to throne would have made it difficult

3- Robert Bruce gained support from Guardian James the Steward

4- At Scone Palace they met and agreed that Margaret would be queen when she is old enough

5- Duncan, Earl of Fife, was murdered by his own family for stealing money

6-They faced fighting between 2 Comyn Guardians and the Earl of Atholl

7- Agreed with Edward I that Margaret would marry Edwards youngest son

8-Used the meeting with Edward to secure independence, they wanted Scottish churchman free from influence from the English

9- Guardians who didn’t join Bruce had to build a small army and suppress him

10- They also faced uprisings on the Isle of Man

Death of Margaret, Maid of Norway

1-Margaret died on her journey down from Norway in 1290

2- Her death led to the treaty of Birgham becoming null and void

3-Bishop Fraser wrote a letter to Edward asking him to come North to prevent a potential war

4-Bruce also wrote to Edward accusing Fraser and Comyn of favouring Balliol and asked for his support and protection

5- By 1291 both claimants wanted the support of Edward I, so he came north

6-On the 15 October the guardians met at Edinburgh and were divided by the canditates

7-There was a lack of clear heir as magnates promised Alexander they would accept Margaret

8-Bruce, Earls of Atholl and Mar were plotting to take power supposedly. But Bruce unlikely had this support

9-Margaret was also too young to marry and the fact that she was a female

10-Bishop Bek was promised by John Balliol, holdings of the Scottish crown

Scottish Appeal to Edward I and Norham

1- Edward wanted to have Scotland as he was worried about the war with France and they would ally

2-At Norham Guardians wanted Edward to come to them to prove Edward had no authority

3-Edward didnt move so the Guardians went to Edward

4- Immediately Edward demanded that the Scots accept him as overlord

5- Guardians were worried if they said no, Edward would send his massive army

6-The Guardians said they couldnt respond to the order as it was only something a king could answer and he would have to wait till he appointed one

7-Edward expected this and created a succession dispute by encouraging many claimants to raise their right to the throne

8-The agreement of claimants was known as the “Award of Norham”

9-Edward wanted scotland after Margarets death and believed he could absorb it like wales

10- Though Edward and Alexander III got along, after his death Edward believed he could take advantage of Scotland while it was weak

The Great Cause

1- The Great Cause opened on the 2 August 1291 in Berwick to decide the new king

2-The number of claimants rose from nine to 13 but the serious claims were Bruce, Balliol, Hastings and Count Floris

3- Bruce believed he should be king as he was the son of the 2nd daughter of David (Alexanders brother)and was one generation closer than Balliol

4- Balliol had the strongest claim as he was the grandson of the eldest daughter of David.

5-Edward adjourned the court for Floris and himself to gather evidence

6- The court didn’t open until mid 1292 and during this time Edward was running Scotland as an overlord

7-After Edwards rule whoever was elected would’ve found it difficult to establish authority

8- 6 November 1292, the court decided on Balliol as he had the best claim

9- The youngest Bruce and Hastings believed Scotland should’ve been split in 3

10- After Edwrad’s agreement and on the 30 November 1292 Balliol was crowned at Scone Palace