1. Alexander's death and the Succession Crisis

Question 1

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY ALEXANDER III’S DEATH

(10)

Answer 1

1. Alexander died suddenly, falling from his horse and snapping his neck on the way to Kinghorn, which was very unexpected.
2. All of Alexander’s children had died before him, with his last son dying in 1284, so there was no heirs immediately ready to rule Scotland
3. Alexander’s only heir Margaret was an infant and was living abroad so not the type of person the nobles wanted as a monarch.
4. Queen Yolande was rumoured to be pregnant - turned out not to be true and created uncertainty, nobles hopeful for son.
5. 1286, lack of a King prompted Burce to go on a rampage in SW and capture castles including Dumfries.
6. Scotland riven by factionalism - strong rivalry between Bruce/Balliol alliances, especially during competition for King.
7. 6 Guardians appointed as interim rulers in April 1286, but were rocked by scandal, supposed to lead country but unstable themselves.
8. Edward I seized Isle of Man as Edward began to take advantage of the choas and gain control of Scotland.
9. Margaret died on her way to Scotland in 1290 leaving the country with no heir at all.
10. Process to find new King was complex and long, taking over 15 months, creating confusion.

Question 2

EDWARD INCREASING HIS INFLUENCE OVER SCOTLAND

(9)

Answer 2

1.Edward I seized Isle of Man as Edward began to take advantage of the choas and gain control of Scotland.
2. Appeal of the Seven Earls - letter to Edward asking him to intervene and help Scotland find a successor.
3. Bishop Fraser letter - asking for help as fighting was breaking out, and asked him to recognise Balliol as heir.
4. Edward appointed English Baron FitzAlan to be Guardian - English inlfuence in Scotland.
5. Edward forced potential calimants to meet at Norham Castle in 1291, making them appear weak as they obeyed.
6. Edward encouraged as many people as possible to try for King, creating choas and confusion.
7. At Norham, Balliol and heirs were forced to pay homage to him (9/13 did) - Edward had legal possession of Scotland.
8. Great Cause lasted 15 months, creating more instability in Scotland.
9. Balliol forced to travel to England and take part in Boxing Day Homage Ceremony - clear/legal that Edward was his overlord.

Question 3

SUCCESSION PROBLEM

(9)

Answer 3

1. Alexander died on his way to Kinghorn - all his children had died before him leaving just Margaret.
2. Scotland riven by factionalism - strong rivalry between Bruce/Balliol alliances, especially during competition for King.
3. Treaty of Birgham, 1290, confirmed Scotland’s right to her own soveriegn and independence.
4. 1286, lack of a King prompted Burce to go on a rampage in SW and capture castles including Dumfries.
5. Maragret died in September 1290 on her way to Scotland - Scots now had nobody in line to the throne.
6. Appeal of the Seven Earls - letter to Edward asking him to intervene and help Scotland find a successor.
7. Bishop Fraser letter - asking for help as fighting was breaking out, and asked him to recognise Balliol as heir.
8. Edward intervened in succession crisis, calling all potential heirs to Norham Castle in 1291 to select a King.
9. At Norham, Balliol and heirs were forced to pay homage to him (9/13 did) - Edward had legal possession of Scotland.

Question 4

ROLE AND PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE GUARDIANS

(8)

Answer 4

1. 6 Guardians were appointed after Alexander’s death, role of ruling Scotland until replacement found.
2. Agreed nobility of the realm would have to swear fealty to Margaret acknowledging her as heir.
3. Agreed a regent would be appointed to lead until Margaret was of age and would ensure she had a good husband.
4. Ducan, Earl of Fife, accused of using his position of power to steal, murdered by one of his relatives.
5. 1286, Bruce went on a rampge in SW and captured many castles including Dumfries and Wigtown - was supported by James Stewart.
6. In response to rampage, remainig Guardians mobilised with an army to stop Bruce and oppose his power grab.
7. Fighting almost broke out between two Comyn Guardians and one of their rivals in NE.
8. 1290, Guardians signed Treaty of Birgham - said that Edward I’s son would marry Maragret.

Question 5

TREATY OF BIRGHAM

(8)

Answer 5

1. Signed between Scotland and England in 1290, agreeing Margaret would marry Edward’s son.
2. Elections of Scottish churchmen would remian free of English interference, especially from Archbishop of York.
3. Scottish nobles with land would only have to pay homage to Scottish King, no obligation to pay homage to English.
4. Nobody accused of a crime in Scotland would be tried under English law/have trial held outside of Scotland.
5. Scottish and English churches would not be merged - Scottish parliament held in Scotland.
6. Scotland allowed to follow her own laws/traditions instead of being forced to conform to Englidh ones.
7. England could not force any taxes/influence the level of taxes in Scotland - response to Scottish poeple not wanting to pay for English wars.
8. Scotland allowed to keep its independence and not forced to merge with England.

Question 6

IMAPCT OF MARGARET’S DEATH

(5)

Answer 6

1. Treaty of Birgham now null and void was marriage treaty for Maragret - independence not guaranteed.
2. Alexander’s family line had completely ended and there was no clear heir to the throne.
3. Appeal of the Seven Earls - letter to Edward asking him to intervene and help Scotland find a successor.
4. Bishop Fraser letter - asking for help as fighting was breaking out, and asked him to recognise Balliol as heir.
5. October 1290, Guardians met in Edinburgh and attempted to decide on a new heir but were unable to do so.

Question 7

REASONS SCOTS APPEALED TO EDWARD FOR HELP

(7)

Answer 7

1. Bruce brought an army to Perth to fight for the throne, rumours of Earl of Mar also gathering forces - Scots didnt want civil war.
2. Balliol began giving away lands that belonged to the Scottish crown and decalred himself ‘heir to the Kingdom of Scotland.
3. Scots believed Edward would be unbiased in his decision as he was not involved in the old rivalries etc.
4. No set customs on who should be next as bloodline was destroyed, Scots could not decide between primogeniture and proximity.
5. Edward seemed to respect Scots - recenty signed Treaty of Birgham guaranteeing them independence.
6. Edward was Alexander’s brother-in-law so was trustworthy as he was family.
7. Edward had long-standing realtionship with Scotland and had been kept infomred by Guardians of Scottish news e.g. Margaret and Alexander’s deaths.

Question 8

EVENTS AT NORHAM (7)

Answer 8

1. Before Norham, Edward wrote to monasteries to find a legal way for him to be Scottish King.
2. Edward demanded anyone who felt they had a claim to the throne to meet him at Norham Castle in April 1291 - he sent his Navy’s to Scottish ports at this time.
3. When Edward first met claimants, he asked them to accept him as their overlord, however they refused claiming they had no authority to give away their kingdom since none were King, so Edward then said he would only consider claimants that had paid homage.
4. ‘Award of Norham’ - 9/13 calimants swore an oath of fealty to Edward on June 12th 1291, Bruce was first.
5. Award of Norham meant Edward had legal possession of Scotland and new King would answer to him.
6. Those who wore the oath thought it was temporary and would be forgotten - Scottish Kings had had English overlords before but it was mostly for show.
7. 15 month adjournment in the case so the Count of Holland could get ID to assist his claim/Edward could get overseas legal advice.

Question 9

CLAIMS OF BRUCE AND BALLIOL

(7)

Answer 9

1. Balliol and Bruce both descended from David, Earl of Huntington - Bruce was grandson, Balliol was great-grandson.
2. Balliol claim through Scottish law of primogeniture (first born and their line inherit) as he was descended from Earl of Huntington’s eldest daughter.
3. Bruce’s claim through rule of proximity (closeness to heir) as he was descended from Earl of Huntington’s secondborn son rather than first-born grandson.
4. Balliol backed by Comyn family - Comyns made up 2/6 of the Guardians and were prominent family.
5. Many thought Bruce discredited himself when he went mad in 1286, capturing many castles - seemed unstable and shouldn’t be King.
6. Balliol held vast lands in Scotland, England and France so had prominent international connections.
7. November 1292, Edward announced that Balliol had better claim to throne and would become King - was crowned on St Andrews Day.