Guardianship and great cause, 1286-92 - additional notes

Question 1

Treaty of Salisbury (November 1289)

Answer 1

• envoys travelled to Norway and to Edward in Gascony
• preliminary deal to ensure Margaret’s safety upon arrival
• to go to court in England with good education until Scotland was safe

Question 2

Treaty of Birgham (July 1290)

Answer 2

• Ed promised to ‘preserve rights, laws and liberties of Scotland’
• Ed behave with fairness, making requests, with only ‘to meet the common needs of the realm’
• marry to Ed’s last son (Edward Caernarvon)
• separate Scottish government, chancellor, chamberlain and other officers

Question 3

Edward exerting influence during process (before Margaret’s death)

Answer 3

• Feb 1290 - ordered Bishop Anthony Bek, to take Scottish king’s lands in Penrith and Tynesdale in England
• June 1290 - Edward assumed control of Isle of Man, a possession of Scottish crown, and took islanders under his protection (returned to King John January 1293)

Question 4

Edward exerting influence during process (after Margaret’s death)

Answer 4

• October 1290 death confirmed, April 1291 Edward came north
• Ed refused to enter Scottish territory, opting to remain just south of the border and insisting the Scots came to him
• antagonistic king waiting with his army ready to insist upon England overlordship before he would assist in choosing king

Question 5

The process at Norham

Answer 5

• June 1291 gained Award at Norham, Bruce and Balliol accepted rights of Edward and his heirs to overlordship over their kingdom
• Guardians resigned and reappointed alongside fifth English guardian (Bishop Anthony Bek)
• Ed acted as ‘superior and direct ruler of Scotland’
• gained fealty from Scottish magnates
• sheriffs retained positions but placed English constables in Scottish castles

Question 6

Edward’s delaying tactics

Answer 6

• allowing delay so Count of Holland could retrieve papers proving his position
• also so advice could be collected from lawyers in Paris, Oxford and Cambridge as precedents
• took 18 months to finally make decision

Question 7

Divisions in political community following maids death

Answer 7

• any potential unity split with the death of the maid, split to Bruce and Balliol
• Mag died late September, meeting at Perth
• Bishop Fraser wrote to Ed quickly in favour of Balliol
• early October, Bruce who wasn’t at meeting arrived with a large following (Mar, Atholl) to assert his claim, prevented coup
• October 1290, Fraser asked Edward to come to the marches ‘for consolation of Scottish people’ and prevent ‘shedding of blood’

Question 8

Divisions in political community following maids death - near future response

Answer 8

• John remained in England but promised Bishop Bek lands in Scotland if he got throne
• Bruce party produced ‘appeal of the seven earls’ attack on Bishop Fraser and John Comyn, ‘acting and holding yourself as guardians
• accused of planning to make Balliol king against the rights of seven earls and community of realm
• Ed received and asked for protection of lands, men and rights of Bruce and allies
• by early 1291, both claimants looking to Ed for assistance

Question 9

Timeline clarity - 1286-90

Answer 9

• royal admin
• Turnberry band Sept 1286
• neutralised Bruce threat 1286-87
• Treaty of Salisbury (November, 1289)
• murder of Earl of Fife (September, 1289)
• Treaty of Birgham (August, 1290)
• arrested sheriff of Northumberland
• Edward sought papal dispensation for marriage of son and Mag without consulting Scots

Question 10

Timeline clarity - 1290-92

Answer 10

• meeting at Perth September
• Fraser wrote quickly in favour of Balliol
• Bruces arrived early October
• Fraser wrote to seek Edward’s support
• early 1291, both claimants looking to Ed for support
• process at Norham, June 1291
• Ed’s delaying tactics