Issue 1

Question 1

Before Alexander III’s Death
Alexander’s Reign

Answer 1

Alexander III ruled Scotland from 1249 to 1286. During that time he took control of the Western Isles and oversaw an increase in agriculture and trade for Scotland. His rein saw a stable period in Scotland’s history.

Scotland and England were on good terms as Alexander III and Edward I were brothers-in-law and friends.

Question 2

Before Alexander III’s Death
1284

Answer 2

On the 5th of February 1284, King Alexander III met with nobles to nominate his grand daughter, Margaret the Maid of Norway, as the heir to the throne.

Question 3

King Alexander III’s Death

Answer 3

On the 19th of March 1286, King Alexander III was at Edinburgh Castle, meeting with his advisers. Alexander wanted to travel to Kinghorn, Fife to see his wife, Queen Yolande, but was advised not to travel due to the storm.

Alexander ignored this advice and adventured to Kinghorn, alongside his advisors. Once they crossed the Fife of Forth, Alexander became separated from his advisers. His horse stumbled on the cliff and they were both found dead the next morning.

Question 4

Effect of Alexander’s Death

Answer 4

The death of Alexander left Scotland without an heir to the throne as all of his children had died before him.

His death also meant the tie between Scotland and England was severed which left Scotland vulnerable to interference from Edward

Question 5

Problems With Margaret

Answer 5

• She was a woman - She couldn’t lead an army into battle
• She was 3 years old - A reagent would have to eb selected to rule in her place until she was of age. This reagant could also try to take control of Scotland.
• Infant mortaltiy was high - There was a high likelihood that she wouldn’t see adulthood
• She was from Norway - They would have to wait until she was old enough to make the boat journey to Scotland. Also means she would find it difficult to rule Scotland.
• She could marry a foreigner - This would put Scottish independence at risk.
• Edward I wanted her to marry his son - This would give England control over Scotland.

Question 6

The Guardians of The Realm

Answer 6

In April 1286, the Scottish nobility chose 6 Guardians from among themselves to help rule the Kingdom

These were:
* Bishop William Fraser of St Andrews
* Bishop Robert Wishart of Glasgow.
* Baron John Comyn
* Baron James Stewart
* Earl Alexander Comyn of Buchan
* Earl Duncan of Fife

The Scottish nobles agreed to the following actions:
* The Guardians would rule until Margaret arrived.
* A regent would be appointed to rule until Margaret was old enough to rule on her own.
* The Guardians would find Margaret a husband.

Question 7

Struggles Amongst The Guardians

Answer 7

The Guardians were divided by struggles among themselves. Duncan, the Earl of Fife was accused of using his position of power to steal and was murdered by one of his relatives.

Fighting almost broke out in the north east of Scotland between the two Comyn Guardians and the Earl of Atholl.

Question 8

Threat of Civil War

Answer 8

Robert Bruce, the grandfather of the future King, opposed to the succession of a female monarch.

In November 1286, he gathered a small force and captured several royal castles in the south-west of Scotland. He was able to get support from James Stewart, two other Scottish Earls and the Lord of Islay.

The Guardians opposed Bruce’s seizure of power. They gathered an army and Bruce’s rebellion was squashed.

Question 9

Treaty of Salisbury

Answer 9

The Treat of Salisbury was agreed on the 6th of November 1289. It meant that Margaret was not allowed to be promised in marriage to anyone without the permission of her Great Uncle, King Edward I of England.

Edward had already begun communication with the pope. On the 16th of November 1289 he received Papal Bull (a special agreement from the Pope) agreeing to a future marriage between Edward II and Margaret.

The Scots agree to this but try to protect their independence from England.

Question 10

Treaty of Birgham

Answer 10

The Treaty of Birgham was signed in 1290, near the Scottish border with England. There were a number of conditions in the marriage agreement:
1. Edward’s son, the future Edward II, would marry Margaret
2. Scotland would remain an independent country
3. All decisions affecting Scotland would be made in Scotland
4. The agreement would only be finalised once the marriage took place.

This agreement seemed to offer a solution to the succession crisis, as well as stoppingany potential threat of civil war. However, as it was a marriage agreement it could be declared null and void if the marriage failed to take place.

Question 11

Edward I seizes the Isle of Man from Scotland

Answer 11

Although the ToB was signed, Edward kept some control. In June 1290, Edward seized the Isle of Man from Scotland and instructed the Bishop of Durham to help run Scotland in the name of Margaret.

Question 12

Death Of Margaret

Answer 12

The decision was made to bring Margaret to Scotland to marry Edward II in Autumn 1290. However, Margaret became ill and died at sea. This meant that the Treaty of Birgham was null and void.

Question 13

Problems Caused By The Death Of Margaret

Answer 13

• Margaret, Maid of Norway was the last living direct descendant of King Alexander III of Scotland
• The succession of Margaret had been accepted by most of the Scottish nobles
• Margaret was to marry King Edward’s son, Edward of Caernarfon. Her death created problems for both Scotland and England. The terms of the Treaties of Salisbury and Birgham could no longer be fulfilled
• Margaret’s death meant that there was no clear claim of right to the throne of Scotland, bringing to a head the political problems of the previous four years

Question 14

Threat of Civil War (Again)

Answer 14

After Margaret’s death, Scotland was unstable as many Scottish nobles, including Bruce, were preparing to fight for the crown. This led to the Guardians asking Edward for help in stopping civil war from breaking out.

Question 15

Bishop Fraser writes to Edward and Robert Bruce asks Edward for help

Answer 15

Bishop Fraser of St Andrews informed Edward I that Bruce and the Earls of Atholl and Mar were planning to take power. He asked Edward I for assistance in order to stop a civil war.

But Bruce and his followers had also appealed to Edward, in a document called the ‘Appeal of the Seven Earls’. In it Bruce asked Edward to support his claims to the Scottish throne.

Bishop Fraser favoured John Balliol for king and wanted Edward to support his claim.

Question 16

The Scottish Appeal to Edward I

Answer 16

Edward I was informed of the looming threat of civil war by the Bishop of St Andrews, who asked him to help prevent war and bring stability to the country.

The Guardians invited Edward to select the next King of Scotland.

Question 17

The Decision At Norham
Part 1

Answer 17

There were a total of 13 claimants who responded to Edward I’s invitation to hear those who felt they should inherit the throne of Scotland.

Edward invited Scottish leaders to meet him at his parliament at Norham rather than Edward travelling over the border into Scotland. Edward brought an army with him to Norham. In addition, Edward organised his navy for a blockade of Scotland and raised taxes to prepare for a possible war.

Before the meeting at Norham Edward had ordered a search of monastic libraries for any documents that mentioned the English King’s ‘overlordship’ of Scotland. He intended to be accepted as overlord.

Question 18

The Decision at Norham Part 2/Award of Norham

Answer 18

On the day of the meeting at Norham; 10 May 1291, Edward demanded that the Guardians accept him as ‘overlord’. The Guardians resisted skilfully but Edward simply refused to begin the deliberations until all 13 claimants had sworn the oath of fealty, accepting Edward as their ‘overlord’.

By 13 June 1291 they all swore the oath to accept Edward as overlord. This is known as ‘The Award of Norham’. This was an important moment as it meant that Scotland became legal posession of Edward.

It is believed that the Scots believed that this oath was a temporary arrangement and that their ‘fealty’ would transfer to the new Scottish King when he was chosen. Edward might have let them think this but, in his own mind, he did not intend to give up the position of ‘overlord’.

Question 19

The Great Cause
Edward’s Actions/Control and How It Affected Scotland

Answer 19

Edward I insisted that during the hearing of the Great Cause he should obtain possession of the land and castles of Scotland, in order that he could later bestow them on the successful claimant.

Edward deliberately took a long time to make his decision, probably thinking that if he delayed then the possibility of his continuing position as overlord would be stronger as any new Scottish King would find it difficult to assert their authority. This weakened the position of Scotland as it lengthened the time the country was under Edward’s control.

Question 20

The Great Cause

Answer 20

Edward took from August 1291 to mid November 1292, more than 14 months, to reach his decision.

13 claimants, not including Edward himself, presented themselves although only 3, John Balliol, Robert Bruce and John Hastings, had a strong legal claim.

Question 21

John Balliol Chosen As King

Answer 21

Edward picked Balliol as King in November 1292. Edward had an understanding of the law and made his judgement by considering the laws of inheritance. He chose John Balliol as King based on the well established rules of ‘primogeniture’.

The law of premogeniture stated that inheritance passed down the line of the first born in the family. Balliol was the grandson of the Earl of Huntingdon’s eldest daughter whose family line was connected to king Alexander III.

Imperial law stated that the clsoest blood relative inherited the title. This would mean Robert Bruce is King. Bruce was a decendant of the Earl of Huntingdon’s second daughter.

Question 22

The Award at Berwick

Answer 22

On the 17th of November 1292 the decision about who would be King was made in the “Award of Berwick”

John Balliol was made King.

Edward continued to exercise his overlordship over Scotland even after deciding in favour of John Balliol in November 1292. Balliol had to swear fealty to Edward. Balliol also paid homage to Edward in December 1292 at Newcastle.

Question 23

Reasons For The Succession Crisis

Answer 23

• Death of Alexander - All of kids had died before him which left Scotland without an obvious heir to the throne.
• Disunity amongst the Guardians -
• Threat of Civil War - 1st time: Bruce unhappy about Margaret, gathered a force and took castles. 2nd: Scotland unstable after death of Margaret. Guradins ask for help.
• The Treaty of Salisbury - This meant Margaret couldn’t marry anyone without Edward’s approval.
• The Treaty of Birgham - Assured Scotland that they could be independent but ensured Edward was in control through marriage between M and EII. When M died, allowed E to decare treaty useless.
• The Death of Margaret - Scotland had no direct heir to throne, Guardians look to E for help, E took advantage of the opportunity.
• The Great Cause - Meant E chose next king and used this to take power in Scotland. He increased the no. of claimants from 2 to 13 which prolonged the process.
• Edward as Overlord - E refused to help until he was accepted as overlord. Toom army with him, threatend them, etc.