King Robert and governance of Scotland 1309-20 - importance of Dec of Arbroath in establishing government - essay

Question 1

Intro - context

Answer 1

• gained throne in Feb 1306 through murdering Comyn at Greyfriars church in Dumfries, hiding winter 1306/07, first parliament in 1309 in St Andrews
• Bannockburn 1314 saw a massive victory for Scots against English by defeating them on marshy land so weakening cavalry (7,000 vs 20,000)
• after this dec of Arbroath was a plea to the church to enforce his authority signed by barons addressed to Pope (also letter from clergy and nobles)

Question 2

Intro - argument

Answer 2

• Factors in order of importance - Bannockburn, disinherited, wider government, dec of arbroath
• Beam thinks disinherited important
• Stevenson argues Declaration of Arbroath

Question 3

Declaration of Arbroath - knowledge and analysis

Answer 3

• April 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was sent to the Papacy on behalf of the Scottish political community (nobility, clergy, himself)
• expressed support for Bruce as their King and persuade Papacy to lift the excommunication on Robert
• did not lead to Pope recognising Robert as king, following year was again persuaded by English to take their side and issued six bulls
• some historians think it was a test of loyalty to see if they would sign it - only months later, the signatories on it betrayed him, William Soules and Soules conspiracy
• supposedly from sectors of Scottish society, actually royal propaganda, produced by King’s chancery with seals attached later, over weeks rather than at a single meeting - does not prove much

Question 4

Declaration of Arbroath - evaluation and historiography

Answer 4

• Katie Stevenson - not immediately successful with papal curia but mark a turning point in affair and Pope requested Edward II desist from attacking the Scots
• took ages to do anything
• failed in helping establish government as it did not lead to any improvement in external recognition or internal trust, unlike Disinherited which allowed Robert to rid political community of English committed

Question 5

Wider governance - knowledge and analysis

Answer 5

• over 50 of King Robert’s acts linked his rule to that of Alexander III, recovered Isle of Man in 1320s - royal continuity and strength
• support of chancery under Bernard de Linton, chamberlain, justicars - not enough personal control
• bring former enemies into peace in earlier reign, Macdougalls and Earl of Ross
• King Robert was able to settle disputes amongst his nobility, such as the conflict between the Earl of Ross and Andrew Moray

Question 6

Wider governance - evaluation and historiography

Answer 6

• Ronald Tanner - only used collective decision-making where it provided ruthless enforcement of his own wishes
• laid foundation for success of disinheritance as this allowed a strong and united system which could afford to lose big players

Question 7

The disinherited - knowledge and analysis

Answer 7

• September 1313 ultimatum, year for Scots to submit who were in Edwards allegiance or lose lands
• Statute of disinheritance (Cambuskenneth), Nov 1314. Those who fought for Edward must submit or face lands being taken
• forfeited lands and titles to reward his long-term supporters as well as those who came into his peace more recently, giving those further reasons to support King
• most were barons with substantial interest in England, but Atholl and John MacDougall retained significant support within Scotland, risked losing support of big figures
• those in exile wholly dependent on English crown, and although caused dissatisfaction for Robert, there was no more battles on his own soil for remainder of his reign

Question 8

Disinherited - evaluation and historiography

Answer 8

• Amanda Beam - creation of Disinherited at the parliament of Cambuskenneth was vital for Bruce in securing his royal authority
• Despite risk, exerted authority more effectively than Declaration of Arbroath as it created a strong message from Robert of keeping people in his favour

Question 9

Bannockburn - knowledge and analysis

Answer 9

• Stirling and Bothwell castle razed
• John Comyn IV died
• Bishop Wishart, Elizabeth de Burgh, Earl Angus, John Segrave, prisoners all returned
• Ingram de Umfraville captured

Question 10

Bannockburn - evaluation and historiography

Answer 10

• Brown - Bannockburn end of one war, decisive defeat of Scottish enemies
• McNamee - although Ingram de Umfraville captured, no evidence that others followed suit