Scotland Flashcards
What date did Alexander III die?
1286
Who was set to become queen after Alexander’s death and what was the problems with this?
Margaret (The Maid of Norway), Alexander’s granddaughter - She was 3 at the time, a female had never rules Scotland before and she was in Norway
What document secured that The Maid of Norway would be Queen and why was it introduced?
The Tailzie - when Alexander’s final male heir died in 1284 he wanted to prevent ambiguity and civil war for the crown
What happened at Scone in April 1286?
The nobles called a parliament ad agreed to work together for the good of the kingdom. 6 Guardians were elected to govern Scotland until Margaret could take over (2 Bishops, 2 Earls, 2 Barons) and were to find her a husband.
What was the community of the Realm?
A group of people (churchmen and nobles) who would protect Scotland’s interests at times of hardship or difficulty
What was the Treaty of Salisbury?
It demanded that Margaret be handed over to Edward and be raised in the English court until Scotland was a safe place for her to return to. Gave pretext to Edward to Edward I in interfering in Scottish affairs. The Scots would not marry off the maid without Edwards ‘agreement and advice’
What was the Treaty of Birgham-Northampton?
This was a treaty that agreed that:
- Margaret would be betrothed to Edward - son of Edward I, King of England
- Scotland would remain independent despite the union between the Queen of Scotland and the heir of England
- The ruler of Scotland and the ruler of England shall rule in their own Kingdoms
When and how did the Maid of Norway die?
September 1290 - On her way from Norway to Orkney
What was different about the validity of he Treaty of Birgham-Northampton?
It was a marriage agreement and therefore only valid if the marriage took place.
Why was there a threat of civil war in Scotland?
There was two very strong rival families (Comyns and Bruces) who were trying to position themselves well or the throne
What happened in the Winter of 1286 that added to the crisis happening in Scotland?
Robert Bruce felt that the six guardians selected were pro-comyn and he was not happy. He went on a rampage attacking castles
Why did the Bishop of Fraser of St Andrews (one of the six guardians) write to Edward I?
He was fearful of the ambitions of Bruce so begged Edward to intercede
Who sent a second letter calling for Edward’s help in 1290?
7 Scottish Earls
What did Edward agree to do for the vacant Scottish crown?
Wholeheartedly judge between the claimants
How many claimants were there for the Scottish crown?
13
After Bruce’s rampage what did Scotland do?
Strengthened all their castles and defences
Why did the community of Scotland voluntarily keep Edward I frequently updated on events?
To still aim to keep a stable relationship with England
How was Edward I related to Scotland’s royalty?
His sister had been Alexander III’s first wife so the maid was his great niece so he had an interest in her and Scotland’s welfare
How did Edward I appoint his own guardian?
He appointed Anthony Bek (Bishop of Durham) to represent the maid
Who did Edward send to Perth to welcome the maid?
Earl Warenne of Surrey and Anthony Bek
Why was Edward I asked to intervene in the succession crisis?
He was considered a legal expert and had helped other countries in the same position
Why was Edward’s intervention in Scottish fairs not seen as threatening at the beginning?
Scotland and England had been at peace for so long
Why did Scotland need help in deciding their knew King?
The claimants couldn’t impartially judge between them selves - they wanted to solve the crisis carefully without bloodshed, everyone in Scotland was biased, they needed someone from outside
Why was Edward seen to be trustworthy in judging the Scottish King?
The treaty of Birgham-Northampton guaranteed Scottish independence so Edward had to be a fair judge
Why did Edward encourage other candidates to to come forward for the Kingship?
This meant he could have greater control over the candidates and take more time over his decision. This would allow his authority over Scotland to be accepted
What did Edward ask all the candidates to do at Norham before the legal process could begin?
Acknowledge him as their overlord - making his authority clear to the Scots
What did the Guardians admit to Edward so that his judgment could be enforced?
That he had custody of the Kingdom of Scots for the duration of the proceedings
What power did the Scots have is deciding their own King?
Balliol and Bruce were allowed to appoint auditors to aid Edward’s decision
What did Edward encourage during the succession process?
Adjournments - to allow the Scots to get used to him being in power and to allow the court of Holland to find written evidence
In the 19 month period of Edward deciding who would become King how much of this time was actually used for the political process?
12 weeks
What advice did the Parisian lawyers that Edward consulted give him?
To go with the person who was nearest by degree (Bruce)
Why did Edward see Balliol as having a better claim to the Kingship?
He was a generation closer to Alexander III (primogeniture)
When and where was Balliol inaugurated? Who was present?
30th November 1292 (St Andrew’s Day) at Scone
Edward’s men Anthony Bek and John de St John were present
Why was John and Edward’s relationship unequal form the beginning?
John had to accept Edward as his overlord
Who was the last person to accept Edward’s overlordship?
Balliol - he wasn’t in favour of being rules by Edward
Why did John see himself as in debt to Edward?
Edward chose him despite the advice from Parisian lawyers - he favoured him over other candidates
What evidence do we have that John felt obligated to do what Edward said?
While staying with Edward for Christmas John paid homage for his Kingdom
How were all guarantees of Scottish independence taken away and what did this show?
John was forced to sign a letter which over turned the treaty of Birgham-Northampton as the marriage never took place. This showed that Edward could undermine John and all his decisions
What evidence is there that John stood up to Edward?
In the MacDuff case he refused to go down to the English courts showing he was standing up to Edward
How did Edward retaliate to John refusing to go to the English courts in the MacDuff case?
He imposed stricter rules about legal procedures (King of Scot’s attendance is now mandatory) showing that he could retaliate more powerfully and stay in control
Edward threatened to seize three Scottish castles castles. - what did this show Balliol?
That he had the confidence, ability and military supremacy to uphold Scotland
What shows us that Balliol was becoming intolerant to Edward’s demands?
He attacked the area around Carlisle
Many Scottish nobles took Edward’s side over John’s in 1296 - what does this illustrate?
That even amount the Scots many believed Balliol was inferior to Edward and stood no chance of defeating him
What attractive peace terms did Edward offer John?
He allowed Anthony Bek to negotiate a surrender with John and offered him lands and an English Earldom
Why did Edward retract the attractive peace terms he offered John?
Edward discovered the Scots had made an alliance with the French - he was furious and felt betrayed
What did Edward force John to confess concerning France and what did this show?
That he had rebelled and that the shouldn’t have made an alliance with France - showed John was powerless to Edward
What action of Edward’s showed he intended to rule permanently?
He removed Scottish sovereignty (Crown Jewels, stone of destiny) which meant a new king couldn’t be appointed
Why wasn’t Balliol intended to go into running the country?
He was the youngest of four brothers so was intended to go into the church
Where does Balliol swear fealty (loyalty) to Edward?
Scone and Newcastle
What did Bruce do at the Battle of Dunbar and what does this show?
He fought on the English side - Shows that some Scots were siding with Edward not Balliol
What had Balliol never done before becoming King?
Military Service
What did Edward do regarding a Berwick Burgess’s court hearing?
He overturned a decision made by the Scottish court - was humiliating for John
Why would standing up to Edward be difficult for John?
Edward had a much larger army
Why did the Scottish community form a council of 12?
They saw John as having no backbone so they took responsibility for the government of Scotland
What did Edward do repeatedly to exert his authority and humiliate Balliol?
Summoned him to appear before the English court for example to pay for Alexander III’s overdue wine bills or to tell him the English verdict on Scottish cases
What was the first Scottish response to Edward’s overlordship?
Shock - they didn’t expect to have to submit to Edward before proceedings could begin at Norham
Why did the Scots take a three week adjournment when Edward asked them to recognise him as their overlord?
They tries to prove that there could be no claim of English overlordship
When did the Council of 12 make an alliance with France?
1295 October
What did Edward do in March 1296 which showed he was prepared to use force?
He mustered his army in Newcastle
How did Scotland lose their biggest trading port?
Edward’s army played siege to Berwick and massacred 7500 people - Berwick would now be part of England
Why was the Scottish army’s morale crushed at Dunbar?
The Scottish army was big in their terms so when the English decisively beat them it crushed their morale