Scottish History

Question 1

the role of Edward I in the Great Cause

Answer 1

Edward insisted on judging the Great Cause rather than arbitrating as a friendly neighbour (as he had originally been asked to do) and. In the early months of 1291 Edward had requested English monasteries to search for evidence of England’s superiority over Scotland showing edward just wanted power over the scots.

fearing that they would be left out of the judgement, nine of the 13 claimants accepted Edward’s overlordship. This meant in doing so they compromised the independence of the kingdom

thirteen claimants, not including Edward himself, presented themselves although only three, John Balliol, Robert Bruce and John Hastings, had a strong legal claim. All three were descendants of the daughters of David Earl of Huntingdon, a descendent of David I of Scotland

The process of the great cause was conducted at norham castle, which is significant because scottish fate not decided on scottish soil showing edwards superiority

The process was very drawn out, taking over a year with many adjournments and delays, such as a 3 week adjournment in 1291. Significant as may have been to bolster edwards position and establish his rulership over scotland as he would rule directly during that intervening time

John balliol was selected as the new scottish king after Edward uses primogeniture( the law of hereditary possession/ inheritance when passed down through the line of descendancy of the eldest child). This meant edward had obviously taken his job very seriously and picked the most worthy candidate.

Edward sought legal advice from paris, cambridge and oxford and wrote to monasteries and churches in england to ask for them to locate any written verification of english overlordship of scotland. This significant because showed he wanted to strengthen his position

Edward made his final decision upon the great cause in berwick, scotland which was important because this was a symbolic gesture of his power as he made the decision in scotland.

Question 2

the relationship between John Balliol and Edward I 1292−96?

Answer 2

Edward decided that the Treaty of Birgham was no longer valid and demanded that John agree to this. Edward was freed from all the promises he had made, including the conditions that protected Scottish freedoms and independence. Edward was able to interfere in Scotland as much as he wished.

the implications of Edward’s overlordship were not clear at the outset but were soon to become apparent as Edward increasingly interfered in Scottish affairs and undermined John’s kingship. What was significant was the degree of interference to which John was subjected by Edward

Edward asserted his authority over King John by hearing more appeals on court cases than had already been decided upon and settled by the
Scottish courts. By overturning unfavourable verdicts from King John and the Guardians, Edward was in effect stating that he refused to
recognise Scotland’s right to make and enforce its own laws

Edward exercised his lordship in a very provocative way during the appeal cases. An example of John being humiliated and insulted by Edward
was during the Macduff case. The noble Macduff renewed his complaint that he had been unfairly disinherited. Edward supported the complaint and ordered John to appear in person before the English Parliament to explain his decision. In 1293 John was declared in contempt of court and sentenced to surrender three royal castles

the unequal relationship between the two kings was shown during the court appeals. Edward’s strength and Balliol’s weakness were highlighted when John Balliol quickly backed down under pressure after attempting to defend his position and protesting about Edward’s Actions during the appeal cases

John Balliol’s status as a sovereign king was undermined by the attendance of English officials at his inauguration at Scone. Important because it emphasised the new subjection of the Scottish king to England

Edward’s frequently interfered in scottish affairs, this is important as it showed he had no respect for King John or for Scottish Independence.

John was placed in a difficult position by Edward I. Edward treated John more like a feudal lord than a fellow king. John was expected to act as a vassal of King Ed, this important as it shows edward believed he was above balliol and wanted to prove his authority over him.

Question 3

the succession problem.

Answer 3

One reason why Alexander III’s death and the succession problem was a significant issue for Scotland was because there was a lack of leadership and no figure of authority within scotland. This was important because it provided Edward with an opportunity to assert his authority and leadership over scotland.

Another reason why alexander III’s death and the succession problem was a significant issue for scotland was because all of his three sons had died before him, leaving only margaret maid of norway, who was only four years old at the time, and was in norway, this was important because margaret was a young girl, and even as a grown women there was doubt over whether she would be capable of leading troops into battle.

A third reason why alexander III’s death and the succession problem was a significant issue for scotland was because the bishop of st andrews requested edward to the border to remain the peace as he was scared there would be a civil war after robert bruce turned up in perthshire with an army, this was important because it showed scotland had a lack of a figure leader, and shows the scots turning to edward for help in a state of panic, thus bolstering edwards position.

A fourth reason why Alexander III’s death and the succession problem was a significant issue for Scotland was because there was concern and distress about Margaret marrying a foreigner. This was important because Scotland would become under the control of another country.

A fifth reason why Alexander III’s death and the succession problem was a significant issue for Scotland was because Margaret Maid of Norway died on her voyage from Norway to orkney. This was significant because it caused civil tension between the bruce and balliols, over the next ruler of scotland.

A sixth reason why why alexander III’s death and the succession problem was a significant issue for scotland was because Following the invitation to be arbiter in the issue of Scottish succession, Edward showed his authority by inviting the Scottish leaders to meet him at his parliament at Norham rather than Edward travelling over the border into Scotland. This was important because it was a sign of Edward trying to prove his dominance and authority over scotland.

A seventh reason why Alexander III’s death and the succession problem was a significant issue for Scotland was because nine of the thirteen claimants to the throne made an oath of fealty towards Edward, in order to be considered to be next scot to the throne. This was important because it showed they recognised edwards overlordship and ensured that future kings to come, would answer to edward.

A final reason why Alexander III’s death and the succession problem was a significant issue for Scotland was because the lack of an authoritative figure caused the implementation of six guardians of whom would run the country. This was important because it highlighted the seriousness of the political uncertainty that was now facing scotland.

Question 4

The subjugation of scotland

Answer 4

1. Siege of Berwick, 11th March 1296 - Edward’s capture of Scotland’s most wealthy port, slaughter of the civilian population by mass executions & subsequent repopulation with Englishmen a statement of intent. Significant as the Scottish army was complacent, in reality the siege was brief, - the ease of victory underlined Edward’s ability as a military commander.
2. Battle of Dunbar 27th April 1296 - a watershed moment in Edward’s campaign. Scots lost almost all of their cavalry (130 mounted men captured) - even more importantly lost many nobles who were potential leaders amongst the Scottish army. This was significant as it affected the Scots ability to continue fighting the war after the battle. Almost all the Scottish aristocracy & Guardians captured - King John not even present.
3. Collapse of resistance following Dunbar. King John failed to unite Scots, important nobles such as the Earl of Dunbar, Earl of Angus & Robert Bruce earl of Carrick declared loyalty to Edward. Important because this further reduced Scots already limited military resources.
4. King John continually failed to offer any real leadership throughout the 1296 invasion. He eventually retreated to the relative safety of the Comyn lands of the north east, but even there at Kincardine Castle he failed to rally the surviving nobles. This was important because in the absence of strong leadership key castles fell easily: Roxburghe Castle, Jedburgh and Edinburgh Stirling Castle, Scotland’s most important fortification and the gateway to the highlands was simply abandoned.
5. John’s written surrender & confession to Bek, 2nd July 1296. An extraordinary document, a Scottish king apologising to an English king - blamed poor advice from his nobles and his own foolishness. Significant in that in his written John unreservedly “surrenders the land of Scotland and all its people with homage of them all” to him. Explains why in 1297 Edward describes Wallace and other Scottish rebels as traitors.
6. John’s abdication, Stracathro, 10th July 1296. Deliberately public ceremony - King John’s royal insignia torn from his chest by Edward - creating the nickname Toom Tabard - Empty coat. Significant as this humiliating ceremony made it clear John was no longer King of Scotland; Scotland had no king.
7. Theft of the Scottish royal treasures including the crown jewels, official royal documents and the stone of destiny upon which all Scottish kings had been crowned. Important as enabled Edward to ensure there would be no more Kings of Scotland which in his eyes was no longer a separate kingdom.
8. Edward appointed of English officials to administer Scotland including Hugh Cressingham his Treasurer. Significant as underlined his determination to ensure he controlled the governance of Scotland.
9. The Ragman Roll - August 1296. Nearly 1600 Scottish nobles swore an oath of allegiance to Edward by signing the Ragman Roll. Important as this was virtually all the significant landowners in Scotland - demonstrates Edward’s complete control. William Wallace’s name is absent - possibly an act of defiance, or because he was not an important enough noble or as a criminal he was not entitled to sign it.

Question 5

evidence of the growth of Scottish resistance,1296−1297.

Answer 5

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Question 6

Explain the reasons for the rise and triumph of Robert the Bruce

Answer 6

1. Led a successful guerrilla campaign of hit and run ambushes between February and the summer of 1307. Important as it demoralised the English whilst attracting support to his cause following success at battles such as Glen Trool .
2. Victory at Loudoun Hill May 1307. Important because it showed Bruce’s military leadership was adaptable -wasn’t limited to ambushes as he defeated an English force in a battle for the first time, causing doubts amongst Edward’s Scottish supporters.
3. The death of King Edward I in July 1307. Important because it replaced Bruce’s much feared military adversary, famed for his military leadership (The Hammer of the Scots), with his son Edward II, freeing Robert to focus on defeating his Scottish rivals.
4. Battle of Inverurie where Bruce and his troops defeat Comyn’s key ally Buchan and his supporters in battle, thought to be in March 1308. Important because it effectively ended the military challenge to Bruce’s leadership within Scotland and was the beginning of the end of the Civil War. Confirmed Bruce’s credentials as an effective military commander.
5. Effective use of scorched earth tactics during the ‘Herschip of Buchan’ in 1308. Important because it resulted in the destruction of Comyn lands for a generation and ended their ability to challenge Bruce.. Gave Bruce control over an enlarged Scottish kingdom.
6. Declaration of the Clergy in 1309. Important because church’s approval was vital to any Medieval king - Scotland’s bishops declared their support for Bruce as the legitimate king of Scotland, giving him the approval of the church in Scotland. Partly re-dressed damage done by his papal excommunication.
7. Victory at the Battle of Bannockburn, June 1314. Important partly because it was a militarily significant triumph over Edward II’s English army in full scale battle, not an ambush which cemented Bruce’s authority over Scotland. Real significance in terms of domestic politics - Bruce’s remaining Scottish enemies now unable to contest his legitimacy as king of Scots.
8. Recruitment of able commanders such as Edward Bruce and Sir James Douglas. Important as they proved themselves as able generals who could be relied upon to win important battles, allowing Bruce to spread his military might throughout the country
9. The success of raids into England between 1315 and 1326, including the notable victory at Old Byland (1322). Important as it demonstrated England’ could not defend their border, eventually forcing the English to agree to the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton (1328).