Scottish resistance and English invasions, 1298-1305 - reason for defection of John Comyn 1304

Question 1

Intro - context

Answer 1

• John abdicated July 1296, retaliation to France treaty
• Ragman’s roll August had 1,600 Scots to Edward’s fealty, Edward was now direct ruler of Scotland
• Cressingham and Warenne led rule of Scotland, but victory at Stirling bridge September 1297, then English won at Falkirk July 1298
• This Scottish resistance continued led by John Comyn and Robert the Bruce
• Robert the Bruce submitted in 1302 before John Comyn and most of rest of Scottish political community in Feb 1304

Question 2

Intro - argument + historiography

Answer 2

• It was due to other reasons, not Robert’s defection
• The extent of other problems facing Scotland is reinforced by Penman and Prestwich
• Factors - international defection, political factionalism, English strength

Question 3

International defection - knowledge and analysis

Answer 3

• Treaty of Asnieres in 1302 ended English war with France, allowing King Ed to concentrate his resources on Scotland
• Treaty of Paris 1303, peace settlement with England and France, ignoring Scotland
• This left Scotland isolated, French unlikely to assist with John Balliols return to Scotland, or provide aid to the Scots fight against England
• Initial support from Pope Boniface in June 1299 Scimus Fili ordering England to make peace with Scotland. However, his support for Scotland would fluctuate as his feud with Phillip IV led to a change of heart from the Pope who withdrew his support of Scotland.

Question 4

International defection - historiography and evaluation

Answer 4

• A loss of hope of external support must have created feelings that John Comyn did not have the strength to continue his resistance

Question 5

Political factionalism - knowledge and analysis

Answer 5

• Existing rivalry which extended long ago between Comyn and Bruce
• arguments over Wallace’s land at Peebles August 1301
• Edward exploited this rivalry by making generous terms to Comyn political community in 1304 rather than rewarding Robert the Bruce for his support since 1302.
• McDougalls submitted in 1301 and Earl of Ross in 1303, disunity made it hard to keep resistance going.
• Scot Sir John of Menteith was instrumental in turning William Wallace over to the English in 1305

Question 6

Political factionalism - historiography and evaluation

Answer 6

• Penman – emphasises the insurmountable problems the faction faced during this time
• Brown - factional issues were distractions from defending realm and proof of continuation of deep rooted antagonisms
• There was wider political factionalism at play, not just defection of Bruce which was important

Question 7

English strength - knowledge and analysis

Answer 7

• forces led by John Comyn winning at Roslin, south of Edinburgh in Feb 1303, captures Selkirk soon after, in summer, outdone by the scale of Edward’s army
• attacked Comyn heartlands in 1303
• Continually maintained an army in field winter of 1303-04
• English relentless in tactics, ‘warwolf’ constructed to assault Stirling castle in April 1304

Question 8

English strength - historiography and evaluation

Answer 8

• Prestwich – emphasises King Edward I’s continued desire to deliver a crushing military blow to Scotland in the period
• He saw it is an impossible task to overcome the increasingly strong English