SWOI SECTION B: King John Balliol and Edward I Flashcards
When did Balliol offically become king?
St Andrew’s Day/30th November 1292 in Scone
What was one of his first acts and why was it humiliating/charactising of the times to come?
To swear loyalty to the English king.
Because he had to travel to Newcastle to do this. Balliol’s oath covered all his lands - but it included Scottish lands for the first time
What was the legal dispute that undermined Balliol’s power in his first week as King? What else did Balliol have to admit?
A burgess of berwick appealed to Edward about a decision made by Balliol, and Balliol was forced to change his verdict (a humiliation for a king)
He was forced by Edward to admit the Treaty of Birgham no longer stood.
Master Thomas of Hunsingore was forced to be Scotland’s treasurer, how did this undermine Balliol?
Edward had changed the title of Chancellor (scots law) to treasurer (english law) and Thomas of Hunsingore was English
When was the MacDuff case, why was this so significant? Give a description
- A Scot who had his land removed appealed to Edward over Balliol’s decision and Edward forced Balliol to travel to England to explain his verdict. When John protested, Edward threatened to confiscate Scottish castles and land. This showed the extent of Edward’s power over Scotland
What problems was King John facing from Scotland’s nobles?
The losing candidates from the great cause were still angry and limiting or withdrawing their support from the Scottish king. Especially the Bruce family
When did Edward decide to attack France and why?
By 1294, France was England’s real enemy and the two countries were in dispute over Gascony
Edward ordered Scots to join the fight against France, treating Scotland like his own country, why was this unpopular?
- It treated Scotland as an English region
- France was Scotland’s main trading partner and we had good relations
- Scottish noble tax was to fund the English war
Socts finally resisted English demands. Decribe what happened when the 12 new guardians were appointed by…
…the community of the realm. The Guardians sent representatives to France to reach a deal to oppose Edward. They agreed to attack England and marry Balliol’s son into French royalty.
What was this agreement called and when was it signed?
The Treaty of Paris (Auld Alliance) and it was signed on 23rd February 1296. We don’t know Balliol’s role in this but Edward planned a brutal revenge
Edward sent a huge army north, where did the army arrive first and why?
Berwick, as it was a key trading point and the first major town
Some Scots crossed into the English north, where did the places they attacked include?
Cumberland
Berwick was well defended and nobles sent reinforcements, the more inexperienced Scots were shocked at the size of the army but refuse surrender - what followed?
The English attack was brutal. It’s estimated up to 15000 townsfolk were killed. Edward ordered no-one was to be spared and even women and children were killed (against chivalry), the English army defeated the defenders of Berwick easily. The surrendering Scots army was allowed to leave.
Describe the battle of Dunbar
The Earl of Dunbar had already surrendered the castle to the English, but his wife gave the Scots army control instead. John de Warrene led the English into the fight, after a discussion (chivalry) the Scots though the English were retreating. They understimated the size of the English army due to their obstructed view, and attacked them - giving up their hill advantage - and this became a disaster for Scotland. Scots were easily captured and killed, so were many guardians and nobles.
Why was Stirling Castle surrendering to the English such an important moment in Edward’s advance North?
Stirling was seen as the gateway to the north
