The Great Cause May 1291-November 1292.

Question 1

Who wrote to the King of England appealing for his intervention to prevent civil disorder in Scotland

Answer 1

The Bishop of St Andrews

Question 2

Who does the Bishop of St Andrews support

Answer 2

John Balliol

Question 3

What does the Bishop of St Andrews include in his letter to the King of England?

Answer 3

He warns that Robert Bruce and his allies the Earl of Atholl and Mar are already collecting their armies to support Bruce’s claim of Kingship.

Question 4

Who sends a second letter in late 1290/early 1291?

Answer 4

Robert the Bruce asks for Edward’s help and protection in securing the Scottish Kingdom for one of the seven earls, of which himself was one, rather than supporting the claim of Balliol.

Question 5

The Great Cause happens in two phases, what are they?

Answer 5

1. Political Process - Edward I establishes overlordship

2. Legal Process - hearings and judgement

Question 6

What set a precedent for Edwards I’s involvement in Scottish affairs?

Answer 6

The treaties of Sailsbury and Birgham Northampton and Bishop of St Andrew’s and Bruce’s ‘Seven Earls appeal’ invite Edward into the process.

Question 7

When did Edward arrive at Bishop of Durham, Anthony Bek’s Castle in Norham?

Answer 7

May 1291.

Question 8

What did Edward tell nobles he wanted to do? (quote)

Answer 8

“reduce the king and kingdom of Scotland to his rule”

Question 9

What did Edward order monasteries to do?

Answer 9

He ordered them to search for any evidence of English Kings having overlordship over king of Scots.

Question 10

What more aggressive acts did King Edward partake?

Answer 10

He orders ships to sea as precaution and orders army to assemble at Norham on 2nd of June but this actually never happens.

Question 11

What country had Edward recently brought under control?

Answer 11

Wales

Question 12

Why were the Scottish political community worried to travel to the English side of the Tweed opposite Norham?

Answer 12

The Scots were unwilling to cross the Tweed incase it was seen as some sort of submission to Edward on their part.

Question 13

How was the issue of Scots being reluctant to cross the Tweed to English Norham resolved?

Answer 13

Edward sent them letters reassuring them that their crossing would not be interpreted in this way and a small delegation crossed the tweed to English territory.

Question 14

What does Edward’s chief Justice (Rodger Brabazon) say?

Answer 14

Edward has the right to judge ANYBODY with a kingship claim - now 13 men were eligible.
Scots must acknowledge overlordship or otherwise he would see them as enemies!
He would have a three week adjournment

Question 15

What happens in June 1291?

Answer 15

The delegations meet, Robert Burnell (Edward’s Chancellor) crosses the tweed to hear the Scots response.
Scots deny the overlordship
They still believe they have the right to independence due to the treaty of Birgham-Northampton 1286
Only the King himself should accept Edward as overlord

Question 16

What is Edwards response to the meeting between Scottish and English delegates in June 1291 regarding the claimants?

Answer 16

Edward says that in absence of a King, he will ask all of those who want to be King to accept his overlordship.

Question 17

Who out of the 13 claimants accepts Edwards overlordship first?

Answer 17

Bruce accepts Edward’s overlordship first.

Question 18

Describe the events at Berwick Castle 2nd -12th August 1291

Answer 18

The court comprised of 40 auditors (lawyers) appointed by Balliol, 40 appointed by Bruce and 24 appointed by Edward.

Question 19

When was the Bruce versus Balliol case first heard and what happened?

Answer 19

1292: 2nd June - 3rd July
On the 25th of June auditors heard enough but couldn’t agree on which custom/law to apply.
Edward gets frustrated and seeks help from overseas

Question 20

Why were the Paris lawyers no help?

Answer 20

They said apply local law or custom but auditors already could not agree on which one!

Question 21

Which Law would most auditors apply?

Answer 21

“Natural/Imperial Law” - which means nearness by degree which would mean Bruce

Question 22

Which law does Edward apply?

Answer 22

Female primogeniture

He applies the feudal law

Question 23

What did Bruce do in a last attempt to gain some sort of power?

Answer 23

He teamed with Hastings and proposed that Scotland should be divided into 3 like an English barony, yet Edward refused!

Question 24

When was Balliol awarded Kingship?

Answer 24

17th November 1292

Question 25

When was Balliol inaugurated?

Answer 25

He was inaugurated as King of Scots at Scone on 30th November 1292

Question 26

What were Bruce’s arguments/claim to the throne based on?

Answer 26

Bruce was nearer in blood to the earl of huntington than Balliol: Bruce was the son of a middle daughter, Balliol was the grandson of the eldest.
Primogeniture did not apply to women
Natural/Imperial law meant he had the right as the nearest in royal blood
Male blood was worth more than female blood (Bruce would have a better claim than Dervoguilla if she survived)
Bruce claimed Alexander II said he would be successor of Scotland before he had any children

Question 27

What were Balliol’s claims based on?

Answer 27

He was the senior descendant of Earl David by strict primogeniture.
Tradition in earldoms/Steward off ice of strict primogeniture
Rejects use of ‘novelties’ like ‘natural law’ or ‘imperial law’
Edward should judge case based on the laws and customs in Scotland.

Question 28

Who were Bruce and Balliol a descendant of?

Answer 28

David, the Earl of Huntingdon, who was a grandson of King David I.

Question 29

Which two women barred Bruce’s route to the kingship?

Answer 29

Margaret the Maid of Norway and Dervoguilla Balliol.

Question 30

Why did the Scots choose Edward I as arbitrator?

Answer 30

He was a neighbour, Alexander III had married his sister therefore he was the brother-in-law of the late Alexander III. He was seen as a fair judge and had great knowledge in law.
In the past two years he had signed two treaties which the Scots believed secured their sovereignty.

Question 31

Why was Edward appointing himself ‘judge’ a problem for the Scots?

Answer 31

He know controls Scotland as the property being contested
He makes the guardians pointless
He starts appointing English nobles to run Scotland and they rule with English law not Scots
There now 13 claimants- it takes two years to hear all 13.
The scots get used to English law therefore it is harder for the next Scottish King
Edward is stirring the pot basically.

Question 32

What did Robert Bruce the Competitor (now in his 70’s) do in late 1292/early 1293?

Answer 32

He transferred the family claim to the Kingship of Scotland to his son, Robert Bruce Earl of Carrick. Basically, Robert the Bruce relinquishes headship of the fam and his claim to the throne to his son. Yet the Earl of Carrick, Robert Bruce the Competitor’s son, passes on his earldom bequeathing it to his son, the grandson of Robert Bruce the Competitor. This meant that the son of Robert Bruce the Competitor held no titles, and so would not be required to perform any awkward act of fealty or homage before King John, the man who secured Kingship over his father. Yet he did hold the title of Lord of Annandale on his fathers death in 1295.

Question 33

What does the passing of the throne from Grandfather to Grandson mean?

Answer 33

18 year old Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick had to pay homage to King John for his earldom - this Robert Bruce was a major player in the Scottish political stage and would later become a usurper.

Question 34

When was the Bruce versus Balliol hearing first heard?

Answer 34

2nd June to the 3rd of July 1292