The Great Cause May 1291-November 1292. Flashcards
Who wrote to the King of England appealing for his intervention to prevent civil disorder in Scotland
The Bishop of St Andrews
Who does the Bishop of St Andrews support
John Balliol
What does the Bishop of St Andrews include in his letter to the King of England?
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.
Who sends a second letter in late 1290/early 1291?
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.
The Great Cause happens in two phases, what are they?
- Political Process - Edward I establishes overlordship
2. Legal Process - hearings and judgement
What set a precedent for Edwards I’s involvement in Scottish affairs?
The treaties of Sailsbury and Birgham Northampton and Bishop of St Andrew’s and Bruce’s ‘Seven Earls appeal’ invite Edward into the process.
When did Edward arrive at Bishop of Durham, Anthony Bek’s Castle in Norham?
May 1291.
What did Edward tell nobles he wanted to do? (quote)
“reduce the king and kingdom of Scotland to his rule”
What did Edward order monasteries to do?
He ordered them to search for any evidence of English Kings having overlordship over king of Scots.
What more aggressive acts did King Edward partake?
He orders ships to sea as precaution and orders army to assemble at Norham on 2nd of June but this actually never happens.
What country had Edward recently brought under control?
Wales
Why were the Scottish political community worried to travel to the English side of the Tweed opposite Norham?
The Scots were unwilling to cross the Tweed incase it was seen as some sort of submission to Edward on their part.
How was the issue of Scots being reluctant to cross the Tweed to English Norham resolved?
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.
What does Edward’s chief Justice (Rodger Brabazon) say?
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
What happens in June 1291?
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
What is Edwards response to the meeting between Scottish and English delegates in June 1291 regarding the claimants?
Edward says that in absence of a King, he will ask all of those who want to be King to accept his overlordship.
Who out of the 13 claimants accepts Edwards overlordship first?
Bruce accepts Edward’s overlordship first.
Describe the events at Berwick Castle 2nd -12th August 1291
The court comprised of 40 auditors (lawyers) appointed by Balliol, 40 appointed by Bruce and 24 appointed by Edward.
When was the Bruce versus Balliol case first heard and what happened?
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
Why were the Paris lawyers no help?
They said apply local law or custom but auditors already could not agree on which one!
Which Law would most auditors apply?
“Natural/Imperial Law” - which means nearness by degree which would mean Bruce
Which law does Edward apply?
Female primogeniture
He applies the feudal law
What did Bruce do in a last attempt to gain some sort of power?
He teamed with Hastings and proposed that Scotland should be divided into 3 like an English barony, yet Edward refused!
When was Balliol awarded Kingship?
17th November 1292
When was Balliol inaugurated?
He was inaugurated as King of Scots at Scone on 30th November 1292
What were Bruce’s arguments/claim to the throne based on?
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
What were Balliol’s claims based on?
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.
Who were Bruce and Balliol a descendant of?
David, the Earl of Huntingdon, who was a grandson of King David I.
Which two women barred Bruce’s route to the kingship?
Margaret the Maid of Norway and Dervoguilla Balliol.
Why did the Scots choose Edward I as arbitrator?
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.
Why was Edward appointing himself ‘judge’ a problem for the Scots?
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.
What did Robert Bruce the Competitor (now in his 70’s) do in late 1292/early 1293?
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.
What does the passing of the throne from Grandfather to Grandson mean?
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.
When was the Bruce versus Balliol hearing first heard?
2nd June to the 3rd of July 1292
