The Impact of Alexander III death on Scotland Flashcards

1
Q

Emergency Councils

A
  • After his funeral several emergency councils were set up in Scotland
  • Many were eager to inform Edward I but he was focused in France
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2
Q

Nobles fail to agree on a Heir

A
  • Scottish nobles failed to decide on an heir despite meeting twice at Scone
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3
Q

Maid of Norway (and becoming queen)

A
  • Margaret whose mother Margaret was alexanders only daughter, she married the king of Norway as part of the Treaty of Perth 1266
  • Alexander foresaw his death as he made his nobles promise in 1284 to accept her as his heir if he died without any children
  • The agreement of Margaret becoming Queen removed the chance of Civil war
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4
Q

The Guardians

A
  • Nobles agreed to form a council to oversee the coronation of the young queen
  • The guardians were chosen at Scone palace in 1286
  • 6 were chosen from different parts of Scottish society
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5
Q

The Guardians - 6 chosen

A
  • 2 were respected bishops, Fraser of St Andrews and Robert Wishart of Glasgow
  • 2 were barons, John Comyn of Badenoch and James the Steward
  • 2 were Earls, Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan and Duncan Earl of Fife
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6
Q

The Guardians - Bruce vs Balliol

A
  • Neither John Balliol or Robert Bruce were appointed guardian because as their potential claims to the throne may have made it politically difficult/explosive to have them both on a council
  • Both had supporters among the new group
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7
Q

Why/how did Robert Bruce make the first move (Guardianship)

A
  • He believed that many nobles would not approve of a young queen
  • Bruce gathered a small army and seized royal castles at, Dumfries, Wigtown and Buittle
  • Others turned out to support Bruce, including the powerful James the Steward, 2 other Scottish Earls and the Lord of Islay
  • They targeted lands of the Comyns and their allies, doing considerable damage
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8
Q

The community of the Realm

A
  • When powerful families in Scotland accepted that the good of the kingdom was more important that the success of an individual
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9
Q

The treaty of Birgham

A
  • After Margaret Maid of Norway was appointed queen there was a proposal to marry her to Edward I son (also Edward)
  • It seemed the perfect solution to prevent a civil war in Scotland
  • In 1290 the Nobles were very careful to preserve Scottish independence when negotiating the marriage treaty
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10
Q

What did the Treaty specify about Scottish Independence from England

A
  • Elections of Scottish churchmen were to remain free from English interference
  • Nobles in Scotland who held land from Scottish king had to pay homage to Scottish king for their land only, no obligation to pay homage to the English king
  • No one in Scotland who committed a crime would be tried under English law or have their trial held outside of Scotland
  • No taxation on Scottish people unless for the needs of Scotland
  • New Scottish Seal would be produced and to be used in official Scottish documentation
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11
Q

The Death of Margaret Maid of Norway

A
  • October 1290 young Margaret died on the journey from Norway to Scotland
  • Without Margaret the Treaty of Birgham was Null & void, also the threat of civil war was once again a possibility
  • For a while many believed that it was a rumour, the Bishop of St Andrews wrote a letter to Edward I, referring to Margaret’s death as a rumour
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12
Q

Bishop of St Andrews letter to Edward I

A
  • His letter informed Edward that Robert Bruce & Earls of Athol and Mar were already plotting and raising a large body of soldiers
  • In order to forestall this, the Bishop of St Andrews asked the King to come to the border to prevent war
  • This letter showed that Bishop Fraser favoured John Balliol for future king
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13
Q

“The seven Earls”

A
  • Robert Bruce wrote a letter in return stating that he had the support of all 7 earls in Scotland
  • This was thought to be just some propaganda by Bruce
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