the Scottish Response Flashcards
1
Q
Scottish Response - New guardians and Treaty with France
A
- Scotland was ordered to fight with Edward against France who was there largest trading partner and they were to fight like feudal lords, added to this were the demands for taxes from the Scottish nobility to pay for the war.
- it is no wonder that the Scottish nobles were willing to revolt against Edward.
-In 1295, twelve new guardians were appointed by the Community of the realm to defy King Edward. - The sent envoys (ambassadors/messengers) to he King of France and at the beginning of 1296 a treaty against Edward was agreed, it included a marriage agreement to seal the deal.
2
Q
Scottish response - Why were Guardians were appointed?
A
- It has been long assumed that the Scottish nobility, fed up with the humiliating reign of King John, simply put their King to one side and assumed the leadership of the Kingdom and of the war against Edward.
- However, there is no real evidence of this, its more likely that the new king had at last found the supporters he needed to stand up to Edward and it was with the help of the Guardians that he now faced up to his responsibilities.
3
Q
Scottish Response - Scots initial invasion easily defeated
A
- The English King was able to defeat the Scots in a matter of a few weeks in 1296.
- The invasion of Scotland in 1296 was a direct response to the refusal of the Scots to assemble for military duty and their subsequent treaty with France.
- However, there are indications from historians such as Fiona Watson that Edward had been planning the invasion for a lot longer than that.
4
Q
Scottish Response - Scotlands Early confidence
A
- Berwick, the most important burgh in the kingdom, was well prepared for the conflict, its already impressive defences were added to and more troops were rushed down from Lothian and Fife.
- The Scottish force was impressive by Scottish standards with 10,000 men assembled to meet the English invasion.
- The army was made up of levies (lords/lards), tenants called from their fields to fight as part of their obligation to their lords, their was a solid fighting core and the army’s confidence was high.
- Unfortunately, it was confidence not based upon any real experience, despite this the Scots crossed the border in 1296 and began pillaging the Northern counties of England.
5
Q
Scottish response - siege at Berwick
A
- Edward crossed the Tweed on 12 March 1296 at the head of an impressive army.
- as Edwards army approached the Scottish town, the inhabitants saw for the first time the size and power of the English forces.
- Edward had offered the townsfolk three days to consider the surrender, but their taunts from the town walls (baring their breaches) angered the English king and his order to attack included the instruction that no one in the town should be spared.
- the defenders were quickly overrun and it was not long before the few remaining defenders were forced to surrender.
- the townsfolk incurred the wrath of King Edward and the town was sacked by English forces.
- It would appear that there were few survivors as Berwick had to be repopulated with English tradesmen and merchants from Northumbria.
6
Q
Scottish Response - Battle of Dunbar
A
- The English vanguard was sent to secure Dunbar castle, the Earl of Dunbar had already made his peace with Edward I at Berwick and had handed over the keys of the castle to the English king.
-However, his wife was a Comyn and she reminded loyal to her family and handed over the castle to the Scot’s while her husband was absent. - The Earl of Surrey (Warenne) decided to meet the Scottish force head on and, leaving a small detachment to watch the castle garrison and prevent any Scot’s from leaving the castle during that battle, he marched his troops to a more favourable position to await the Scots army.
- The Scots had established themselves upon a low hill however the movements of Warennes vanguard into a battle formation were somehow mistaken by the Scots for an English retreat.
-Eager to not the the enemy escape the Scots broke rank, the English forces easily saw off the attack and pressed forward mopping up all resistance found.
7
Q
Scottish response - effects of Battle of Dunbar
A
- The battle was a complete disaster for the Scots, many guardians and over 130 Scottish nobles were taken prisoner, meaning the majority of the leaders of the Scottish resistance to Edwards invasion were lost in a single encounter.
- Other commanders lost heart or simply decided that the war was effectively over before it had begun.
-After Dunbar there was no effective central leadership for the Scots, things might have been different if the Scots were encouraged by King John to carry on the fight. - In effect, the Scots were outmatched, out-thought and outmanoeuvred.
