Unit 3 - King John 1292-96 - England v France war successful king essay Flashcards
1
Q
Introduction - context
A
- death of Alex in 1286 and Margaret in 1290, created great cause
- Balliol and Robert the competitor main choices, guardians asked Ed to arbitrate who chose John based on primogeniture
- dificult reign, council of 12 in 1295, abdicated in July 1295. Abdicated in July 1296 at Dunbar in retaliation to Treaty with France
2
Q
Introduction - factors, line of argument
A
Not weathered the worst of his problems - never could have been successful king
- situation in Scotland
- relations with England
Weathered worst of his problems - could have been a successful king
- international relations
3
Q
Situation in Scotland - knowledge
A
- unable to unify Scottish society after eight-year absence of adult monarch
- political community accustomed to increased power, John failed in trying to reassert authority while retaining support of his nobles
- two elder Bruces didn’t pay homage, and youngest one paid after significant delay, undermined
- Comyns ran most of everyday government (justice) - lack of personal power
- council of 12 - 1295
- constant submission to Edward angered political community
4
Q
Situation in Scotland - evaluation and historiography
A
- Amanda Beam - John can be seen as figurehead early as 1293, well before council of 12 established
- An ability to properly control your own country and relations within is imperative to being a successful king, something John failed to do
5
Q
Relations with England - evaluation and historiography
A
- David Santiuste - collapse of Scottish resistance was due more to John Balliol’s failure of leadership than Edward I’s qualities of command
- Proves just how much of a failure John had been in dealing with England, a problem which would continue regardless of war
6
Q
Relations with England - knowledge
A
- just after appointed in December 1292 swore fealty, one week later renounced terms of Treaty of Birgham
- Macduff summer 1293 summoned to Westminster
- due to Macduff case in October 1295 Edward ordered seizure of English lands in Scottish noble name, then summons issued to John to meet Edward March which was ignored - beginning war
- Edward demanded to provide military service against France
- Edward already travelling to Scotland, failure to attend muster before he heard of alliance
7
Q
International relations - knowledge
A
- sent embassy to King of France to negotiate, King, burgess, etc ratified treaty to validate arangement and begin to prepare the country for a likely war against England
- October 1295, sealed treaty with marriage between John’s youngest son and Phillips niece
- Scots agreed to help France in any war against England and French promised not to negotiate a truce or peace with king of England without including Scots, along with other support for Scots if they fought English
8
Q
International relations - evaluation and historiography
A
- Fiona Watson - Edward had always intended to provoke a violent reaction from the Scots to justify taking direct control over Scotland
- Shows positive motives and direction for John, but does not overrule his previous failures and incompetencies.
