Unit 3 - King John 1292-96 - Never more than a figurehead essay

Question 1

Introduction - context

Answer 1

• death of Alexander III in 1286 and Margaret in 1290, great cause
• Balliol and Robert the competitor, Guardians asked Edward to arbitrate, John won based on primogeniture
• 1292 kingship began, steadily undermined by Edward who demanded homage, exerted legal authority.
• council of 12 in 1295 and abdicated July 1296 at Dunbar in retaliation to treaty with France

Question 2

Introduction - factors, line of argument

Answer 2

John was never more than a figurehead proof of this -
- situation in Scotland
- relations with England
- international relations

Question 3

Situation in Scotland - knowledge

Answer 3

• youngest son and educated for church, Durham
• English magnate, Mother Devorgilla controlled Scottish lands
• 2 elder Bruce brothers refused to pay homage, youngest one took ages - showed his authority undermined, no political unity
• Comyn responsible for royal justice, running of government - inexperienced and a puppet to experienced Comyn
• at least 7 parliaments, Feb 1293 parliament, Bruces, William Douglas did not attend
• council of 12, 1295 - lack of faith from royal community

Question 4

Situation in Scotland - historiography

Answer 4

• Amanda Beam - John can be seen as figurehead early as 1293, long before council of 12 established
• Oram - limited itenary, his regime was probably led by the Comyns and allies, alongside guardians 1286-91

Question 5

Relations with England - knowledge

Answer 5

• December 1292 fealty, one week later renounced terms of Birgham - instant power assumed by Edward
• MacDuff summer 1292 forced to go to Westminster - no proxy, embarrassed John, didn’t treat him like an equal
• billed John for inheritance tax and costs of Great Cause
• war against France summoned for troops - John and Scotland treated like a mere magnate

Question 6

International relations - historiography

Answer 6

• Oram - John’s lands in Picardy made him crucial to the talks, and helped secure promises of French help

Question 7

Relations with England - historiography

Answer 7

• Brown - Edward determined to exercise authority as king, forcing John to accept subordinate position
• Bingham - Balliol weak and indecisive man who could not sustain his position in adversity

Question 8

International relations - knowledge

Answer 8

• was first summoned by Ed for military against France in summer 1294 (despite marriage talks 1289-90 disallowing this)
• auld alliance Oct 1295 (John’s son and Phillip’s niece)
• failed to get vital military aid in 1296 from France despite this, weakness of his negotiation and poor decision to enter into alliance
• failed to get papal support for Scottish rebellion against Edward
• or convince Pope to absolve promises given to Ed under duress during Great Cause - shows wider disregard for John’s legitimacy as king