What methods were used by Bruce to attain the peace settlement made with England in 1328? Flashcards
RAIDS OF NORTHERN ENGLAND (TO FORCE PEACE)
From 1314, Bruce led regular raids into Northern England, causing confusion and anxiety amongst the English population. They plundered and destroyed, taking what they could for funding. Much of Northern England suffered from economic damages i.e crops destroyed, animals set loose act
He also raided in retaliation for the raids Edward II ordered into Scotland, for example sending Thomas Randolph and James Douglas as far into England as York following Edward II’s decision to bring an army to Berwick in 1319
Where the raid of Northern England successful in attaining the peace settlement made with England in 1328?
Edward II had little concern of the plight of his northern subjects, and Bruce did not reach the real wealth of England which was located in the midlands and the fourth. Ultimately it did not lead to Edward seeking lasting peace.
DIPLOMACY/ WHAT WAS THE TREATY OF CORBEIL WITH FRANCE?
The Treaty of Corbeil was made with France in 1326, which was a promise of mutual aid if either kingdom were to come under fire from the forces of England. The King of France was the brother in law of Edward II though they did not get on, and disputes kept them at odds surrounding the fate of Gascony, a traditionally English reign in Fracne
Was diplomacy successful?
No, France failed to come to the aid of Scotland, even though conflict did arise between two nations militarily
DECLARATION OF ARBROATH
The letter was written by 40 earls and barons, the nobility of Scotland, appealing to the Pope to see Bruce as the king of Scots and to recognise him as King and Scotland as an independent Kingdom. It detailed the history of Scotland and how they had been ruled by an ‘unbroken’ line of Kings and how they had lived in ‘freedom and peace’ until Edward I came along . It stated that Robert Bruce was the rightful King by ‘divine providence’ and if her were to give up the independence of the kingdom he would be forsaken in pace of another
Was the declaration of Arbroath successful?
It did change the Pope’s mind, and thus the fight continued, though the Pope did now address Bruce as the King of Scots. Excommunication lifted.
BRUCE THE OPPORTUNIST
Following Edward II’s death, Bruce believed he was released from the peace treaty he had had with Edward II. The new English Kind was Edward’s 14 year old son, called Edward III and Bruce took advantage of the English weakness and renewed the fight, instructing Thomas Randolph and James Douglas to raid the north. When Isabella and Mortimer sent an army to meet them, they were humiliated in a night attack by James Douglas and Edward III was almost captured. Following this, Bruce acted upon the English withdrawal by pressing his army south, laying siege to castles Norham and Alnwick.
Was Bruce being an opportunist successful?
YES, Isabella and Mortimer, fearing the mounting cost of the conflict (£70,000) and with the loss of the North as a stark possibility, they sought a peace treaty with Bruce. It resulted in the Treaty of Birgham Northampton in which Edward III begrudgingly renounced his claim of overlordship and that of previous kings.
