Scottish Independence 1286-1329

Death of Alexander III

Mar 18, 1286

Scottish Independence 1286-1329

Period: Mar 18, 1286 to Jun 7, 1329

Advanced Higher History

Election of six Guardians (late April)

Apr 27, 1286

Two bishops, two earls, two barons. Elected at a parliament at Scone

Dispatch of Scottish envoys to Edward I to ask for advice and protection

Aug 7, 1286

The envoys meet Edward at Saintes in Gascony

Sep 15, 1286

The Turnberry Band

Sep 20, 1286

Involving Robert Bruce the CLaimant, Robert Bruce, earl of Carrick, James the Steward and others.

The envoys report back to the Guardians

Nov 25, 1286

Winter 1286-1287 Civil War

Dec 31, 1286

Seizure by the Bruces of the Balliol castle of Buittle and the royal castles of Wigtown and Dumfries. This revolt was suppressed by the Guardians.

Edward I orders an enquiry

Feb 16, 1289

Into the arrest by the sheriff of Yorkk of the bishop of St Andrews and other Scots envoys travelling to meet Edward

Marriage talks

Apr 1, 1289

Eric II of Norway sends ambassadors to raise with Edward I the question of the marriage of Margaret with Edward's son, Edward of Caernarfon

Death of earl of Buchan

Apr 29, 1289

Guardians reduced to five

Murder of the earl of Fife

Sep 10, 1289

Guardians reduced to four

The Guardians appoint magnates

Oct 3, 1289

To meet with envoys of the king of Norway in the prescence of Edward I, at the latter's request

Treaty of Salisbury

Nov 6, 1289

Bull of dispensation

Nov 16, 1289

Allowing Margaret to marry Edward of Caernarfon

Death of Devorguilla, mother of John Balliol

Jan 28, 1290

Edward I orders Antony Bek, bishop of Durham, to take possession of the Scottish king's lands in Penrith and Tynedale

Feb 20, 1290

Scottish council or parliament at Birgham ratifies the Treaty of Salisbury

Mar 14, 1290

Guardians write to Edward I and Eric II

Mar 17, 1290

The Guardians, prelates and other magnates of Scotland write to Edward I expressing joy at the rumour of a dispensation to allow marriage.
The Guardians write to Eric II asking him to send Margaret to England

Edward I urges Eric to send Margaret to England

Apr 17, 1290

Edward binds himself to pay the Guardians 3000 marks if Margaret does not arrive by 1 November

May 15, 1290

Edward assumes control of the Isle of Man

Jun 4, 1290

A possession of the Scottish Crown, and takes the islanders under his protection (returned to King John 5th January 1293)

Edward empowers Bishop Bek to receive the men of the Western Isles into Edward's peace

Jun 20, 1290

Treaty of Birgham

Jul 18, 1290

Edward ratifies the Treaty of Birgham at Northampton

Aug 28, 1290

He appoints Bek as lieutenant in Scotland for Margaret and Edward of Caernarfon and commands the Guardians to obey him. He appoints plenipotentiaries to treat with Eric II about the marriage.

Late September/October Death of Margaret en route to Scotland

Sep 30, 1290

Bishop Fraser of St Andrews writes to Edward I

Oct 7, 1290

Regarding the rumour that the Maid of Norway has died, and asks for help if the rumour should prove true

Death of Queen Eleanor of England

Nov 28, 1290

Bishop Bek of Durham and two other envoys ordered to go to Scotland

Jan 20, 1291

Edward writes to the abbot of Evesham

Mar 8, 1291

For historical information to support his claim to be overlord of Scotland (the first of several letters of this kind)

Edward orders troops to assemble at Norham on 3 June

Apr 16, 1291

Meeting of the English parliament at Norham

May 6, 1291

Possible meeting of the Scots community at Berwick

Part of the Scots community comes to Norham

May 10, 1291

Speech of Roger Brabazon on behalf of Edward requiring the Scots to recognise Edward as overlord of Scotland. The Scots are granted an adjournment until the next day.

The Scots are granted an adjournment of three weeks to allow them to produce written evidence against Edward's claim

May 11, 1291

Bruce, Hastings, Count Florence and other claimants are persuaded to accept Edward's overlordship

Jun 4, 1291

Balliol arrives with Comyn and they agree to accept Edward's overlordship

Jun 5, 1291

Award of Norham

Jun 6, 1291

Nine claimants issue a document accepting Edward's overlordship and jurisdiction (one name is omitted and three others have yet to put forward their names). The claimants agree that Edward shall have seisin of Scotland so that he may make judgement in the case.

Edward enters Scotland.

Jun 12, 1291

The Guardians and keepers of castles surrender the castles to Edward as a claimant on behalf of all the claimants.
The bishop of Caithness, having been chosen by the Guardians and appointed by Edward, is sworn in as chancellor.
Edward declares that the award will be made in Scotland, and guarantees to hand over Scotland to the new king within two months of a judgement.

Edward takes formal possession of Scotland

Jun 13, 1291

He adds an Englishman, Brian fitzAlan, to the Guardians. The Guardians and many magnates take an oath of fealty to Edward.

Edward asks the claimants to name a time and place for the hearing of the case

Jun 16, 1291

They choose Berwick and accept Edward's suggestion of 2 August.
It is agreed that auditors should be appointed

Meeting in Berwick Castle

Aug 3, 1291

Then a meeting of claimants and auditors in the church of the disused DOminician friary. Presentation of petitions by 12 claimants. Count Florence to be given time to find a document which would support his claim

Case adjourned until 2 June 1292

Aug 12, 1291

Resumption after the adjournment

Jun 2, 1292

Eric II submits a claim as his daughter's heir

Agreement between Bruce and Florence to help each other's claim

Jun 14, 1292

The auditors hear arguments by the claimants

Jun 16, 1292

Edward decides that the case is proceeding too slowly, and orders that a decision between Balliol and Bruce should come first; the claimants agree to this in Edward's prescence.
Edward asks by what laws and customs the case should be judged.
The Scottish suditors, unable to agree, ask for help from the English auditors
During an adjournment, to last until 14 October, all involved are to consider the case

Balliol and Bruce appear before Edward and declare that he could now make a judgement between them

Jun 21, 1292

The absence of a judgement on this date suggests that it could not be decided which law was applicable. The pleadings are collected and lie until October

Resumption

Oct 14, 1292

Edward asks his council by what laws and customs he should judge

Oct 24, 1292

This discussion is probably compicated by the opinions received from Paris.
The case is adjourned until 6 November

Judgement is pronounced against Bruce

Nov 6, 1292

But Balliol's claim cannot proceed until the agreements of the other claimants are heard. Edward adjourns the case until 17 November when he will give judgement after discussion with his council

7-15 November Pleadings before the auditors by various claimants

Nov 7, 1292

Some in writing, some by attorney. Bruce appears before the auditors and puts forward a claim to all or part of Scotland. Hastings also claims part of Scotland

The king's council examines the written pleadings of Bruce and Hastings

Nov 15, 1292

The Scottish auditors, asked if Scotland can be divided, say no.

The assembly resumes

Nov 17, 1292

Eight claimants, including Count Florence, withdraw their claims. Three others, including King Eric, are declared not to have pursued their petitions. The claims of Bruce and Hastings for a part of Scotland are rejected.
Balliol is awarded the kingdom of Scotland

Balliol swears fealty to Edward

Nov 20, 1292

Balliol is inaugurated at Scone as King John

Nov 30, 1292

King John does homage to King Edward

Dec 26, 1292

Treaty between France and Norway

Oct 22, 1295

Norway to provide ships for invasion of England (paid for by France), and not to make war on the Scots.
Scots agree not to go to war with Norway

Treaty between France and Scotland (beginning of the Auld Alliance)

Oct 23, 1295

Mutual military aid against England
Peace not to be made separately
Edward Balliol to marry Jeanne de Valois, niece of Philip IV

Ratification of the Treaty by King JOhn and the community, including burgess representatives

Feb 23, 1296

May 1297 Murder of William Hesilrig, sheriff of Lanark by William Wallace

May 1, 1297

Late summer 1297 Joins forces with Andrew Moray

Jun 30, 1297

Raid on Scone with Sir WIlliam Douglas

July: Raid on Bishop WIshart's house at Ancrum, following the capitulation of Irvine

Jul 1, 1297

In the Forest of Selkirk with a force

July/August 1297: Move across Perthshire and Fife; siege of Dundee Castle

Aug 1, 1297

The Battle of Stirling Bridge

Sep 11, 1297

Surrender of Stirling Castle to Wallace
Move to Berwick
Berwick (Edinburgh and Roxburgh) in Scots hands, but not their castles

Letters to Luebeck and Hamburg

Oct 11, 1297

Letters of Wallace and Moray to Luebeck and Hamburg declaring it safe to resume trade

Oct 11, 1297

Invasion of Northumberland

Oct 18, 1297

Election of William Lamberton as bishop of St Andrews at Wallace's instigation

Nov 3, 1297

Decision to turn back from County Durham; racaging of Tyndale

Nov 11, 1297

October/November Invasion of Cumberland and Durham; assault on Carlisle

Dec 31, 1297

Before this date Wallace was knighted and appointed Guardian

Mar 29, 1298

The Battle of Falkirk

Jul 22, 1298

After this Wallace ceases to be Guardian

June 1299: Treaty of Montreuil-sur-Mer

Jun 1, 1299

Settlement of dispute over Gascony between England and France; Edward I to marry Philip IV's sister, Margaret.

The bull Scimus Fili issued by Pope Bonifcae VIII

Jun 28, 1299

July: King John released by Edward I into papal custody

Jul 1, 1299

Around August 1299

Aug 1, 1299

Wallace intending to go abroad, probably on a diplomatic mission. Perhaps to Norway (or the Orkneys), France and Rome.

Cuts off supplies to English garrison of Stirling Castle

Aug 24, 1299

November/December 1299: Wallace in France

Nov 30, 1299

Truce between England and Scotland to last until 21 May 1301

Oct 31, 1300

After this date journey to Rome

Nov 7, 1300

Safe-conducts issued by Edward I to Scots envoys to meet English and French envoys at Canterbury on 16 April

Mar 26, 1301

The conference apparently in session

Apr 8, 1301

Edward announces that the discussions have been broken off

Apr 25, 1301

May: Scottish delegation, including Mr Baldred Bisset, putting the Scottish case to Boniface VIII

Expiry of Anglo-Scottish truce

May 21, 1301

Summer 1301: Release of King John from papal custody; he returns to his ancestral lands in Picardy under the protection of King Philip

Jul 1, 1301

Robert Bruce (the future king) returns to Edward I's allegiance

Truce of Asnieres-sur-Oise

Jan 26, 1302

Truce between England and Scotland until 1 November 1302
French to hold lands in Scotland taken by the English; these are to be handed over by 16 February and held for the duration of the truce

Major defeat of the French by the Flemings at Courtrai

Jul 11, 1302

Safe-conducts issued to Scots envoys to meet envoys of Philip IV

Aug 5, 1302

Letter of King John giving Philip a free hand in negotiations with England

Nov 23, 1302

Peace treaty between England and France, excluding the Scots. Edward of Caernarfon to marry Isabella, Philip's daughter

May 20, 1303

June 1303: In Selkirk Forest

Jun 1, 1303

Raids into Annandale, Liddesdale and Cumberland with John COmyn and Simon Fraser

Skirmish with English troops involving Wallace and Fraser

Sep 10, 1303

Unknown date in 1304: Defear of Wallace and Fraser at Happrew (Fraser's lands near Peebles)

Jan 1, 1304

Letter revealing a preliminary meeting at Kinclaven between English representatives and John Comyn

Jan 11, 1304

Discussion of surrender terms at Kinclaven

Jan 19, 1304

English negotiators sent to Strathord to finalise terms with the Scottish government

Feb 5, 1304

Copy of draft terms sent to Edward I

Feb 6, 1304

Scots magnates do homage to Edward

Feb 16, 1304

September 1304: Fight with English troops under de Valence at Ironside near Dundee

Sep 1, 1304

Wallace is captured by Sir John Menteith near Glasgow

Aug 3, 1305

Wallace arrives in London

Aug 22, 1305

Execution of William Wallce

Aug 23, 1305

He was hanged, drawn and quartered — strangled by hanging but released while he was still alive, castrated, eviscerated and his bowels burnt before him, beheaded, then cut into four parts. His preserved head (dipped in tar) was placed on a pike atop London Bridge.

Death of Edward I; accession of Edward II

Jul 7, 1307

November 1308: Attempt by Philip IV to obtain a truce for the Scots

Nov 1, 1308

January 1309: Truce to last till 1 November, then a series of truces till March 1310

Jan 1, 1309

Scottish reply to a letter of Philip asking for help in a crusade

Mar 16, 1309

Not possible until Scotland was free and at peace

Letter of Philip to Edward II referring to Robert as king of the Scots

Jul 7, 1309

Treaty of Inverness with Norway

Oct 29, 1312

Treaty of Perth (1266) renewed; mutual compensation for incidents between the two countries

Bishop of St Andrews given safe conduct by Edward II to go to Philip IV

Nov 30, 1313

Death of Philip IV; accession of Louis X

Nov 3, 1314

Death of Pope Clement V

Apr 20, 1316

Death of Louis X;accession of Philip V

Jun 3, 1316

Election fo John XXII (Pope 1316-1334)

Aug 7, 1316

August/September 1317: Two legates sent to Britain by John XXII

Jan 3, 1317

Robert I refuses to negotiate with them until papal letters address him as king

Late May 1318: Robert I and his supporters excommunicated; Scotland placed under interdict

May 25, 1318

Four Scottish bishops ordered to appear before the pope by 1 Mar 1320 (order ignored)

Nov 18, 1319

December: Negotiations at Newcastle: two year truce agreed

Scottish barons' letter to the pope (Declaration of Arbroath)

Apr 6, 1320

Reply from John XXII urging both sides to make peace

Aug 26, 1320

January 1321: Edward II appoints envoys to reat for peace

Jan 3, 1321

March/April: Negotiations at Bamburgh involving Scots, English, French and papal representatives

Mar 31, 1321

Death of Philip V; accession of Charles IV

Jan 2, 1322

Expiry of Anglo-Scottish truce

Jan 6, 1322

Negotiations between Robert I and Andrew HArcla. earl of CArlisle, at Lochmaben

Jan 3, 1323

Harcla arrested by the English government

Feb 25, 1323

Execution of Harcla

Mar 2, 1323

Truce to last 13 years concluded at Bishopsthorpe

May 30, 1323

Pope writes to Edward II

Jan 13, 1324

Says that he would call Robert king to help bring peace nearer
English mission to the pope to secure maintenance of papal sanctions against the Scots

Edward Balliol given safe-conduct to come to England

Jul 2, 1324

Safe-conduct for Scottish envoys to go to York to treat for peace

Nov 3, 1324

Edward II has letters to the pope drawn up asking that the Scots be absolved during the peace negotiations

Nov 25, 1324

1325: Peace between England and France

Jan 1, 1325

Treaty of Corbeil

Apr 26, 1325

Between Scotland and France: mutual support against England

Deposition of Edward II; accession of Edward III

Jan 20, 1327

English government unilaterally confirms the 13 year truce, but Scots regard it as broken because of Edward II's deposition

Mar 6, 1327

English envoys appointed to treat for final peace

Oct 9, 1327

Reply from Robert I, setting out basis for peace

Oct 18, 1327

Edward III agrees that negotiations should begin

Oct 30, 1327

Letter of Edward III renouncing English claims to Scotland

Mar 1, 1328

Treaty of Edinburgh (a series of documents)

Mar 17, 1328

Edward renounced his claim to overlordship over Scotland.
Marriage arranged between Prince David and Edward's sister, Joan.
Military alliance between Scotland and England, saving the Franco-Scottish alliance made in the Treaty of Corbeil.
Robert to pay Edward £20,000 to secure peace, to be paid in three annual instalments.
The English Government to seek an end to papal excommunication of Robert and his supporters

Treaty ratified by the English parliament at Northampton

May 4, 1328

July: Marriage of David and Joan solemnised

Jul 1, 1328

October: Excommunication lifted by the pope

Oct 1, 1328

Death of Robert the Bruce

Jun 7, 1329

Cause of death, probable lepracy