Alexander III and the Succession Problem

Question 1

What span of years did the succession problem occur?

Answer 1

1286-1292

Question 2

What are 3 arguments relating to SCOTLAND’S ECONOMY that suggest Alexander’s rule was golden?

Answer 2

• Overseas exports increased
• Burghs expanded with more developed economies
• More coinage was used

Question 3

What are 3 arguments relating to SCOTLAND’S ECONOMY that suggest Alexander’s rule wasn’t golden?

Answer 3

• Economy was narrowly based on wool
• Burghs were still small in size
• No sudden increase in coinage

Question 4

What are 3 arguments relating to ALEXANDER’S AUTHORITY that suggest his rule was golden?

Answer 4

• No major uprisings from nobles during his reign
• Use of Gaelic culture to create a Scottish identity
• 36 years of reign which gave Scotland stability

Question 5

What are 2 arguments relating to ALEXANDER’S AUTHORITY that suggest his rule wasn’t golden?

Answer 5

• Nobles still had lots of power

- All of his heirs died

Question 6

What were 2 things Alexander did to protect Scotland after his son’s death?

Answer 6

• Re-married to Yolanda of Dreux

- He got his nobles to swear support to his grand-daughter, the Maid of Norway

Question 7

Why were the actions taken after Alexander’s son’s death not enough to protect Scotland?

Answer 7

The nobles were half-hearted in swearing fealty as they thought Alexander would have more heirs

Question 8

What does it mean to pay “homage”?

Answer 8

Where a vassal publicly submits to their overlord, signified by physical contact (e.g. a sword on the shoulders)

Question 9

What significant event in the Anglo-Scottish relationship occurred in 1278?

Answer 9

• In the past, English kings had claimed they were the overlords of Scotland
• In 1278, Alexander refused to pay homage to Edward for Scotland

Question 10

When was Balliol coronated?

Answer 10

• 30th November 1292

- St Andrew’s Day

Question 11

Where was Balliol coronated?

Answer 11

• Scone Palace

- Stone of Destiny

Question 12

What was the warning Edward gave Balliol?

Answer 12

If Balliol didn’t govern justly, Edward would intervene

Question 13

How did Bruce react to Balliol being chosen as king?

Answer 13

• He transferred his claim + earldom to his heir, Robert the Bruce
• Refused to submit to Balliol

Question 14

How did Bruce discredit himself from getting the crown?

Answer 14

• He was really aggressive when Alexander + Margaret died

- He took castles + land

Question 15

What did future Scottish kings claim about Balliol?

Answer 15

• Edward only chose Balliol because he was weaker + easier to manipulate

(this isn’t true as Balliol was the last claimant to pay homage to Edward)

Question 16

What was Bruce’s argument for being king?

Answer 16

• Proximity; closest to the bloodline (he was one generation older than Balliol)
• Typically a Gaelic tradition

Question 17

What was Balliol’s argument for being king?

Answer 17

• Primogenitary; senior bloodline (Balliol descended from the eldest child)
• More common in England + modern Scotland

Question 18

What are 3 arguments relating to FOREIGN RELATIONS that suggest Alexander’s rule was golden?

Answer 18

• Scotland gained control over Western Isles + Isle of Man in the Treaty of Perth, 1266
• Good relation with England through intermarriage
• Close personal relationship between Alexander + Edward

Question 19

What are 2 arguments relating to FOREIGN RELATIONS that suggest Alexander’s rule wasn’t golden?

Answer 19

• Upset the Western Isles

- Norway kept control over Orkney + Shetland

Question 20

When did Edward pause the decision of who was to be king and why?

Answer 20

• Between August 1291 to June 1292

- To allow Florence, Count of Holland, to gather evidence to support his claim

Question 21

Who did Edward appoint as a new guardian?

Answer 21

Brian FitzAlan

Question 22

How long did Edward give the guardians to consider his demand for overlordship?

Answer 22

3 weeks

Question 23

How did the guardians respond?

Answer 23

They claimed only a king could make the decision to pay homage and they had no king

Question 24

What was the Award of Norham?

Answer 24

• Edward demanded all claimants pay homage to him

Question 25

When did the Award of Norham end by?

Answer 25

12th June 1291

Question 26

How many claimants submitted to Edward?

Answer 26

- 9 claimants - Bruce submitted first - Balliol submitted last

Question 27

How did Edward's auditors vote?

Answer 27

The majority voted for Balliol

Question 28

Who was officially chosen to be King of Scots and when?

Answer 28

- Edward chose Balliol | - 17th November 1292

Question 29

"Edward was one of the auditors" True or False?

Answer 29

- False | - He claimed to be a spokesman

Question 30

How many of Bruce's auditors went against him?

Answer 30

29 went against Bruce

Question 31

How did Balliol's auditors vote?

Answer 31

All of them voted for Balliol

Question 32

How long did it take to decide upon the next King of Scots?

Answer 32

15 months

Question 33

How long was Scotland without a king?

Answer 33

6 years

Question 34

How many auditors did Bruce, Balliol, and Edward appoint each?

Answer 34

- 40 by Bruce - 40 by Balliol - 24 by Edward

Question 35

What were 5 conditions of the Birgham treaty?

Answer 35

- Parliament could only be held in Scotland + Scottish parliament had to separate from England - Scotland had to be "free in itself" - A new seal was to be created - Nobles in Scotland paid homage to the King of Scots, not the King of England - All Scottish traditions were to be maintained

Question 36

What did Edward I do in 1290 that was concerning to Scottish nobles?

Answer 36

- Captured the Isle of Man | - Demanded taxes from Scottish churches

Question 37

When did the official marriage treaty, the Treaty of Birgham, happen?

Answer 37

1290

Question 38

Name 3 conditions of the marriage treaty.

Answer 38

- Elections of the Scottish church were to remain separate from England - All taxes collected in Scotland were to be used in Scotland - Anyone who committed a crime in Scotland would be tried in Scotland

Question 39

What was the name of the official marriage treaty between Edward II and Margaret, Maid of Norway?

Answer 39

Treaty of Birgham

Question 40

What did Bruce do after Margaret's death?

Answer 40

- Marched to Perth with a "large following" | - He was talked down from acting violently by the guardians

Question 41

Which other earls supported Bruce's actions after Margaret's death?

Answer 41

- Earl of Athol | - Earl of Mar

Question 42

What did Balliol promise Bishop Bek after Margaret's death?

Answer 42

Bek was promised lands belonging to the crown by Balliol as a bribe

Question 43

Why was the promise Balliol made to Bishop Bek after Margaret's death problematic?

Answer 43

This showed he was ambition + believed he would inherit the crown

Question 44

What was Bruce's letter to Edward (sent after Margaret's death) called?

Answer 44

The Appeal of the Seven Earls

Question 45

When + where did the guardians meet after Margaret's death?

Answer 45

- 15th October 1290 | - Edinburgh

Question 46

When did Margaret, Maid of Norway, die?

Answer 46

Around 26th September 1290

Question 47

Who was first to write to Edward after Margaret's death?

Answer 47

Bishop Fraiser

Question 48

When was the first letter to Edward after Margaret's death sent?

Answer 48

7th October 1290

Question 49

Which English envoys were supposed to meet Margaret + where did they stop?

Answer 49

- Bek + Warenne - Perth to talk to Scottish nobles - It was in Perth they were informed of Margaret's death

Question 50

Who was the second guardian to die and when?

Answer 50

- Earl of Buchan | - 1289

Question 51

What was the cause of Margaret's death?

Answer 51

She died during the voyage from Norway to Scotland, during which she fell ill

Question 52

What were the 3 castles Bruce took?

Answer 52

- Dumfries - Wigtown - Buittle

Question 53

How did the guardians subdue Bruce's uprising? Who else helped?

Answer 53

- They mobilised their armies | - James the Stewart (one of Bruce's supporters)

Question 54

Why did Yolanda's phantom pregnancy cause problems?

Answer 54

- Added to confusion over who was to succeed Alexander | - Increased uncertainty in other heirs, such as Margaret

Question 55

When did Bruce take the 3 castles? What sparked the uprising?

Answer 55

- Autumn 1286 | - Lack of clear leadership in Scotland after Alexander's death

Question 56

Which Barons were elected to be guardians?

Answer 56

- James Comyn | - James the Stewart

Question 57

Why were those specific guardians chosen?

Answer 57

To appease the two major factions in Scotland; the Bruces and and Comyns. It was supposed to be balanced.

Question 58

What did the Scottish nobles do after Alexander's death + when did they do this?

Answer 58

- Gathering at Scone Palace | - 2nd + 29th April 1286

Question 59

What was decided upon at the meeting after Alexander's death?

Answer 59

- Swore to recognise Margaret, Maid of Norway, as heir | - Discussed who Margaret would marry

Question 60

When were the guardians elected?

Answer 60

28th April 1286

Question 61

Why were the guardians less effective?

Answer 61

- After 2 died, they were unable to replace them due to high tensions in Scotland - One was corrupt

Question 62

Which earls were elected to be guardians?

Answer 62

- Duncan, Earl of Fife | - Alexander Comyn of Buchanan

Question 63

Which bishops were elected to be guardians?

Answer 63

- William Fraiser (St Andrews) | - Robert Wishart (Glasgow)

Question 64

Why was the oath of fealty to Margaret sworn at Scone vague? Give two reasons.

Answer 64

- Still uncertain on Margaret (female, Norwegian decent) | - Yolande was thought to be pregnant with an heir

Question 65

How did the nobles decide to run the country? What types of people were elected?

Answer 65

- 6 guardians | - 2 bishops, 2barons, 2 earls

Question 66

When did Alexander III die?

Answer 66

19th March 1286

Question 67

Who was his only heir?

Answer 67

Margaret, Maid of Norway

Question 68

Why was Alexander's only heir problematic?

Answer 68

She was female and daughter to a Norwegian king. Scotland had recently warred with Norway and so relations were tense.

Question 69

Why did Edward encourage so many claimants to come forward?

Answer 69

- To create as much confusion as possible | - To creates problems and instability for the chosen Scottish King

Question 70

What did Edward demand before he picked a king?

Answer 70

He asked the king he chose to pay homage to him

Question 71

How did Edward react to the letters sent to him after Margaret's death? Name 3 things he did.

Answer 71

- Invited all claimants to Norham (fort on the English border) - Mobilised Northern army to Scottish border - Moved navy to block Scottish ports

Question 72

How many claimants were there in total?

Answer 72

13 (14 including Edward)

Question 73

How many claimants had a real claim?

Answer 73

3 real claimants

Question 74

What were 3 reasons Scotland wasn't doing too badly after Alexander's death?

Answer 74

- Civil war hadn't happened yet - Guardians were appointed - Community of the realm

Question 75

What were 3 terms of the Treaty of Sailsbury?

Answer 75

- Margaret would remain "single" - She would be saved for Edward's son - Edward was able to remove + appoint guardians

Question 76

What happened on the Isle of Man to raise tensions?

Answer 76

Uprisings started on the Isle of Man

Question 77

How did Duncan of Fife take advantage of his power as guardian?

Answer 77

- Took bribes | - Gained money through his position

Question 78

What was the consequence of Duncan of Fife's corrupt behaviour?

Answer 78

- One of his relatives murdered him | - 1289

Question 79

What did Bruce have to do after being subdued from his uprising after Alexander's death?

Answer 79

He had to pay homage to the Maid of Norway