The Impact of Alexander III death on Scotland Flashcards
1
Q
Emergency Councils
A
- After his funeral several emergency councils were set up in Scotland
- Many were eager to inform Edward I but he was focused in France
2
Q
Nobles fail to agree on a Heir
A
- Scottish nobles failed to decide on an heir despite meeting twice at Scone
3
Q
Maid of Norway (and becoming queen)
A
- Margaret whose mother Margaret was alexanders only daughter, she married the king of Norway as part of the Treaty of Perth 1266
- Alexander foresaw his death as he made his nobles promise in 1284 to accept her as his heir if he died without any children
- The agreement of Margaret becoming Queen removed the chance of Civil war
4
Q
The Guardians
A
- Nobles agreed to form a council to oversee the coronation of the young queen
- The guardians were chosen at Scone palace in 1286
- 6 were chosen from different parts of Scottish society
5
Q
The Guardians - 6 chosen
A
- 2 were respected bishops, Fraser of St Andrews and Robert Wishart of Glasgow
- 2 were barons, John Comyn of Badenoch and James the Steward
- 2 were Earls, Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan and Duncan Earl of Fife
6
Q
The Guardians - Bruce vs Balliol
A
- Neither John Balliol or Robert Bruce were appointed guardian because as their potential claims to the throne may have made it politically difficult/explosive to have them both on a council
- Both had supporters among the new group
7
Q
Why/how did Robert Bruce make the first move (Guardianship)
A
- He believed that many nobles would not approve of a young queen
- Bruce gathered a small army and seized royal castles at, Dumfries, Wigtown and Buittle
- Others turned out to support Bruce, including the powerful James the Steward, 2 other Scottish Earls and the Lord of Islay
- They targeted lands of the Comyns and their allies, doing considerable damage
8
Q
The community of the Realm
A
- When powerful families in Scotland accepted that the good of the kingdom was more important that the success of an individual
9
Q
The treaty of Birgham
A
- After Margaret Maid of Norway was appointed queen there was a proposal to marry her to Edward I son (also Edward)
- It seemed the perfect solution to prevent a civil war in Scotland
- In 1290 the Nobles were very careful to preserve Scottish independence when negotiating the marriage treaty
10
Q
What did the Treaty specify about Scottish Independence from England
A
- Elections of Scottish churchmen were to remain free from English interference
- Nobles in Scotland who held land from Scottish king had to pay homage to Scottish king for their land only, no obligation to pay homage to the English king
- No one in Scotland who committed a crime would be tried under English law or have their trial held outside of Scotland
- No taxation on Scottish people unless for the needs of Scotland
- New Scottish Seal would be produced and to be used in official Scottish documentation
11
Q
The Death of Margaret Maid of Norway
A
- October 1290 young Margaret died on the journey from Norway to Scotland
- Without Margaret the Treaty of Birgham was Null & void, also the threat of civil war was once again a possibility
- For a while many believed that it was a rumour, the Bishop of St Andrews wrote a letter to Edward I, referring to Margaret’s death as a rumour
12
Q
Bishop of St Andrews letter to Edward I
A
- His letter informed Edward that Robert Bruce & Earls of Athol and Mar were already plotting and raising a large body of soldiers
- In order to forestall this, the Bishop of St Andrews asked the King to come to the border to prevent war
- This letter showed that Bishop Fraser favoured John Balliol for future king
13
Q
“The seven Earls”
A
- Robert Bruce wrote a letter in return stating that he had the support of all 7 earls in Scotland
- This was thought to be just some propaganda by Bruce
