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ScotlandHistory

Scottish context: The Wars of Independence, 1286-1328

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How did Edward I's overlordship lead to war and the subjugation of Scotland by 1296?

Edward I as overlord 1292-1296: his harsh treatment of King John Balliol, the Scottish alliance with France, Edward's invasion, the sack of Berwick, the defeat of Balliol, and the imposition of English control.
How Edward I's demands as overlord drove Scotland to war: his humiliation of King John Balliol, the Scottish treaty with France, Edward's invasion of 1296, the sack of Berwick, the defeat and abdication of Balliol, and the imposition of direct English rule.
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How did Robert Bruce rise to the throne and win the battle of Bannockburn?

Robert Bruce 1306-1314: his seizure of the throne after killing John Comyn, his early defeats and recovery, his guerrilla campaign and capture of castles, and his decisive victory at Bannockburn in 1314.
How Robert Bruce became king and turned the war: his killing of John Comyn and seizure of the throne in 1306, his early defeats and recovery, his guerrilla tactics and recapture of castles, and his decisive victory over Edward II at Bannockburn in 1314.
12 min answer →

How did Scotland finally secure its independence between Bannockburn and 1328?

Securing independence 1314-1328: continued war and raids after Bannockburn, the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320, and the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton of 1328 by which England recognised Scottish independence.
How Scotland secured its independence after Bannockburn: continued raids on England, the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 asserting Scottish independence and the right to resist tyranny, and the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton of 1328 in which England finally recognised Robert Bruce as king of an independent Scotland.
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How did Edward I come to choose the king of Scotland in the Great Cause?

The Great Cause 1291-1292: the appeal to Edward I, his demand to be accepted as overlord at Norham, the rival claims of Bruce and Balliol, and Edward's choice of John Balliol as king.
How the disputed Scottish succession was settled by the Great Cause: the Scots' appeal to Edward I, his demand to be recognised as overlord at Norham, the rival claims of Robert Bruce and John Balliol, and Edward's decision to make Balliol king in 1292.
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Why did the death of Alexander III in 1286 create a succession crisis in Scotland?

The succession problem 1286-1292: the death of Alexander III, the position of the Maid of Norway, the Treaty of Birgham, and her death leaving Scotland without a clear heir.
How the death of Alexander III in 1286 and then the Maid of Norway created a succession crisis in Scotland: the role of the Guardians, the Treaty of Birgham with England, and how the Maid's death left no clear heir and opened the door to rival claimants.
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Why did William Wallace's rising succeed at Stirling Bridge but fail at Falkirk?

William Wallace and the rising of 1297-1298: the reasons for the rebellion, the victory at Stirling Bridge, Wallace as Guardian, and the defeat at Falkirk and its consequences.
How William Wallace led the Scottish rising of 1297-1298: the reasons for the rebellion against English rule, the victory at Stirling Bridge, Wallace's role as Guardian, and his defeat at Falkirk in 1298 with its consequences for the Scottish cause.
12 min answer →