KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
THE SCOTTISH SUCCESSION
QUESTION
KP1
ANSWER NOTES
Why did the death of
King Alexander III
cause problems for
Scotland?
Describe how
Scotland was
governed after King
Alexander’s death.
Who was the Maid of
Norway and why was
she important to
Scotland?
What were the terms
of the Treaty of
Brigham?
Why did the Scots
invite Edward II to
help them choose a
new king in 1291?
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
THE GREAT CAUSE
QUESTION
KP2
ANSWER NOTES
Why did King
Edward I invite the
claimants to the
Scottish throne to
meet with him at
Norham?
What demands did
King Edward make
when the
‘Competitors’ arrived
at Norham?
How did the Scots
respond to Edwards
demands?
Describe how the
claims of the
‘Competitors’ were
judged?
Why did Edward
choose John Balliol to
be King of Scotland?
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
THE REIGN OF JOHN BALLIOL
QUESTION
KP3
ANSWER NOTES
Describe the
relationship between
John Balliol and King
Edward.
Why did the Scots
rebel against King
Edward?
What happened when
the English army
attacked Berwick in
March 1296?
Why did King John
surrender to Edward
in July 1296?
How did Edward
treat John Balliol
after his surrender?
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
EDWARD I AND THE OCCUPATION OF SCOTLAND
QUESTION
ANSWER NOTES
In what ways did
Edward punish the
Scots for their
rebellion against him?
What was the
‘Ragman Roll’?
Describe how
Scotland was
governed during the
English occupation of
1296-97?
Why did the Scots
rebel against English
rule in 1297?
How did William
Wallace become a
leading figure in the
Scots resistance to
English rule?
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KP4
KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
WILLIAM WALLACE: THE BATTLE OF STIRLING BRIDGE
QUESTION
ANSWER NOTES
Explain the events
leading to the Battle
of Stirling Bridge on
11 September 1297.
Describe the two
armies that faced each
other at Stirling in
September 1297?
What happened when
the English and
Scottish armies fought
at the Battle of
Stirling Bridge?
Why was the Scots
victory at Stirling
important in the
struggle for
independence?
How was Wallace
rewarded for his
defeat of the English
at Stirling?
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KP5
KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
WILLIAM WALLACE: THE BATTLE OF FALKIRK
QUESTION
ANSWER NOTES
What action did
Wallace take to
protect Scottish
independence when
he became a
Guardian?
What happened at the
Battle of Falkirk on
22 July 1298?
Explain why Wallace
was defeated at
Falkirk?
What did Wallace do
after he was defeated
at Falkirk?
Why did king Edward
not complete the
conquest of Scotland
after his victory at
Falkirk?
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KP6
KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
WILLIAM WALLACE: TRIAL AND EXECUTION
QUESTION
ANSWER NOTES
Why was King
Edward able to regain
control of Scotland in
1304?
How did King
Edward treat the
Scots nobles who had
rebelled against him?
Why did King
Edward refuse to
offer peace terms to
William Wallace?
Describe the trial and
execution of William
Wallace.
Explain why Wallace
was unsuccessful in
his struggle against
the English?
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KP7
KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
ROBERT BRUCE: THE REBEL KING
QUESTION
KP8
ANSWER NOTES
Why did Robert
Bruce rebel against
King Edward and
make himself king of
Scotland in 1306?
Why was Bruce
unsuccessful at first in
his attempts to defeat
his enemies?
In what ways did
Bruce change his
tactics in the spring of
1307?
Describe how Bruce
defeated his Scottish
enemies during the
years 1307 to 1309.
How did Bruce drive
the English from most
parts of Scotland by
1313?
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
ROBERT BRUCE: THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN
QUESTION
ANSWER NOTES
Why did King
Edward II decide to
send an army to
Scotland in the
summer of 1314?
How did Bruce
prepare to do battle
with the English
army?
Describe the Scottish
and English armies
that fought at
Bannockburn?
What were the main
events of the Battle of
Bannockburn?
Why were the English
defeated at
Bannockburn?
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KP9
KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
KEY POINTS FOR LEARNING
THE REIGN OF KING ROBERT I
QUESTION
KP10
ANSWER NOTES
How did the defeat at
Bannockburn affect
Edward II and
English attitudes to
Scotland?
What actions did
Bruce take to try to
force Edward to
recognise him as the
rightful King of
Scotland?
What was the
Declaration of
Arbroath?
Why did the English
agree to make peace
with Scotland in
1328?
What agreement did
the Scots and the
English make in
1328?
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
THE SCOTTISH SUCCESSION
KP1
BACKGROUND
In 1286 King Alexander III of Scotland died after he fell from his horse at the cliffs near Kinghorn in
Fife. The unexpected death of the King created a serious problem in the government of Scotland.
King Alexander’s last surviving son had died two years earlier in 1284 and there was no other male
relative to take his place. Before he died the king had named his granddaughter, Princess Margaret
the Maid of Norway as his successor. The Great Council of powerful noblemen who advised the King
and helped him to rule Scotland agreed this. However the Maid of Norway was only three years old
when Alexander died and Scotland had to be governed until she was old enough to rule in her own
right. Soon after the funeral of Alexander III the Great Council met and appointed six ‘Guardians’ (2
Bishops and 4 powerful noblemen) to govern Scotland. Each of the Guardians swore an oath to
protect the rights of Princess Margaret. They also decided to ask Edward I of England for his support
as he was the brother in law of the Alexander III and the grand Uncle of Princess Margaret. Edward
agreed but only if the Guardians would accept him as ‘Overlord’ of Scotland and agree to a marriage
between Princes Margaret and his son Edward the Prince of Wales.

The Guardians were wiling to agree to the marriage of Princess Margaret and Prince Edward
but they would not accept Edward as Overlord. Edward I was prepared to let the matter rest.
He believed that the marriage of his son to the Maid would eventually lead to Scotland and
England becoming one kingdom with his son as king.

In 1290 the Treaty of Brigham was signed. It stated that Princess Margaret would marry
Prince Edward and that Scotland would remain separate from England as an independent
kingdom with its own laws, customs and parliament. Both sides seemed to have got what they
wanted and it looked like Scotland and England would live in peace.

In August 1290 the eight-year-old Maid of Norway left Norway for Scotland on a ship provided
at great expense by Edward I. During the voyage the Maid developed a fever and her ship
had to stop at Orkney where she died. Scotland now had no obvious successor to the throne.

King Edward’s plans for a peaceful take over of Scotland were now in ruins but he did not
give up his intention to rule the whole of the British Isles. He ordered his officials to begin a
search for any documents that might prove that he had the right to claim to be Overlord of
Scotland.

In Scotland the death of the Maid led to serous problems. There was no clear way of
choosing a new king and some of the leading Scottish noblemen claimed the throne. Most
powerful among them were the Comyns and the Bruces who began to gather their armies in
support of their claims.

Other noblemen began to take sides and it seemed that there would be a civil war. To prevent
bloodshed and destruction the Bishop of St Andrew’s wrote to Edward I asking him to help
choose a new king.

The Scots needed an independent judge to help them decide who should be king. Edward
was seen as a wise king and an expert on legal matters. He had been both a friend and
brother in law to Alexander III and had not tied to take advantage of Scotland’s difficulties. He
was a powerful king and the claimants would accept his judgement.
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
THE GREAT CAUSE
KP2
BACKGROUND
When King Edward received the request from the Scots to help them choose a new king he replied
stating that he would be prepared to assist in order to maintain peace in Scotland and friendship
between the two countries. Secretly he planned to press his claim to be Overlord of Scotland. For
centuries Scottish kings had held land and titles in England and under feudal law they owed homage
to the King of England for these lands. After the English defeated him in 1174, William the Lion was
forced to accept Henry II of England as his overlord but this was cancelled under an agreement at
Canterbury in 1189. Edward now intended to revive the English claim to overlordship He invited the
claimants to the Scottish throne (the ‘Competitors), to meet him at Norham Castle on the English side
of the River Tweed. The Scots were told that they should only bring a few unarmed followers and that
Edward would listen to their advice and judge every claim fairly. When the Scots arrived at Norham
they found Edward waiting with a large army. English ships were also ready to blockade Scottish
ports.

Thirteen ‘Competitors’ claimed the throne of Scotland and nine of them went to Norham to
have their claims judged by Edward I. Edward demanded that all claimants had to accept him
as the Overlord of Scotland.

Only those who accepted Edward, as Overlord would have their claims considered. The Scots
refused and said only a king could agree to Edwards demands – he did not accept this and
held the Scots as prisoners until at last they all agreed.

Scottish castles were to be placed under English control and Edward promised they would be
handed back to the new king. The Guardians of Scotland had to resign and were replaced
men chosen by king Edward.

Edward decided that only two Competitors had a strong claim based on royal descent - John
Balliol and Robert Bruce.

Both Balliol and Bruce were descended from David Earl of Huntingdon (brother of King
William the Lion 1165-1214). Balliol was the grandson of David’s oldest daughter. Bruce was
the son of David’s youngest daughter.

Bruce and Balliol were allowed to choose forty commissioners each and Edward nominated
another twenty-four. In 1292 Edward decided that Balliol had the best claim and awarded the
throne to him.

Edward’s judgment was based on primogeniture rather than proximity. Bruce was the
grandson of the Earl of Huntington and Balliol was the great grandson. Edward decided that
the royal line was through Balliol’s grandmother who was the eldest daughter

In law Edward’s judgement was correct but he may have chosen Balliol because he believed
him to be weak and easier to control than Bruce. Although Bruce had no choice but to accept
Edward's decision he still believed he should be king.

Balliol was crowned King of Scotland on November 30 1292. He then did homage to Edward
for the kingdom of Scotland. Edward now considered Scotland part of his domain and felt free
to interfere in the running of the country as and when he thought it necessary.
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
THE REIGN OF JOHN BALLIOL
KP3
BACKGROUND
The reign of John Balliol was short and troubled. In Scotland Balliol was supported by the powerful
Comyn family who were his relatives but the Bruce family and their supporters opposed him. Balliol
was not able to do much to secure his position in Scotland. From the start Edward made it clear that
he expected Balliol to do as he was told. Less than a month after he was crowned King Edward
summoned him to Newcastle to do homage. Edward who allowed Scots to complain against Balliol in
the English court did not treat Balliol like a king. Balliol was forced to go to the English parliament to
answer complaints against him. Edward would not listen to Balliol’s requests to allow him to send a
representative. Many Scots nobles were angry at the way Balliol was treated by the English. Edward
also forced Balliol to end the Treaty of Brigham, which guaranteed Scottish independence and tried to
stop Scots making contact with other countries without his permission. In 1294 England went to war
with France and Edward demanded soldiers and knights from Scotland to fight in his army. He also
forced Welshmen to fight for him and this provoked an uprising in Wales. With Edward fighting against
the French and the Welsh the time seemed right for the Scots to make a stand against Edward.

The Scottish parliament forced Balliol to refuse Edward’s demand to send soldiers to France.
John Balliol declared that he would no longer do homage to Edward and in 1295 the Scots
made an alliance with France against England.

The Scots army led by John Comyn invaded Northern England and began to attack castles
and towns. The Bruce family and their supporters stayed loyal to Edward and Robert Bruce
(son of the Competitor) organised the defence of Carlisle against the Scots.

In 1296 Edward marched north with a large army determined to punish the Scots. He ignored
the Scottish army that was attacking his northern towns and crossed the border unopposed at
Berwick, the largest and wealthiest burgh in Scotland.

The English army laid siege to Berwick and English ships entered the harbour. Edward
offered the townspeople a chance to surrender and waited three days for their answer.
Instead of the surrender Edward expected the people attacked English ships and insulted
Edward.

Edward ordered his army to attack. Berwick was protected by only a wooden stockade, which
the English broke through easily. To make an example of the burgh and to deter further
resistance Berwick was burned to the ground and between 8,000 and 16,000 towns people
were slaughtered.

King John led a Scots force to Dunbar where Edward was now besieging the castle. His army
was no match for the English who had many more soldiers and knights, better weapons and
more experience. The Scots army was crushed and Balliol fled from the battlefield.

Edward marched his army to Elgin, further north than any English army had been before.
Every important town and castle surrendered to Edward without a fight and noblemen were
forced to swear loyalty to Edward.

On July 22, 1296 John Balliol surrendered to Edward at Kincardine. He was stripped of his
Royal authority and forced to write a letter admitting that he had broken his oath to Edward
his rightful overlord. Balliol was imprisoned in England and later exiled to France where he
died in 1313.
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
EDWARD I AND THE OCCUPATION OF SCOTLAND
KP4
BACKGROUND
With John Balliol in captivity Scotland had no king. Robert Bruce asked Edward to make him king
because of his loyalty but Edward refused. Edward could not simply make Scotland part of his
kingdom as he had done with Wales. However it did seem that this was what he intended to do
eventually. He removed the royal crown and the Stone of Destiny on which Scottish Kings were
crowned. This would make it difficult for the Scots to make a new king in the future. Hundreds of
official documents and legal records were also taken to London. Englishmen were appointed to
govern Scotland – John de Warrenne was placed in overall command; Hugh Cressingham was
appointed Treasurer and William Ormsby Chief Justiciar. All Scottish castles were placed under
English control. In the winter of 1296 Edward returned to England taking most of his army with him.
He believed that Scots resistance was at an end.

Many Scottish nobles held lands in England and quickly submitted to King Edward. They
swore an oath swore an oath of loyalty to him and signed the ‘Ragman Roll’ as Edward
demanded.

Edward took the relatives of important nobles to England as hostages. Many Scottish nobles
were put in prison. Anyone who refused to swear loyalty to Edward lost their lands or was
executed.

John de Warrenne, who Edward appointed to govern Scotland, returned to his estates in
England claiming that the climate was bad for his health. Hugh Cressingham was left in
charge.

Edward began to appoint Englishmen to important posts in the Scottish church and
Church leaders were worried that Edward was trying to take over the Scottish church
and take away their power.

English officials were greedy and corrupt –Cressingham was particularly hated. English
soldiers were arrogant, brutal and treated the Scots people badly. Many Scots wanted
John Balliol back on the throne of Scotland.

The Scots were forced to pay heavy taxes and Edward was still demanding that Scots
should fight in his war against France.

Within a short time Scots resentment of their English rulers began to turn into open
revolt. Many nobles secretly encouraged resistance to English rule -John Comyn, James
the Steward and the Bishop of Glasgow were suspected by the English.

The success of local revolts by leaders such as Wallace and Murray encouraged more Scots
to defy English rule and attack English soldiers and officials.

In July 1297 Cressingham wrote to Edward complaining that it was impossible to collect taxes
and that most parts of Scotland were in rebellion. English officials had been murdered and
most had fled in fear and would not return.

By the summer of 1297, Scots were in open rebellion and many noblemen were renouncing
their oaths of loyalty to Edward. The English simply did not have enough soldiers and lost
control of most of Scotland.
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
WILLIAM WALLACE: THE BATTLE OF STIRLING BRIDGE
KP5
BACKGROUND
Many of the Scots nobles were unwilling to risk open revolt against Edward but there is evidence that
they supported the resistance to English rule. The main opposition to the English was led by William
Wallace in the south and Andrew Murray in the north. There is very little evidence about Wallace’s
early life and much of our information comes from Blind Harry’s poem written more than 100 years
after the death of Wallace. Wallace is thought to have been born in Elderslie around the year 1270.
He was the son of Sir Alan Wallace a minor landowner. There are many stories about Wallace, which
mention his size and strength, but there is little hard factual evidence about him. What seems likely is
that he must have been a capable leader who men were prepared to follow otherwise he could not
have risen from such a lowly position to lead his country in the struggle against the English. Wallace
refused to swear an oath of loyalty to Edward and did not sign the Ragman Roll. He was declared an
outlaw and in May 1297 he killed Sir William Hazelrig the English Sheriff of Lanark who was
responsible for the death of his wife. Wallace went on to lead a growing band of followers attacking
the English where and when they could. In the north Andrew Murray was also driving the English out.
Between them Wallace and Murray made it impossible for English officials to collect taxes or govern
Scotland and most had left the country fearing for their lives. In the summer of 1297 the Earl of
Surrey, John de Warrene assembled army of some 12,000 men ready march north to crush the
treacherous Scots.

On September 10 the English army reached Stirling. The Scots led by Wallace and Murray had
taken up a defensive position on high ground on the opposite bank of the River Forth. The Scots
army of 8,000 was made up of mostly spearmen in schiltrons formation. The English army led by
Cressingham had over 12,000 men including 2,000 cavalry and a similar number of archers.

The English had to cross the narrow bridge over the Forth. This could only be done slowly, two at
a time. The English commanders were over-confidant and ignored the dangers of crossing a
narrow bridge. They did not listen to advice to cross at a ford further upstream.

The English expected to be allowed to cross and meet the Scots in open battle. They thought
their much larger more experienced army would easily defeat the Scots.

Wallace and Murray had chosen a good defensive position for a quick attack. The Scots attacked
when only half of the English had crossed and split their army in two. The English knights who
crossed the bridge were trapped on a small area of marshy land.

The Scots spearmen attacked downhill and slaughtered the English who were unable to
manoeuvre their heavy horses on the marshy ground. The Scots cut timber supports causing the
bridge to collapse – many English knights drowned or were trapped in mud. The English army on
the other side of the river was unable to cross and could only watch.

Wallace sent troops to attack the English on the other side of the river and they fled in panic. The
English commander the Earl of Surrey fled the battlefield and Hugh de Cressingham was killed.

After the battle the last English officials and soldiers fled from Scotland in fear for their lives.
Scottish castles and towns returned to the control of Scots. Wallace and Murray were national
heroes and became Guardians. Wallace was knighted and appointed Commander of the Scottish
army. Within a few months Murray died from the wounds he had received at Stirling.
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
WILLIAM WALLACE: THE BATTLE OF FALKIRK
KP6
BACKGROUND
Following his appointment as a Guardian and Commander of the Scottish army Wallace invaded the
north of England burning, looting and killing. Most Scottish noblemen supported him because of his
success and his popularity with the common people. However many were jealous that a commoner
had risen to such a high position. During his time as Guardian Wallace fought for the return of John
Balliol to the throne of Scotland. The Comyns also wanted Balliol back on the throne but the powerful
Bruce family were opposed to this. Wallace also began to establish trade links with Europe and made
it known that Scotland was now free from English rule. Meanwhile Edward I had returned from the war
in France and was preparing to invade Scotland. He crossed the border in July 1298 but was unable
to find Wallace and his army. Berwickshire and the Lothians had been burned and deserted, and
Edward’s supply ships were delayed at sea. The English army was running short of food and supplies
when news arrived that the Scottish army had been sighted at the Torwood near Falkirk. Unable to
avoid the English, Wallace prepared his men as best he could for battle.

On the 22 July the Scottish and English armies faced each other at Falkirk. Wallace had only
8,000 men – 500 cavalry (contributed by the Comyns and others) and 500 archers. The
English army had 14,000 men including 2,000 mounted knights and 2,000 archers.

Wallace positioned his army on a hill with a small loch in front, and trees behind. The Scots
army of mostly spearmen was arranged into four schiltrons with spears pointing outwards.
The Scottish archers were placed in the gaps between each schiltrons. Around the schiltrons
wooden stakes, roped together, had been driven into the ground.

The battle opened when the English cavalry charged. They circled the small loch some to the
west and some to the east. The Scottish cavalry panicked and deserted without putting up a
fight – some writers claim that the Comyns deliberately betrayed Wallace.

The English then attacked the archers between the schiltrons, killing almost all of them,
including their commander Sir John the Stewart. The Scots schiltrons were now separated
and open to attack.

The spearmen stood firm against the charges of the English cavalry but the schiltrons were
unable to move and became an easy target for Edward’s archers whom he now ordered into
action. Soon hundreds of Scottish spearmen began to fall under a hail of arrows and stones.

There were not enough replacements to move out from the center; the English cavalry
charged into the gaps and slaughtered the Scots, killing thousands. Wallace was forced to
retreat into Torwood forest. He reached Stirling but didn't have enough men left to defend the
site and had to go into hiding.

Although Edward won an important victory at Falkirk he was not able to complete the
conquest of Scotland. He was forced to return to England, as he did not have enough food
and other supplies for a long campaign.

Sir William Wallace’s leading role in the struggle against the English came to an end. He had
risen to power because of his success at Stirling Bridge. After his defeat at Falkirk Wallace
lost the backing of many of the powerful noblemen whose support he needed.
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
WILLIAM WALLACE: TRIAL AND EXECUTION
KP7
BACKGROUND
After his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk Wallace resigned from his position as Guardian. It is unclear
whether he was forced to do this because he no longer had the support of the Scottish nobles, or
whether he gave up in disgust at the treachery of his noble ‘supporters’ and decided to fight alongside
the common people whom he could trust. When Edward I returned to England Robert Bruce and John
Comyn were appointed as Guardians. They continued to act in the name of King John (Balliol).
Wallace left Scotland for Europe where it is known that he visited France and possibly Rome to seek
support for Scottish independence. Bruce and Comyn were enemies and could not work together;
Bruce resigned and was replaced by Bishop Lamberton. In 1302 Bruce submitted to King Edward.
Edward was fighting a war against France and Scotland and was finding it increasingly difficult to do
so. There were several campaigns in Scotland, which achieved nothing except the starvation of the
invading army. However in 1302 Edward defeated the French army at the Battle of Courtrai. Edward
made peace in 1303 with Philip of France. Edward was now free to invade Scotland once again The
Scots prepared for the English attack and Lamberton wrote to Wallace asking for his help.

In May 1303 King Edward crossed the Border with his army. He had arranged supplies to be
brought by sea and massive siege engines were built to attack and pull down the walls of
castles – no one was in any doubt that he planned a long campaign.

By the winter of 1303 large areas of Scotland fell to the English. Edward spent the winter
months in Dunfermline before resuming his attacks in February. By the spring of 1304 most
Scots nobles surrendered and were only lightly punished for their rebellion.

Wallace’ who had been fighting the English in the south of Scotland’ refused to surrender and
Edward ordered that no offer of peace was to be made to Wallace who was to be treated as a
traitor and a common outlaw.

Edward wanted Wallace captured and offered a large reward for him. In 1305, Sir John
Menteith, a Scot, captured Wallace near Glasgow he was quickly taken to London where he
was put on trial for treason murder and many other crimes.

Wallace was unfairly charged with treason although he had never sworn loyalty to Edward.
He was not allowed to speak or give evidence in his own defence and the English court was
ordered by Edward I to find Wallace guilty.

The court sentenced Wallace to a traitor’s death. He was to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
His genitals and internal organs were to be cut out and he was then beheaded. Wallace’s
head was stuck on a spike at the Tower of London. Edward also ordered Wallace’s body
parts to be displayed at Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling and Perth to serve as a warning to
others.

Although Wallace failed in his efforts to drive the English out of Scotland he did keep the idea
of Scotland as an independent kingdom alive when most of the Scots nobles were falling at
Edward’s feet. Wallace also revived the idea of Guardians ruling Scotland and proved that the
Scots could defeat an English army.
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
ROBERT BRUCE: THE REBEL KING
KP8
BACKGROUND
When John Balliol was chosen by Edward I to be King of Scotland his rival, Robert Bruce did not give
up his claim to the throne, instead he passed his claim down to his son who was also named Robert.
When the Scots rebelled in 1295, the Bruce family remained loyal to Edward and expected to be
rewarded with the Scottish crown. However, when the rebellion was crushed Edward refused to grant
Bruce’s request. After the defeat of Wallace at Falkirk Robert Bruce and John Comyn were elected as
the Guardians of Scotland in 1298. The two men were bitter enemies and in May 1300 Bruce
resigned. In 1302 Bruce once again switched sides and became a supporter of King Edward. By 1304
Edward was once again in control of Scotland and in the same year Robert Bruce died leaving his
claim to the Scotish throne to his son Robert, Earl of Carrick. Like his father and grandfather he was
convinced of his right to the throne of Scotland and began to plan a rebellion against king Edward I
who was now old and unlikely to live much longer. In February 1306 Bruce met with John Comyn at
Greyfriars Church in Dumfries. Bruce accused Comyn of treachery and struck him with his sword.
Bruce’s followers then stabbed Comyn to death. The Church condemned Comyn’s murder and Bruce
was excommunicated, Edward I ordered that Bruce was to be captured and executed and the
powerful relatives and supporters of Comyn were determined to get revenge. Bruce realised that the
only hope for him and his family was to seize the throne and drive the English out of Scotland.

In March 1306 the Countess of Buchan crowned Bruce king. He had the support of the
Scottish Bishops who pardoned him for the murder of Comyn. He also had the backing of the
Earls of Atholl, Lennox and Menteith and some lesser nobleman such as Sir James Douglas.

Bruce’s campaign did not begin well. In June 1306 he was defeated by the English at
Methven and by Comyn’s relatives, the MacDougalls at Dalry. His wife and children were
taken prisoner and three of his brothers were beheaded for treason. In the winter of 1306
Bruce went into hiding in an unknown location in the highlands and islands.

In February 1307 Bruce landed at Carrick in Ayrshire where he was attacked by a large
English force. His brothers Thomas and Nigel were captured and executed. Bruce decided to
avoid open battle with the English. Instead he fought a guerrilla war using ambush, surprise
attacks and forced the English to fight on ground that was unsuitable for heavy cavalry.

At Glen Trool in Bruce ambushed and defeated a large company of English soldiers. At
Loudon Hill in May 1307 Bruce forced the English to fight in a narrow area where their cavalry
could not move. In July 1307 Edward I died and his son Edward II. He was not a good general
or a strong leader and had too many problems in England to pay much attention to Scotland.

The English were driven out of Perth, Linlithgow, Edinburgh and Roxburgh Castles – using
night attacks and surprise. Bruce destroyed castles because he did not have enough men to
occupy them and did not want them to fall back into the hands of the English.

In 1308 Bruce attacked Comyn Lands - the Herschip of Galloway and the Herschip of
Buchan. The Comyns were finally defeated at Inverurie and their lands and property
destroyed. Most Scottish nobles now accepted Bruce as king. In 1310 the Scottish
parliament met and declared Robert Bruce to be the lawful king of Scotland.
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KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
ROBERT BRUCE: THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN
KP9
BACKGROUND
By the summer of 1314 only Bothwell Castle and Stirling Castle remained under English control. King
Robert’s brother Edward had been laying siege to Stirling for some months when the governor of the
castle, Sir Phillip Mowbray made a deal with Edward Bruce – he agreed to surrender the castle if a
relief force had not reached Stirling by Midsummer Day. King Robert had not given permission for
such a deal and was said to be furious with his brother. He knew that Edward could not ignore such a
challenge and would march to Scotland with a large force to relieve the castle. Bruce decided to fight
to prevent the English reaching Stirling. He began to make plans for what would be the greatest
Scottish victory against the English. As Bruce expected Edward II assembled a large army and
prepared to invade Scotland.

The English had 16,000 infantry 2,000 archers and 2,500 mounted knights, The Scots had
only 6,000 spearmen, a few archers, and about 500 cavalry. The Battle of Bannockburn took
place over the 23-24 June 1314.

Bruce knew the English army would have to approach Stirling by the old Roman road. He
planned to force the English to fight on marshy land where their heavy horses would have
difficulty.

Bruce chose a good position for his army on high ground with woodlands to give his troops
some protection from English arrows. Calthorps and stake-pits were dug to disable English
horses and make movement difficult.

Scottish troops led by Randolph were in position to prevent English forces from the castle
linking up with Edward’s army. Bruce trained his schiltrons to move in tight formation and
reinforced them with heavily armed men. If it seemed the battle could not be won a plan of
retreat was prepared.

On the first day of the Battle (23 June) the English cavalry charged and almost captured King
Robert but he killed Sir Henry de Bohun and they were driven back with heavy losses.
Scottish spearmen led by Sir Thomas Randolph prevented a large force of English knights
from reaching Stirling Castle.

The English army had not trained together and were badly organised. They had no time to
rest or feed men and horses after their long march north and were forced to spend the night
on marshy ground. They went into battle on the 24 June tired and demoralized.

The English army was trapped on a narrow strip of land between the Bannockburn and the
Pelstream Burn. The English heavy cavalry were unable to manoeuvre on the marshy ground.
Scots cavalry scattered the English archers allowing Bruce to order his schiltrons to attack.
Thousands of English soldiers and knights were killed.

The English army panicked and fled when Bruce gave the order for his reserve of sma’ folk to
attack. Edward II fled from the battlefield to Stirling where he was refused entry to the castle
and then to Dunbar where he boarded a ship for England. When Edward left the English army
fled - thousands were killed in the retreat or drowned in the River Forth.
© Copyright - Pennyprint 2005 Licensed for use by the purchasing institution.
KEYPOINT REVISION: INTERMEDIATE HISTORY
WALLACE, BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE 1286-1328
REVISION FILE
THE REIGN OF KING ROBERT I
KP10
BACKGROUND
Although Bruce had won a crushing victory at Bannockburn, Edward II still refused to recognise him
as king and would not give up his claim to be overlord of Scotland. However there was little Edward
could do about it. The English were humiliated by their defeat at Bannockburn and blamed their king.
Edward lost the support of the leading English nobles. After such heavy losses the English were not
willing to send another army to Scotland and Edward II was facing rebellion against his rule by some
of the most powerful English noblemen. Scots armies raided as far as York showing that Edward II
could not protect his people. Towns in the North of England had to pay money to the Scots to stop the
attacks. Some nobles in the North made peace treaties with the Scots without Edward II’s
permission. In Scotland Bruce had the support of the whole country. He had defeated the Comyns
who were his main rivals. They lost their Scottish lands and titles and were forced to flee to England.
Those who had supported the Comyns were pardoned provided they swore an oath of loyalty to King
Robert. Bruce gave lands and power to his most trusted and loyal supporters. Scottish nobles were
forced to give up their estates in England so that they would have no obligations to the English king.

In 1315 Edward Bruce took an army to Ireland where Edward also claimed to be overlord.
Bruce attacked and regained the Isle of Man in 1318. Scots ambassadors were sent to
European countries to get support.

In 1316 the Pope excommunicated Bruce and all who supported him, including the four
Scottish Bishops. In effect this meant that the whole of Scotland was no longer part of the
Catholic Church

In 1320 the Declaration of Arbroath was drawn up. This was a letter to the Pope asking him to
recognize Scotland as an independent kingdom and to end the excommunication of Bruce
and all those who supported him. Thirty-nine Scottish Earls and Barons and eleven other
noblemen signed it.

The Declaration outlined the wrongs done to Scotland by the English and tried persuade the
Pope to accept Bruce as the rightful king of Scotland and reject Edward II’s claim to be
overlord of Scotland. It intended to show that Bruce had the support of the Scottish people
and that they had the right to remove him if he betrayed them to the English

In 1327 Edward II was murdered and his son Edward III became king. He was too young to
rule and his mother Isabella and Mortimer, Duke of Lancaster became Regents. Bruce
ordered his armies to carry out attacks on the north of England to force the English to make
peace.

In 1328 the Treaty of Edinburgh (Northampton) was agreed between Scotland and England.
Bruce was recognised as King of Scots and a marriage between Bruce’s son David and the
sister of Edward III. All Scottish government records were to be returned together with the
Stone of Destiny (this was not done) and the Scots were to pay £20,000 pounds to England.

King Robert died on 7 June 1329 at the age of fifty-five. Only a few weeks later the Pope
removed the order of excommunication on Bruce. Bruce was buried at Dunfermline Abbey. In
accordance with his wishes his heart was removed and taken on a Crusade by his most
trusted supporter Sir James Douglas.
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