Understanding Britain. John Randle.
CHAPTER 3: MEDIEVAL IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND.
CHAPTER 3
Medieval Ireland,
Wales and Scotland.
Ireland and Wales in the Middle Ages.
Both Ireland and Wales lacked an unified government
under one monarch.
Ireland was ruled by a number of kings that were not
able to manage a supremacy as the House of Wessex
neither as the Normans. Ireland had not a Romanised
Church, but a Church ruled by abbots interested in
their own and other local freedoms. Irish law made
difficult any change in society; laws were interpreted
by the chief brehon, whose authority was similar to
abbots and kings’.
In the 12th C, there was a great struggle between the
Irish kings. Dermot MacMurrough, king of Leinster
was helped by Norman lords from England. Richard
Strongbow was a Norman lord who helped Dermot
against his enemies. Richard married Dermot’s
daughter to make bounds with the royal house and he
claimed the throne of Ireland on Dermot’s death. In
1171, Richard won a great victory over the king of
Connacht, who had invaded Leinster. At this point,
Henry II intervened to prevent Richard from becoming
powerful and independent.
Henry II let Richard and other Norman lords keep their
lands, but as his vassals. By the end of Henry’s reign
part of Ireland was given to Norman lords. The rest of
Ireland was ruled
by native Irish kings, who
acknowledged the authority of the king of England,
who became lord of Ireland. Henry hoped that his son
John to become king of Ireland ruling directly from
Dublin but he was too young and untalented for his
task.
Henry’s policy was to divide the land into two areas:
Norman Ireland and Irish Ireland. The area under the
English administration was to be called the Pale.
Poyning’s Law of 1495 decreed that no Bill could be
initiated in Ireland without the approval of the king and
his council in London.
kingdom of Scotia. In about 1016a descendant of
MacAlpin, Malcolm II, defeated the Angles and
brought Lothian under Scottish rule. Ambitious
Scottish kings wanted to absorb Northumbria into their
territories, what provoked a great source of friction
between England and Scotland.
Wales was very soon invaded by Norman lords at the
time of the Conquest. Southern and a little part of
northern coast of Wales was in Norman hands but the
mountainous area in between was ruled by native
Celtic. The kings of England were obliged to grant
great powers to the “marcher lords” on the borders,
who protected England from Welsh raiders. English
kings disliked this policy but a conquest of Wales
would have been difficult and expensive.
In 1018 Malcolm’s grandson, Duncan, became the
king of the British kingdom of Strathclyde which was
inhabited by Northumbrians, Vikings and Gaels.
Galloway, peopled by Britons, became under the
Scottish monarchy. But the power of the monarchy
was weak in Strathclyde and at least nominal in
Galloway. And Vikings controlled the major part of
the lands with the help of their principal ally, the king
of Norway.
Llywelyn ap Gruffyd, prince of Wales, refused to do
homage to Edward I in 1275. Edward resolved on war.
Llywelyn who lacked food supplies had to surrender.
Though he remained prince of Wales, he lost much of
his power over lesser lords. Then, Edward I began to
build spectacular castles, as symbols of his power,
which would serve as bases for future expeditions he
might have to undertake against the Welsh.
In the 11th C, recognising that English ways and
thought were stronger than Celtic ones for the
strengthening of the monarchy, Malcolm III 1, moved
the centre of Scottish national life to English Lothian
and southern Scotia. English settlers fleeing2 from
William the Conqueror added to the English element in
Scotia. Malcolm III’s wife, Margaret (of the House of
Wessex) devoted to bring the Scottish Church into line
with developments of the rest of Europe and to abolish
Celtic ideas of a loosely organised Church with
hereditary leaders.
Llywelyn did not like the new settlement, and he and
his brother David, rose on revolt again. Llywelyn was
killed and David was captured and executed. By the
Statute of Wales (1284) the whole of Wales was
subjected to England. Edward’s son, prince Edward
was declared prince of Wales in 1301.
Scotland: the Unification of the Kingdom.
In contrast to Ireland and Wales, Scotland was unified
under a single monarchy.
The unification of Scotland is traditionally dated to
843, when Kenneth MacAlpin, king of the Scots,
defeated Picts and absorbed their territory to form the
Malcolm’s relations with England were nor peaceful.
He mounted five invasions in all. William the
conqueror invaded Scotland in 1071 and forced
Malcolm to pay homage to him at Abernethy
(Perthshire). Malcolm III was killed his last invasion of
England in 1093.
Malcolm and Margaret tried to establish the custom of
primogeniture by which the eldest son succeeded the
1
2
Popularly known as Malcolm Ceann Mor (“Big Head”).
Escaping, running away from.
1
Understanding Britain. John Randle.
CHAPTER 3: MEDIEVAL IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND.
father. But when, at their deaths, Malcolm’s brother,
Donald Ban (“The Fair”), took the throne there was a
strong reaction against the Anglo-Norman influences
of Malcolm’s reign, and a number of the English at
court were expelled.
Edgar, curiously the forth son of Malcolm, took the
throne (1097-1107) of Scotland after Donald with the
help of William Rufus. His main political achievement
was the understanding reached with the Norwegian
king.
Edgar was succeeded by his brother, Alexander I
(1107-1124) and the close ties with England were
reinforced with his marriage with Sibylla, an
illegitimate daughter of Henry I of England.
David I (reigned 1124-1153) brought great skill and
energy to the rule of Scotland. He set out a major
reform of the Church, which was ill organised despite
Queen Margaret’s efforts. He founded more
bishoprics, so that the whole Scotland was covered by
Episcopal authority and a string of monasteries which
had a major impact in religious and economic life.
In David’s reign many Anglo-Norman lords settled in
Scotland and helped to give the country a feudal
structure similar to those of the continent. The first
coins were minted3 and a standard system of measures
and weights was set up. The custom of primogeniture
was finally established under king David I.
Malcolm IV4, David’s grandson, took the throne
(1153-1165) when he was only eleven. He could not
resist Henry II’s invasion by which the British king
gained Northumbria. He died in 1165.
3
Coined.
4
He was popularly known as “the Maiden”.
William the Lion succeeded his brother Malcolm IV.
He resented the loss of Northumbria and made an
alliance with France – the “Auld Alliance” – to mount
opposition to Henry II’s intentions. But Henry heavily
defeated William and the Scots, and the Treaty of
Falaise (1174) put Scotland under the dominion of the
English king. But William was able to cancel the
Treaty of Falaise in 1189 when the English king,
Richard Lion Heart, renounced his feudal authority
over Scotland.
Alexander II (reigned 1214-1249) married Henry III’s
sister, Joan, and strengthen bounds with the English
crown. The future Alexander III married Henry III’s
young daughter, Margaret.
In 1263 king Hakon of Norway led a great army to
Scotland to take the northern islands claiming that
these islands were Viking territory. Hakon’s army was
defeated by weather and the troops of Alexander III.
The Treaty of Perth (1266), concluded between
Alexander III and king Magnus, son of Hakon, gave
Scotland the control over Man and the Hebrides. The
peace at Perth marked the beginning of friendly
relation between Scots and Vikings. Orkney and
Shetland, the two remaining Viking possessions off the
Scottish coast, went to Scotland in 1469.
The Scottish War of Independence.
The death of Alexander III in 1286 provoked a grave
political crisis that led to a war with England to
preserve Scottish independence.
It was arranged, by the Treaty of Birgham (1290) that
Margaret, the granddaughter of Alexander should
marry Edward’s son to unify the kingdoms; but she
died in her way to Scotland from Norway.
Thus, the Scottish crown was in dispute. The two main
figures who claimed the throne were: John Balliol and
Robert Bruce. The king of England, Edward I was
called upon to arbitrate in the matter because he was
considered as the “superior lord” of whomever was
chosen to be king. John Balliol was elected as the king.
He experienced a difficult situation because he was
pressed by Edward I and consequently his authority as
king of Scotland was being questioned. Finally he
decided to defy king Edward I and fight a war.
Edward I invaded Scotland in 1296 with complete
success. The Scottish army was heavily defeated at
Dunbar and Balliol was taken prisoner. An English
administration was settled in Scotland.
But in the midst of defeat a Scottish hero arose.
William Wallace a knight, rallied the Scots and on 10th
September 1297, the Scottish army inflicted a severe
defeat on the English. Wallace became the guardian of
the realm of Scotland; but one year later Edward
defeated the Scots in Falkirk. In 1303 a new invasion
was directed to Scotland by Edward. Wallace was
captured and taken to London where he was executed.
In 1305, Edward imposed a new order of government
on Scotland.
Robert Bruce, after Balliol’s death, claimed the throne
of Scotland in 1307. He lost his first battle against the
English and fled the country. When he returned
Edward prepared to defeat him, but the English king
died in 1307. without Edward’s military genius
England was not able to maintain Scotland over his
control and by 1314, only Stirling Castle was remained
in English hands.
Edward’s II marched into Scotland in 1314 with a
great army. At Bannockburn, the English were
severely defeated; this is the most famous victory in
Scottish history, but it did not end the war, it lasted
until 1328 when Scotland was recognised as an
2
Understanding Britain. John Randle.
CHAPTER 3: MEDIEVAL IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND.
independent kingdom
acknowledged as king.
and
Robert
Bruce
was
Late Medieval Scotland.
In 1329, Bruce died and his only son, David, was just
five years old. Edward Balliol, son of John Balliol,
backed by Edward III of England, claimed the throne
and invaded Scotland. David II fled to France for
safety in 1334.
David allied with France that had been defeated at
Crécy by the English. Nevertheless, the Scots were
also defeated by the English at Neville’s Cross. David
was captured and sent to prison seven years until an
enormous ransom was paid.
David II did not have children and the crown was to be
passed to Edward III’s younger son. In 1371, the
crown went to Robert “the Stewart” nephew of Edward
III. Robert II, the first Stuart king, ruled until 1390.
The Scottish monarchy was unable to avoid the
influence of the English aristocrats. The lords on the
border with England were difficult to control. In 1388,
there was the battle of Otterburn, or Chevy, a
confrontation between private armies.
Robert III proved to be a weak king; thus, his brother
the Duke of Albany, took the control of the
administration. Robert’s son, James, was captured by
the English. The news of his captivity caused the death
of his father Robert III in 1406.
James I was proclaimed king in his absence. When he
and his wife, Joan Beaufort, returned to Scotland in
1424, James decided to take drastic action to restore
the authority of the crown. He executed those who had
been in control of the kingdom as the Duke of Albany
and sent expeditions to against the clans on the
highlands.
James I encouraged the growth of the Scottish
Parliament to counter the power of the nobility. He,
who had used brutality to strengthen the power of the
monarchy, was paradoxically victim of the sword: he
was stabbed in presence of the queen. His son had only
six years old, and another regency followed.
James II (reigned 1437-60) continued to confront the
power of the Douglas family. He personally stabbed to
death the earl of Douglas, a guest in his dinner table,
and with the support of the Parliament he confiscated
much of the Douglas family’s property. James II died
during the siege of Roxburgh Castle in 1460.
James III married Margaret the daughter of the King of
Norway and Denmark. Her father did not have the
money they agreed for the dowry; thus, as exchange
James III received the islands of Orkney and Shetland.
He was killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn by Scots
nobles who were opposed to him. He was succeeded
by his young son James IV.
In the social sphere, Scotland experienced some
developments. Commerce was growing. Between the
second half of the 15th C and the first two decades of
the 16th C, fifty burghs (towns) were founded, where
the monarchy looked support from the middle urban
classes against the power of the noblemen. But in
general, society was still poor and agricultural.
th
In the 14 C, the University of saint Andrews was
founded and in the 15th C, the university of Aberdeen
and Glasgow. In the late 15th C, a large group of
Scottish poets arose, the most famous of whom was
William Dunbar.
By late medieval times the lowlands of Scotland had
been English- speaking; however, Gaelic continued to
be the language of the highlands and western islands.
Chronology
843 (trad.)
1016
1018
1071
1093
1093-1097
1097-1107
1107-1124
1124-1153
1149
1153-1165
1157
1165
1171
1173-1174
1174
1189
13th (begin.)
1214-1249
1263
1266
1267
1275
1284
1286
1290
1296
1297
Unification of Scotland: when Kenneth MacAlpin, king of the
Scots, defeated Picts and absorbed their territory to form the
kingdom of Scotia.
A descendant of MacAlpin, Malcolm II, defeated the Angles.
Malcolm’s grandson, Duncan, became the king of the British
kingdom of Strathclyde.
Malcolm III, moved the centre of Scottish national life to
English Lothian and southern Scotia.
William the conqueror invaded Scotland and forced
Malcolm to pay homage to him at Abernethy (Perthshire).
Malcolm III was killed his last invasion of England.
Donald Ban “The fair” takes the throne of Scotland.
Edgar, son of Malcolm III, took the throne of Scotland with
the help of William Rufus.
Edgar was succeeded by his brother, Alexander I.
David I took the throne of Scotland.
Cession of Northumbria to David I of Scotland.
Malcolm IV, David’s grandson, took the throne. He died in
1165.
Henry II reigns Northumbria.
William the Lion succeeded his brother Malcolm IV. He
signed the “Auld Alliance” with France.
Richard Strongbow claims the throne of Ireland on Dermot’s
death.
Rebellion against Henry II: William “The Lion” of Scotland
invades the north of England.
The Treaty of Falaise put Scotland under the dominion of the
English king.
William was able to cancel the Treaty of Falaise when the
English king, Richard Lion Heart, renounced his feudal
authority over Scotland.
Henry II divided Ireland in two areas: the English area and the
Pale.
Reign of Alexander II who married Henry III’s sister, Joan,
and strengthen bounds with the English crown.
King Hakon of Norway led a great army to Scotland.
Alexander III took the throne of Scotland.
The Treaty of Perth concluded between Alexander III and king
Magnus, son of Hakon, gave Scotland the control over Man
and the Hebrides.
Henry recognizes Llywelyn ap Gruffyd as the Prince of Wales.
Llywelyn ap Gruffyd, prince of Wales, refused to do homage
to Edward I. Edward resolved on war.
Statute of Wales: the whole of Wales was subjected to
England.
Death of Alexander III.
The Treaty of Birgham stated that Margaret, the granddaughter
of Alexander III should marry Edward’s son to unify the
kingdoms; but she died in her way to Scotland from Norway.
John Balliol and Robert Bruce dispute the throne of Scotland.
Edward I invaded Scotland with complete success. The
Scottish army was defeated at Dunbar and Balliol was taken
prisoner.
William Wallace rallied the Scottish that army inflicted a
severe defeat on the English.
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Understanding Britain. John Randle.
CHAPTER 3: MEDIEVAL IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND.
1298
1301
1303
1305
1307
1314
1328
1329
1371
1388
1390
1406
1437-1460
1495
980-1021
1170-1242
1246
Battle of Falkirk. Edward I defeated the Scots.
Edward I’s son, prince Edward declared prince of Wales.
A new invasion was directed to Scotland by Edward. Wallace
was captured and taken to London where he was executed.
Edward imposed a new order of government on Scotland.
Robert Bruce, after Balliol’s death, claimed the throne of
Scotland.
Edward I died.
Battle of Bannockburn, the English were severely defeated.
Scotland was recognised as an independent kingdom and
Robert Bruce was acknowledged as king.
Bruce died. Edward Balliol, son of John Balliol, claimed the
throne of Scotland.
The Scottish crown went to Robert “the Stewart” nephew of
Edward III. Robert II, the first Stuart king.
The battle of Otterburn, or Chevy, a confrontation between
private armies.
Death of Robert II.
Robert III took the throne.
James, Robert III’s son is captured which provokes the death
of Robert III
James I was proclaimed king in his absence.
James II’s reign. James II died during the siege of Roxburgh
Castle in 1460.
James III.
Battle of Sauchieburn.
James IV.
Poyning’s Law decreed that no Bill could be initiated in
Ireland without the approval of the king and his council in
London.
Llywellyn I, Príncipe de Gales.
Llywellyn II, Príncipe de Gales.
Llywellyn III, Príncipe de Gales
4