HIGHER HISTORY: The Wars of Independence 1286-1328
CONTEXTUALISATION QUESTIONS
10 marks = 10 short paragraphs
Up to 4 from source and up to 7 from Recall
I.
Each paragraph developed in terms of the question
II. Accurate and relevant
III. Explains how this illustrates the point made in the
question, e.g. How this helped Bruce to ultimately
maintain Scotland’s independence
HIGHER HISTORY: The Wars of Independence 1286-1328
CONTEXTUALISATION QUESTIONS
The source states how Edward was seeking to subjugate the Scots by “disinheriting” and taking the crown from the King of
Scots and making the Scottish nation a part of his lands just as he had done to Wales. Edward intended to bring the Scottish
Kingdom fully under his administration.
The source further illustrates Edward’s subjugation of the Scots as it tells us that Edward sought to use land and naval forces
to bring the Scots under his command through aggression and violence. This explains how Edward attacked Berwick by land
and sea.
The source fails to explain that Scotland was subjugated easily in 1296 because many of the Scottish nobles failed to
support Balliol and chose to remain outside the fight or sided with Edward I. Robert the Bruce the competitor sided with
Edward at this time as he had lands in England.
The source fails to explain that Edward’s army destroyed the Scots at the Battle of Dunbar and captured many leading
nobles. This ensured the success of Edward’s subjugation as the Scots lost the political and psychological will to resist
Edward.
The source does not mention that the subjugation of the Scots was complete in 1296 with the vast majority of the Scots
clergy and nobility stamping their seals on a document declaring their loyalty to Edward I, this became known as the
“Ragman Roll”.
Furthermore the source fails to mention the humiliation and stripping of the title of the King of Scots from John Balliol. This
was one of the final acts of Edward’s subjugation as it ensured Scotland had no king and no succession.
Finally the source fails to mention that Edward further subjugated the Scots in 1296 by removing from Scotland artefacts,
like the Stone of Destiny, and papers relating to the kingdom to show that he was in full control of the country and
government.
HIGHER HISTORY: The Wars of Independence 1286-1328
SOURCE EVALUATION (How useful...?)
6 short paragraphs
(origin, purpose, content x 2, recall x 2)
Each paragraph must discuss the usefulness of the
source in terms of the question
e.g. as evidence of the problems caused by the
death of the Maid of Norway
HIGHER HISTORY: The Wars of Independence 1286-1328
The origin of the source makes it useful as evidence of the
problems caused by the death of the Maid of Norway as it is
written by Robert Bruce sometime between 1290 and 1291 so is
written by an eyewitness who not only sees first hand what the
problems in Scotland are, but has some involvement in the
creation of the problems.
The possible purpose of the source makes it less useful as evidence
of the reasons behind the problems of the succession as it was
written by Bruce to win favour with Edward and therefore is
biased as evidence of the problems.
HIGHER HISTORY: The Wars of Independence 1286-1328
The content of the source makes it useful as evidence of the
problems caused by the death of the Maid of Norway as it
highlights the problem of the succession as both Robert Bruce and
John Balliol have powerful supporters in Scotland for their claims
to the throne.
The source is also useful as evidence of the problems caused by
the death of the Maid as it alludes to the threat of a Civil war in
Scotland by asking Edward to put the seven Earls and the
Community of the realm under his “special peace and protection”.
HIGHER HISTORY: The Wars of Independence 1286-1328
However, the source does not illustrate all the problems faced by
Scotland after the death of the Maid of Norway and loses value as
it does not mention that Edward I of England wanted to reestablish English overlordship over Scotland.
The source again loses value as evidence of the problems facing
Scotland after the death of the Maid as it does not mention that
Edward made all the claimants to the throne swear loyalty to him
thus exerting his overlordship despite the fact the Guardians had
not given into his demands.
HIGHER HISTORY: The Wars of Independence 1286-1328
SOURCE COMPARISON QUESTIONS
4 short paragraphs of detailed comparison
I. Agreement/disagreement int erms of the question
II. Evidence from Source A
III. Evidence from Source B
1 short paragraph of overall comparison
Summary of overall agreements/disagreements of the content of
the source
Comparing Sources at Higher
Example of a detailed comparison
Sources C and D agree that the English response to defeat at Stirling
Bridge was to raise an army to avenge this. Source C states that
writs were immediately sent out to the Sherriff of York, and 28
Northern English and Scots Lords. Source D states that the English
responded “without delay” and sent orders for the Sherriff of
Nottingham and Derby to send troops north to aid other English
Lords.
Comparing Sources at Higher
Example of an overall comparison(the views of the source):
Sources C and D agree overall about the effects of
the Scottish victory at Stirling Bridge as they both
State that Wallace now takes a leading role in the
nation and they both highlight the seriousness of
the English response to the defeat.