ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Knowledgia The Second Scottish War of Independence – Explained in 26 Minutes (1332 – 1357)
The conflict between Scotland and England seemed to have ended with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton. This treaty was signed after the English suffered a defeat at the Battle of Stanhope Park. During this campaign, the young King Edward III of England was almost captured, forcing his regents to negotiate peace. His mother, Isabella of France, and her partner, Roger Mortimer, reluctantly agreed to the treaty in 1328, which Edward was compelled to sign despite his dissatisfaction. Edward later criticized the treaty as a “shameful peace,” reflecting his displeasure. Just two years later, he detained his mother and executed Mortimer.
With peace established, Robert the Bruce’s position as King of the Scots was solidified. However, many of Bruce’s rivals, the Balliols, were unhappy. Edward Balliol, son of former King John Balliol, became a symbol for those disinherited by Bruce. When King Robert died in 1329, leaving his young son David II as heir, Balliol saw an opportunity. He allied with Edward III of England, hoping to claim the Scottish throne. In 1331, Balliol and Henry Beaumont plotted to invade Scotland with the support of the Disinherited, despite Edward III publicly forbidding it.
Thomas Randolph, the Guardian of Scotland, was aware of Balliol’s plans but died just before the invasion. On August 6, 1332, Balliol landed in Fife with a 2,000-strong army. Despite being ambushed, Balliol’s forces managed to win. Five days later, Balliol’s smaller army was attacked by a much larger Scottish force. Internal disputes among the Scots led to their defeat, and Balliol was crowned King of the Scots at Scone on September 24, 1332, despite limited support.
Balliol’s rule faced challenges, culminating in the Battle of Annan, where David’s supporters ambushed and defeated Balliol’s forces, forcing him to flee to England. Seeking support from Edward III, Balliol aimed to reclaim the throne. Edward, who had previously adhered to the treaty, now openly supported Balliol.
In response to English involvement, the Scots raided Cumberland, giving Edward an excuse to invade Scotland. He targeted Berwick, a key trade route. After a four-month siege, the Scottish defenders surrendered, and King David fled to France. Edward reinstated Balliol as king, who granted lands to Edward III. Despite resistance, the situation seemed bleak for the Scots.
The dynamics shifted with the Battle of Culblean. Sir Andrew Murray, Scotland’s new Guardian, opposed the England-aligned Earl of Atholl, David III Strathbogie. Murray defended Kildrummy Castle, leading to a decisive Scottish victory. This marked a turning point in the war, weakening Balliol’s claim.
Despite temporary pauses, guerrilla warfare persisted. The French supported David, and tensions between England and France escalated into the Hundred Years’ War. By 1340, English influence in Scotland waned. David’s return bolstered Scottish morale, but his invasion of England led to his capture. Negotiations for his ransom stalled, but eventually, the Treaty of Berwick was signed, ending the war and restoring David II as king.
While David retained his throne, tensions between Scotland and England remained. The Second Scottish War of Independence was a significant chapter in Scotland’s ongoing struggle for independence, highlighting the complex interplay of politics and warfare in medieval Europe.
Research the key events of the Second Scottish War of Independence and create a detailed timeline. Include significant battles, treaties, and political changes. Use visuals like images or maps to enhance your timeline. This will help you understand the sequence of events and their impact on the war’s outcome.
Divide into groups and role-play as key figures from the war, such as Edward III, Edward Balliol, and Sir Andrew Murray. Prepare arguments for or against the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton and the actions taken by these figures. This activity will help you explore different perspectives and the motivations behind historical decisions.
Analyze historical maps of Scotland and England during the Second Scottish War of Independence. Identify strategic locations like Berwick and Kildrummy Castle. Discuss how geography influenced military strategies and the outcomes of battles. This will enhance your understanding of the war’s logistics and challenges.
Write a series of diary entries from the perspective of a Scottish or English soldier during the war. Describe daily life, battles, and personal reflections on the conflict. This exercise will help you empathize with individuals from the past and gain insight into the human experience of war.
Conduct a research project on the Treaty of Berwick. Investigate its terms, the negotiation process, and its impact on Scotland and England. Present your findings in a report or presentation. This will deepen your understanding of how diplomacy shaped the war’s conclusion and future relations between the two nations.
Military conflict between the Scots and the English had, in theory, been ended with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton. However, it was a demoralizing defeat at the Battle of Stanhope Park that compelled the English to negotiate peace with the Scots. After the newly ascended 14-year-old King Edward III was nearly captured during the campaign, his regents were forced to the negotiation table. His mother, Isabella of France, and her companion, Roger Mortimer, reluctantly agreed to the treaty in 1328, which the young monarch was subsequently compelled to sign despite his reservations. Edward would later criticize the agreement as a “shameful peace,” which some view as opportunism while others see it as a reflection of his vengeful spirit. Regardless of the reason, Edward was displeased and, just two years later, detained his mother and executed her companion.
After peace was established with England, Robert the Bruce’s position as King of the Scots was solidified and recognized across the border. This was a victory for Scotland; however, many loyal followers of Bruce’s rivals, the Balliols, viewed it differently. Many Scottish nobles whom Bruce had disinherited due to their refusal to pledge loyalty decided to leave their homeland. Edward Balliol, the eldest son of former King John Balliol, became a symbol of hope for these “disinherited.”
Further opportunity arose when King Robert died in 1329, leaving only his 5-year-old son, David II, as heir to the Scottish throne. This marked the beginning of the “war of rival kings.” Edward Balliol, seeking an alliance with Edward of England, recognized this as his best chance to claim the throne he believed was rightfully his. In 1331, Balliol and Earl of Buchan Henry Beaumont began discussions about invading Scotland with the support of the Disinherited. The plotting took place in Yorkshire under the watchful eye of King Edward. Although the English monarch publicly forbade any invasion of Scotland, he allowed the Disinherited to sail from Yorkshire to Scotland by sea without opposition.
At the time of the Disinherited’s scheming, King David’s regent and Guardian of Scotland, Thomas Randolph, was aware of the conspiracy and prepared to respond. Randolph planned to wait for Balliol’s forces at the Scottish shores but died just ten days before the Disinherited set sail. On August 6, 1332, Balliol and his 2,000-strong army, mostly composed of Englishmen, landed in Fife. The Scots, aware of the impending invasion, ambushed the invaders on the beach. Despite being caught off guard, Balliol’s men managed to push back the Scottish defenders, and they won the day.
Five days after the battle at Fife, Balliol attempted to march deeper into Scotland when a force of 15,000 to 40,000 men under the command of the Earl of Mar attacked his significantly smaller army. Although the clash was initiated by Balliol’s forces, they stumbled upon a Scottish camp, ambushed it, and routed the defenders. However, they were unaware that the bulk of the Scottish forces was on its way.
The invaders should have been easily defeated in the ensuing battle, but internal disputes among the Scottish leadership led to disorganization. The Scottish forces, unable to utilize their weapons effectively, suffered heavy losses. The Scots, who had entered the battle with confidence, ultimately fled, and Balliol’s forces prevailed. On September 24, 1332, Edward Balliol was crowned King of the Scots at Scone, despite minimal Scottish support. His eagerness to grant Scottish lands to the King of England only strengthened the resolve of King David’s supporters.
Challenges to Balliol’s authority culminated in the Battle of Annan, where David’s loyalists ambushed and routed Balliol’s men, forcing him to flee back to England. After his retreat, Balliol sought support from Edward III to reclaim the throne. The King of England, having previously feigned allegiance to the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton, shifted his strategy and openly supported Balliol’s claim.
In response to England’s involvement, the Scots launched raids into Cumberland, providing Edward with an excuse to invade Scotland. His target was the town of Berwick, a crucial trade route for Scotland. A four-month siege of Berwick-upon-Tweed ended with the Scottish defenders capitulating, and King David fled to France for refuge.
The English quickly reinstated Edward Balliol as King of Scotland, who paid homage to Edward III and granted eight counties to the English ruler. Despite attempts at resistance from David’s partisans, the situation seemed dire for the Scottish cause. However, the dynamics of war and politics often shift unexpectedly. Balliol’s reign was marked by a lack of support, and many of his allies began to defect. Meanwhile, the French were supporting David’s claim, prompting Balliol to seek further military aid from Edward of England.
The Auld Alliance between France and Scotland had been renewed, and Philip VI of France began to support David’s loyalists. Philip sent a 6,000-man army to restore David to the throne, and both Scottish and French ships began attacking English vessels. Despite these setbacks, Edward III initially refused to negotiate with Philip, choosing to continue the conflict.
The Battle of Culblean marked a significant turning point in the war. Scotland’s new Guardian, Sir Andrew Murray, opposed the actions of David III Strathbogie, the England-aligned Earl of Atholl. Murray rushed to defend Kildrummy Castle, which was under threat. The ensuing battle resulted in a decisive Scottish victory, crushing Strathbogie’s forces and marking a turning point in the second war of Scottish independence.
The aftermath of Culblean saw continued military success for the Scots and the decline of Balliol’s claim to the throne. The French remained supportive of David, and despite temporary pauses in military involvement, Philip encouraged David to continue the fight. Guerrilla warfare persisted, and Edward was aware that an Anglo-French war was imminent.
On May 24, 1337, King Philip’s council ruled that Edward’s French territories should be confiscated, marking the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War. By 1340, the English presence in Scotland had diminished significantly, and with David’s return, it appeared that the Scots had regained their momentum. However, the Scots were also expected to support their French allies, complicating the situation further.
David’s subsequent invasion of England faced stiff resistance, leading to his capture. His imprisonment opened the door for Balliol to reclaim the throne, but ongoing negotiations for David’s ransom stalled. Minor conflicts continued until the French defeat at the Battle of Poitiers raised concerns in Scotland about renewed English aggression. Eventually, a ransom for King David was negotiated, leading to the Treaty of Berwick, which marked the end of the Second War of Scottish Independence and the restoration of David II as King of the Scots.
While David retained his throne and Scotland’s freedom, the underlying tensions between the Scots and the English remained unresolved. This conflict was not the first, nor would it be the last, in Scotland’s ongoing struggle for independence.
Scotland – A country that is part of the United Kingdom, located to the north of England, with a distinct cultural and historical identity. – Scotland played a crucial role in the Wars of Independence against England during the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
England – A country that is part of the United Kingdom, located to the south of Scotland, with a rich history of monarchy and empire. – England’s political landscape was significantly altered by the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.
Treaty – A formal agreement between two or more states in reference to peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations. – The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, officially ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations on Germany.
Balliol – Referring to John Balliol, who was King of Scots from 1292 to 1296, known for his conflict with Edward I of England. – John Balliol’s reign was marked by his struggle to maintain Scottish independence against English domination.
David – Referring to David I of Scotland, a 12th-century king known for his significant contributions to the development of the Scottish state and church. – King David I’s reign saw the introduction of feudalism and the establishment of many monasteries in Scotland.
War – A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country. – The Hundred Years’ War between England and France had profound effects on the political landscape of medieval Europe.
Independence – The state of being free from outside control; not subject to another’s authority. – The American colonies declared their independence from British rule in 1776, leading to the Revolutionary War.
Battle – A sustained fight between large organized armed forces. – The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was a pivotal moment in English history, leading to Norman control of England.
Invasion – An instance of invading a country or region with an armed force. – The Norman invasion of England in 1066 dramatically changed the country’s culture and governance.
Politics – The activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. – The politics of the Cold War era were dominated by the ideological struggle between capitalism and communism.
