Wars of Scottish Independence
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of campaigns launched after the English annexation of Scotland in 1296.The Scottish crown had been in dispute from the death of Alexander III of Scotland in 1286. The nobles of Scotland chose Edward I of England to arbitrate the succession. He picked the claimant who promised to acknowledge the overlordship of the English King over the Scottish King. The claimant John Balliol agreed to these terms in 1292, but soon chafed under English control. In 1295 John renounced his allegiance to Edward.
This brought about a swift invasion by England which defeated the Scots at the Battle of Dunbar (1296). Balliol was deposed and Scotland was annexed to England. After this defeat parts of Scotland rose up in revolt under William Wallace. Despite some notable successes, such as the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, Wallce was betrayed and executed by the English.
The revolt calmed for a period, until Robert the Bruce, an claimant to the throne of Scotland facing murder charges, elected to try to lead Scotland in revolt. This time, the Scots were more successful and Robert the Bruce defeated Edward II of England at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
In 1320 the Declaration of Arbroath was issued by the Pope acknowledging Scottish independence from England.
Finally, in 1327, Edward II of England was deposed and killed. Robert the Bruce invaded the North of England, which forced Edward III of England to sign the Treaty of Northampton in 1328, which recognized Bruce and the independence of Scotland.
Major events of the Scottish Wars of Independence:
- Battle of Dunbar (1296)
- Battle of Stirling Bridge, 1297
- Battle of Falkirk (1298)
- Fall of Stirling Castle, 1304
- Battle of Methven, 1306
- Battle of Bannockburn, 1314
- Capture of Berwick, 1318
- Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
- Treaty of Northampton, 1328
- Battle of Dupplin Moor, 1332
- Battle of Halidon Hill, 1333
