First War of Scottish Independence Facts & Worksheets

• The papacy condemned Edward’s invasions and possession of Scotland in the papal bull Scimus, Fili. The bull commanded Edward to cease hostilities and initiate negotiations with Scotland. Nevertheless, Edward disregarded the bull.
• Wallace was dispatched to Europe to seek additional support for the Scottish cause. Wallace travelled to France to solicit the assistance of Philip IV, and he may have subsequently proceeded to Rome. William Lamberton, Bishop of St Andrews, was designated as a third, impartial Guardian to endeavour to preserve order between Bruce and Comyn. The Scots successfully reclaimed Stirling Castle.
• In May 1300, Edward I conducted a military invasion into Scotland, invading Annandale and Galloway. Edward I’s invasion force during the 1300 border conflict is among the most thoroughly documented English armies of the mediaeval era. The cavalry was segmented into four battalions, each including 15–20 bannerets (totalling 60–80), with each banneret commanding approximately 13 knights and squires (totalling 780–1,040). Edward solicited 16,000 men from his magnates but could only assemble 9,000, resulting in a total army strength of approximately 10,000.
• The soldiers were organised into units of 100, each led by an armoured sergeant, which were further divided into groups of 20. Following the English victory at Falkirk two years prior, Edward likely felt himself capable of establishing permanent dominion over Scotland. This necessitated additional campaigning, neutralising the final opposition, and seizing fortresses that were strongholds of resistance. Following the English victory at Falkirk two years prior, Edward likely felt himself capable of establishing permanent dominion over Scotland.
• In that year, Robert Bruce ultimately relinquished his position as joint guardian and was succeeded by Ingram de Umfraville. In May 1301, de Umfraville, John Comyn III of Badenoch and William Lamberton relinquished their positions as joint guardians, and John de Soulis was appointed as the sole guardian. 
• Soulis was appointed mostly due to his neutrality regarding the Bruce and Comyn factions, as well as his patriotism. He was a proactive guardian and exerted increased attempts to restore John Balliol to the Scottish crown.
• In July 1301, Edward initiated his sixth invasion into Scotland, intending to subjugate the region by a dual offensive. His son, Edward, Prince of Wales, led one army, while the enormous army was under his direct command. The prince was destined to acquire the southern territories and achieve more fame, as his father anticipated.
• However, the prince maintained a cautious grip over the Solway coast. In January 1302, Edward consented to a nine-month armistice. At this juncture, Robert the Bruce, among other nobility, pledged his loyalty to Edward I despite having previously supported the patriots. Robert the Bruce’s defection to the English monarch’s faction was not absolute. In March 1302, he dispatched a letter to the monks at Melrose Abbey that significantly diminished his utility to the English monarch.
• In November 1302, following the conclusion of the short ceasefire between the Scots and the English, Edward postponed the mobilisation of his army until spring. The Scottish assault resulted in the capture of the gravely injured Segrave, and although his forces subsequently liberated him, the Scots rejoiced in their triumph. 
• Their achievements, however, became futile when, in May 1303, Philip officially ratified a peace treaty with England, without any regard for the Scots.
• Edward I was now unencumbered by foreign and domestic issues, and after making preparations for the ultimate conquest of Scotland, he initiated his invasion in mid-May 1303. In early 1304, Edward dispatched a raiding party into the borderlands, which routed the armies commanded by Fraser and Wallace. 
•  With the nation completely subdued, all prominent Scots capitulated to Edward in February, with the exception of Wallace, Fraser and Soulis, who was in France. On 9 February 1304, Comyn discussed the terms of capitulation, refusing outright surrender. He requested the release of prisoners from both sides through ransom and sought Edward’s assurance against reprisals or disinheritance of the Scots. The laws and liberties of Scotland would remain as they were under the reign of Alexander III, with any necessary modifications made with the counsel of Edward and the agreement of the Scottish nobility.
•  Although Bruce publicly upheld his allegiance to Edward, he was clandestinely pursuing his aspirations. While aiding Edward in the establishment of the Scottish government on 11 June 1304, and after observing the endeavours of their compatriots at Stirling, Bruce and William Lamberton forged a pact that committed them to friendship and alliance against all men. Scotland was vulnerable, and Edward commenced the process of integrating it into England. In May 1305, the nobility once more paid homage to Edward, and a parliament convened to elect representatives who would later collaborate with the English parliament to formulate governance regulations for Scotland under English control.
• During this period, William Wallace was ultimately apprehended at Robroyston in Glasgow on 3 August 1305. He was surrendered to the English by men serving John Menteith. For years, Wallace had been the most sought-after individual in Scotland, particularly over the last 18 months. He was swiftly transported over the Scottish countryside, his legs restrained beneath his horse, to London, where, following a perfunctory trial, the English authorities killed him on 23 August 1305.
• He was executed by hanging, thereafter drawn and quartered, with his skull displayed on a spike atop London Bridge. The English authorities exhibited his dismembered parts individually in Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling and Perth.

ROBERT THE BRUCE’S REIGN

• Robert the Bruce’s reign commenced unfavourably. He endured two initial setbacks and became exiled from the continent, concealing himself off the Northern Irish shore. It is alleged that he drew inspiration from a spider that persisted in weaving its web across a seemingly significant chasm. Rejuvenated in 1307, Bruce went to the mainland, arriving in Ayrshire, and commenced securing successive victories, garnering allies across Scotland. Concurrently, Edward I died and was succeeded by his less seasoned son, Edward II. 
• From 1307 until 1314, Robert the Bruce executed a highly effective guerilla warfare campaign to expel the English. By 1314, only an English garrison was present in Stirling. Following a succession of triumphs, Robert laid siege to Stirling. 
• Edward II assembled a substantial army, almost double the size of Robert the Bruce’s, and proceeded north to reinforce the garrison. He anticipated that victory at Stirling would enable him to maintain dominion over Scotland and strengthen allegiance among his aristocracy. 

Battle of Bannockburn

• The Battle of Bannockburn occurred over two days. Bruce meticulously selected his battleground, employing the adjacent woodlands to conceal his forces encircling the primary path to Stirling Castle from Falkirk. The location was near the Bannockburn, a minor river that hindered the effective deployment of cavalry, and he had arranged traps along the approach to weaken the English army further. 
• Upon Edward’s initial advance, a brief confrontation occurred, during which the English knight, Henry de Bohun, identified Robert. In an effort to become the hero who would conclude the war, de Bohun launched an offensive. Nonetheless, Robert exercised patience and neutralised the assailant. This invigorated the Scots, prompting an assault that resulted in chaos and the death of de Bohun’s squire. 
• The subsequent morning experienced a break. Edward II attempted to bypass the Scots by fording the river distant from their encampment. Robert the Bruce, however, had been apprised of this scheme and repositioned his forces accordingly. 
• As the English forces endeavoured to cross the river, the Scots launched an assault, repelling them. Edward was compelled to escape, and the remaining forces were defeated. Approximately 10,000 English soldiers are reported to have died. The battle of Bannockburn represented a significant triumph for the Scots and a dispiriting loss for Edward II, playing a crucial role in the trajectory of the Scottish War of Independence.  

END OF THE FIRST SCOTTISH WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

• Edward II declined to recognise Scottish independence, notwithstanding his defeat. However, his focus was diverted to internal issues as his barons instigated unrest. Robert the Bruce persisted in advocating for the acknowledgement of an independent Scottish nation, alongside the cementing of his authority in Scotland. In 1320, Robert the Bruce and the Scottish aristocracy composed the Declaration of Arbroath, affirming Scotland’s independence and requesting papal recognition of Robert as its legitimate king.
• Although it did not achieve instant success, this declaration initiated the process of a truce. Notwithstanding the Pope’s persuasion, Edward II continued to decline the pursuit of peace and the formal conclusion of the Scottish War of Independence. Peace was not established until 1328, facilitated by Edward III, who removed Edward II with the assistance of his mother and her paramour. 
• The Edinburgh-Northampton peace treaty was signed with the stipulation that the Scots would pay a sum of £100,000 and that Robert would arrange for his son to marry the sister of Edward III. The inaugural Scottish War of Independence had concluded. Scotland was recognised as an independent nation, with Robert the Bruce as its monarch.