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The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of campaigns launched after the English invasion of Scotland in 1296.
Background
King Alexander III of Scotland died in 1286, leaving his three-year old grand-daughter Margaret (called 'the Maid of Norway') as his heir. When she died in Orkney in 1290, various claimants arose for the Scottish crown. The nobles of Scotland chose Edward I of England (called 'Longshanks') to arbitrate among the claimants, known as 'competitors'. The two main competitors were Robert Bruce and John Balliol. In 1292 Edward picked Balliol, apparently believing that he would swear allegiance and Edward could gain Scotland as part of England. When Edward ordered Balliol to join the English campaign in France in 1295 he refused. Threatened by Edward, Balliol signed a tripartite treaty with France and Norway. Although Norway never acted upon it, the Franco-Scottish alliance, later known as the Auld Alliance, was effective until 1560.
This brought about a swift invasion by England whose army defeated the Scots at the Battle of Dunbar (1296). Balliol was deposed and sent to the Pope and Scotland was occupied by England.
Wallace period 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, he was conqered at the Battle of Falkirk and fled to France. He later returned to Scotland. Wallace, fighting in the name of the King, was betrayed and executed by the English on August 23, 1305.
Bruce period The revolt calmed for a period, until Robert the Bruce, the grandson of the competitor of 1292, was crowned King of Scots in 1306. This time, the Scots were more successful and Robert the Bruce comprehensively defeated Edward II of England at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
In 1320 the Declaration of Arbroath was sent by a group of Scottish nobles to the Pope affirming Scottish independence from England.
In 1327, Edward II of England was deposed and killed. The invasion of the North of England by Robert the Bruce forced Edward III of England to sign the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton on May 1 in 1328, which recognised the independence of Scotland with Bruce as king.
Major events of the Scottish Wars of Independence:
The Second Wars of Scottish Independence English interference in Scottish affairs continued after the signing of the treaty, however, with active support given to Edward Balliol's claim to the Scottish throne. This is sometimes known as the second War of Scottish Independence. Two battles fought in this period are:
See also Edward I of England, Edward II of England, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Berwick-upon-Tweed, John Balliol UK topics
External links - Wars of Independence (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/independence/features_independence_arbroath.shtml)
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