Scottish Wars of Independence: Great Cause

Introduction

The period between 1249-1328 marked a turbulent era in Scottish history, particularly noted for the Scottish Wars of Independence. Central to the period was "The Great Cause," a succession crisis following the death of King Alexander III that eventually involved Edward I of England. This document aims to provide an overview of the events and decisions that led to and occurred during "The Great Cause."

Vacuum of Power

The death of Alexander III left Scotland without a king or heir. In this void, King Edward of England was asked to choose a new king for Scotland.

Reasons to Involve Edward

The decision to involve Edward was strategic. Edward had good relations with Scotland and was a powerful king, making him appear trustworthy and unopposable.

Initial Meetings

The process took over a year. Edward's first act was to meet with Scotland's guardians. Despite the Scots wanting Edward to travel to them, the meetings took place at Norham Castle, where Edward was stationed.

Edward's Overlord Demand

Edward demanded that the Scots recognize him as overlord before he could choose a new king. This was met with outrage by the guardians, who believed only a new king had the authority to make such a decision.

Changing Views

Edward's attitude towards Scotland started to change. His previous good relationship with Alexander seemed irrelevant as civil war threats indicated that Scotland was unstable. His recent conquest of Wales might also have influenced him.

Candidates for Kingship

Thirteen men stepped forward to be considered as the new King of Scotland. Edward declared he would only consider those who recognized him as overlord. Although many hesitated, all eventually accepted the condition.

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The Great Cause

The Award of Norham

This acceptance of Edward as overlord is known as the Award of Norham. Edward now had legal control over Scotland and could even partition its lands.

Selection of John Balliol

Edward finally chose John Balliol as the new king in November 1292 based on the strongest legal claim. This choice led to further tension as some believed Balliol was the weakest candidate.

Primogeniture and Balliol's Claim

Balliol's claim was considered the strongest based on the concept of primogeniture, meaning inheritance usually goes to the eldest child. Both Bruce and Balliol were related to King David I, but Balliol was related to his oldest daughter.

Conclusion

"The Great Cause" was a turning point in Scottish history, setting the stage for the Wars of Independence. Edward's intervention and the ensuing decisions during the crisis led to substantial shifts in Scotland's governance and its relationship with England. Understanding "The Great Cause" is crucial to grasping the complexities that unfolded in Scotland during this period.