Statue of King Robert Bruce at Bannockburn

                             The Wars of Independence

This, the third and best-known event in this catalogue of invasions and failure of absorption is the Wars of Independence. This epic struggle erupted after King Edward I’s invasion of Scotland in 1296. This was in the wake of the crisis produced by the accidental death of King Alexander III .

                           The Beginning of the Conflict in 1296

Beginning in 1296 the conflict known in Scottish history as the Wars of Independence continued on and off until it essentially petered out in the 1330’s. To a greater extent than in the previous periods of conflict this time marked the greatest and most intense period of conflict in Scottish history. It had the effect of radically altering the existing society and of propelling it in a completely different direction from what had gone before. During the course of the conflict approximately two-thirds of the land in Scotland changed hands as well as the monarchy itself and at least seven earldoms.

                                         The Course of the Conflict

Beginning in 1296 with the defeat of the Scottish Royal army at Dunbar the conflict continued with William Wallace’s victory at Stirling Bridge the following year. However, he was then subsequently defeated by Edward I at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. Though William Wallace was removed as Guardian of the Realm the war continued with Wallace himself taking an important part in it. The next important event was the taking of the Scottish crown in 1306 by Robert Bruce. Despite his early setbacks Robert I recovered and with the death of King Edward I in early 1307 he continued to make progress during the course of the period 1307-1313. This period culminated with the decisive Scottish victory at Bannockburn in June 1314.  Despite this crushing victory by Robert I King Edward II escaped the battle resulting in the wars continuing with extensive truces until the overthrow and murder of the unpopular King Edward II of England in 1327.

                                        The Treaty of Edinburgh/Northampton

Taking advantage of Edward II’s overthrow in this year King Robert launched a three-pronged attack on the new regime in England forcing it to the negotiating table.  The result was the Treaty of Edinburgh/Northampton in 1328 which brought that stage of the Wars to a temporary stop. The treaty acknowledged Scotland as an independent kingdom and Robert Bruce as its king. Robert’s son David was married to King Edward III’s sister Joan and Scotland agreed to pay 5000 pounds in gold for 4 years to England. With Robert Bruce’s death in 1329 there was a brief peace which lasted until Edward III’s renewed invasion of Scotland in 1333. This second war continued through the 1330’s until Edward III lost interest in Scotland and turned to the continent instead. The last major event of the Wars of Independence was the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346.