Wars of Independence

Part of History

  • Wars of Independence

    • Succession problem

      The deaths of King Alexander III in 1286 and the Maid of Norway plunged Scotland into crisis. Scottish nobles asked Edward I to choose a new king. This led to Edward’s involvement in Scottish affairs.

    • Balliol and Edward I

      In the 1290s, Edward I of England increased his control over Scotland. In 1296, leading Scottish nobles were forced to swear an oath of allegiance to Edward, and Scotland lost its independence.

    • William Wallace and Scottish resistance

      William Wallace led the resistance to English occupation winning the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. The following year Edward I’s army defeated the Scots at Falkirk. Wallace was executed in 1305.

    • Robert Bruce

      Robert Bruce set out to gain independence and the Scottish crown. Bruce’s victory over the English helped pave the way for the Declaration of Arbroath and the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton.

  • Video playlist

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