Understanding Britain. John Randle. CHAPTER 3: MEDIEVAL IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND.

CHAPTER 3 Henry’s policy was to divide the land into two areas: kingdom of Scotia. In about 1016a descendant of Medieval Ireland, Norman Ireland and Irish Ireland. The area under the MacAlpin, Malcolm II, defeated the Angles and English administration was to be called the Pale. brought Lothian under Scottish rule. Ambitious Wales and Scotland. Poyning’s Law of 1495 decreed that no Bill could be Scottish kings wanted to absorb Northumbria into their initiated in Ireland without the approval of the king and territories, what provoked a great source of friction Ireland and Wales in the Middle Ages. his council in London. between England and Scotland. Both Ireland and Wales lacked an unified government under one monarch. Wales was very soon invaded by Norman lords at the In 1018 Malcolm’s grandson, Duncan, became the time of the Conquest. Southern and a little part of king of the British kingdom of Strathclyde which was Ireland was ruled by a number of kings that were not northern coast of Wales was in Norman hands but the inhabited by Northumbrians, Vikings and Gaels. able to manage a supremacy as the House of Wessex mountainous area in between was ruled by native Galloway, peopled by Britons, became under the neither as the Normans. Ireland had not a Romanised Celtic. The kings of England were obliged to grant Scottish monarchy. But the power of the monarchy Church, but a Church ruled by abbots interested in great powers to the “marcher lords” on the borders, was weak in Strathclyde and at least nominal in their own and other local freedoms. Irish law made who protected England from Welsh raiders. English Galloway. And Vikings controlled the major part of difficult any change in society; laws were interpreted kings disliked this policy but a conquest of Wales the lands with the help of their principal ally, the king by the chief brehon, whose authority was similar to would have been difficult and expensive. of Norway. abbots and kings’. Llywelyn ap Gruffyd, prince of Wales, refused to do In the 11th C, recognising that English ways and th In the 12 C, there was a great struggle between the homage to Edward I in 1275. Edward resolved on war. thought were stronger than Celtic ones for the Irish kings. Dermot MacMurrough, king of Leinster Llywelyn who lacked food supplies had to surrender. strengthening of the monarchy, Malcolm III1, moved was helped by Norman lords from England. Richard Though he remained prince of Wales, he lost much of the centre of Scottish national life to English Lothian Strongbow was a Norman lord who helped Dermot his power over lesser lords. Then, Edward I began to and southern Scotia. English settlers fleeing2 from against his enemies. Richard married Dermot’s build spectacular castles, as symbols of his power, William the Conqueror added to the English element in daughter to make bounds with the royal house and he which would serve as bases for future expeditions he Scotia. Malcolm III’s wife, Margaret (of the House of claimed the throne of Ireland on Dermot’s death. In might have to undertake against the Welsh. Wessex) devoted to bring the Scottish Church into line 1171, Richard won a great victory over the king of with developments of the rest of Europe and to abolish Connacht, who had invaded Leinster. At this point, Llywelyn did not like the new settlement, and he and Celtic ideas of a loosely organised Church with Henry II intervened to prevent Richard from becoming his brother David, rose on revolt again. Llywelyn was hereditary leaders. powerful and independent. killed and David was captured and executed. By the Statute of Wales (1284) the whole of Wales was Malcolm’s relations with England were nor peaceful. Henry II let Richard and other Norman lords keep their subjected to England. Edward’s son, prince Edward He mounted five invasions in all. William the lands, but as his vassals. By the end of Henry’s reign was declared prince of Wales in 1301. conqueror invaded Scotland in 1071 and forced part of Ireland was given to Norman lords. The rest of Malcolm to pay homage to him at Abernethy Ireland was ruled by native Irish kings, who Scotland: the Unification of the Kingdom. (Perthshire). Malcolm III was killed his last invasion of acknowledged the authority of the king of England, In contrast to Ireland and Wales, Scotland was unified England in 1093. who became lord of Ireland. Henry hoped that his son under a single monarchy. John to become king of Ireland ruling directly from Malcolm and Margaret tried to establish the custom of Dublin but he was too young and untalented for his The unification of Scotland is traditionally dated to primogeniture by which the eldest son succeeded the task. 843, when Kenneth MacAlpin, king of the Scots, 1 defeated Picts and absorbed their territory to form the Popularly known as Malcolm Ceann Mor (“Big Head”). 2 Escaping, running away from. 1 Understanding Britain. John Randle. CHAPTER 3: MEDIEVAL IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND. father. But when, at their deaths, Malcolm’s brother, William the Lion succeeded his brother Malcolm IV. Robert Bruce. The king of England, Edward I was Donald Ban (“The Fair”), took the throne there was a He resented the loss of Northumbria and made an called upon to arbitrate in the matter because he was strong reaction against the Anglo-Norman influences alliance with France – the “Auld Alliance” – to mount considered as the “superior lord” of whomever was of Malcolm’s reign, and a number of the English at opposition to Henry II’s intentions. But Henry heavily chosen to be king. John Balliol was elected as the king. court were expelled. defeated William and the Scots, and the Treaty of He experienced a difficult situation because he was Falaise (1174) put Scotland under the dominion of the pressed by Edward I and consequently his authority as Edgar, curiously the forth son of Malcolm, took the English king. But William was able to cancel the king of Scotland was being questioned. Finally he throne (1097-1107) of Scotland after Donald with the Treaty of Falaise in 1189 when the English king, decided to defy king Edward I and fight a war. help of William Rufus. His main political achievement Richard Lion Heart, renounced his feudal authority was the understanding reached with the Norwegian over Scotland. Edward I invaded Scotland in 1296 with complete king. success. The Scottish army was heavily defeated at Alexander II (reigned 1214-1249) married Henry III’s Dunbar and Balliol was taken prisoner. An English Edgar was succeeded by his brother, Alexander I sister, Joan, and strengthen bounds with the English administration was settled in Scotland. (1107-1124) and the close ties with England were crown. The future Alexander III married Henry III’s reinforced with his marriage with Sibylla, an young daughter, Margaret. But in the midst of defeat a Scottish hero arose. illegitimate daughter of Henry I of England. William Wallace a knight, rallied the Scots and on 10th In 1263 king Hakon of Norway led a great army to September 1297, the Scottish army inflicted a severe David I (reigned 1124-1153) brought great skill and Scotland to take the northern islands claiming that defeat on the English. Wallace became the guardian of energy to the rule of Scotland. He set out a major these islands were Viking territory. Hakon’s army was the realm of Scotland; but one year later Edward reform of the Church, which was ill organised despite defeated by weather and the troops of Alexander III. defeated the Scots in Falkirk. In 1303 a new invasion Queen Margaret’s efforts. He founded more The Treaty of Perth (1266), concluded between was directed to Scotland by Edward. Wallace was bishoprics, so that the whole Scotland was covered by Alexander III and king Magnus, son of Hakon, gave captured and taken to London where he was executed. Episcopal authority and a string of monasteries which Scotland the control over Man and the Hebrides. The In 1305, Edward imposed a new order of government had a major impact in religious and economic life. peace at Perth marked the beginning of friendly on Scotland. relation between Scots and Vikings. Orkney and In David’s reign many Anglo-Norman lords settled in Shetland, the two remaining Viking possessions off the Robert Bruce, after Balliol’s death, claimed the throne Scotland and helped to give the country a feudal Scottish coast, went to Scotland in 1469. of Scotland in 1307. He lost his first battle against the structure similar to those of the continent. The first English and fled the country. When he returned coins were minted3 and a standard system of measures The Scottish War of Independence. Edward prepared to defeat him, but the English king and weights was set up. The custom of primogeniture The death of Alexander III in 1286 provoked a grave died in 1307. without Edward’s military genius was finally established under king David I. political crisis that led to a war with England to England was not able to maintain Scotland over his preserve Scottish independence. control and by 1314, only Stirling Castle was remained Malcolm IV4, David’s grandson, took the throne in English hands. (1153-1165) when he was only eleven. He could not It was arranged, by the Treaty of Birgham (1290) that resist Henry II’s invasion by which the British king Margaret, the granddaughter of Alexander should Edward’s II marched into Scotland in 1314 with a gained Northumbria. He died in 1165. marry Edward’s son to unify the kingdoms; but she great army. At Bannockburn, the English were died in her way to Scotland from Norway. severely defeated; this is the most famous victory in Scottish history, but it did not end the war, it lasted Thus, the Scottish crown was in dispute. The two main until 1328 when Scotland was recognised as an 3 Coined. figures who claimed the throne were: John Balliol and 4 He was popularly known as “the Maiden”. 2 Understanding Britain. John Randle. CHAPTER 3: MEDIEVAL IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND. independent kingdom and Robert Bruce was acknowledged as king. James I encouraged the growth of the Scottish Chronology Parliament to counter the power of the nobility. He, 843 (trad.) Unification of Scotland: when Kenneth MacAlpin, king of the Scots, defeated Picts and absorbed their territory to form the Late Medieval Scotland. who had used brutality to strengthen the power of the kingdom of Scotia. In 1329, Bruce died and his only son, David, was just monarchy, was paradoxically victim of the sword: he 1016 A descendant of MacAlpin, Malcolm II, defeated the Angles. 1018 Malcolm’s grandson, Duncan, became the king of the British five years old. Edward Balliol, son of John Balliol, was stabbed in presence of the queen. His son had only kingdom of Strathclyde. backed by Edward III of England, claimed the throne six years old, and another regency followed. 1071 Malcolm III, moved the centre of Scottish national life to English Lothian and southern Scotia. and invaded Scotland. David II fled to France for William the conqueror invaded Scotland and forced Malcolm safety in 1334. James II (reigned 1437-60) continued to confront the to pay homage to him at Abernethy (Perthshire). power of the Douglas family. He personally stabbed to 1093 Malcolm III was killed his last invasion of England. 1093-1097 Donald Ban “The fair” takes the throne of Scotland. David allied with France that had been defeated at death the earl of Douglas, a guest in his dinner table, 1097-1107 Edgar, son of Malcolm III, took the throne of Scotland with Crécy by the English. Nevertheless, the Scots were and with the support of the Parliament he confiscated the help of William Rufus. 1107-1124 Edgar was succeeded by his brother, Alexander I. also defeated by the English at Neville’s Cross. David much of the Douglas family’s property. James II died 1124-1153 David I took the throne of Scotland. was captured and sent to prison seven years until an during the siege of Roxburgh Castle in 1460. 1149 Cession of Northumbria to David I of Scotland. 1153-1165 Malcolm IV, David’s grandson, took the throne. He died in enormous ransom was paid. 1165. James III married Margaret the daughter of the King of 1157 Henry II reigns Northumbria. David II did not have children and the crown was to be Norway and Denmark. Her father did not have the 1165 William the Lion succeeded his brother Malcolm IV. He signed the “Auld Alliance” with France. passed to Edward III’s younger son. In 1371, the money they agreed for the dowry; thus, as exchange 1171 Richard Strongbow claims the throne of Ireland on Dermot’s crown went to Robert “the Stewart” nephew of Edward James III received the islands of Orkney and Shetland. death. 1173-1174 Rebellion against Henry II: William “The Lion” of Scotland III. Robert II, the first Stuart king, ruled until 1390. He was killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn by Scots invades the north of England. nobles who were opposed to him. He was succeeded 1174 The Treaty of Falaise put Scotland under the dominion of the English king. The Scottish monarchy was unable to avoid the by his young son James IV. 1189 William was able to cancel the Treaty of Falaise when the influence of the English aristocrats. The lords on the English king, Richard Lion Heart, renounced his feudal border with England were difficult to control. In 1388, In the social sphere, Scotland experienced some authority over Scotland. 13th (begin.) Henry II divided Ireland in two areas: the English area and the there was the battle of Otterburn, or Chevy, a developments. Commerce was growing. Between the Pale. confrontation between private armies. second half of the 15th C and the first two decades of 1214-1249 Reign of Alexander II who married Henry III’s sister, Joan, th and strengthen bounds with the English crown. the 16 C, fifty burghs (towns) were founded, where 1263 King Hakon of Norway led a great army to Scotland. Robert III proved to be a weak king; thus, his brother the monarchy looked support from the middle urban Alexander III took the throne of Scotland. 1266 The Treaty of Perth concluded between Alexander III and king the Duke of Albany, took the control of the classes against the power of the noblemen. But in Magnus, son of Hakon, gave Scotland the control over Man administration. Robert’s son, James, was captured by general, society was still poor and agricultural. and the Hebrides. 1267 Henry recognizes Llywelyn ap Gruffyd as the Prince of Wales. the English. The news of his captivity caused the death 1275 Llywelyn ap Gruffyd, prince of Wales, refused to do homage th of his father Robert III in 1406. In the 14 C, the University of saint Andrews was to Edward I. Edward resolved on war. founded and in the 15th C, the university of Aberdeen 1284 Statute of Wales: the whole of Wales was subjected to th England. James I was proclaimed king in his absence. When he and Glasgow. In the late 15 C, a large group of 1286 Death of Alexander III. and his wife, Joan Beaufort, returned to Scotland in Scottish poets arose, the most famous of whom was 1290 The Treaty of Birgham stated that Margaret, the granddaughter of Alexander III should marry Edward’s son to unify the 1424, James decided to take drastic action to restore William Dunbar. kingdoms; but she died in her way to Scotland from Norway. the authority of the crown. He executed those who had John Balliol and Robert Bruce dispute the throne of Scotland. 1296 Edward I invaded Scotland with complete success. The been in control of the kingdom as the Duke of Albany By late medieval times the lowlands of Scotland had Scottish army was defeated at Dunbar and Balliol was taken and sent expeditions to against the clans on the been English- speaking; however, Gaelic continued to prisoner. highlands. be the language of the highlands and western islands. 1297 William Wallace rallied the Scottish that army inflicted a severe defeat on the English.

3 Understanding Britain. John Randle. CHAPTER 3: MEDIEVAL IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND.

1298 Battle of Falkirk. Edward I defeated the Scots. 1301 Edward I’s son, prince Edward declared prince of Wales. 1303 A new invasion was directed to Scotland by Edward. Wallace was captured and taken to London where he was executed. 1305 Edward imposed a new order of government on Scotland. 1307 Robert Bruce, after Balliol’s death, claimed the throne of Scotland. Edward I died. 1314 Battle of Bannockburn, the English were severely defeated. 1328 Scotland was recognised as an independent kingdom and Robert Bruce was acknowledged as king. 1329 Bruce died. Edward Balliol, son of John Balliol, claimed the throne of Scotland. 1371 The Scottish crown went to Robert “the Stewart” nephew of Edward III. Robert II, the first Stuart king. 1388 The battle of Otterburn, or Chevy, a confrontation between private armies. 1390 Death of Robert II. Robert III took the throne. 1406 James, Robert III’s son is captured which provokes the death of Robert III James I was proclaimed king in his absence. 1437-1460 James II’s reign. James II died during the siege of Roxburgh Castle in 1460. James III. Battle of Sauchieburn. James IV. 1495 Poyning’s Law decreed that no Bill could be initiated in Ireland without the approval of the king and his council in London.

980-1021 Llywellyn I, Príncipe de Gales. 1170-1242 Llywellyn II, Príncipe de Gales. 1246 Llywellyn III, Príncipe de Gales

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