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David II, King of Scotland (1329-1371): a Political Biography Bruce Robert Homann Iowa State University

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David II, King of Scotland (1329-1371): a Political Biography Bruce Robert Homann Iowa State University Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2001 David II, King of Scotland (1329-1371): a political biography Bruce Robert Homann Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the European History Commons, and the Medieval History Commons Recommended Citation Homann, Bruce Robert, "David II, King of Scotland (1329-1371): a political biography " (2001). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 1045. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/1045 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI fiims the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction.. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Ar^or, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 David II, King of Scotland (1329-1371): A Political Biography by Bruce Robert Homann A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: Agricultural History and Rural Studies Major Professor: Kenneth G. Madison Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2001 Copyright © Bruce Robert Homann, 2001. All Rights Reserved. UMI Number: 3016710 UMI ® UMI Microform 3016710 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 1 David II King of Scotland (1329-1371) Bruce Robert Homann Major Professor: Kenneth G. Madison Iowa State University This work examines the life and reign of David II, King of Scotland from 1329 to 1371. Whenever possible, original source material was used. Using charter and chronicle evidence, an itinerary for David II has been developed as well as an accounting of the major points of his reign. A detailed examination of David's life and activities has revealed heretofore unknown aspects of his career, including more frequent trips to Scotland, and an interpretation of his accomplishments and a brief discussion of his sudden death. Il Graduate College Iowa State University This is to certify that the Doctoral dissertation of Bruce Robert Homann has met the dissertation requirements of Iowa State University Signature was redacted for privacy. Major Profe or Signature was redacted for privacy. For the 4aj or Pro am Signature was redacted for privacy. r the Gr te College iii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. 1 CHAPTER ONE: OVERVIEW. 7 CHAPTER TWO: SETTING THE STAGE. 2 8 CHAPTER THREE: THE HEIGHT OF OCCUPATION, (1335-1341). 60 CHAPTER FOUR: AN EMERGING MONARCH, (1342-1346). 82 CHAPTER FIVE: AFTERMATH OF NEVILLE'S CROSS, (1346-1357). 105 CHAPTER SIX: THE END OF CAPTIVITY, (1356-1363). 129 CHAPTER SEVEN: A KINGDOM TO RULE, (1363-1371). 156 CHAPTER EIGHT: ANALYSIS. 185 CHAPTER NINE: CONCLUSION. 216 APPENDIX A: MAPS. 244 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 2 54 INTRODUCTION Only recently, since the beginning of the twentieth century, has fourteenth—century Scotland received much examination. With the exception of the works of such scholars as G. W. S. Barrow (who has done an excellent biography on Robert I, king of Scotland), and a handful of other authors who have provided general overviews of Scotland, in-depth examinations of this period of Scottish history have largely been ignored by most scholars.1 This deficiency of scholarship extends to the topic of this work, David II, king of Scotland from 1329 to his death in 1371. David II, king of Scotland from 1329 to his death in 1371, reigned over forty years and had an undeniable effect on medieval Scottish history. However, the lack of current scholarship directly associated with David II (born in 1324), only reinforces the conception of him most nineteenth and twentieth century historians have as a weak and do-nothing king. Certain undeniable facts seem to support this view: namely his government in exile in France during his formative years; his subsequent capture and imprisonment for eleven years during what could have been the height of his power; and an attempted rebellion by his heir apparent and two of his most powerful nobles. All three illustrate such weakness. However, David II not only overcame these handicaps to his 1 Only recently within the last fifteen years has there been a resurgence of scholarly work on the fourteenth century. 2 reign but also left his mark on Scotland's future. David II, king of Scotland from 1329 to 1371, influenced the fourteenth century more than any other Scottish historical figure of the period with the possible exception of his father, Robert I. I intend to show through a presentation of the facts that David II was not a weak or indecisive king totally given over to self-indulgence, but a strong monarch that helped lead Scotland through a difficult time not of his own creation. During the last decade of the thirteenth century and the early decades of the fourteenth century, the Scots fought the great War for Scottish Independence. It generated heroes (such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and the "Good Sir James" Douglas to name a few) who live on in legend even today. Great families fell, and lesser families rose to prominence. The legacy left behind at the war's end in 1327 with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton, namely Scottish unity, lasted a scant five years. However, the impact of the accomplishments of the Bruce and his allies did not totally dissolve when Edward Balliol, the Pretender, marched north to assume the throne in 1332. The Scots recognized the need for unity. Unfortunately, they were just as unable to get behind a single man effectively as they had been during the Interregnums of 128 6 to 12 92 and 12 9 6 to 1306.2 They had as their choices of rallying points a weak 2 Two of the problems the Scots had were their fierce independence and political infighting. The nobility was unwilling to act as a whole behind 3 and adolescent Robert Stewart,3 their boy-king's heir, the boy-king David II himself, or yet another Guardian of Scotland. The Scots chose the last. Only a few farsighted individuals had the honor and strength of will to support yet another option, the institution of the Crown itself. (David II rewarded these loyalists handsomely upon his return to Scotland after nearly a decade in exile.) Even so the Scots saw limited success until all three rallying points became in fact the same. With the king's heir, crown loyalists, and the Guardian all supporting the idea of the Crown, the Scots finally rekindled a portion of what burned so brightly for them during the 1320s, nascent nationalism. Throughout the bulk of his minority, David II contributed to the cause only by the use of his family name as a focus for the Scottish patriots of his time. Royal holdings in Scotland nearly disintegrated by the mid-1330s. They would have entirely disappeared had it not been for the efforts of the Guardian Andrew Moray and a few others acting for the crown. Moray slowly revived the loyalists and began the arduous task of regaining lost land, strongholds, and allegiances from the puppet king, Edward Balliol.4 one man during these periods, which created the problem. And no single strong ruler appeared to take that position. 3 Later King Robert II (1371-1390). 4 This was the same Moray that was captured while trying to capture Balliol in 1332. He was to remain inactive for approximately two years after his release from captivity. Edward III allowed him to be ransomed in 1333. 4 By 1342, David II returned to a nearly recovered Scotland. He rewarded those he deemed loyal, such a Sir Malcolm Fleming, as well as those who needed rewarding because it was the politic thing to do (Robert the Steward comes to mind). David II began an aggressive campaign against the English to recover what lands remained in English hands. By 1346, David II succeeded well enough to raid on English soil, an action that provoked confrontation with an English army at Neville's Cross. Neville's Cross proved a turning point in David II's career. The king found himself wounded and placed in captivity for the next eleven years. This created opportunity for the more ambitious members of the Scottish nobility not only to regain more Scottish lands for Scotland, but also to advance their own personal causes at the expense of the king's authority.
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