How a power vacuum and a horse accident triggered decades of Anglo-Scottish war
When King Alexander III died in 1286, he left no heir, plunging Scotland into a succession crisis. Edward I of England seized this opportunity to claim sovereignty, sparking a brutal conflict that lasted until 1328. It was a struggle defined by shifting loyalties, guerrilla warfare, and the rise of national icons.
The conflict began after the death of Alexander III, whose only heir, Margaret, died in 1290. With the royal line extinct, the 'Great Cause' emerged, inviting Edward I of England to act as arbiter. Edward demanded recognition as lord paramount, eventually installing John Balliol as a puppet king. Balliol’s subsequent humiliation and forced abdication in 1296 triggered the first English invasion, leading to the sacking of Berwick-upon-Tweed and the defeat of Scottish forces at the Battle of Dunbar.
Resistance soon coalesced around Andrew de Moray and William Wallace, who utilized guerrilla tactics to challenge English garrisons. Their victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297 marked a turning point, though the subsequent defeat at Falkirk in 1298 severely weakened the Scottish cause. Throughout these years, the conflict was deeply intertwined with European politics, as Scotland sought support from Philip IV of France and the Papacy, only to be repeatedly abandoned when those powers prioritized their own treaties with England.
The war saw complex political maneuvering, notably by Robert the Bruce. Initially a patriot, Bruce later pledged allegiance to Edward I, likely to protect his family's interests and secure his own path to the throne. Yet, even while serving the English, Bruce maintained secret alliances, such as his 1304 pact with Bishop William Lamberton. By 1305, with Wallace captured and the Scottish nobility forced into submission, England appeared to have successfully annexed the realm. However, the underlying desire for independence remained, setting the stage for the eventual de facto restoration of Scottish sovereignty at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
