How Scotland resisted English annexation for over sixty years of brutal medieval warfare
Between 1296 and 1357, the Kingdom of England launched two massive military campaigns to absorb Scotland. Despite English tactical innovations like the longbow and the capture of Scottish monarchs, the Scots maintained their independence through persistent resistance, diplomatic maneuvering, and the strategic use of the Auld Alliance with France.
The Wars of Scottish Independence, spanning 1296 to 1357, were defined by England's repeated attempts to assert control over its northern neighbor. The First War began after the death of Alexander III in 1286 left a succession crisis. Edward I of England exploited this, forcing Scottish claimants to recognize him as Lord Paramount. By 1296, Edward had sacked Berwick and removed the Stone of Destiny, marking the start of a conflict that saw figures like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce lead the Scottish defense. The war turned at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, and by 1328, the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton formally recognized Scotland's independence.
The Second War, beginning in 1332, was triggered by Edward Balliol and the 'Disinherited'—nobles who had lost their lands after supporting England. Edward III of England, despite the previous treaty, backed Balliol's invasion. The Scots faced significant setbacks, including the defeat at Dupplin Moor and the capture of King David II at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346. During David’s eleven-year imprisonment in the Tower of London, Scotland struggled under the dual pressures of war and the Black Death, while the English occupation of lowland counties persisted.
The conflict finally concluded with the 1357 Treaty of Berwick, which secured David II's release for a ransom of 100,000 merks. While the wars left Scotland economically devastated and depleted of its nobility, the kingdom remained independent. These decades were pivotal in shaping Scottish identity, fostering a resilient military tradition, and cementing the Auld Alliance with France, which remained a cornerstone of Scottish foreign policy until 1560.
Source: Wars of Scottish Independence
