Scotland’s civil war

Scotland’s civil war 8/2/19 AIM – Learn how Bruce took the war to his Scottish enemies. SUCCESS CRITERIA – Be able to describe how Bruce campaigned against his enemies in Scotland. Be able to explain why Bruce turned on his Scottish enemies in the winter of 1307-08. TASKS Copy today’s aim and heading into your jotter. Through class questioning, recap the events of Bruce’s resurgence in 1307. Discuss through plenary the answer to last lesson’s ‘big question(s)’. Go through today’s PPt, taking notes of information given in bold. Use what we’ve learned and apply it to today’s ‘big question’. HOMEWORK (due in after the mid-term break) Complete the ‘Douglas Larder’ worksheet questions for Monday 18th Feb.

Bruce goes North Whilst Prince Edward of Caernarfon marched the main English army to Richmond with his father’s body, and with the armies of Aymer Valence and the Earl of Gloucester defeated in Ayrshire, Bruce found himself with some unexpected breathing space. Bruce acted quickly, on the assumption that the English were bound to return in strength for the campaigning season in 1308. Leaving behind key supporters such as James (the Black) Douglas to continue the rebellion in the south, in the summer of 1307 Bruce marched north to deal with his enemies in Scotland. I’ve got things that need doin’…: Whilst his king went north, James Douglas launched a campaign of terror against the English occupation in the south.

Inverlochy Castle today: Sited near Fort William, the castle was left empty for several years after Bruce dispossessed the Comyns. The tower in the bottom right is still called the ‘Comyn Tower’. Bruce had decided to settle his dispute with the Comyn family once and for all – only then could the kingdom stand united against England. The centre of Comyn power lay in the north-east of Scotland, and it was here that Bruce headed. His first major target on his route north was the Comyn castle of Inverlochy in Lochaber.

From there he travelled north up the Great Glen, capturing Urquhart and Inverness castles with ease. Bruce’s impressive momentum persuaded the powerful Earl of Ross to abandon Edward II and come to a truce with Bruce. “Be it known that we heard of the coming of Sir Robert Bruce towards Ross with a great force, so that we had no power against him, but nevertheless we caused our men to be called out and we were stationed for a fortnight with 3000 men at our own expense on the borders of our earldom… and Bruce would have destroyed them utterly if we had made no truce with him.” - Letter from the Earl of Ross to Edward II, November 1307. “Lets just give this one a miss, men…”

War against the Comyns The Bishop of Moray, David Murray, sent the Bruce a letter promising that the people of Moray would rise up and support him with an army of 3000. It is not known if they honoured their offer, but… King Robert travelled to Moray next and spent the winter of 1307-1308 harrying English garrisons and Comyn castles. He captured Nairn castle and destroyed it. I haven’t felt my toes since August: No one can know what it means to be truly soaked to the bone until they’ve spent a Scottish winter outdoors.

Without siege equipment and engineers, taking enemy castles was not easy. Bruce tried twice to take Elgin castle from its English garrison and failed. The war continued through the winter of 1307 and the fighting was relentless. Exhausted, Bruce fell ill whilst attacking Banff. Sensing their chance to turn the tide and eliminate Bruce, the remaining Comyn forces under John, the Earl of Buchan, cornered Bruce’s army in a boggy forest at Slioch, near Huntly. The first man to step out of them woods is getting it, squire!: Comyn forces cornered the Bruce’s army in the Slioch Wood, but didn’t enter…

The Bruce’s army were dismayed by his illness and rumour spread that he was dying. Bruce seemed finished, with his weary army trapped in a lonely, boggy wood. Luck however played a part. It was Christmas Day 1307 and Comyn refused to push on with his attack. Instead, Robert’s younger brother – Edward Bruce - took over command of the army. He led an attack and after a small skirmish, Comyn fellback. Bruce’s army had numbered approx. 3000 men when he had marched north through the great Glen. Dispirited by the Bruce’s illness, his forces melted away, leaving bruce with only about 700 men by the spring of 1308. I’ve got the boak, Eddie, could you lead the boys today?: Robert the Bruce got a wicked case of the night sweats in Slioch Wood.

It was a key mistake by Comyn It was a key mistake by Comyn. He fell back and regrouped, not returning until 1st January 1308. By this time, Bruce’s army had recovered enough to make a fighting withdrawal to the safety of Huntly. Discouraged by the Bruce recovery, Comyn withdrew once again. Slowly recovering, King Robert resumed his attacks, his forces capturing Balvenie Castle then Duffus Castle, the headquarters of Edward II’s chief lieutenant in the north-east, Sir Reginald Cheyne. Cheyne’s efforts to confront Bruce seem half-hearted. The English garrisons and the Comyns seemed unable to properly co-ordinate their efforts against Bruce. During his illness, Bruce was carried about by the army on a litter-bed. Duffus Castle today: Moray’s own duff version of the leaning tower of Pisa.

Bruce and Comyn’s armies met again on 23rd May 1308, on the road between Oldmeldrum and Inverurie. Bruce was still weak, being carried from place to place by his supporters. On the night of the 22nd, Bruce’s army camped in Inverurie itself. At dawn on the 23rd David, Lord of Brechin made a surprise attack on Bruce's camp. His men galloped over the bridge on the River Ury at Balhalgardy right into the streets of Inverurie. Taken completely unprepared, Bruce's sentries were quickly cut down; those who survived took refuge in the nearby castle. However, Comyn’s main force was still too far away to take advantage of this opportunity. The early bird catches the worm…: Lord David of Brechin makes his bid to be remembered by history…

Bruce, who was still ill, rose from his bed and prepared a counter-attack. He ordered his men to strap him onto his horse for the fight, to the inspiration and cheers of his men. As he approached Bruce’s position, Comyn hastily drew up his forces across the road to Inverurie, between Barra Hill and the marshes of the Lochter Burn. His unreliable, peasant feudal levies were placed to the rear, with the knights and men-at-arms taking up a position to the front. Comyn’s levies seem to have been given the assurance that Bruce was too ill to take to the field in person; his appearance created shock in Comyn’s ranks. The Bruce Field: The site of the battle of Inverurie in 1308. During his illness, Bruce was carreid about by the army on a litter-bed.

Comyn’s peasants began to drop their weapons and flee Comyn’s peasants began to drop their weapons and flee. Comyn made some attempt to steady the line, but as his army began to collapse around him, he too soon joined the flight, pursued by Bruce's men as far as Fyvie. The fugitive earl fled all the way to England, where he died the same year. The Battle of Inverurie ended active military resistance to King Robert in Aberdeenshire and north-east Scotland. It opened the door for Robert to take his revenge… Bruce’s Seat: The conveniently shaped stone where local legend has it that Robert the Bruce watched the battle unfold.

Today’s ‘Big Question’ Take note of the question in your jotter and write an answer drawing upon the notes you have taken today: In the spring of 1308, with Comyn having fled the country and north-east Scotland in his hands, what steps could Bruce take to ensure the loyalty of the northern end of the kingdom?