The struggle of the Guardians

The struggle of the Guardians 25/6/18 AIM – Learn how the Guardians took control of Scotland after Alexander III’s death. SUCCESS CRITERIA – Be able to describe the challenges facing the 6 Guardians of Scotland between 1286 and 1289. Be able to explain whether or not the Guardians were or were not successful in their rule of Scotland. TASKS 1. Copy today’s aim and heading into your jotter. 2. Recap the circumstances of the death of Alexander III’s and the decisions from the Parliament of Scone in April 1286. 3. Go through today’s PPt on the role of the Guardians and take notes as directed. 4. Using the handouts on ‘The Guardians’ (issued Last Friday) and ‘The Succession Problem’ (issued two weeks ago today), complete the questions. HOMEWORK (OVER)DUE IN TODAY: Hand in your completed ‘How fully?’ answers on the successes of Alexander’s reign. Leave your ScotWars jotters with Mr Darkins for the Summer.

The Scone Parliament 1286 The community of the realm met at Scone in April 1286 and agreed: Margaret, Maid of Norway would be their Queen. To elect 6 Guardians to govern Scotland till Margaret was old enough. To keep peace in Scotland. Scone

1 Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan (Earl) The 6 Guardians 2 John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch (Baron) 3 Bishop William Fraser of St Andrews 4 Duncan Macduff, the Earl of Fife (Earl) 5 Bishop Robert Wishart of Glasgow 6 James the High Steward, Baron of Renfrew (Baron) 1 2 4

The Decrees of the Guardians The nobility of the realm would swear fealty to Margaret, the Maid of Norway . The Guardians would rule Scotland in the name of the throne until she was old enough to take over. The Guardians would be responsible for finding a suitable husband for the Maid. The Guardians would have control over Scotland’s finances and could summon its army if required. A new seal would be created to be used on royal documents. Unlike previous seals it would have no likeness of the king, but would bear an image of St Andrew on the cross.

Threats to the Guardians’ rule Bruce and Balliol: not to be invited to the same party… Neither Robert Bruce or John Balliol were appointed as Guardians. Their rival claims to the throne made it politically explosive for them to be on the council together. However, each had supporters amongst the Guardians.

The Bruce faction made the first move: Believing that Scotland’s nobles would not support the idea of a young queen, Bruce gathered a small army. He seized the royal castles of Wigtown, Dumfries and Buittle in SW Scotland. Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale

Bruce called in his allies: The Guardian, James the Steward, two other Scottish Earls and the Lord of Islay answered his call. They targeted Comyn lands in the SW and did considerable damage. It was feared that conflict would spread beyond the SW, but…

The Bruces failed to win widespread support for their coup. Promised reinforcements from Ulster failed to materialise. The remaining Guardians gathered together an army to oppose Bruce and the rebellion died out.

One Guardian - Duncan, the Earl of Fife – was accused of using his position to line his own pockets and was murdered by a relative. In NE Scotland, fighting almost broke out between the two Comyn Guardians and their rival, the Earl of Atholl. Stability was also threatened by uprisings against Scottish rule on the Isle of Man.

Overview of the Guardians FAILURES Some historians argued the ‘community of the realm’ showed a certain amount of social equality for the different parts of Scottish society, but this is not the case. It is unlikely that the Guardians would have had any real connection with the lower classes. The murdered Earl of Fife was not replaced. SUCCESSES Their selection by the nobility and Church of Scotland showed a level of political maturity and stability in Scotland. They successfully avoided civil war. They chose and secured – through treaties – a suitable husband for the Maid. They showed loyalty to the throne of Scotland.

The Guardians Qus. FIRSTLY: Using the handout from last lesson (Friday), work on completing the following questions in your jotter using full sentences: Who is included in the ‘Community of the Realm’? What was the role decided upon for the Guardians? How did the membership of the Guardians indicate tension in Scotland after the events of early 1286? How did the membership of the council of Guardians change in second half of the 1280s? SECONDLY: Retrieve your ‘Succession Problem’ handout from two weeks ago. Happily, we are now up to date with the events described therein! Work on completing the 11 questions at the back of the handout. Then its… Make sure you leave your jotter HERE for the Summer!