1. The Great Cause

2. The Great Cause
3/9/18
AIM – Learn how the next king of Scotland was selected during the Great Cause.
SUCCESS CRITERIA –
Be able to describe how Edward took control of the Great Cause.
Be able to explain why Edward could be considered a genuine threat to Scotland during the Great Cause.
Be able to make an assessment of who had the strongest legal claim to Scotland's throne.
TASKS
1. Copy today’s aim and heading into your jotter.
2. Recap the death of the Maid and the repercussions of the end of the Canmore dynasty.
3. Go through today’s PPt (following this slide), taking notes and collecting your handout where directed.
4. Work in pairs, using your source information to determine who you think should win the ‘Great Cause’.
HOMEWORK REMINDER (which was due on FRIDAY 31st August):
Complete the ‘evaluate the usefulness’ question on Birgham for FRIDAY.
Complete today’s ‘big question’ on Edward and the Great Cause for FRIDAY.

3. The Great Cause begins…
In April 1291, Edward came north to the border with Scotland to begin the process of choosing Scotland’s next king.
The border followed the line of the River Tweed – as it does today. Edward took up court at Norham castle on the south bank. The Scottish contenders gathered at Upsettlington on the north bank.
The ‘Great Cause’ to choose Scotland’s next king had begun…

4. The Overlordship at Norham
The Guardians wanted Edward to cross the Tweed to come to them – to decide the issue of Scotland’s crown on Scottish soil. This would’ve shown that they didn’t accept Edward had any authority over them.
It soon became clear that Edward wouldn’t move from Norham: the contenders were forced to go to him.
When they arrived in Norham, the Guardians and the contenders were astonished by Edward’s next move: he demanded that the Scots accept him as their feudal overlord before he made any judgment on who would be the King of Scots.
The Overlordship at Norham
Norham: England’s imposing frontier stronghold

5. “Sir, you say you are the overlord of the realm of Scotland and that the kingdom is held by you… to this statement, the good people who have sent us here answer that they do not believe in the least that you would ask such an important thing if you did not consider that you had a genuine right to it. But they know nothing of this right of yours… Therefore they answer to you… that they have no power to reply to your statement, lacking a king to whom the demand can be addressed and whom would have the power to answer it…”
The Guardians were worried – this had not been part of their plan.
Their reply was a clever one…
They argued that only their king could deal with such a request and that could only happen after Edward had chosen one!
The Guardians: quietly smug

6. Reasons to be fearful?
Edward had brought an army with him to Norham. The contenders and the Guardians had brought only their personal retinues and were militarily outmatched.
Edward had ordered his fleet up the coast to Newcastle. If the contenders didn’t agree to his will, he threatened to blockade Scottish ports.
He would only listen to claims inside his own stronghold of Norham castle - a symbol of English power.
Recognition as overlord would give him power over all of Scotland AND the contenders themselves.
Historians agree that the death of the Maid altered Edward’s intentions to his northern border.
Edward I: good job or a stitch up?
Edward had recently added Wales to his kingdom – could he do the same to Scotland?

7. The Award of Norham, 12th June 1291
The Guardians were not happy with the situation and many believed Robert Bruce had a hand in Edward’s tactics.
Edward stood by his demand that all contenders recognise him as overlord of Scotland before he would pass judgement on them.
Robert Bruce was the first to agree to Edward’s terms. The rest of the contenders quickly agreed thereafter, fearing they would be left out of the judgment.
It was not until the contenders gave in that the Guardians reluctantly agreed to Edward’s terms, on the understanding that it would be a temporary arrangement.
The agreement of the claimants is known as the ‘Award of Norham’. By this point the number of contenders had risen to 13.
Patrick Galithly was buzzing for his chance to be king… Edward could have whatever he wanted as long as he got to sit on the throne!

8. The Award of Norham was an important acknowledgement
The Award of Norham was an important acknowledgement. It gave legal possession of the Kingdom of Scotland to Edward and meant that it was his to give away.
This was not what the Guardians had intended – Edward had totally outmanoeuvred them. They were furious! Edward had moved from being a neutral observer choosing between the two main rivals to being a judge with the right to give away their kingdom!
This made Edward the legal owner of Scotland.

9. The importance of being overlord
Everyone had agreed to Edward’s demand, although it was understood that their oaths would revert to the new king once he was chosen. This was probably the reason he would take so long to make his decision.
It would be easier for him to hold on to the legal position of overlord after a longer period of time.
Historians point out that the longer Edward was overlord, the harder it would be for the new king to establish his authority.
Once Edward’s authority was agreed, a court was set up and the investigation of the claims to the throne could begin…
Eye on the prize: all furs and gold – the Great Cause’s winner would be pimped out like Snoop Dogg on a Saturday night.

10. Group activity
Your job is now to take on the role of Edward’s auditors and analyse the evidence we have to determine who has the right to be crowned as Scotland’s next king.
Working in pairs, collect your ‘legal documents’ handout. Follow the instructions to come to your conclusion.
In your jotter, write up a paragraph explaining who you would choose to be king, and why.