War of Scottish Independence: William Wallace

08/31/20 • 9 min

History Storytime - For Kids

Previous Episode

Medieval: War of Scottish Independence 1 - The Hammer of the Scots

We start our three part series on the War of Scottish Independence as Edward I, Hammer of the Scots, first chooses, then removes Scotland’s King and conquers Scotland.----more----

Edward I, King of England, is a man with a plan. He shows little interest in France. First he crushes his rebellious English barons. Then he conquers Wales. Great castles keep the Welsh subdued. Now he turns his attention to Scotland.

The Scots are without a King. Thirteen Scottish nobles claim the throne. Unable to decide who should be King they turn to Edward I to choose. But Edward extracts a terrible price. He demands that he is recognised and the Lord Paramount of Scotland. Desperate to be chosen as King the nobles agree. Edward dismisses the claim of Robert Bruce and chooses John Balliol to be King.

But Edward means to hold the Scottish nobles to their oaths. He determines on war with France and summons the Scottish nobles to join him. The Scots have no interest in war with France and do not feel obliged to help Edward. They sign a secret treaty with France – the Auld Alliance. A furious Edward declares War on Scotland. Robert the Bruce, furious that his family were passed over for the throne joins the English.

Edward’s knights are invincible. They storm the town of Berwick and sack the town. Then they crush the Scots in battle. John Balliol and his nobles make peace. But a vengeful Edward strips John Balliol of his crown and makes the Scottish nobles swear allegiance to him.

Edward and England now rule Scotland.

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Medieval: War of Scottish Independence 3 - Robert the Bruce

Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell how Robert the Bruce gets Scotland its independence. With William Wallace’s rebellion crushed, Scotland lies under England’s rule. But to free Scotland, Robert the Bruce must first commit a terrible crime.----more----

He needs to murder his great rival, John Comyn. He murders him in a Church. People are appalled. But they realise that Robert the Bruce is their best hope for freedom from English rule.

Robert embarks on a series of hit and run raids on the English. Edward I, the Hammer of the Scots, rouses for one last campaign to crush Robert the Bruce. But old and sick he dies as he crosses the Scottish border.

His son, Edward II is not up to the job. His nobles hate him. While he squabbles with his own nobles, Robert the Bruce captures more and more of Scotland. Finally Edward II takes his army north. But Robert outsmarts him at the Battle of Bannockburn. The English knights suffer a devastating defeat. And Edward II flees for this life.

Scotland is now free with Robert the Bruce as the King of Scots. By contrast, Edward’s nobles are so angry with Edward that they kill him gruesomely.

But Scotland stays free. England never again tries to conquer Scotland. And when Scotland and England become one country hundreds of years later they do it peacefully and not through conquest.

This is the final episode in our three part series on the Scottish Wars of Independence. If you liked this one you might like:

Part 1: The Hammer of the Scots

https://www.historystorytime.com/e/war-of-scottish-independence-i-the-hammer-of-the-scots/

Part 2: William Wallace

https://www.historystorytime.com/e/wars-of-scottish-independence-william-wallace/

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