Reminder…

2nd Essay 69Q5 now due on

Wednesday 27th November

4 p.m.

‘Good King Robert.’

Stable, well-supported reign?

Or is this the view of latergenerations torn by strife?

Archdeacon John Barbour’s The Bruce,written 1371-5.

Good Medieval Scottish Kingship?

- Impartial Justice and Law and Order.

- Protect property and trade.

- Defend the realm in War.

- Fount of Patronage.

- Take counsel.

- ‘Live of his own’ resources

- Stable (adult male) succession.

Robert I’s Restoration of Alexandrian Government

- Chancellor, Chamberlain, Marischal, Constable by 1308-09.

- First parliament March 1309.

- Justiciars - Thomas Randolph north of Forth

- Robert Lauder in Lothian

- but not in South-West!

- Sheriffs restored - often hereditary

- Revenue collection - e.g. burgh customs.

- Laws: restated and added to in parliament; codified by clergy

- PATRONAGE - confirming

lands and rights to magnates

and churches before

Bannockburn; but after

Cambuskenneth parliament

November 1314 and forfeiture

of opponents really begins to

redistribute land to supporters...

Key opponents forfeited...

Comyns - Buchan, Badenoch, Lochaber and many other NE and SW lands.

Balliol - Galloway and Lothian/Angus lands.

David Strathbogie earl of Atholl, lord of Strathbogie.

Macdougalls of Lorne and Garmoran in Argyllshire and isles.

English-based lords - de Guines, Ferrers, Zouche…

see G.W.S. Barrow, ch. 14.

Robert I’s Key Supporters and patronage recipients

Thomas Randolph, earl of Moray/Annandale, Man, Justiciar etc.

James Douglas - Douglasdale, Selkirk, Lauderdale…

Ross earls - half of Buchan; Skye

Adam Gordon - Strathbogie

Campbells of Lochawe - Atholl, Argyll lands

MacDonalds - some Argyll lands but not Skye and Kintyre

Alexander Seton - Lothian lands

Frasers - NE and Angus lands

Stewarts - Kintyre, SW and Perthshire lands

Robert Bruce (bastard of Robert I) - Liddesdale

Robert Keith and Gilbert Hay (Marischal and Constable) - NE lands

The Uncertain Bruce Succession

April 1315 parliament tailzie - Edward Bruce heir before Marjorie Bruce; sealed by magnates and prelates.

Dec 1318 - grandson Robert Stewart recognised as heir

[5 March 1324 (twin boys John and) David Bruce born.]

1326 - David Bruce recognised as heir apparent.

In each instance, Thomas Randolph named as Guardian in event of minority; then James Douglas; if Bruce line dies out, community to assemble to choose new lord.

Declaration of Arbroath April 1320 - 45 or so magnate seals - 8 accused of treason Aug 1320

The ‘Soules Conspiracy’ c. 1318-20

Oct 1318 - Edward Bruce killed in IrelandNov 1318 - Edward Balliol arrives in England

April 1320 - Declaration of Arbroath

Aug 1320 - ‘Black Parliament’:- William Soules, Roger Mowbray,Countess of Strathearn, David Brechin and several othersaccused of plot to kill Robert I.

August 1326 Scone parliament

- Tailzie recognising David Bruce.

- ratification by three estates of Franco-Scottish alliance.

- Grant of a tenth of rents to Robert I who has run out of resources to sustain his household government:

But: - only for his lifetime; only through Exchequer; no pensions or exemptions to be granted from it; no prise.

Robert I’s place-datesfor issuing charters,1323-28…

…a king slowing down?

In Ulster 1327, 1328…

…but not in south-westor extreme north orwestern isles as 1306-23.

Robert I’s last year, 1328-29

Based at private manor house at Cardross, Dumbartonshire

Pilgrimage to St Ninian shrine,Whithorn…on route makes a number of land grants in returnfor military services...

St Ninian’s Prioryat Whithorn,Galloway…

On route here Robertgranted charters inreturn for services of2 galleys, 4 armed men, 4 archers and a spearman…

Deathbed testament?Told son and subjectsnever to fight pitchedbattle; heart to go oncrusade with Douglas..

The re-sealed heart of Robert I, buried at MelroseAbbey in the borders; his body’s tomb at the royalAbbey of Dunfermline, Fife.