Scottish Wars of Independence - berwick, dunbar and defeat for balliol

1. Scottish Wars of Independence
Berwick,
Dunbar and
Balliol’s defeat

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Describe events at the sacking of
Berwick
• Describe events which led to the end
of Balliol’s time as Scotland’s king
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

3. When the Scots agreed to work with France against
England, King Edward was furious. In 1296 he sent
north a huge army to end Balliol’s rule of Scotland.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

4. The Scots’ deal with the
French was not just to be
written on paper: action
was to be taken too.
The Scots launched attacks
on the north of England,
including Carlisle. All of
this simply added to
Edward’s fury at Scottish
actions.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

5. The first place in Scotland
the English army arrived
was Berwick.
Berwick was one of the
most important cities in
Scotland. It was a key
trading port and the first
major town, so also first
Scotland’s first point of
defence.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

6. Berwick had strong
defences, including a
castle. Many of the
Scottish nobles also sent
reinforcement soldiers to
protect the town.
However, unlike England’s
army, lots of the Scots had
little fighting experience,
especially large battles.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

7. Edward led the English
army. It was a huge army
that came north.
When Edward’s soldiers
eventually reached
Berwick, the Scots were
shocked by the size of the
English forces. However
they refused an offer from
Edward to surrender.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

8. When Edward gave the
order to attack, it was a
bloody and brutal
experience for the Scots.
The town’s defences were
easily broken, and the
English army was ordered
to attack and kill without
mercy, including women
and children.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

9. It is estimated that around
15,000 townspeople were
killed in the slaughter.
When the English
eventually took control of
the castle, the Scottish
army – led by William the
Hardy - surrendered and
their lives were spared.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

10. The Scotichronicon, a contemporary account,
described the scenes at Berwick by saying:
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol
”When the town had been taken in this way and its citizens had
submitted, Edward spared no one, whatever the age or sex, and for two
days streams of blood flowed from the bodies of the slain, for in his
tyrannous rage he ordered 7,500 souls of both sexes to be massacred...So
that mills could be turned by the flow of their blood.”

11. The English army now went
forward to take control of
the rest of Scotland. Their
first stop was Dunbar.
The Earl of Dunbar had
given the castle keys to the
English. However his wife
(a Comyn) gave control of
the castle to the Scots
before the English arrived.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

12. When the English army
arrived at the castle they
saw the Scots had control.
Their leader – John de
Warrene, Earl of Surrey –
left some soldiers to watch
the castle, and the others
went for reinforcements.
The Scots believed this was
actually an English retreat.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol
Warenne’s seal (1301 letter)

13. The Scots thus decided to
charge at the English
(giving up their hill
advantage). It was a
disaster for Scotland.
The better-trained and
prepared English easily
beat the Scots. Many
Guardians and nobles were
captured or killed.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

14. Edward now marched his
army north, taking control
of various Scottish castles
as he advanced.
Stirling Castle’s defenders
did not attempt to defend
it and handed over the
keys to the English. Stirling
was one of the country’s
most important castles.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

15. The English invasion had
exposed huge weaknesses
in Balliol’s leadership.
He did not lead the Scots
army in battle and had no
idea how to stop England’s
army. King John went to
the north of Scotland but
eventually sent a note of
surrender to Edward.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol

16. John was forced to travel
to surrender and apologise
to Edward, which he did at
Stracathro Church in July
1296.
Edward personally ripped
the royal badge of Scotland
from Balliol’s coat, giving
him the nickname Toom
Tabard.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol
Toom Tabard: Note the ripped coat
and broken sceptre

17. Balliol and his son were
sent to England as
prisoners. Eventually they
were handed to the Pope
who sent them to live in
France.
Edward now turned his
attentions to ensuring the
Scots could not challenge
him again.
Berwick, Dunbar and Balliol