West Civ Project / Kreis: Scotland from the 15th to 16 Century

Give a brief history of Scotland from the 14th through 16th centuries.

Robert I was king less than seven weeks after killing his rival in 1306. "Robert I battled to win Scottish Independence as King for over 20 years, beginning by winning Scotland back from the English invaders piece by piece." The Scots won their freedom by being victorious at the Battle of Bannockburn, but it took 14 years for them to produce The Declaration of Arbroath, which is the world's first documented declaration of independence. The ending of their declaration is as follows:

"To conclude, we are and shall ever be, as far as duty calls us, ready to do your will in all things, as obedient sons to you as His Vicar; and to Him as the Supreme King and Judge we commit the maintenance of our cause, csating our cares upon Him and firmly trusting that He will inspire us with courage and bring our enemies to nought.

May the Most High preserve you to his Holy Church in holiness and health and grant you length of days.

Given at the monastery of Arbroath in Scotland on the sixth day of the month of April in the year of grace thirteen hundred and twenty and the fifteenth year of the reign of our King aforesaid."

War with England continued for several decades after the death of Bruce. The Stuart Dynasty was established when Robert II came to the throne. The Stuarts ruled Scotland for the remainder of the Middle Ages.

Sources:

"Scotland." Wikipedia. Web. 13 May 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland#Medieval_period>.