Under the Hammer: Edward I and Scotland

The wars with England have inspired many novelists, filmmakers, artists, and songwriters, but few have examined them from an English perspective. This book explores how Edward I attempted to bring the Scottish kingdom under his control during the last years of the thirteenth and early years of the fourteenth centuries, despite England's overwhelming military might.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: Birlinn General

Few aspects of Scottish history inspire as fervent an interest as the wars with England. The exploits of not one, but two, national heroes – William Wallace and Robert Bruce – have excited the attention of a host of novelists, filmmakers, artists, and songwriters, as well as historians. But few have ventured to examine it in depth from an English perspective. Yet there could have been no Wallace or Bruce, no Stirling Bridge or Bannockburn, without the English kings efforts to subjugate their northern neighbor.

This book explores how Edward I attempted to bring the Scottish kingdom under his control during the last years of the thirteenth and early years of the fourteenth centuries. Despite England's overwhelming military might, victory was by no means inevitable, and Scotland's leaders proved able to create a successful front to repel a far more powerful enemy. Packed with detail, description, and analysis, Under the Hammer paints a vivid picture of a key period in the history of both nations.

Edward I, the king of England, sought to conquer Scotland in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Despite England's superior military strength, the Scots were able to create a successful front to repel the English invasion. This book provides a detailed account of Edward I's attempts to subjugate Scotland and the strategies used by the Scots to resist his advances. It also explores the impact of the wars on both nations and the legacy they left behind.

Edward I's initial attempts to conquer Scotland were unsuccessful. In 1296, he led a large army into Scotland but was defeated at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. However, Edward I was not deterred and continued to press his claims to the Scottish throne. In 1297, he signed the Treaty of Edinburgh, which recognized Scotland as a vassal state of England.

Despite the treaty, Edward I's attempts to subjugate Scotland continued. In 1300, he led another army into Scotland and captured Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. However, the Scots were able to regroup and repel the English invasion at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

The Battle of Bannockburn was a turning point in the wars with England. It marked the first time that the Scots were able to defeat the English in a major battle and it helped to establish the reputation of William Wallace, the Scottish hero who led the resistance against the English.

William Wallace was born in 1270 in the small town of Lanarkshire in Scotland. He grew up in a poor family and was raised in the Scottish countryside. Wallace became involved in the Scottish resistance against the English in the early 13th century. He was a skilled fighter and a leader who inspired his fellow Scots to fight for their independence.

Wallace led the Scots in a series of battles against the English, including the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the Battle of Bannockburn. He was eventually captured by the English in 1305 and executed in London in 1306.

Robert Bruce, another Scottish hero, emerged after the death of William Wallace. Bruce was born in 1286 in the small town of Dunbar in Scotland. He grew up in a noble family and was educated at the University of Edinburgh. Bruce became involved in the Scottish resistance against the English in the early 13th century.

Bruce led the Scots in a series of battles against the English, including the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and the Battle of Edington in 1314. He was eventually captured by the English in 1306 and held captive in England for several years.

In 1315, Bruce led a rebellion against the English in Scotland. He was able to gather a large army and defeat the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. This victory established Bruce as the king of Scotland and helped to end the wars with England.

The wars with England had a significant impact on both nations. They helped to establish the Scottish nation and helped to shape the English nation. The wars also helped to create a sense of national identity in both Scotland and England.

In conclusion, the wars with England were a key period in Scottish history. The exploits of William Wallace and Robert Bruce have inspired many novelists, filmmakers, artists, and songwriters, as well as historians. This book explores how Edward I attempted to bring the Scottish kingdom under his control during the last years of the thirteenth and early years of the fourteenth centuries. Despite England's overwhelming military might, the Scots were able to create a successful front to repel the English invasion. The wars with England had a significant impact on both nations and helped to establish a sense of national identity in both Scotland and England.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 130 x 294 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781780276892
Edition number: New Edition