Section 7 Usurpation and Civil War 1306-1309
-Bruce’s seizure of power, 1306
-Nature of opposition to Bruce, 1306-1309
-Nature of support for Bruce, 1306-1309
-the church as a supporter for Bruce
-Bruce’s victory in the civil war by 1309
Terms to remember
-Quo Warranto inquest – inquiry into insuring the justification and legitimation of the
rights with jurisdiction asking Scot’s to prove their rights in that land.
Background/Context/Intro
-Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick seized the throne in March 1307
-This was after he had been involved in the murder of former colleague and guardian John
Comyn, lord of Badenoch at Greyfrairs church in Dumfries.
-This saw Robert excommunicated by the Catholic Church, forcing him to seek support from
Bishop Wishart of Glasgow then rushing to his coronation before it could be stopped.
-John Balliol lived up to 1314 and had a son, Edward Balliol – this further put a strain on
Bruce’s legitimacy.
-By the end of 1306, Bruce was called ‘King Hob’ meaning king of nothing and was forced
into exile in the Isles or Ireland.
Reasons why Bruce disliked the Settlement by 1305
-When the Scottish political community met at either Perth or Scone at the end of May 1305,
neither Bruce or Bishop Of Glasgow were selected by their peers to form part of the embassy
of ten. Thus he was left out while being a former guardian and a significant noble in Scotland
who had a claim to the throne.
-Bruce’s status was reduced and his positions stolen from him, following his submission in
1302 Edward appointed him to two sherrifdoms; Ayr and Lanark.
-Despite being included in the 21 man council, he was dominated over by the Comyns and
men who stood beside his rival -leaving him devalued & marginalised.
-Even though he betrayed Scotland by fighting on Edwards side hoping to get his titles &
lands back, Edward fooled him and treated him like he treated the other nobles.
-Bruce was badly treated by Edward I, was inclined to allow money for his royal service.
, Murder of John Comyn of Badenoch
-Comyn and Bruce met in Greyfrairs Church in Dumfries on 10 February 1306 with their
retinues
-Their discussion became heated and Bruce stabbed Comyn
-Bruce’s followers rushed forward, dragging Comyn to the alter where he was killed along
with his uncle, Sir Robert Comyn, who was killed by Robert’s brother in law Cristopher
Seton.
-This was a foolish action, this murder was sacrilegious as it took place in a church which
ultimately led to Bruce’s excommunication by the Catholic Church
-But it guaranteed a brutal civil war within Scotland as the Comyn family and their adherents
sought revenge for the death of their leader.
-Within 6 weeks, Bruce was inaugurated at Scone in a ceremony as close as possible to that
of his predecessors to try and ensure its legitimacy.
-The traditional view from the English Chronicles was that this was a premeditated murder
against the martyr John Comyn who had refused to abandon his loyalty to Edward.
-McNamee suggests the murder of Comyn was pre-meditated and Wishart & Bruce made a
pact, strengthened by the fact that Wishart was prepared to provide Robert immediately after
the murder
—In addition, castles had been provisioned for further conflict, suggesting planning to strike
back after a potential revolt or rise up after the murder of Comyn.
-Events between murder & inauguration suggests that Bruce attempted to quickly establish
control over the Comyn heartlands in the southwest to provide vengeance to the remainder of
the Comyn family – and suppress any enemies for the sail to run smoothly.
Reasons why Bruce murdered Comyn of Badenoch
-Perhaps Bruce was merely acting out of patriotism, he thought he was the best man to guide
Scotland to peace and retreat from the English and their ordinance which tied them down as if
with metal handcuffs.
-Perhaps Comyn did not want to abandon his loyalty to Edward I in order to support Bruce’s
rebellion to seize the throne, as such Bruce needed to eliminate him as he was in the way.
-Some accounts agree it was a dispute on a deal, and that they met in exchange for Comyn
gaining Bruce’s lands in exchange for endorsement and support for Robert’s bid to the throne.
However, Comyn proved treacherous and even considered betraying him to Edward I.
-Perhaps the murder happened because of how favouring Comyn was to Edward , and not
Bruce during the Ordinance settlement.
-Bruce’s seizure of power, 1306
-Nature of opposition to Bruce, 1306-1309
-Nature of support for Bruce, 1306-1309
-the church as a supporter for Bruce
-Bruce’s victory in the civil war by 1309
Terms to remember
-Quo Warranto inquest – inquiry into insuring the justification and legitimation of the
rights with jurisdiction asking Scot’s to prove their rights in that land.
Background/Context/Intro
-Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick seized the throne in March 1307
-This was after he had been involved in the murder of former colleague and guardian John
Comyn, lord of Badenoch at Greyfrairs church in Dumfries.
-This saw Robert excommunicated by the Catholic Church, forcing him to seek support from
Bishop Wishart of Glasgow then rushing to his coronation before it could be stopped.
-John Balliol lived up to 1314 and had a son, Edward Balliol – this further put a strain on
Bruce’s legitimacy.
-By the end of 1306, Bruce was called ‘King Hob’ meaning king of nothing and was forced
into exile in the Isles or Ireland.
Reasons why Bruce disliked the Settlement by 1305
-When the Scottish political community met at either Perth or Scone at the end of May 1305,
neither Bruce or Bishop Of Glasgow were selected by their peers to form part of the embassy
of ten. Thus he was left out while being a former guardian and a significant noble in Scotland
who had a claim to the throne.
-Bruce’s status was reduced and his positions stolen from him, following his submission in
1302 Edward appointed him to two sherrifdoms; Ayr and Lanark.
-Despite being included in the 21 man council, he was dominated over by the Comyns and
men who stood beside his rival -leaving him devalued & marginalised.
-Even though he betrayed Scotland by fighting on Edwards side hoping to get his titles &
lands back, Edward fooled him and treated him like he treated the other nobles.
-Bruce was badly treated by Edward I, was inclined to allow money for his royal service.
, Murder of John Comyn of Badenoch
-Comyn and Bruce met in Greyfrairs Church in Dumfries on 10 February 1306 with their
retinues
-Their discussion became heated and Bruce stabbed Comyn
-Bruce’s followers rushed forward, dragging Comyn to the alter where he was killed along
with his uncle, Sir Robert Comyn, who was killed by Robert’s brother in law Cristopher
Seton.
-This was a foolish action, this murder was sacrilegious as it took place in a church which
ultimately led to Bruce’s excommunication by the Catholic Church
-But it guaranteed a brutal civil war within Scotland as the Comyn family and their adherents
sought revenge for the death of their leader.
-Within 6 weeks, Bruce was inaugurated at Scone in a ceremony as close as possible to that
of his predecessors to try and ensure its legitimacy.
-The traditional view from the English Chronicles was that this was a premeditated murder
against the martyr John Comyn who had refused to abandon his loyalty to Edward.
-McNamee suggests the murder of Comyn was pre-meditated and Wishart & Bruce made a
pact, strengthened by the fact that Wishart was prepared to provide Robert immediately after
the murder
—In addition, castles had been provisioned for further conflict, suggesting planning to strike
back after a potential revolt or rise up after the murder of Comyn.
-Events between murder & inauguration suggests that Bruce attempted to quickly establish
control over the Comyn heartlands in the southwest to provide vengeance to the remainder of
the Comyn family – and suppress any enemies for the sail to run smoothly.
Reasons why Bruce murdered Comyn of Badenoch
-Perhaps Bruce was merely acting out of patriotism, he thought he was the best man to guide
Scotland to peace and retreat from the English and their ordinance which tied them down as if
with metal handcuffs.
-Perhaps Comyn did not want to abandon his loyalty to Edward I in order to support Bruce’s
rebellion to seize the throne, as such Bruce needed to eliminate him as he was in the way.
-Some accounts agree it was a dispute on a deal, and that they met in exchange for Comyn
gaining Bruce’s lands in exchange for endorsement and support for Robert’s bid to the throne.
However, Comyn proved treacherous and even considered betraying him to Edward I.
-Perhaps the murder happened because of how favouring Comyn was to Edward , and not
Bruce during the Ordinance settlement.
