The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns in the late 13th and 14th centuries in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland which had been threatened by the Kingdom of England. The wars were part of a great crisis for Scotland, and the period became one of the most defining times in its history. At the end of both extended wars, Scotland retained its status as an independent, sovereign country. The First War (1296–1328) began with the English invasion of Scotland and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton. The Second War (1332–1357) began with the English-supported invasion by Edward Balliol and the "Disinherited" and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Berwick.
Battle of Dupplin Moor: Scottish dynastic conflict
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns in the late 13th and 14th centuries in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland which had...
Historical Significance
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns in the late 13th and 14th centuries in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland which had been threatened by the Kingdom of England.
Events Before
Battle of Velbuzd: Serbian forces defeat Bulgarian army
The Battle of Velbazhd was fought by the Bulgarian Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia on 28 July 1330, near the town of Velbazhd (present day Kyustendil). The growing power of the Serbian Kingdom from...
Antipope Nicholas V, having obtained assurance of pardon, presents a confession of his sins to Pope John XXII at Avignon
Antipope Nicholas V, having obtained assurance of pardon, presents a confession of his sins to Pope John XXII at Avignon, who absolves him
Battle of Posada, Wallachian voievode Basarab I defeats the Hungarian army in an ambush
Battle of Posada, Wallachian voievode Basarab I defeats the Hungarian army in an ambush
Stefan Dušan declares himself King of Serbia
Stefan Dušan declares himself King of Serbia
Battle of Płowce: Kingdom of Poland defeats the Teutonic Order in a strategic victory
Battle of Płowce: Kingdom of Poland defeats the Teutonic Order in a strategic victory
Events After
Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani
Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani
Bishop of Florence blesses the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, desi
Bishop of Florence blesses the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, designed by artist Giotto di Bondone
St Clemens Flood: Storm surge overwhelms dikes along Flemish and Dutch North Sea coast, killing thousands; city of Osten
St Clemens Flood: Storm surge overwhelms dikes along Flemish and Dutch North Sea coast, killing thousands; city of Ostend moves church inland to higher ground (an effort repeated twice more over the next two centuries)
Henry II of Castile is born
Henry II of Castile is born
Otto the Merry, Duke of Austria, becomes Duke of Carinthia
Otto the Merry, Duke of Austria, becomes Duke of Carinthia
More from the 1330s
Bishop of Florence blesses the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, desi
Bishop of Florence blesses the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, designed by artist Giotto di Bondone
Jacob of Arteveld elected mayor of Ghent
Jacob of Arteveld elected mayor of Ghent
Emperor of Ethiopia Amda Seyon I begins his campaigns in the southern Muslim provinces
Emperor of Ethiopia Amda Seyon I begins his campaigns in the southern Muslim provinces
Italian Renaissance poet Francesco Petrarch famously climbs Mont Ventoux
Italian Renaissance poet Francesco Petrarch famously climbs Mont Ventoux
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on August 12, 1332?
- The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns in the late 13th and 14th centuries in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland which had been threatened by the Kingdom of England. The wars were part of a great crisis for Scotland, and the period became one of the most defining times in its history. At the end of both extended wars, Scotland retained its status as an independent, sovereign country.
- Why is Battle of Dupplin Moor: Scottish dynastic conflict significant?
- The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns in the late 13th and 14th centuries in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland which had been threatened by the Kingdom of England.