I previously posted the first two sections of this here.
Duly reposting for continuity's sake:
The Beginning
In the year 1315, Edward of England had drawn a great deal of men and supplies from his estates in Ireland for his war in Scotland. Because the war had had little success, the Irish tribes became rebellious against the English lords and their king. It was also in this year, and because of English draining of the island of men and resources, that Edward Bruce, brother of the Scottish king, was offered the High Kingship of Ireland by Brian O'Neill and his allies and vassals. The Scottish nobles, Robert, King of the Scots and Edward Bruce assembled at Ayr, where Edward's fleet also mustered. At the Assembly, the childless Robert made his brother, Edward, his heir. Edward Bruce arrived in Ireland in late spring and Brian O'Neill and his vassals and allies swore fealty to him and he was proclaimed High King of Ireland. Though at first only truly ruling Ulster, Bruce began to travel through Ireland, to have its kings and chiefs swear loyalty to him. As Bruce was traveling south, he was ambushed at the Moiry Pass by nobles who had previously sworn loyalty to him. Bruce and his army fought off the ambushers and killed their leaders.
And so he continued to travel through his kingdom, attacking enemy forces and lands. At Louth he encountered two opposing armies led by Irish nobles. The armies began testing each other. Neither could gain a clear advantage until Butler, one of the nobles opposed to Bruce, tripped and was injured. Thinking he had been struck by an arrow and would soon die, his army dispersed, dropping their weapons and running into town or joining de Burgh's army. In the chaos, Bruce gained a decisive advantage and flanked de Burgh, killing many of his men and capturing the earl. In return for sparing his life, de Burgh swore loyalty to Bruce and was his loyal vassal and ally until his death. Bruce's control over Ulster became stronger and he was emboldened by his victory. English lands in Ireland were, one-by-one, captured and given to Irish and Scottish nobles who were loyal to Edward Bruce. Within two years, Ireland was under his control and had acknowledged his rule.
The Welsh Adventure
With the Irish crown secured from internal threats, the Bruces began their next plan. Because England had not recognized Scotland's independence or the kingships of either Bruce, the king-brothers decided to take the fight to the English. Raids along the Scottish-English border had gained much booty but were largely ignored. Recently conquered and rebellious Wales seemed the perfect site for a distraction. The Gaelic leaders sent emmisaries to treat with town leaders and began preparations for the revolt. Meanwhile the English had assembled their army in the north, against Scotland. Seeing that Wales was lightly garrisoned, the time for revolt was perfect. Irish and Scottish troops landed in north Wales in support of local leaders. The Welsh and their allies eventually gained control over most of north Wales and much booty was sent to Ireland and Scotland. Deciding that keeping control over territories he already has is more important than enforcing his claim to Scotland, Edward of England begins moving his army south into Wales. The Celts and the English met in battle along the Severn River. After a day of indecisive battle the leaders decided to try negotiating again. After many hours, the Bruces and Edward I agreed to peace terms.
The Bruces were to return one quarter of their loot from the Welsh campaign to England. England recognized Scottish and Irish independence and their kings. The Gaels were to discontinue support for the rebelling Welsh. Man and Berwick-upon-Tweed are ceded to Scotland. The English, Scots and Irish kings all agreed that these were fair terms. The Welsh leaders were not invited to the meeting, for their forces had done poorly during the battle.
Robert, King of the Scots and Edward, High King of Ireland returned to their countries by ship. Edward Longshanks began crushing the Welsh and was killed in a battle two months later.
Duly reposting for continuity's sake:
The Beginning
In the year 1315, Edward of England had drawn a great deal of men and supplies from his estates in Ireland for his war in Scotland. Because the war had had little success, the Irish tribes became rebellious against the English lords and their king. It was also in this year, and because of English draining of the island of men and resources, that Edward Bruce, brother of the Scottish king, was offered the High Kingship of Ireland by Brian O'Neill and his allies and vassals. The Scottish nobles, Robert, King of the Scots and Edward Bruce assembled at Ayr, where Edward's fleet also mustered. At the Assembly, the childless Robert made his brother, Edward, his heir. Edward Bruce arrived in Ireland in late spring and Brian O'Neill and his vassals and allies swore fealty to him and he was proclaimed High King of Ireland. Though at first only truly ruling Ulster, Bruce began to travel through Ireland, to have its kings and chiefs swear loyalty to him. As Bruce was traveling south, he was ambushed at the Moiry Pass by nobles who had previously sworn loyalty to him. Bruce and his army fought off the ambushers and killed their leaders.
And so he continued to travel through his kingdom, attacking enemy forces and lands. At Louth he encountered two opposing armies led by Irish nobles. The armies began testing each other. Neither could gain a clear advantage until Butler, one of the nobles opposed to Bruce, tripped and was injured. Thinking he had been struck by an arrow and would soon die, his army dispersed, dropping their weapons and running into town or joining de Burgh's army. In the chaos, Bruce gained a decisive advantage and flanked de Burgh, killing many of his men and capturing the earl. In return for sparing his life, de Burgh swore loyalty to Bruce and was his loyal vassal and ally until his death. Bruce's control over Ulster became stronger and he was emboldened by his victory. English lands in Ireland were, one-by-one, captured and given to Irish and Scottish nobles who were loyal to Edward Bruce. Within two years, Ireland was under his control and had acknowledged his rule.
The Welsh Adventure
With the Irish crown secured from internal threats, the Bruces began their next plan. Because England had not recognized Scotland's independence or the kingships of either Bruce, the king-brothers decided to take the fight to the English. Raids along the Scottish-English border had gained much booty but were largely ignored. Recently conquered and rebellious Wales seemed the perfect site for a distraction. The Gaelic leaders sent emmisaries to treat with town leaders and began preparations for the revolt. Meanwhile the English had assembled their army in the north, against Scotland. Seeing that Wales was lightly garrisoned, the time for revolt was perfect. Irish and Scottish troops landed in north Wales in support of local leaders. The Welsh and their allies eventually gained control over most of north Wales and much booty was sent to Ireland and Scotland. Deciding that keeping control over territories he already has is more important than enforcing his claim to Scotland, Edward of England begins moving his army south into Wales. The Celts and the English met in battle along the Severn River. After a day of indecisive battle the leaders decided to try negotiating again. After many hours, the Bruces and Edward I agreed to peace terms.
The Bruces were to return one quarter of their loot from the Welsh campaign to England. England recognized Scottish and Irish independence and their kings. The Gaels were to discontinue support for the rebelling Welsh. Man and Berwick-upon-Tweed are ceded to Scotland. The English, Scots and Irish kings all agreed that these were fair terms. The Welsh leaders were not invited to the meeting, for their forces had done poorly during the battle.
Robert, King of the Scots and Edward, High King of Ireland returned to their countries by ship. Edward Longshanks began crushing the Welsh and was killed in a battle two months later.
