alternatehistory.com
1328-31: Scotland
1328-31: SCOTS WHA HAE
"As he entered into the final year of his life, Robert the Bruce could look back at an astonishing wave of successes. He had seen the Scottish cause revive from near-collapse, had driven Edward II's armies from Scotland, been acknowledged as king by the Papacy and most other states, save England, had revived the Auld Alliance with the Treaty of Corbeil[1], and perhaps most satisfying, had seen his excommunication and the interdict of Scotland lifted[2]. Three things marred this--the horrific disease that was killing him[3], the ongoing war with England, presently only paused by a truce[4], and the extreme youth of his heir, John, the only surviving boy of twins[5]. Each of these problems by itself would have proven a threat. Together, they would nearly lead to the undoing of all of Robert's hard work.
"Robert watched the growing chaos in England with a hungry eye, for he thought he perceived a chance to bring Edward to the table and finally force a formal recognition of the Scottish Kingdom[6]. Troops were even gathered at the border, when Robert's ailment flared up and sent the entire plan to the wayside. As it became obvious that this attack would likely prove fatal, Robert threw his remaining energies into ensuring his son would see a clean transfer of power. His longtime supporter and nephew, Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray would be named Guardian of Scotland, an able prop for his young son[7]. With his legacy in this world as secure as he could make it, Robert went to work on the next, giving various legacies to religious houses to pray for his soul, most notably for his failure to take up the cross and fight the Saracen. Indeed, Robert made a special bequest on this matter--his heart was to be removed and taken on an armed pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre, following which it would be interred in Melrose Abbey. Alas, for Robert, the projected Crusade in the Holy Land never materialized, and so his heart would have to settle for being taken along a Castilian expedition against Granada.[8] And so it was in 1329, on the 5th of June, Robert the Bruce passed away.
"Young John would be proclaimed King of Scots immediately on his father's death, though his coronation at Scone would wait until late in 1331. A debate arose on whether his regnal name should be changed[9], but ultimately it was decided that "the second John shall make up for the first" and so he became John II of Scotland. Alas for the young monarch, enemies were already gathering. And, most worryingly of all, they were not all English."
--From Crowned Upon the Stone; the Story of Scotland, by Gyth Gythson (1998)
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[1] Signed OTL and TTL in 1326.
[2] This occurred in 1328, though papal recognition was a sign that it was on its way.
[3] Commonly reported as leprosy, though in truth, it is something of a mystery.
[4] IOTL, he would die with a treaty with England. That Edward III would proceed to tear up and stomp on.
[5] IOTL, John died, and his brother David lived.
[6] IOTL, he took the chance of Isabella's invasion to do just that. One embarrassing campaign later, and the Mortimer government was signing a treaty. Despite having criticized Edward II for his handling of Scotland.
[7] Guardian of Scotland was the official title for a Regent. Moray was indeed named to the post at Robert's death IOTL as well.
[8] This is all OTL. Even the campaign in Granada.
[9] A similar debate IOTL saw Robert II Stewart's eldest son change his name from "John" to "Robert"
"As he entered into the final year of his life, Robert the Bruce could look back at an astonishing wave of successes. He had seen the Scottish cause revive from near-collapse, had driven Edward II's armies from Scotland, been acknowledged as king by the Papacy and most other states, save England, had revived the Auld Alliance with the Treaty of Corbeil[1], and perhaps most satisfying, had seen his excommunication and the interdict of Scotland lifted[2]. Three things marred this--the horrific disease that was killing him[3], the ongoing war with England, presently only paused by a truce[4], and the extreme youth of his heir, John, the only surviving boy of twins[5]. Each of these problems by itself would have proven a threat. Together, they would nearly lead to the undoing of all of Robert's hard work.
"Robert watched the growing chaos in England with a hungry eye, for he thought he perceived a chance to bring Edward to the table and finally force a formal recognition of the Scottish Kingdom[6]. Troops were even gathered at the border, when Robert's ailment flared up and sent the entire plan to the wayside. As it became obvious that this attack would likely prove fatal, Robert threw his remaining energies into ensuring his son would see a clean transfer of power. His longtime supporter and nephew, Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray would be named Guardian of Scotland, an able prop for his young son[7]. With his legacy in this world as secure as he could make it, Robert went to work on the next, giving various legacies to religious houses to pray for his soul, most notably for his failure to take up the cross and fight the Saracen. Indeed, Robert made a special bequest on this matter--his heart was to be removed and taken on an armed pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre, following which it would be interred in Melrose Abbey. Alas, for Robert, the projected Crusade in the Holy Land never materialized, and so his heart would have to settle for being taken along a Castilian expedition against Granada.[8] And so it was in 1329, on the 5th of June, Robert the Bruce passed away.
"Young John would be proclaimed King of Scots immediately on his father's death, though his coronation at Scone would wait until late in 1331. A debate arose on whether his regnal name should be changed[9], but ultimately it was decided that "the second John shall make up for the first" and so he became John II of Scotland. Alas for the young monarch, enemies were already gathering. And, most worryingly of all, they were not all English."
--From Crowned Upon the Stone; the Story of Scotland, by Gyth Gythson (1998)
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[1] Signed OTL and TTL in 1326.
[2] This occurred in 1328, though papal recognition was a sign that it was on its way.
[3] Commonly reported as leprosy, though in truth, it is something of a mystery.
[4] IOTL, he would die with a treaty with England. That Edward III would proceed to tear up and stomp on.
[5] IOTL, John died, and his brother David lived.
[6] IOTL, he took the chance of Isabella's invasion to do just that. One embarrassing campaign later, and the Mortimer government was signing a treaty. Despite having criticized Edward II for his handling of Scotland.
[7] Guardian of Scotland was the official title for a Regent. Moray was indeed named to the post at Robert's death IOTL as well.
[8] This is all OTL. Even the campaign in Granada.
[9] A similar debate IOTL saw Robert II Stewart's eldest son change his name from "John" to "Robert"
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