alternatehistory.com
1333-4: Scotland
1333-4: "A LAND THAT HATH MADE AND UNMADE KINGS IN GREAT NUMBERS..."
"...Even as he married Eleanor of England, the high point of Edward Balliol's fortunes had already turned. In December, even as Mar sent messages to all his fellows to submit to Balliol 'who was surely King of Scots' a secret meeting was held by loyalist lords who declared that as Mar no longer recognized John Bruce as his sovereign, he could not be considered Guardian of Scotland. Mar seems to have been vaguely aware of such going-ons, and reportedly warned Balliol about such designs. Perhaps that is why Balliol responded to an offer to reach a formal accord with the Parliament by sending a small force of supporters to meet with them[1]. At Annan, they were slaughtered for the most part where they slept by forces under the leadership of Sir Archibald Douglas. Among the dead was Edward Balliol's kinsman, Henry[2].
"In raw numbers, Annan was a small matter. But for a king whose entire claim was irresistible strength of arms, it was enough--the opposition, hitherto demoralized, began to rally. And here was where the other, fatal weakness of Balliol's coalition made itself apparent--the Disinherited had been united when they came, but having won, had fallen apart, each seeking to claim their own lands. While some stayed true, more than a few followed the example of David Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl, who, as he Edward's star start to wane, opportunistically changed sides[3]. By early spring in 1334, Bruce loyalist forces were on the march, and Balliol allies were thin on the ground. The hapless Earl of Mar gathered an army to face his former allies (among them former Disinherited David Strathbogie), and was soundly beaten at Dumfries, with over half his army deserting to join the opposing side. Forced to desert his stronghold at Roxburgh--though he succeeded in capturing the Bruces' new Guardian of Scotland, Sir Andrew Murray, during the battle[4]--Balliol returned to England, pregnant wife in tow, to beg the support of his "dear brother" the Prince of Wales. The Prince eagerly gave it.
"The 'two Edwards' marched back over the border in June, besieging Berwick. Sir Archibald Douglas, elected Guardian to replace the imprisoned Murray, lead loyalist forces to meet them...[5]"
--From Crowned Upon the Stone; the Story of Scotland, by Gyth Gythson (1998)
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[1] IOTL, Balliol went to Annan himself, speeding the collapse of his cause.
[2] Henry Balliol is listed as a casualty of Annan in numerous accounts. His exact relation to Edward is vague--some list him as a younger brother, but this is questionable.
[3] David switched sides around this point IOTL. He was not a man overburdened with loyalty.
[4] Murray was elected Guardian IOTL, and captured in such a manner.
[5] Douglas was Murray's replacement as Guardian IOTL.
"...Even as he married Eleanor of England, the high point of Edward Balliol's fortunes had already turned. In December, even as Mar sent messages to all his fellows to submit to Balliol 'who was surely King of Scots' a secret meeting was held by loyalist lords who declared that as Mar no longer recognized John Bruce as his sovereign, he could not be considered Guardian of Scotland. Mar seems to have been vaguely aware of such going-ons, and reportedly warned Balliol about such designs. Perhaps that is why Balliol responded to an offer to reach a formal accord with the Parliament by sending a small force of supporters to meet with them[1]. At Annan, they were slaughtered for the most part where they slept by forces under the leadership of Sir Archibald Douglas. Among the dead was Edward Balliol's kinsman, Henry[2].
"In raw numbers, Annan was a small matter. But for a king whose entire claim was irresistible strength of arms, it was enough--the opposition, hitherto demoralized, began to rally. And here was where the other, fatal weakness of Balliol's coalition made itself apparent--the Disinherited had been united when they came, but having won, had fallen apart, each seeking to claim their own lands. While some stayed true, more than a few followed the example of David Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl, who, as he Edward's star start to wane, opportunistically changed sides[3]. By early spring in 1334, Bruce loyalist forces were on the march, and Balliol allies were thin on the ground. The hapless Earl of Mar gathered an army to face his former allies (among them former Disinherited David Strathbogie), and was soundly beaten at Dumfries, with over half his army deserting to join the opposing side. Forced to desert his stronghold at Roxburgh--though he succeeded in capturing the Bruces' new Guardian of Scotland, Sir Andrew Murray, during the battle[4]--Balliol returned to England, pregnant wife in tow, to beg the support of his "dear brother" the Prince of Wales. The Prince eagerly gave it.
"The 'two Edwards' marched back over the border in June, besieging Berwick. Sir Archibald Douglas, elected Guardian to replace the imprisoned Murray, lead loyalist forces to meet them...[5]"
--From Crowned Upon the Stone; the Story of Scotland, by Gyth Gythson (1998)
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[1] IOTL, Balliol went to Annan himself, speeding the collapse of his cause.
[2] Henry Balliol is listed as a casualty of Annan in numerous accounts. His exact relation to Edward is vague--some list him as a younger brother, but this is questionable.
[3] David switched sides around this point IOTL. He was not a man overburdened with loyalty.
[4] Murray was elected Guardian IOTL, and captured in such a manner.
[5] Douglas was Murray's replacement as Guardian IOTL.
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