Scotland Grows Strong-A House of Dunkeld survives idea.

The Second Siege of Libourne sees in the new year of 1297, as the Count of Artois holds firm, with direct orders from his King, not to end the siege until there is a full English surrender. John De Warenne, Earl of Surrey, remains firm within the town, refusing to even consider surrender. In Bordeaux, King Edward, worried about the fall of a town so close to his capital within Gascony, sends word to his son Alphonso in La Reole, and orders him to march forward to aid the Earl of Surrey. Alphonso, with aid from Humphrey De Bohun, Earl of Hereford, as well as Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, moves out from the town, and encounters the host under the command of the Duke of Burgundy in his way. A battle is fought, and whilst the Duke of Burgundy retreats, Alphonso moves forward, knowing that the death of Norfolk is a heavy blow to the English cause. Still, Artois is prepared for the English advance, and a short battle is engaged, which sees Surrey move out of the town, sallying out with men to aid the Prince of Wales. After a heavy fight, Artois lies dead, his host in ruins, as the English succeed in holding off the French siege of Libourne. When word reaches King Philip of this in Marmande, he has a decision to make, whether to push forward and potentially suffer more defeats, or come to terms with his English counter part. He decides for the prudent course, and asks to meet with King Edward. The Treaty of Langon, signed at Langon, recognises English hold over Gascony, and also for the sum of 12,000 marks, Philip promises to end any sort of pledge of fealty from Edward for a period of three years. The year ends with English celebration, and a betrothal between The Prince of Wales son Henry, and King Philip's daughter Isabella.

In Scotland, King Alexander observes the war between England and France with growing interest, following the signing of the Treaty of Langon, he signs a treaty of perpetual peace with King Edward and King Philip, with all three sides promising not to engage in hostile activities with the other for a period of three years. He also receives word of success in the war between Norway and Denmark, with the Norwegians under his brother in law, scoring several victories, aided by the Lord of the Isles and his men. Finally, a trade agreement is agreed with Aragon as well as with Castille, and a betrothal, between the King's daughter Beatrice and the Young King of Castile, Ferdinand IV.
 
The period following the Peace of Langon, would see many changes within various countries. In France, King Philip IV of France would suffer a fall from a horse that left him with a damaged back, and a bad leg, and yet he would continue to rule for some time, before the great fever of 1298 took him, his oldest two sons Louis and Philip, and left his son Charles, as the heir to the throne, and subsequently, King as Charles IV. The deaths of King Philip and his oldest two sons shook the royal court in Paris, and left many wondering what would happen now. Tradition dictated that the oldest and closest Prince of the Blood assumed the regency of the now young King, however, in his will King Philip had dictated that it would be his wife, Queen Joan who would serve as regent for any children he had, and so when a convocation of nobles met at the Parlement in Paris, it was agreed to uphold the King's will. Joan was recognised as regent for her son Charles, and would work in a power sharing arrangement with her brother-in-law Louis Count of Evereux. The Queen Dowager, pursued a policy of tax reform, that her husband had been considering, something that caused resentment to grow in Flanders.

In England, Prince Alphonso, and his wife Princess Margaret welcomed another child, a girl they named Eleanor for Alphonso's mother. The child was a healthy and robust babe, born in late 1298, whilst a second son, a boy named Edward, for the King, was born in 1299. The birth of two children, especially a spare son, was greeted with great joy by the Prince and Princess, as well as by the King and his wife. Domestically, King Edward seemed content to uphold the rule of law, ordering illegal poaching to cease, executing those tax collectors who skimmed for their own pockets, and generally maintaining law and order. When Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, and cousin to the King died in 1299 from consumption, the Earldom of Cornwall merged with the crown, and was given to Prince Alphonso, making him a rich and powerful man in his own right, seen by many as a sign that the King fully trusted his heir. That, Edward, the second son of King Edward was left without an earldom, despite being fifteen at this point, had many tongues wagging, especially when the closeness of the Prince with the Gascon, Piers Gaveston was noted.

In Scotland, King Alexander continues his reforms of the system within his kingdom, the reforms of the tax collection system had seen crown profits triple within the past five years, with the treasury over flowing with money. King Alexander, however, seemed content to allow the treasury to remain bountiful, and instead spent his time reforming the legal system. As such, he took much power away from the local sheriffs and placed it in his own hands, determined to make sure local biases were cut out of the process. The number of people being convicted for treason fell substantially, mainly because the King and his wife were able to tell the true crimes from the false ones. King Alexander, also formally invested his heir Alexander with the earldom of Garioch and established him at Coull Castle following the death of Sir Alexander Durward and the merging of the Barony of O'Neil with the crown. The end of the three year truce, would see King Alexander meeting with representatives from France, discussing trade agreements, as well as with messengers from Denmark, begging the Scots King to recall the Lord of the Isles who had been doing much damage.
 
Alright quality, a question for you, do you think then that this should progress to the modern day or stop at a particular point?
 
1300, a year that marks the beginning of a new century, after the turbulence of previous years and the previous century, in England, King Edward meets with his nephew King Alexander and in signing the Treaty of York, once again recognises Scotland's independence, the recognition of the border, and Alexander's right to hold lands in Northumberland and Cumberland. Edward also takes steps to handle the issue of his second and the Gascon Piers Gaveston. He sends Edward off on a mission to Gascony as his representative there, and keeps the Gascon in London where he can keep a closer eye on him. He also, entrusts more power and responsibility to his eldest son and heir Alphonso in regards to handling Wales and certain legal issues.

In Scotland, King Alexander finally begins contemplating a serious issue that has been plaguing him for some time. The issue of how much power he truly wants to take from the nobility. Already controlling the taxation system and the system of royal sheriffs, he decides to slowly begin land reform. Those who fail to pay on time have their land seized, royal palaces are built in key locations and the royal family continue touring the lands ensuring their authority is seen and observed.
 
I've been looking for a Scotland timeline, actually. I'd be interested in seeing how far you can realistically take it, but of course beyond a certain point the world is so unrecognisable that you might as well be writing pure fiction. Anyway, interested in seeing where it all goes.
 
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