The Battle of Bannockburn was a great victory for Scotland. But what if it had been even greater? What if the Scottish forces had managed to capture or kill Edward II?
WI: Edward II captured or killed at Bannockburn
- Thread starter Mort the Reaper
- Start date
Capturing would be preferable of course. They would have the ability to secure nearly everything they could possibly hope for, particularly full independence in perpetuity, more territory and cash considerations, the possession of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and possibly even a marriage to Scotland's advantage if possible.
If Edward II dies, you have a long regency for the two years old king. You have the two brothers of the king, the Despensers and the Great Famine to deal with it. Gold would be great, but having England going on like the War of the Roses but one century earlier is even better.
Who would hold the Regency, Edward IIs two brothers are 13 and 14 at his proposed point of death, the closest male of majority to the two year old Edward III would be Thomas, Earl of Lancaster (34), and when he dies in 1322, the Regency could shift to Thomas, Earl of Norfolk (22).
Unless we end up with the Lancasters trying to hold onto the Regency and ushering Norfolk and Kent out of the picture and into the tower.
Unless we end up with the Lancasters trying to hold onto the Regency and ushering Norfolk and Kent out of the picture and into the tower.
It would be in Robert the Bruce's best interest to capture Edward II instead of kill. While in short term, if Edward dies, England may be temporarily crippled. But it will take less than twenty years to solve the matter of English succession, then it will stop at nothing to get revenge against Scotland. No expense would be spared to destroy the realm of the northern "pretender" that killed their king.
Scotland is in a better position in the long run to negotiate with the English. Not only do they get a better bargain,(IE more territory, money etc), it may make the Irish more accepting of Scottish rule or alliance as Robert the Bruce envisioned. It might even lead to a Britannia largely existing as a Scottish hegemony.
Scotland is in a better position in the long run to negotiate with the English. Not only do they get a better bargain,(IE more territory, money etc), it may make the Irish more accepting of Scottish rule or alliance as Robert the Bruce envisioned. It might even lead to a Britannia largely existing as a Scottish hegemony.
Kaze
Banned
Capture option:
Good news - - the King's ransom would be golden.
Bad news - - the English vengeance after paying said ransom will be Biblical. It might take them 10 to 20 years to prepare for it, but the ransomed Edward or his heirs might make the Scots rue the day.
Kill option:
Good news - - Breathing time.
Bad news - - breathing time will end soon and the English response will be Biblical.
Good news - - the King's ransom would be golden.
Bad news - - the English vengeance after paying said ransom will be Biblical. It might take them 10 to 20 years to prepare for it, but the ransomed Edward or his heirs might make the Scots rue the day.
Kill option:
Good news - - Breathing time.
Bad news - - breathing time will end soon and the English response will be Biblical.