HISTORY OF SCOTLAND
Scotland was called Caledonia in early 80 A.D. when it was invaded by the Romans. The Romas general Agricola lead many campaigns against the Picts but never conquered them. During 500 and 600's the country was converted to Christianity.
The first kingdom of Scotland was in 844 when Kenneth Mac Alpin, king of Scots, claimed the throne of the Picts. He, and the kings following him, waged wars against the Algels and the Norsemen. King Duncan was the first ruler of the historical kingdom of Scotland. He was overthrown by one of his generals, Macbeth. Macbeth ruled until he was killed in battle in 1057 and Duncan's son Malcolm III took the throne. Macolm's wife Margaret was an English princess and brought English court life to Scotland. Her sons kept contact with England, and the Feudal System of land ownership develeped in Scotland. The English language took the place of Gealic. The reign of Alexander III was the golden age of Scotland.
After Alexanders death, King Edward of England recognized John Baliol(1259-1314) as king in preference to Robert Bruce and claimed himself overlord of Scotland. This began Scotlands struggle for independence. The Scottish Nobels revolted and forced Baliol to make an alliance with France. King Edward then invaded Scotland and John Baliol was forced to surrender his crown on July 10,1296. After Englands victory at the battle of Dunbar Edward I of England proclaimed himself King of Scotland.
Both James and his son, Charles I, wished to reorganize the Scottish church.
The Scots rose up under the leadership of William Wallace who was the first popular hero of Scottish history. He won a number of victories before he was betrayed and executed. Robert the Bruce(1274-1329)grandson of Robert Bruce took up the struggle. He won a victory at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and established Scottish independence. In 1328 Edward III recognised Bruce as Robert I, King of Scotland.,See Bruce family
When Robert the Bruce died the Stuart family won a struggle for the throne. The Nobles were put down by James I (1394-1437) but his successors delt with feuds among the Scottish Nobels and wars on the English border.
Scotland sought help with an alliance with France which brought war with England. In 1502 James IV married Margaret Tudor, an English princess, but soon returned to his French alliance. He invaded England and was killed at the battle of Flodden Field in 1513. James V was also defeated by the English in 1542 at the battle of Solway Firth. His daughter Mary(Mary Queen of Scots 1542-1587) was brought up in France and married a French prince.
Scottish leaders resented French influence and the Catholic church, so with the help of Queen Elizabeth of England, they drove out the French soldiers. John Knox influenced the Scottish Parliament to establish a National Protestant Church in 1560. Mary Queen of Scots was a confirmed Catholic and was forced to abdicate. In 1568 she escaped to England but was imprisoned and later executed by Queen Elizabeth in 1587. Her infant son, James VI, was brought up a protestant and the religion was establhed in Scotland.
James VI was the great grandson of Margaret Tudor, so when Queen Elizabeth died in 1603 he was heir to the British throne and ruled both countries.
James and his son, Charles I, wished to reorganize the Scottish church. In 1638 the Scots signed a National Convent and readied to fight Charles I. A cival war started in England when the English Puritans also revolted against the king and Charles was executed. Cromwell was victorious against Charles II at Dunbar in 1650 and later forced the Scots into union with England.
The Stuarts returned to the throne in 1660. They persecuted the Conventers, and the Scots again joined with England to drive out the Stuarts in 1688 and Presbyterianism was restored. An act of Union was passed by the English Parliament and pushed through the Scottish Parliament in 1707. The two kingdoms were united under the Kingdom of Great Britian.
Many Scots remained loyal to James Stuart, son of the king who was forced out in 1688, they were called Jacobites. In 1715 the Jacobites rebelled and were defeated. In 1745, the Highlanders rose against England in support of Charles Stuart, son of James whom they called "Bonnie Price Charlie". The clansmen defeated the English troops in Scotland but were forced to retreat when they marched into England. In 1746, the English armies forced a battle on Culloden Moor and destroyed the hopes of Stuart forever. Gallent Price Charlie fled into the highlands and later escaped to France. The English executed many clan chiefs and forbade Highlanders to wear kilts, bear arms, or play the bagpipe. The restrictions remained in force until 1782.
The lowlands became the main industrial center of the British Isles in the 1800's. The quarrels in modern Scotland have been over religion. The church of Scotland was broken up in 1843 and the free church of Scotland was established by some of its congregatons. The church was united again in 1929.
to Gregg History
to Moments in History Page.
