mar 17, 1328 - Treaty of Edinburgh - Northampton

Description:

This treaty marked the end of the First War of Scottish Independence. The treaty was signed by Robert the Bruce in Edinburgh and later ratified by the English Parliament in Northampton. The treaty stipulated that England must recognize Scotland as an independent nation with Robert the Brue as its King. In return, the Scots paid the English £100,000 and a marriage alliance was arranged between the two nations.

A translated extract from the treaty:
"Firstly that there be a true, final and perpetual peace between the kings, their heirs and successors and their realms and lands and their subjects and peoples... and for the security and permanence of that peace it is settled and agreed that a marriage take place... between David the son and heir of the king of Scotland and Joan, the sister of the king of England, who as yet are of so tender an age that they cannot make contract of matrimony

Item it is treated and accorded that the said kings, their heirs and successors, shall be good friends and loyal allies, and that the one shall aid the other in suitable manner as good allies: saving on the part of the king of Scotland the alliance made between him and the king of France. But if it happen that the said king of Scotland by reason of the said alliance or for any cause whatever make war upon the said king of England that the said king of England may make war on the foresaid king of Scotland

Item that the said king of England shall assist in good faith that the processes, if any are made in the court of Rome and elsewhere by the authority of our Holy Father the Pope against the said king of Scotland, his realm and his subjects, cleric or lay, be dismissed; and this to do and accomplish he shall send his special letters of prayer to the pope and the cardinals."
( A Source Book of Scottish History, i, 160-163, edited by W C Dickinson, G Donaldson and I A Milne)

What does this tell us about peace?
This treaty not only stipulates formal economic and territorial negotiations between the two countries, it also gives a fascinating insight into how personal peace was between these two rulers. The idea that the two Kings should be ' good friends and loyal allies' tells of a need for each to have the other's respect and liking in order to maintain a peace with them.

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