1 jan 1193 ano - Peace between King William and King Richard

Descrição:

In 1192, King Richard of England was captured and held for ransom by Leopold of Austria who accused him of arranging the murder of his cousin. King William of Scotland voluntarily sent money towards the ransom fees set out, establishing an allied relationship between England and Scotland.

Bower's (c.1440) narrative:
“ King William felt compassion for the distress of his kinsman King Richard and as an act of goodwill spontaneously sent down from Scotland two thousand marks from the royal treasury for this very purpose. From then for the rest of King Richard’s lifetime, there was such great unity and concord between the two kingdoms, and such friendship based on true affection linked the two kings like David and Jonathan, that the one fully and faithfully fulfilled the other’s wish, and each of the two peoples was thought of as part of one and the same people. Whenever it pleased them, Englishmen on foot or on horseback were able to pass unharmed right across Scotland, both on this side of the mountains and beyond, laden with gold or any other sort of merchandise, and in the like manner Scots [could pass] through England “
(A History Book for Sots: Selections from Schotichronicon by Walter Bower, Edited by D. E. R. Watt)

What does this tell us about peace?

Editor D.E.R. Watt writes that Bower is describing "what has been called ' a golden episode' in Anglo-Scottish relations from the time of Richard's return in March 1194 until his death in April 1199. Perhaps this image was influenced by hindsight in the light of how relations were to be troubled between King William and King John after 1200"

Bower describes a random act of 'goodwill' from King William who decided to exhibit good relations with King Richard. Here, peace seems like a personal friendship between two individuals, rather than a negotiated economic and territorial agreement. However, as Watt points out, Bower's depiction of the harmony of
this period could be heavily affected by hindsight. This means that it may not have been such an ideal, perfect peace and friendship as he depicted.

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