Anglo-Scottish Feudalism: Politics, War, Homage, and Scottish Independence

The England and Scotland of today exist together within the same nation state. During the Middle Ages they existed as distinct kingdoms or realms, and as will be seen their relationship was strenuous and broke down into major political disputes and warfare on many an occasion. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, these issues became more serious, erupting into what is now called the First Scottish War of Independence in 1296. This paper aims to analyze the feudal politics underlying the relationship between the two realms particularly in regard to feudal homage and how kings such as Edward I of England and Robert I of Scotland and their predecessors approached and understood that relationship. I will present the situation leading up to the war as well as the war itself and provide a brief look into how it affected the future relationship. Scottish independence after the conflict will be included as well. I will make use of primary sources such as treaties, charters, letters and the Chronicle of Lanercost as well as secondary sources from historians.