[MR] Scottish Independence

[Garth Groff]

Noble Friends,

On this day in 1328, the English Parliament ratified the Treaty of 
Edinburgh-Northampton, recognizing Scottish independence and ending 32 
years of war. King Robert the Bruce signed for the Scots. Envoys acting 
under the English Regent and dowager Queen Isabella signed for England. 
Alas, this was short-lived. The English monarch, Edward III, was a 
underaged king, but when he came into his full power Edward abrogated 
the treaty and resumed war against the Scots in 1333. Scotland's full 
independence had to be won again, and was finally recognized in 1357.

You can read a short Wikipedia article about the treaty at: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Edinburgh-Northampton and about 
the First Scottish War of Independence at: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_War_of_Scottish_Independence .

On a more sour note, 1 May is also the day in 1707 when the Scottish 
Parliament voted for the "Union of the Flags" with England, and thus 
gave up their hard-won independence. Since 1603, Scotland and England 
had shared monarchs, but the two countries were separate states, and 
often at odds with each other. In particular, Scotland was frozen out of 
trade with England and her colonies, and many wealthy Scottish merchants 
pushed for the otherwise very unpopular union. England pushed for the 
union in fear that Scotland would invite the Stewarts back when the 
childless Queen Anne died.

Sorry to bring this up, since it is out of our period, but the dates are 
an interesting historical oddity. If you're curious, here a Wikipedia 
article about that too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Union_1707 .

And now it starts all over again as Scotland prepares for an 
independence referendum in 2014.

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Both Proud and Ashamed Today