Editing Edward I of England (section)

===Great Cause===
{{See also|Competitors for the Crown of Scotland}}
[[File:SanktEdvardsstol westminster.jpg|thumb|upright=0.95|alt=Front-view of the Coronation Chair, a wooden chair in Westminster Abbey used for the coronation of the English (and later British) monarch. There is a compartment at the bottom that is able to house the Stone of Scone, which originates from Scotland.|The [[Coronation Chair]] in [[Westminster Abbey]] was commissioned by Edward in 1296 to house the [[Stone of Scone]] and has been used for coronations for over 700 years.<ref>{{Harvnb|Rodwell|2013|pp=n13, 77}}</ref>]]
The relationship between England and Scotland by the 1280s was one of relatively harmonious coexistence.<ref>{{Harvnb|Carpenter|2004|p=518}}.</ref> The issue of homage did not reach the same level of controversy as it did in Wales; in 1278 King [[Alexander&nbsp;III of Scotland]] paid homage to Edward, who was his brother-in-law, but apparently only for the lands he held in England.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|p=357}}.</ref> Problems arose only with the Scottish succession crisis of the early 1290s. When Alexander died in 1286, he left as heir to the Scottish throne [[Margaret, Maid of Norway|Margaret]], his three-year-old granddaughter and sole surviving descendant.<ref>{{Harvnb|Barrow|1965|pp=3–4}}.</ref> By the [[Treaty of Birgham]], it was agreed that Margaret should marry King Edward's six-year-old son [[Edward of Caernarfon]], though Scotland would remain free of English [[overlordship]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|p=361}}, {{Harvnb|Morris|2009|p=235}}.</ref> Margaret, by now seven, sailed from Norway for Scotland in late 1290, but fell ill on the way and died in [[Orkney]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Barrow|1965|p=42}}, {{Harvnb|Morris|2009|p=237}}.</ref> This left the country without an obvious heir, and led to the succession dispute known as the [[Great Cause]].<ref name=Morris2009P253/>{{Efn|The term is an 18th-century invention.<ref name="Morris2009P253">{{Harvnb|Morris|2009|p=253}}.</ref>}}

Fourteen claimants put forward their claims to the title, of whom the foremost competitors were [[John Balliol]] and [[Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|2005|p=231}}.</ref> The Scottish magnates made a request to Edward to conduct the proceedings and administer the outcome, but not to arbitrate in the dispute. The actual decision would be made by 104 auditors{{snd}}40 appointed by Balliol, 40 by Brus and the remaining 24 selected by Edward from senior members of the Scottish political community.<ref>{{Harvnb|Powicke|1962|p=601}}.</ref> At Birgham, with the prospect of a personal union between the two realms, the question of suzerainty had not been of great importance to Edward. Now he insisted that, if he were to settle the contest, he had to be fully recognised as Scotland's feudal overlord.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|pp=361–363}}.</ref> The Scots were reluctant to make such a concession, and replied that since the country had no king, no one had the authority to make this decision.<ref>{{Harvnb|Barrow|1965|p=45}}.</ref> This problem was circumvented when the competitors agreed that the realm would be handed over to Edward until a rightful heir had been found.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|p=365}}.</ref> After a lengthy hearing, a decision was made in favour of John Balliol on 17&nbsp;November 1292.<ref name=Prestwich1997PP358/>{{Efn|Even though the principle of [[primogeniture]] did not necessarily apply to descent through female heirs, there is little doubt that Balliol's claim was the strongest one.<ref name="Prestwich1997PP358">{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|pp=358, 367}}.</ref>}}

Even after Balliol's accession, Edward still asserted his authority over Scotland. Against the objections of the Scots, he agreed to hear appeals on cases ruled on by the court of guardians that had governed Scotland during the interregnum.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|p=370}}.</ref> A further provocation came in a case brought by Macduff, son of [[Malcolm II, Earl of Fife]], in which Edward demanded that Balliol appear in person before the [[English Parliament]] to answer the charges.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|p=371}}.</ref> This the Scottish King did, but the final straw was Edward's demand that the Scottish magnates provide military service in the war against France.<ref>{{Harvnb|Barrow|1965|pp=86–88}}.</ref> This was unacceptable; the Scots instead formed an [[Auld Alliance|alliance with France]] and launched an unsuccessful attack on [[Carlisle]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Barrow|1965|pp=88–91, 99}}.</ref> Edward responded by invading Scotland in 1296 and taking the town of [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]] which included the [[Sack of Berwick (1296)|massacre of civilians]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Barrow|1965|pp=99–100}}, {{Harvnb|Barrow|1983|p=396}}.</ref> At the [[Battle of Dunbar (1296)|Battle of Dunbar]], Scottish resistance was effectively crushed.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|pp=471–473}}.</ref> Edward took the [[Stone of Scone|Stone of Destiny]]&nbsp;– the Scottish coronation stone{{Spaced ndash}}and brought it to Westminster, placing it in what became known as [[King Edward's Chair]]; he deposed Balliol and placed him in the [[Tower of London]], and installed Englishmen to govern the country.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|pp=473–474}}.</ref> The campaign had been very successful, but the English triumph would be only temporary.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|1997|p=376}}.</ref>