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Scottish Coins ~ Interregnum (1296-1306)
The ultimate desire for Edward I of England when he acted as council in the determination of the monarchy in Scotland was realised in 1296 with the departure of John Balliol from the Scottish political scene. History will reflect that it was a poor decision to let Edward I of England ever be an overseer in the determination of the Scottish monarchy, however contemporary nobles in Scotland apparently suffered from a severe lack of good judgement. Whilst in many opinions John Balliol had the strongest claim to the throne, the effect of having letting the English monarch in on the process only wetted his appetite for further conquest. During the whole of the reign of John Balliol southern Scotland was under English occupation. Early in this reign a Council of Twelve was created in effect to rest control of Scotland. They quickly signed a mutual defense treaty with the French and John Balliol's power was quickly diminished. Subsequently the Scots in the English occupied lands rose under the leadership of William Wallace and what would become ten years of civil war broke out. In July of 1296 John Balliol abdicated the throne, and became a prisoner of the English. He was held until 1299 when he returned to his lands in France and died in 1313. The period of history from 1296-1306 can be best summed up as chaotic. Armies moved back and forth across Scotland, clans fought clans, Scots fought Scots and English. In effect Edward I no longer recognised the Scottish nation and had attempted to forge it into the English domain. During this period it is very likely that no native Scottish coinage was struck in Scottish held areas. From the time of Alexander III (1249-1286) English coinage became dominant in Scottish commerce. One of the cities that the English took in their conquest was the important trading centre of Berwick. Much of the native Scottish coinage had been minted in Berwick, because of the proximity to mines, and it's pre-imminence in foreign trade. The English recognised this, and their most northerly mint was set up in Berwick ca 1302-1304. The coins from this issue were of locally manufactured dies, resulting in a distinct look for the coinage from Berwick. The above coin is an example of one of Edward I's issues from Berwick, and was likely used in the payment of soldiers in his service in Scotland. This coinage was somewhat shortlived, as Edward I died in 1307. Berwick was shortly recovered by the Scots during the reign of Robert I Bruce in 1320, and was apparently connected with a short-lived issue of coins under his name. However Berwick was taken by the English again in 1332 and has been a part of England since that time. |
Page last updated on 5th August 2011 Года All pages and images copyright © David Parrish 1999 - 2011 Года
