History past paper questions

• Describe the succession problem following the death of Alexander III, 1286 - 1292 

  Alexander died without a male heir
• Describe the succession problem following the death of Alexander III, 1286 - 1292 

  His granddaughter Margaret maid of Norway was very young when he died
• Describe the succession problem following the death of Alexander III, 1286 - 1292 

  The death of Margaret maid of Norway left Scotland without a clear heir 
• Describe the succession problem following the death of Alexander III, 1286 - 1292 

  Edward I demanded that the nobles recognised him as overlord of Scotland at Norham 
• Describe what was agreed between Scotland and England in the Treaty of Birgham 

  • Prince Edward of England was to marry Margaret maid of Norway 
• Describe what was agreed between Scotland and England in the Treaty of Birgham 

  • Scotland was to remain an independent country
• Describe what was agreed between Scotland and England in the Treaty of Birgham 

  • The Scottish and English churches could not be merged together
• Describe what was agreed between Scotland and England in the Treaty of Birgham 

  • The borders of Scotland and England to remain unchanged 
• Describe the ways in which Edward I took control of Scotland in 1296 

  Attacked the Scot’s at Berwick
• Describe the ways in which Edward I took control of Scotland in 1296 

  Defeated the Scot’s at the battle of Dunbar
• Describe the ways in which Edward I took control of Scotland in 1296 

  Stripped Balliol of his royal title
• Describe the ways in which Edward I took control of Scotland in 1296 

  had Scottish nobles sign the ragmans roll
• Describe the events leading to the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh Northampton between Scotland and England, 1314 to 1328 

  • The Scot’s recaptured Berwick, the last part of Scotland England had
• Describe the events leading to the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh Northampton between Scotland and England, 1314 to 1328 

  • Bruce put pressure on Edward’s authority by continuing to raid the north of England
• Describe the events leading to the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh Northampton between Scotland and England, 1314 to 1328 

  • Some English nobles paid the Scot’s not to raid their land which infuriated Edward
• Describe the events leading to the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh Northampton between Scotland and England, 1314 to 1328 

  • Bruce began granting land to his Scottish supporters in northern England 
• Describe the actions Edward I took to assert his authority over Scotland in 1296 

  Defeated Scot’s army at Dunbar
• Describe the actions Edward I took to assert his authority over Scotland in 1296 

  Took control of Scottish castles e.g Edinburgh
• Describe the actions Edward I took to assert his authority over Scotland in 1296 

  Dethroned Balliol
• Describe the actions Edward I took to assert his authority over Scotland in 1296 

  • Made important Scot’s sign allegiance  to him (Ragman Roll)
• Describe what happened when Edward I attacked Berwick in 1296 

  Towns were burned to the ground
• Describe what happened when Edward I attacked Berwick in 1296 

  • Edward had ships waiting to enter the harbour and attack
• Describe what happened when Edward I attacked Berwick in 1296 

  • There was little resistance to the attack
• Describe what happened when Edward I attacked Berwick in 1296 

  • Edward had mustered a very large army for the invasion 
• Describe what happened at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 

  • English delayed the start of the battle
• Describe what happened at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 

  • The Scot’s attacked before all the English were over
• Describe what happened at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 

  • Bridge collapsed and England fled
• Describe what happened at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 

  • The English partly crossed, then retreated, then went back showing the Scot’s their plans 
• Describe the role played by William Wallace during the Wars of Independence


  • became joint guardian with Andrew Murray
• Describe the role played by William Wallace during the Wars of Independence

  • Led the Scot’s to winning at Stirling Bridge
• Describe the role played by William Wallace during the Wars of Independence

  Helped build up the army
• Describe the role played by William Wallace during the Wars of Independence

  • Lost the battle of Falkirk and was eventually killed 
• Explain the reasons why William Wallace was defeated at the battle of Falkirk, 1298 

  • William Wallace’s army was heavily outnumbered by the English
• Explain the reasons why William Wallace was defeated at the battle of Falkirk, 1298 

  • Andrew Murray had died after Stirling bridge - leaving Scotland without that help from someone with military experience 
• Explain the reasons why William Wallace was defeated at the battle of Falkirk, 1298 

  • The Scottish cavalry fled the battlefield
• Explain the reasons why William Wallace was defeated at the battle of Falkirk, 1298 


  • English army had more professional soldiers 
• Explain the reasons why William Wallace was defeated at the battle of Falkirk, 1298 

  • It was difficult for the Scottish schiltrons were vulnerable to attack without the protection of cavalry
• Explain the reasons why William Wallace was defeated at the battle of Falkirk, 1298 

  • The English were led by Edward I who was a strong military leader  
• Explain the reasons why Edward I of England was able to impose his authority on Scotland between 1292 and 1296 

  • Balliol was weakened from the start of his reign as he paid homage to Edward 
• Explain the reasons why Edward I of England was able to impose his authority on Scotland between 1292 and 1296 

  • Balliol struggled due to a lack of support from some competitors who lost out during the great cause