Edward takes Stirling Castle in 1304 following…
June 1304 CE
Edward takes Stirling Castle in 1304 following a protracted siege.
With the country now under submission, all the leading Scots, except for Wallace, surrender to Edward in February 1304.
Terms of submission are negotiated by Comyn.
The laws and liberties of Scotland are to be as they had been in the days of Alexander III, and any that need alteration will be with the advice of King Edward and the advice and assent of the Scots nobles.
On June 11, 1304, with both of them having witnessed the heroic efforts of their countrymen during King Edward's siege of Stirling Castle, Bruce and Lamberton make a pact that binds them, each to the other, in “friendship and alliance against all men.” If one should break the secret pact, he would forfeit to the other the sum of ten thousand pounds.
The pact is often interpreted as a sign of their deep patriotism despite both having already surrendered to the English.
With Scotland defenseless, Edward sets about absorbing her into England.
Homage is again obtained from the nobles and the burghs, and a parliament is held to elect those who would meet later in the year with the English parliament to establish rules for the governance of Scotland.
For all the apparent participation by Scots in the government, however, the English hold the real power.
The Earl of Richmond, Edward's nephew, is to head up the subordinate government of Scotland.