The Political Situation in 1297-The political situation, which brought about the battle of Stirling Bridge, was very complicated. In 1286, when by a succession of unforeseen calamities the Throne of Scotland became vacant, there were thirteen competitors for it, but two only had claims worthy of consideration.

Some application to the Plantageant King of England, Edward I, was made by the estates of Scotland, the nature of which was unrecorded, but Edward gladly accepted the proposed position of arbitratorm being anxious to utilise the opportunity of bringing the whole island of Great Britain under his rule.

The Scottish nobility and clergy met king Edward at Norham Castle on May 12th, 1291, on the south bank of the tweed, in a conference which extended over a month, when it was agreed that the two selected competitors, Baliol and Bruce, should each nominate 40 members of a commission to inquire into their respective claims, and report to King Edward, who was empowered to nominate 24 Commissioners and, if he wished, any additional members.

On June 11th, 1291, the regent formally handed over the Kingdom of Scotland and its castles to Edward, he promising to give them back in two months of the announcements of his award. A week later Baliol and Bruce, with many nobles, swore featly to King Edward who travelled through the country obtaining signatures from bishops, nobles, clergy, burgesses, and traders, acknowledging that they were the King’s vassals.

In November, King Edward gave his decision in favour of Bailol, who swore fealty to him, and after being crowned at Scone, did homage to the King at Newcastle on December 26th- E.W.

The year after Bailiol was crowned trouble arose between king Edward and Philip the fair of France, with whom King Edward had recently quarrelled. In a quarrel between English and Norman sailors at Bayonne, a Norman was killed, and the English authorities of that town refused to take action in the matter. The Normans received the first ship coming out from the anchorage, and hanged a merchant from the yardarm, with a dog tied to his feet. The Cinque Ports proceeded to hang every Norman they could catch, and a fight took place off the coast of Brittany, in which an English and Gascon fleet defeated 200 French and Norman vessels.