Capitulation of Irvine
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The Capitulation of Irvine was the first military stand-off of the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Event
On 9 July 1297, the nobles of Scotland gathered on the banks of a loch between Irvine and Bourtreehill House. They were prepared to go into battle against the approaching English forces and had made camp on the north side of the loch. When the English arrived, they too camped on the side of the loch but on the opposite banks to the south. Both armies could see and hear each other.
The English soldiers watched on as the Scottish nobles began to fight among themselves. Robert the Bruce, Robert Wishart and various other notables were present. It was once thought that William Wallace also attended but there is no evidence one way or another.
Supposedly, the infighting and bickering became so intolerable to the English soldiers that they left the field. Another version of events is that the Scots nobles were loath to be led by Wallace, someone they considered to their 'social inferior', resulting in the Scottish lords capitulating to the English. The event has subsequently become known as "The Capitulation of Irvine".
G.W.S.Barrow points out that the Scots nobles were almost stalling by prolonging negotiations with King Edward I of England, allowing William Wallace to organise his rebellion; possibly their intention.
Document
The Capitulations of Irvine, is a document which in theory, the King forced others to sign (The document is housed in the National Archives, Kew Surrey, England.). Another possibility (GWS Barrow) is that the Capitulations of Irvine, was part of a genius strategy by the Scots to weaken the English forces and stage Sterling Bridge, and the English were fools whom fell for a good show. This "theory" is supported by a slew of "coincidences", which lead up to Sterling Bridge, and the fact that the signers still go to battle with the Crown. Another coincidence: Several "run to larger forces" type battles where the Scots look like they retreat, only to run towards fresh troops (like Queensberry, May 1297, and even Stirling Bridge!). The Scots took a month of squabbling before signing the document, making the English army tired, and hungry. This would make the English gullible in believing the Scots were not organized, and were negotiating in good faith. The Scots, still fought other battles against the Crown, so, clearly they did not sign the document in good faith. Even though the document was signed, being present on a battlefield where a fight against the King was going to take place, calls into question the logic of forcing people to sign allegiance to the King. They should have been forced to sign an apology, that always works.
On occasion, this old and rotting document is photographed, and sometimes some of these photos are seen on the internet.
Sources
- Watson, Fiona (1998). Under the Hammer: Edward I and Scotland, 1286-1306. Tuckwell Press. pp. pp. 39–42. ISBN 978-1-86232-020-8.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - Strawhorn, John (1986). The History of Irvine: Royal Burgh and New Town. J. Donald. ISBN 978-0-85976-140-6.
- "The Not Quite Battle of Irvine".