Treaty of Berwick (1357) facts for kids

The Treaty of Berwick was an important agreement signed in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England, on October 3, 1357. This treaty officially brought an end to the Second War of Scottish Independence. This war, which started in 1333, was a time when King Edward III of England tried to put Edward Balliol on the Scottish throne. He wanted Balliol to rule instead of King David II, who was the son of the famous Robert the Bruce.

What Happened to King David II?

King David II had been captured by the English. This happened during a battle called the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346. The Treaty of Berwick was signed to arrange his release from English captivity.

The Ransom for the King

For David II to be set free, the English demanded a large payment. They asked for 100,000 merks, which was about £67,000 sterling at the time. This huge amount was supposed to be paid in yearly parts over ten years.

However, Scotland found it very hard to pay. Only the first two payments were made. The first payment was on time, but the second one was late. After that, no more payments could be made.

Problems with Paying the Ransom

To try and pay the ransom, taxes in Scotland were increased. This made many people unhappy. King David II also faced problems because of the money. Paying such a large sum was very difficult for the country.

Who Would Rule Scotland Next?

Since the ransom payments stopped, King David II offered a different idea. He suggested that King Edward III of England, or one of Edward's sons, could become the next king of Scotland. However, the Scottish Parliament strongly disagreed with this idea. They did not want an English king.

The question of who would rule Scotland next was finally settled later. When King David II passed away in 1371, Robert Stewart became the new king. This meant that Scotland continued to have its own Scottish ruler.