Treaty of Perth facts for kids

The Treaty of Perth was an important agreement signed on July 2, 1266. It officially ended a fight between Magnus VI of Norway, the King of Norway, and Alexander III of Scotland, the King of Scotland. They were arguing over who owned the Hebrides and the Isle of Man.

Why the Treaty Was Needed

For many years, the Hebrides and the Isle of Man were part of Norway. This happened when both Scotland and Norway were still becoming the countries we know today. Norway's control was made official in 1098. That's when Edgar of Scotland gave the islands to Magnus III of Norway. The Norwegians called these islands the Sudreys, which means "Southern Isles."

The Treaty of Perth was agreed upon three years after a battle called the Battle of Largs. This battle happened in 1263. Some historians, like Michael Lynch, say this treaty was as important as the Treaty of York. The Treaty of York, signed in 1237, set the border between Scotland and England. That border is almost the same as it is today.

The Battle Before the Treaty

The Battle of Largs is often seen as a big win for Scotland. However, the Norwegian army, led by King Håkon IV, did not fully fight in the battle. Because of this, the battle did not have a clear winner.

King Håkon had planned to fight again the next summer. But he sadly died in Orkney during the winter. His son, King Magnus VI, then asked for peace. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Perth.

What the Treaty Decided

In the treaty, Norway agreed that Scotland would now own the disputed islands. These were the Hebrides and the Isle of Man. In return, Scotland paid Norway a large sum of 4,000 marks. Scotland also agreed to pay 100 marks every year. This yearly payment continued for many decades.

The treaty also confirmed that Shetland and Orkney would remain under Norway's control.

See also

• List of treaties