0 AD to 1400 AD80 AD: Julius Agricola invades Caledonia. 83: The Celtic tribes unite under Calgacus, but he is defeated at the battle of Mons Graupius, the earliest recorded battle in Scottish history between the Picts and Romans. Tacitus, the Roman writer, credited Calgacus with the quote "They are the only people on earth to whose covetousness both riches and poverty are equally tempting. To robbery, butchery and rapine, they give the lying name of 'government'; they create a desolation and call it peace....." 121 - 129: Hadrian's Wall is built between present-day Bo'ness and Wallsend, designed to hold back the Picts. 139:The Antonine Wall built to subdue the Lowland tribes and establish a new frontier north of Hadrian’s Wall. 200: A number of smaller tribes in northern Britain are absorbed into two main groups: the Maeatae and the Caledones. 297: The Picts are first mentioned in Roman writings: "a nation still savage and accustomed only to the hitherto semi-naked Picts and Hibernians as their enemies, yielded to Roman arms and standards without difficulty" - Eumenius. The name "Pict" is said to have come either from a Latin word meaning "the painted ones" or another meaning "fighter". Both of these quite accurately described the Pictish people. 360: A Roman author describes a warring tribe based in Ireland as the "Scots". 368: The Pictish, Scots and Saxon tribes attack the Romans in London, and loot and plunder their treasures. 397: St Ninian preaching in Galloway. 460-490: "Arthur", King of the Brethoni, is claimed to have led a band of elite Celtic warriors in a desperate struggle against the invading Saxons. This myth has since been plundered by the Anglo-Saxons who now claim Arthur as one of their own. 501 - 503: Legend has it that the Scots from Ireland, a Gaelic-speaking people, Christian in religion, establish their kingdom of Dalriada in Argyll on the west coast and isles of Scotland. This is now open to debate, as it seems that they were in fact indigenous to the area. Recent research shows no evidence of Irish influence at this time. 563: Saint Columba sails from Ireland to Argyll to found a monastery on the Island of Iona. This started the gradual conversion of the Picts to Christianity. 565: Columba visits the Pictish King Bridei at his fort near Inverness 597: The death of St. Columba at Iona. 606 Death of King Aidan of Dalriada. 608: Death of St Balfred, famous hermit of the Bass Rock. 616: St Donan, a missionary in northern and western Scotland, is killed by sea pirates in Eigg. 664: The death of St Boisel, Prior of Melrose. 20 May 685: The Battle of Nechtansmere in Forfarshire - in the spring of 685 when the Northumbrian King, Egfrith, decided to advance north to battle with the Picts and claim their territory as his own. Leading a large and powerful force, Egfrith marched into Pictavia. But the Picts were ready and waiting. Their king, Bridei, had devised a plan. Using cunning tactics, Bridei drew the Northumbrians towards Dunnichen in Angus. Bridei split his Pictish army in two - the strongest half he hid on Dunnichen Hill, meanwhile the weaker half went down the hill to confront their enemy. As the battle progressed, the Picts, feigning fear, turned heel and retreated back over the hill, chased by the Northumbrians. This was the moment Bridei had hoped for. As the Northumbrians came over the hill, the bulk of the Pictish forces, who were lying in wait, attacked. There was no escape. The few who did manage to elude the swords and spears of the Picts, drowned in the marshy loch at the foot of the hill. 23 Sep 704: The death of St Adamnan, Abbot of Iona; best known as the author of a 'Life' of St Columba. 711: The Pictish King Nechtan invites Abbot Ceolfrith of Monkwearmouth to send masons to build a church of stone, dedicated to St Peter in Pictavia (Angus). 793: The first reported Norse invasion of Scotland: Picts and Dal Riata unite against their common enemy. 802: The Vikings (Danes) plunder Iona for the first, but not the last, time. 843: Kenneth MacAlpin unites the Scots and Picts as one nation under his rule, following a battle at the Gathering Stone at Airthrey, near Stirling. This Unity continues with a battle later that year at Athelstaneford in Lothian, where the Albannach defeat the Angles. The Saltire (the Cross of Saint Andrew) is adopted as the Scottish flag, making it the oldest surviving national flag in history. 858 - 862: Reign of Donald I 862 - 877: Reign of Constantine I 877 - 878: Reign of Ael 878 - 889: Reign of Eochaid 889 - 900: Reign of Donald II 900 - 942: Reign of Constantine II 942 - 954: Reign of Malcolm I 954 - 962: Reign of Indulf 962 - 966: Reign of Dubh 966 - 971: Reign of Culen c 971: Edgar gives Lothian to Kenneth II 971 - 975: Reign of Kenneth II 973: Luncarty - King Kenneth defeats the Danish Vikings. 986: Last recorded raid on Iona by Vikings. 995 - 997: Reign of Constantine III 997 - 1005: Reign of Kenneth III 1005: Malcolm II (r 1005-1034) kills Kenneth III and becomes King. 1014: The Battle of Mortlach, in Banffshire - the Scots, under Malcolm II, defeat the Danish Vikings. 1018: King Malcolm II and Owen-the-Bald, King of Strathclyde defeat the Anglo-Saxon Northumbrians on the River Tweed. Strathclyde is annexed by the Scots. Malcolm II gains Lothian. Death of King Owen. Duncan, grandson of Malcolm II, is made ruler of Strathclyde. 1034: Reign of Duncan I (1034 - 1040). Duncan, made King of Strathclyde after the battle of Carham, helps kill his grandfather Malcolm II and becomes King of Scotland. 1040: Reign of Macbeth (1040 - 1057). MacBeth slays Duncan to become King of Scotland after Duncan is heavily defeated by the English in battle. 15 Aug 1057: The Battle of Lumphanan - on 15 August MacBeth is defeated and killed by Malcolm Canmore. Reign of Malcolm III (1057 - 1093) commences. 1066: The Norman Conquest of England. 1069: Malcolm III marries Margaret, an Anglo-Saxon princess who sought refuge in Scotland. 1073: Malcolm III pays homage to William I of England, after defeat in battle. This leads to the claim of suzerainty used by the English for centuries afterwards to justify oppression agains the Scots. 13 Nov 1093: The Battle of Alnwick - King Malcolm III is killed. His death ultimatley leads to the death of Queen Margaret. Much English influence was brought to Lowland Scotland by her, and she was later canonised St. Margaret. 1093 - 1094: First Reign of Donald Ban I 1094: Reign of Duncan II 1094 - 1097: Second Reign of Donald Ban 1097 - 1107: Reign of Edgar 1107: Reign of Alexander I (1107-1124). On the death of Edgar, Scotland becomes disunited. Alexander I becomes King of Scots, but David I becomes King in Lothian and Strathclyde. 1124: Reign of David I (1124 - 1153). Unity is restored when, on Alexander's death, David becomes King of Scots. His reign is one of the most important in Scotland's history, extending Scottish borders to the River Tees, including all of Northumberland. David I institutes many administrative changes into Scotland including laws, early schools and gives much Scottish land to his Norman friends. 1134: The Province of Moray is annexed by the Crown. 1138: An English victory at the Battle of the Standard at Northallerton. King David I is defeated and 10,000 Scots killed by the Normans. 1153: Reign of Malcolm IV (1153-1165). Rise of Somerled (Scot-Viking Lord of the Isles and progenitor of Clan Donald). 1160: Galloway subjected to the Scottish crown. 1164: The death of Somerled. 1165: Reign of William I, "Lion of Scotland" (1165 - 1214). 8 Dec 1174: Treaty of Falaise. Under this treaty, Scotland would be in debt to England for years. After William I has been captured by the English, he agrees to accept Henry II as his feudal overlord. 1179: Province of Ross subdued by William I. 1180: Inverness receives Charter from William I. 1189: The Quitclaim of Canterbury. 1192: Scottish Church becomes a "special daughter" of the Roman See. 1214: Reign of Alexander II (1198-1249), raised to the throne by the Seven Earls of Scotland. 1222: Alexander II conquers Argyll. 1249: Reign of Alexander III (1249 - 1286). 26 Dec 1251: Marriage of Alexander III, King of Scots, to Margaret, daughter of Henry III, King of England, in York. The young Alexander refuses to acknowledge English overlordship of Scotland. 1263: Scots win decisive victory over King Haaken of Norway at the Battle of Largs, and obtain the Hebrides from Norway. 1266: The Treaty of Perth. The Western Isles (Hebrides) are officially annexed by the crown. 1272: Birth of William Wallace at Elderslie. 1274: Birth of Robert de Brus. 8 Oct 1275: Scottish forces put down a Manx rebellion in the Battle of Ronaldsway, Isle of Man. The Manx had refused peace terms the previous day and before dawn were routed. The Isle of Man had passed from Norwegian to Scottish rule in 1266. 28 Oct 1278: Alexander III, King of Scots, pays homage to Edward I of England, for lands he holds in England, but reserves the Kingdom of Scotland from English overlordship. 19 Mar 1286: Alexander III, King of Scots, killed accidentally in a fall from his horse at Kinghorn, Fife. The last of the MacAlpine dynasty and the Celtic line of Scottish Kings, his reign was known as "The Golden Age". 1289: Margaret, the "Maid of Norway", Alexander's only heir dies. The Scottish crown is opened to over a dozen claimants. Edward I of England falsely claims suzerainty. 30 Nov 1292: Coronation of John Balliol, the last recorded inauguration of a King of Scots on the Stone of Destiny. Known as 'Toom Tabard', (empty coat), Balliol is seen as a puppet of Edward I of England. 23 Oct 1295: Treaty between John Balliol, King of Scots, and Philippe IV of France, made at Paris for mutual military help against the English - "The Auld Alliance". Renewed by Robert I at the Treaty of Corbeil, 1326, it became the accepted response to English aggression against either party. 27 Apr 1296: The "Dunbar Drave". Rout of Scottish army in the Battle of Dunbar by Edward 1, King of England, after John Balliol, King of Scots, had renounced his allegiance to England. The start of the Wars of Independence. The Coronation Stone - the 'Lia Fail' or Stone of Destiny stolen by Edward and taken to Westminster Abbey. 1297: William Wallace kills the sheriff of Lanark, Hazelrig, and a revolt under his command is begun. 11 Sept 1297: Battle of Stirling Bridge where the Scots under the command of William Wallace and Andrew de Moray defeat a larger English force under John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, and Hugh de Cressingham. De Moray subsequently died of wounds received in the battle. 11 Oct 1297: Letter from Andrew de Moray and William Wallace, Guardians of Scotland, to the cities of Lubeck and Hamburg informing them that Scotland and the Hanseatic League could recommence. 23 Aug 1305: The execution of Sir William Wallace at Smithfield in London, England after his betrayal by Menteith. Falsely accused of treason to a king to whom he owed no allegiance, Wallace's death shines down through the years to light the cause of Scottish Independence. 1306: Robert Bruce murders the John "Red" Comyn at Greyfriar Abbey, Dumfries. 25 Mar 1306: Robert de Brus, Earl of Annandale, is crowned King of Scots at Scone in the presence of four bishops, five earls and the people of Scotland by the Countess of Buchan. 1307: Three of the Bruce's brothers, Alexander, Nigel and Thomas are hanged, drawn and quartered by Edward I, exactly as Wallace had been executed two years earlier. 1308: At Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, King Robert the Bruce defeats Comyn of Buchan and the English. 8 Nov 1308: Death of John Duns Scotus, born in Berwickshire c.1265, scholastic philosopher at Oxford, Paris and Cologne. The Subtle Doctor (doctor Subtilis), John Duns Scotus was one of the great philosophers; study and use of his work was commended by Pope John XX111, and he was beatified by Pope John Paul 11 in 1993. 23 Feb 1310: Declaration of the Clergy and People in favour of King Robert 1, The Bruce, from the Church of the Friary Minor in Dundee. 29 Oct 1312: Treaty of Inverness. Robert I gives an undertaking to King Haakon V of Norway to observe the terms of Treaty of Perth (1266). 24 June 1314: The Battle of Bannockburn : the Scots under Robert the Bruce rout the English led by Edward II, resulting in Scottish Independence. The Scots with only 500 mounted men, 2,500 spearmen and 5,000 warriors defeat the English and their army of 25-30,000. It was England's most severe loss to any army in their medieval history. 2 Mar 1316: King Robert II, first of the House of Stewart, was born at Renfrew. His mother was Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I and wife of Walter, Great Stewart of Scotland. 6 Apr 1320: The Declaration of Arbroath - A letter from the Scottish barons to Pope John XXII, affirming their determination to maintain Scottish Independence and support King Robert I unless he showed signs of yielding. There are many echoes of the Arbroath Declaration in the American Declaration of Independence, written in 1776. 1326: The first Scottish Parliament met. 17 Mar 1328: Treaty of Edinburgh, by which England acknowledged the independence of Scotland under Robert 1, was concluded at Edinburgh and ratified at Northampton on 4 May 1328. 1329: King Robert the Bruce dies. Accession of David II (r 1329-71). 12 Aug 1332: The Battle of Dupplin Moor, where the Scots, led by the regent Earl of Mar, squandered their numerical advantage, and following a confused attack are routed with heavy losses by Edward Balliol's army. 19 Jul 1333: Battle of Halidon Hill at Berwick where an English army under Edward III and Edward Balliol defeated the Scots forces led by Sir Archibald Douglas. The English archers devastated the Scottish army and inflicted terrible losses, including six earls, seventy barons and over 500 knights. 1346: The Battle of Neville's Cross. King David II is defeated and captured by the English. 1349-50: The Black Death (bubonic plague) begins in Scotland. 1371: Accession of Robert II, the first of the Stewart Kings to the throne. Robert II (the Stewart) reigns 1371-1390. 1388: The Battle of Otterburn. Henry Percy "Hotspur" and the English defeated by the Scots under James, 2nd earl of Douglas. Henry and Ralph Percy are captured. James Douglas is killed during the battle. 1390-1406: Reign of Robert III. 1396: The infamous Clan Chattan battle at Perth, watched by King Robert III as "entertainment". |
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