Scottish Independence Day (24/06)

Every year on June 24, Scotland widely celebrates the national holiday — Independence Day of Scotland.

June 24, 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn. Battle of Bannockburn) Scottish King Robert the Bruce defeated the army of King Edward II of England, restoring his country's independence.

As early as the 13th century, during the reign of King Alexander III, Scotland was economically prosperous and on relatively peaceful terms with its southern neighbour — England. The tragic death of the Scottish king and the lack of heirs revived all the old problems and gave rise to new ones, which ultimately led to the events known as the «First Scottish War of Independence».

After the deaths of Alexander III in 1286 and his young daughter Margaret in 1289, many claimants to the Scottish crown included John Balliol and Robert Bruce the Elder. Both of them were descendants of the Norman knights William the Conqueror.

A message was sent to Edward, King of England, asking him to become an arbiter in the current situation. Edward readily agreed. Reaffirming his feudal and military supremacy, the Regents of Scotland allowed Edward to decide who would rule in Scotland.

The English king Edward I awarded the crown to Balliol, although Bruce was one degree closer to the ceased dynasty than Balliol. Edward wanted to dominate Scotland. If he could not become its king, then he could choose the most acceptable contender submissive to his will. But, tired of the offensive situation, Balliol renounced his oath of allegiance to Edward and opposed him.

In 1296, King Edward I of England deposed and imprisoned the Scottish king John Balliol, declaring himself the immediate ruler of Scotland. A resistance movement began in Scotland.

Robert the Bruce, grandson of the first pretender to the crown, a man of intelligence and courage, laid claim to the throne and acted as an advocate for Scottish independence. At a meeting of representatives of Scottish noble families held at Dumfries in February 1306, Robert the Bruce was unanimously proclaimed king.

After expelling English officials from the country, he was crowned at Scoon in 1306. Edward I sent Aimer of Valenz to Scotland, who defeated Bruce's troops at Methven. Many Scottish nobles died in this battle or were executed, Bruce's daughter and wife fell into the hands of the British, and he himself was forced to seek refuge in one of the Hebrides.

After some time, Bruce dared with a small number of adherents to resume the fight, caused a lot of harm to the British, but was forced to flee again with his friends to the Carrick Mountains. Edward entered Scotland with a strong army, but only reached Carlyle, where he died in 1307.

Edward's son — Edward II —, weak, not distinguished by a warlike spirit, could not fight against Bruce and was decisively defeated at the Battle of Bannockburn on June 24, 1314.

Despite the fact that Scottish independence was finally confirmed only in 1328, and subsequently lost again, — and Scotland is still part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, but on June 24 — is a national and favorite holiday of the Scots, which is celebrated very widely and colorfully with festivals, dances, concerts and folk festivals.

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