Border Bloodshed: Scotland, England and the French Connection, 1369-1403

Scottish military offensives against England from 1369 were largely the product of government policy, were launched with careful timing, and in the reign of Robert II involved close co-operation with France and succeeded militarily, encouraging the Scots to the point where they were willing to engage in attacks on England beyond the amibition of their French allies. However, diplomatic gains fell well short of forcing English recognition of Scottish independence. Hopes of achieving this by military means were ended in the reign of Robert III when the Scots were heavily defeated in 1402.War was not solely fought with political objectives in mind or other 'rational' factors such as the quest for financial gain. The Scots went to war, and their leaders organised it, for emotive reasons also, such as hatred of the English, the search for renown, and the sheer enjoyment of fighting. All these factors inspired the Scots to launch a series of bloody, brutal and ultimately futile offensives against England.