Parliament of Scotland

The article on the body established in 1999 is at Scottish Parliament.

Parliament before 1400

Between 1235 and 1286 little can be told with certainty about Parliament's function, but it appears to have had a judicial and political role which was well established by the end of the century. With the death of Alexander III Scotland found itself without an adult monarch, and in this situation, Parliament seems to have become more prominent as a means to give added legitimacy to the Council of Guardians who ran the country. By the reign of John Balliol (1292-96) Parliament was well established, and Balliol attempted to use it as a means to withstand the encroachments of his overlord, Edward I of England. With his deposition in 1296, Parliament temporarily became less prominent, but it was again held frequently by King Robert Bruce after 1309. During his reign some of the most important documents made by the King and 'community of the realm' were made in Parliament - for instance the 1309-1310 Declaration of the Clergy - although the extent to which the 'community' was able to speak independently of the King is a matter of debate.

Related Topics:
1235 - 1286 - Alexander III - John Balliol - Edward I of England - 1296 - King Robert Bruce - 1309 - 1310 - Declaration of the Clergy

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By the reign of David II the 'three estates' in Parliament were certainly able to oppose the King when necessary. Most notably, David was repeatedly prevented from accepting an English succession to the throne by Parliament. During the reigns of Robert II and Robert III Parliament appears to have been held less often, and royal power in that period also declined, but the institution returned to prominence, and arguably enjoyed its greatest period of power over the Crown after the return of James I from English captivity in 1424.

Related Topics:
David II - Robert II - Robert III - James I - 1424

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