Trade, Traders, and Scottish Independence
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Abstract
SINCE the days of the writing of Barbour's Bruce, it has been customary for historians to set forth the history of the Scottish War of Independence in terms of battles, seiges, and sudden death. Sometimes the emphasis has been laid upon individual leaders, particularly Robert Bruce, while at other times most of the credit has been given to some racial group.' The economic side of the struggle, in particular the activities of the Scottish merchants and their continental allies, has correspondingly been generally overlooked. The provision of arms and food has been taken for granted, resulting in neglect of the fact, that had it not been for the activities of the Scottish traders, Scotland might well have been blockaded into submission. To appreciate the importance of the traders' activities, one must realize that Scotland's economy throughout the Middle Ages was almost entirely agricultural, nearly all processed goods being imported. Froissart underlines this by stating that "there is neither iron to shoe horses, nor leather to make harness or bridles, all these things come ready-made from Flanders by sea; should these fail there is none to be had in the country."2 For this reason it is not surprising that when Scotland found herself at war with England the struggle to keep open the lines of communication to the continent became of the greatest importance. If imports from Flanders, England and Germany ceased, it would go hard with any Scottish army. Consequently, to understand the fortunes of the war, it is very necessary to know something of the virtually anonymous, and often forgotten, activities of the merchants. Arms and armor would, of course, be the most valuable commodities brought into the country. Alexander III by a Scottish "Assize of Arms" had endeavored to build up a reserve of military supplies, but had probably achieved little.3 Moreover, once the war had run its course for a short time, such resources would be pretty well dissipated. To make up for the expenditure relatively large imports would be required. It is true that the common soldier usually carried nothing more than a pike and perhaps a Lochaber axe, but for the Anglo-Norman nobility, accustomed to fighting in full armor, this would not be enough. Furthermore, that the early history of the war was one of almost continual disaster for the Scots, makes it only too clear why Bruce and his followers looked eagerly to the continent for replacement of their lost and destroyed munitions.4 Without imports they would be faced with defeat.