Nations Gallery
Coronation Chair, Westminster Cathedral
Although described as 'the Hammer of the Scots', initially Edward played the role of arbiter between feuding claimants to the Scottish throne. Edward, who claimed to be 'Lord Superior of Scotland', supported John Balliol over Robert the Bruce, awarding him the crown. Scottish nobles united against Edward and there followed sixty years of protracted conflict, known as the Scottish Wars of Independence (1296-1357).
Edward secured victory in 1296 against the nobles, and took the highly symbolic 'stone of destiny' from Scone to Westminster abbey, where it became an integral part of the Coronation Chair pictured above. The Scone Stone can now be found in Edinburgh Castle.
The peace was short-lived, and Edward was soon fighting what has been described as a 'medieval Vietnam' in Scotland.
British History Timeline
World War One Centenary
- Find out more about how the BBC is covering the World War One Centenary, and see the latest programmes and online content
Surviving the trenches
The History of the Home
BBC iD
BBC iDBBC navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
