Border Bloodshed: Scotland and England at War, 1369-1403

Scottish military offensives against England from 1369 were largely the product of government policy, and involved the participation of much of the political community of the realm. They were launched with careful timing, taking into account of international developments and domestic problems in England. In the reign of Robert II they involved close co-operation with France and succeeded militarily, enabling the Scots regain English-occupied lands in southern Scotland and achieve diplomatic gains. Military success encouraged the Scots to the point where they were willing to engae in attacks on England beyond the ambition of their French allies. However, diplomatic gains fell short of forcing English recognition of Scottish independence. Hopes of achieveing this by military means were ended in the reign of Robert III when the Scots were heavily defeated in 1402.