Freedom's Sword; Scotland's Wars of Independence

Niwot, CO: Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1998. Presumed First U.S. Edition, First printing [stated]. Hardcover. Good/Very good. Peter Harper (Maps).. 352 pages. Includes b&w maps and illustrations, and color photos. Notes. Bibliography. Index. Some page discoloration at edges noted. The author was a noted specialist in medieval history, with a vast knowledge of the chronicles, church and state records, and privately held documents from that era. A modern account of Scotland's longest conflict with England, the series of wars that defined the border between the two countries and poisoned Anglo-Scottish relations for 250 years. . Freedom's Sword is a history of the longest period of conflict between Scotland and England. Beginning with the true story of William Wallace and his rebellion, it goes on to cover the spectacular career of Robert the Bruce, arguably Scotland's most capable military leader of all time. The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The First War (1296-1328) began with the English invasion of Scotland in 1296, and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328. The Second War (1332-1357) began with the English-supported invasion by Edward Balliol and the 'Disinherited' in 1332, and ended in 1357 with the signing of the Treaty of Berwick. The wars were part of a great crisis for Scotland and the period became one of the most defining times in its history. At the end of both wars, Scotland retained its status as an independent state. The wars were important for other reasons, such as the emergence of the longbow as a key weapon in medieval warfare.