Dr Fiona Watson, Stirling University, October 11th 1999
24 members of the society meet to hear Dr Fiona Watson talk on the Scottish war of independence. Dr Watson's talk was based on here book 'The Hammer of the North' - the story of the Wars of Independence and based on years of meticulous research into the records of the era.
Unlike the majority of books about the era of Wallace, the one written by Dr Watson is not full of romantic nonsense about clans or legends of Marion Braidfute. This theme came over very strongly in her talk which was locally orientated; an interesting fact mentioned in her talk was that the English had a hard time trying to control Clydesdale despite Edward's victory at Falkirk in 1298 and the recapture of Lanark castle.
Dr Watson went on to point out that Lanark castle was abandoned in favour of the more modern stone built castle at Carstairs which belonged to the bishop of Glasgow. Lanark castle at this time was built out of wood and not exactly the last word in luxury - Edward's soldiers wanted something better.
The legendary role of Bruce got something of a hammering especially his habit of changing sides when it suited him. The politics of the murder of the Red Comyn in the Greyfriars church at Dumfries was also mentioned. The Red Comyn had a much better claim to the throne of Scotland then Bruce; therefore the only logical thing from Bruce's point of view was to murder him.
Dr Watson's talk was very well received and there were plenty of questions, like the role of taxation in stirring the populace in Clydesdale into action. Like today the price of wool and sheep were crucial issues which were only ignored at one's political peril. However Edward I was not exactly the top drawer when it came to diplomacy and was something of a control freak. Dr Watson pointed out that if he had been more street wise, Scotland would have been his.