Edinburgh in History

A National Provincial Council of the Scottish Council is formed

A National Provincial Council of the Scottish Council is formed

Appointed Chancellor of Scotland

Appointed Chief of the 3 Regents who rule Scotland after the death of Alexander III

The 3 Regents agree to negotiations between Scotland, England & Norway

Appeals to Edward I to decide who should succeed to the Scottish throne

Appointed Member of Provisional Government of Scotland

The Earl of Surrey routes the Scottish army at the Battle of Dunbar and by 11th July Edinburgh Castle had fallen and John had surrendered

Appointed Guardian of Scotland

Defeats the English just south of Edinburgh

Appointed Member of ruling council to advise the English Governor of Scotland

Appointed Member of ruling council to advise the English Governor of Scotland

Captures Edinburgh Castle

Recaptures Edinburgh from Edward I

The Parliament of Scotland agrees to pay 1/10th of their revenues to Robert

The Parliament of Scotland agrees to pay 1/10th of their revenues to Robert

Under the Treaty of Edinburgh England recognizes Scottish independence under Robert I

England recognizes Scottish independence under Robert I

The Treaty of Edinburgh in England is ratified by the Treaty of Northampton

David Bruce's marriage alliance is arranged to stabilize peace with England

The treaty recognizes Scotland's traditional border with England

The treaty recognizes Scotland's established border with England

The treaty protects succession through Robert I's heirs

Scotland agrees compensation payments as part of the peace

Randolph supports the treaty securing recognition of Scottish independence

Douglas's wartime victories are confirmed by diplomatic settlement

Randolph sees the independence war ended by treaty

England renounces claims of superiority over the Scottish crown

David is promised in marriage to Joan of the Tower under treaty terms

Douglas sees Bruce's military gains confirmed by treaty

Robert is recognized as lawful king by the English peace settlement

The treaty recognizes Robert's heirs and successors as Scottish rulers

Randolph supports diplomacy securing recognition of Bruce's settlement

Robert I secures English recognition of Scottish independence

Douglas supports the peace after long service in the independence war

The First War of Scottish Independence ends by treaty

Scotland agrees to pay England compensation as part of the treaty

David's future rule is strengthened by recognition of Bruce heirs

Scottish government prepares for the Bruce Plantagenet marriage alliance

The peace is proclaimed after English ratification at Northampton

The independence war ends through the Edinburgh Northampton settlement

Grants Edinburgh a Charter

Appointed Gaurdian of the Realm during the minority of David II

Appointed Regent

David II manages relations with England during Edward III's later reign

David II continues ruling Scotland after the independence settlement generation

Death of David II, in Edinburgh Castle

Forms a personal alliance with John the Fearless, Duke of Albany

Forms a personal alliance with John the Fearless, Duke of Albany

Appointed Chancellor of Scotland

Death of William Douglas, executed

Executed by Crichton & Livigstone after a mock trial iin front of the King

Appointed Warden of the English Marches

Appointed Warden of the East Marches

Arrests the King's favourite, the Earl of Mar

Arrests James III & hangs his favourites

James III accepts a truce with England connected to marriage negotiations involving Anne de la Pole.

Grants a charter to the college of surgeons in Edinburgh

Placed under the Regency of Angus, Dunbar & the Archbishop of Glasgow for 3 months

The Estates put James under the guardianship of selected Lords on a 3 month rota. Placed under the Regency of Angus, Dunbar & the Archbishop of Glasgow for 3 months

Appointed Chancellor of Scotland

Archibald Douglas strengthens his position in the council governing Scotland during James V's minority.

James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, remains a leading rival in the factional struggle for influence over James V.

Angus uses his position as Lord of the Articles to increase Douglas influence over parliament and government.

James V rules in name while competing noble factions struggle to control royal policy and the king's person.

Margaret Tudor's influence weakens as noble factions challenge her control over the young James V.

Parliament passes an act forbidding the import of Lutheran books into Scotland.

The Estates place James V in the care of nobles and prelates, including Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus.

The Estates place James V in the care of selected nobles and prelates, including Gavin Dunbar.

Angus refuses to surrender custody of James V and begins keeping the king under close supervision.

James V becomes effectively controlled by the Red Douglases after Angus refuses to give up custody of him.

James IV is held in Edinburgh Castle & Scotland becomes a Douglas kingdom

Appointed Guardian of the young King James V

Escapes from Edinburgh Castle where he had been held captive by the Earl of Angus

Releases David Beaton from prison

Uses his office to strengthen the Catholic and pro-French faction.

Appointed Chancellor of Scotland

Becomes Chancellor of Scotland and a leading opponent of English policy.

Annulls the Treaty of Greenwich

Appoints Mary & Beaton to the Regency Council & re-enters the Roman Church

Supports renewal of Scotland's traditional alliance with France.

The Scottish Parliament reaffirms the French connection after rejecting Greenwich.

Mary faces English attacks during the Rough Wooing

Arran works through the council to manage Scottish government during war with England.

Arran coordinates government measures for defence after English pressure on the Borders continues.

The Scottish Parliament agrees marriage between Mary Queen of Scots & Henry IIs son

After their victory at Pinkie Cleugh the English occupy Edinburgh

After their victory at Pinkie Cleugh the English occupy Edinburgh

Succeeds the Earl of Arran as Regent for her daughter, Mary Queen of Scots

Mary of Guise replaces Arran as regent for Mary Queen of Scots

Mary of Guise continues as regent during her daughter's French marriage

Appointed Secretary to the Regent Mary of Guise

Churches & Abbeys eg Perth, Scone, Stirling, Edinburgh & Linlithgow are destroyed

Maitland joins opponents of Mary of Guise and supports the Protestant cause

Recaptures Edinburgh with English help

Scottish Protestants promote Arran as a possible husband for Elizabeth I

Mary of Guise opposes the English alliance with the Lords of the Congregation

Scottish government is to be placed in the hands of a council of nobles

Maitland supports government by a council after the treaty

Argyll and other Protestant lords gain power after French withdrawal

Knox's party gains strength after the treaty removes French troops

The treaty sharply reduces French political and military influence in Scotland

Treaty requires Mary and Francis to cease bearing the arms of England

La Brosse participates in French negotiations at Edinburgh

Monluc helps negotiate French withdrawal from Scotland

Maitland helps secure terms between England France and the Scottish lords

Glencairn supports the treaty settlement made by the Protestant lords

Argyll supports the settlement that removes French troops from Scotland

French commissioners act for Francis II in making peace terms

James Stewart supports peace terms ending French military control

James Stewart supports treaty terms ending French military control

Treaty asks Mary and Francis to stop using English royal arms

Treaty terms are made in Mary's name but she later refuses ratification

Under the Treaty of Edinburgh Francis & Mary recognize Elizabeth I. English & French troops will withdraw from Scotland

Ruthven backs terms ending French regency military power

Maitland supports settlement between England France and the Scottish lords

Rothes supports the Lords of the Congregation during the treaty settlement

Haliburton represents burgh support for the Protestant settlement

Knox helps draft the Scots Confession for the Reformation Parliament

After the treaty the Scottish Parliament proceeds with Protestant reform

Scottish Parliament approves a Protestant confession of faith in Mary's absence

Scottish Parliament prohibits the Mass under the Protestant settlement

Reformation Parliament rejects papal jurisdiction in Scotland

Knox and other ministers prepare a plan for the reformed Scottish kirk

Knox helps organize the emerging Protestant Church of Scotland

Becomes a leading adviser after Mary Queen of Scots returns

Appointed member of Mary Stuart's council

Keith serves among nobles involved in Mary's returning government

Bothwell participates in Mary's early Scottish court politics

Mary grants her half brother the earldom of Moray

Arran's hopes of marrying Elizabeth or Mary fade amid political instability

Arran's political role weakens during a period of mental distress

Appointed Privy Councillor during Mary's personal rule

Appointed Privy Councillor under Mary Queen of Scots

Argyll supports Protestant influence in Mary's early reign

Craig becomes an important minister in the reformed kirk

Maitland serves as Mary's chief diplomatic secretary

Appointed Secretary of State to Mary Queen of Scots

Knox's proposed discipline for the reformed church faces political resistance

Knox condemns Catholic worship at Mary's court after her return

Mary forms a council balancing Protestant nobles and royal authority

Mary makes her formal entry into Edinburgh after returning from France

Bothwell is arrested during Mary's early personal rule

Bothwell is arrested during Mary's early personal rule

Mary's government asks the papal envoy to leave Scotland

Mary refuses to accept Dudley as a suitable husband

Morton becomes Lord Chancellor under Mary Queen of Scots

Mary considers marriage diplomacy while Elizabeth promotes Robert Dudley

Moray remains a leading Protestant adviser in Mary's government

Knox is acquitted after Mary fails to secure his conviction

Knox is summoned after calling Protestant brethren to Edinburgh

Meets Lord Darnley for the 1st time

Arrives in Edinburgh after overcoming Elizabeth Is objections

Asks Elizabeth to recognize her succession, she agrees

Puts down a revolt against her marriage due to Darnleys English descent

A Papal Nuncio is despatched with 150,000 crowns to help Mary combat heretics

Mary refuses to receive the Papal Nuncio because of unrest

A Papal Nuncio is despatched with 150,000 crowns to help Mary combat heretics

Mary refuses to receive the Papal Nuncio because of unrest

Appointed Sheriff of Edinburgh for his loyalty to Queen Mary

Sends a message to obtain Queen Marys signature to the "bond of security" after the assassination of Rizzio. Heads an armed force which takes possession of Holyrood palace to effect the assassination of Rizzio

Rizzio is assassinated by Darnley & Ruthven in Marys presence. Darnley says it is because of an affair between Rizzio & Mary

Escorts Queen Mary back to Edinburgh with a force of 8,000

Returns to Edinburgh with 8,000 soldiers under Bothwell

Birth of James IV, the Mons Meg is fired in salute

Birth of James VI, son of Mary Queen of Scots & Lord Darnley, Edinburgh Castle. Birth of James VI, son of Mary Queen of Scots, in Edinburgh Castle

Mary is taken to Edinburgh from Carberry Hill, a mob demands that she is burnt

Mary is taken to Edinburgh from Carberry Hill, a mob demands that she is burnt

Intercepted by Bothwell with 800 men on her return to Edinburgh

Imprisoned in Edinburgh, sent to Loch Leven then forced to abdicate in July

Models the Scottish Church on the Church of England at the Kirk General Assembly

The King is to be Governor of the Realm & protector of the Church

The King is to be Governor of the Realm & protector of the Church

Marys stronghold of Edinburgh Castle falls to the English

Appointed Secretary of Scotland during James VI's consolidation of authority

Presides over the parliament associated with the Black Acts against Presbyterian independence

Appointed Governor of Edinburgh Castle

Appointedrivy Councilor after the flight of Arran

Appointed Guardian of Prince Henry

Appointedd of the Scottish Government while James VI claims his succession in London

The Scottish Parliament passes an Act of Union

Bans the General Assembly because it resists his religious reforms

Signs the National Covenant in Greyfriars Kirkyard to restore Presbyterianism

Signs the National Covenant in Greyfriars Kirkyard to restore Presbyterianism

Copies of the Covenant are carried to all parts of Scotland

The Scots Church Assembly decideds that bishops should be deposed or excommunicated

The Covenanters capture Edinburgh

The Covenanters capture Edinburgh

Holds Edinburgh Castle for Charles I against the Covenanters

Provides clerical leadership to the Covenanting movement

Acts as a leading Covenanter negotiator during the crisis

Backs the Covenanter cause against Charles I's religious policies

Supports the Scottish Covenanting movement during the Bishops War

Supports the Covenanter leadership against royal religious policy

Supports the Covenanter political position in the Scottish crisis

Aligns with the Covenanter political coalition during the 1640 crisis

Holds Edinburgh Castle for Charles I against the Covenanters

Helps frame the legal arguments behind Scotland's parliamentary challenge

The Covenanters capture Edinburgh

The Covenanters capture Edinburgh

Arrested by Argyll

Allies the General Assembly & the Convention of Estates against Charles I

The signatories insist upon the establishment of Presbyterianism in England. Signed between members of the General Assembly & the Convention of Estates. Allies the General Assembly & the Convention of Estates against Charles I

The Convention orders the raising of the "Levied Regiment" & 3 troops of horse

The Convention gives a 48 hr notice to defend "the true protestant religion"

Captures Edinburgh after the Battle of Kilsyth

Captures Edinburgh after the Battle of Kilsyth

Captures Edinburgh after the Battle of Kilsyth

Led through Edinburgh by the Covenanters but his courage raises admiration

Led through Edinburgh by the Covenanters but his courage raises admiration

Charles II does not defend him because he tries to win the support of the Covenanters

Charles II does not defend him because he tries to win the support of the Covenanters

Charles II does not defend him because he tries to win the support of the Covenanters

Sentenced to death, refuses to repent

Charles II does not defend him because he tries to win the support of the Covenanters

Sentenced to death, refuses to repent

Death of James Graham, executed for treason by order of the English Parliament

Executed at Market Cross for treason by order of the English Parliament. Death of James Graham, executed for treason by order of the English Parliament

Executed at Market Cross for treason by order of the English Parliament. Death of James Graham, executed for treason by order of the English Parliament

Appointed to the Scottish Privy Council after the Restoration

After the Restoration, the remains of Montrose are recovered for honourable reburial

Proclaimed king at Edinburgh as monarchy is restored in Scotland

The Restoration is celebrated in Scotland after Charles II is proclaimed king

Given a state funeral & buried in the High Kirk of St Giles

Birth of John Keill

Recognized in the Scottish succession after the heirs of William and Mary

The Scottish Claim of Right declares that he forfeited the crown

Presides over the convention that offers the Scottish crown to William and Mary

Accepts the separate Scottish crown with William III

Accepts the separate Scottish crown with Mary II

Queensberry opens the Scottish parliamentary session as Anne's commissioner.

Attempts a failed siege of Edinburgh Castle

The city, under the control of the Lord Provost Archibald Stewart, quickly surrendered

The Jacobite cause was still supported by many Highland clans, both Catholic and Protestant. Charles hoped for a warm welcome from these clans to start an insurgency by Jacobites throughout Britain. He raised his father's standard at Glenfinnan and gathered a force large enough to enable him to march on Edinburgh

Against long odds, and aided by the early support of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, XIX chief of Clan Cameron, his party of ten raised an army which eventually numbered over 2,000 Scots as they marched to Glenfinnan and then to Edinburgh

He mounted a campaign to take Scotland and England with an eye towards reclaiming what he considered to be his father's two kingdoms (Great Britain, formally united in 1707, and Ireland).

With only 6,000 British troops left in England, and with the majority of those on the continent having been recently defeated, Charles Edward Stuart saw an opportunity to re-open the Jacobite Rising.

The Jacobite forces reach Edinburgh

Proclaimed as James VIII but Edinburgh Castle is held by General Joshua Guest. Occupies Edinburgh & Holyrood Palace

After negotiations had failed, the gates of the city are left open and the Jacobites enter, Charles is met by a cheering crowd of 20,000, however, Edinburgh Castle holds out against his forces

Proclaims himself James VIII

King James VIII is proclaimed as king of Scotland, and Charles as his Regent

Charles issues a proclamation in response to King George's summoning of Parliament, in which he forbade any of Jamess Scottish subjects from attending Charles unlawful "assembly", if they ignored this proclamation they would be "proceeded against as Traitors and Rebels to their King and Country...the pretended Union of these Kingdoms being now at an End"

Announces restrictions in Scotland during the first UK lockdown.