The History of the Clans
The first Highland Clans formed around the 11th century A.D. These clans were originally prominent families, usually led by a noble, and everyone who lived on land owned by the clan chief. Eventually, through clan boundary changes, migrations, regime changes, and other means, the clans grew to include several unrelated people of different surnames. Basically, the chiefs chose who got to be part of their clan. Up until the late 1800s, there was near-constant clan warfare over things such as land, resources, influence, and money. There would also be clan warfare involving claims to being the head of a clan, accusations of clans comitting crimes against each other, and other similar conflicts. The clans also had some influence on who would be king by supporting people in their claims to the throne.
In 1286, King Alexander III died, leaving 14 rivals competing for the throne. To prevent war the leaders of Scotland asked King Edward I of England to choose the king. Edward made them legally recognize that the realm of Scotland was held as a feudal dependency to the throne of England before he chose John Balliol to become king in 1292. Over the next few years Edward I used the legal power he had gained to undermine the authority of King John and gradually tear down Scotland's independence. In 1295 King John made an alliance with France. In 1296 Edward I invaded Scotland, deposing King John and taking over Scotland. The next year William Wallace and Andrew de Moron defeated the British troops at the Battle of Sterling Bridge, starting the war for Scottish independence, in which many of the clans participated, fighting for their freedom. In 1305 William Wallace was executed for treason and in 1306 Robert the Bruce, the rebel king after Wallace's death, was excommunicated, but the rebellion continued to gain strength until, with the help of nobles and clan chiefs, there were only two castles under English control. Finally, in 1328, after thirty-two years of fighting, Edward III signed the Treaty of Northampton acknowledging Scottish independence under the rule of Robert the Bruce.
In 1286, King Alexander III died, leaving 14 rivals competing for the throne. To prevent war the leaders of Scotland asked King Edward I of England to choose the king. Edward made them legally recognize that the realm of Scotland was held as a feudal dependency to the throne of England before he chose John Balliol to become king in 1292. Over the next few years Edward I used the legal power he had gained to undermine the authority of King John and gradually tear down Scotland's independence. In 1295 King John made an alliance with France. In 1296 Edward I invaded Scotland, deposing King John and taking over Scotland. The next year William Wallace and Andrew de Moron defeated the British troops at the Battle of Sterling Bridge, starting the war for Scottish independence, in which many of the clans participated, fighting for their freedom. In 1305 William Wallace was executed for treason and in 1306 Robert the Bruce, the rebel king after Wallace's death, was excommunicated, but the rebellion continued to gain strength until, with the help of nobles and clan chiefs, there were only two castles under English control. Finally, in 1328, after thirty-two years of fighting, Edward III signed the Treaty of Northampton acknowledging Scottish independence under the rule of Robert the Bruce.