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July 2nd 1266 |
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Scotland acquires the Western IslesIn 1263 King Hako of Norway sailed for Scotland. Alexander 3rd had been king for barely a year and no doubt Hako judged this a good time to invade the country.However, while entering the Firth of Clyde a heavy storm arose and drove many of the Norwegian ships ashore at Largs where the invaders suffered heavy casualties. The survivors sailed back to the Orkneys where Hako, old and broken in health, died later in the year. Alexander seized his chance and a force was sent to the Western Isles which at this time were still under Norwegian control. The islands were occupied and three years later a treaty was signed in Perth legally ceding the islands to Scotland. In return, the Scots promised to make a payment of 4,000 merks, together with an annual levy of 100 merks in perpetuity, the so-called Annual of Norway. |