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Scottish forces take the castles of Edinburgh and Roxburgh early in the year (see 1313). The Battle of Bannockburn one mile southeast of Stirling June 24 assures the independence of Scotland, whose king Robert I routs a force of 1,000 cavalry and more than 17,000 infantry under the command of England's effeminate Edward II, who has taken his army across the Bannock Burn in an effort to relieve a siege of Stirling Castle but is inept in his leadership. The Scots have only 500 cavalry and 9,000 infantry, and they sustain many fewer casualties (two knights and about 500 infantry, as compared to 22 barons, 66 knights, and 1,000 infantry—plus many more killed or captured while fleeing the field—sustained by the English). The Scots take Stirling Castle, the last Scottish castle still in English hands.
Private wars break out in England as Thomas Lancaster, 37, 2nd earl of Lancaster, takes advantage of Edward's defeat at Bannockburn to wrest control of the government from Edward and his new favorite, Hugh le Despenser, 52, who has fought for the king in France and Scotland, supported his erstwhile favorite Piers Gaveston, became Edward's favorite after Gaveston's death 2 years ago, and has been Edward's chief counsel, but other barons oppose Lancaster and make it impossible for him to govern. Despenser, too, enjoys little popularity (see 1315).
Ludwig IV of Bavaria is chosen king of the Germans October 20 at Frankfort and is crowned November 25 at Aix-la-Chapelle to begin a reign of nearly 33 years. Now 27, Ludwig is opposed by Austria's Duke Friedrich the Handsome, now 28, who was chosen by a minority of the electors October 19 at Sachsenhausen and is crowned at Bonn November 25 by the archbishop of Cologne (see 1313). A civil war begins that will continue for nearly 8 years (see 1322).
France's Philippe IV (le Bon) dies at his native Fontainebleau November 29 at age 69 after a momentous 29-year reign. He is succeeded by his 25-year-old son Louis, who has been king of Navarre since the death of his mother, Jeanne de Navarre, in 1305, but Louis X will rule for scarcely 18 months (see 1316)
The grand master of the French Knights Templar Jacques de Molay, 71, is seized by order of Philippe IV before his death, taken before the French Inquisition at Paris, charged with heresy, found guilty, and burned at the stake in March.
Pope Clement V dies at Roquemaure, Provence, April 20 at age 53 (approximate) after a 9-year reign in which he has selected Avignon, France, for what will remain the papal residence until 1377.
English authorities ban football (soccer), calling the game too violent.
St. Paul's Cathedral is completed at London (see 603; 1666).
Disastrous famines strike large parts of western Europe and will continue for the next 3 years.
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