The relations between Scotland and the papacy, 1328-1358

Abstract

Having come thus to the end of our very imperfect enquiry, as we look over the period, the dominant impression we receive is one of disappointment and frustrated hopes. The record of papal relations contains nothing to brighten the gloomy verdict so often passed by the general historian. We have seen how the opening years of the reconciliation contained a promise of the support of the Church to Scotland in her task of guarding the independence so long and stubbornly defended; and as the fortunes of the Country darkened and she sank into a confusion which the return of David did little to relieve, we have seen not only the favour but even the barest interest of the Papacy in her political fate gradually withdrawn. To this result the complexity of the general situation and the urgency of the problems it presented, the caution required in dealing with any matter which might embarrass the already difficult relations between England and Avignon and the closeness of the ties that bound Scotland to France, all conspired. In particular we must reckon with the tendency of the Pope, himself a Frenchman,to be preoccupied with the direct concerns of France and to consider Scotland as even less than an ally. But though we may thus explain with, satisfaction the essential facts of the papal attitude we do not thereby obscure the significance of that attitude for Scotland. There, as we have seen, papal neglect roused no resentment, and intrusions in the Church, no protest. We have here no flicker of that spirit which yet living in a small band sustained,' Scotland through the darkest days. The sterility of the Scottish Church was complete, not as a political factor only; even in the sphere of Church affairs, those heresies end questionings that were everywhere arising to show the stirring of a new life and the passing of the Middle Ages left them untouched. In the whole attitude of Scotland to the Papacy we should certainly err if, remembering the events of the days of Bruce we saw here an anomaly. That this was in any true sense a testing time for the Church in Scotland there is no sign. Where we have glimpses of the ordinary life of the nation we may see devoutness or the lack of it, but nowhere do we see a feeling of hostility or grievance.Many of the causes that were to produce the fervour of the Reformation were doubtless already present; the spirit which, seizing on those causes flamed out in revolt., is not even faintly foreshadowed.