Treaty of Berwick

The Treaty of Berwick, concluded in 1357, marked the formal end of the Second War of Scottish Independence, establishing peace between England and Scotland. It was orchestrated primarily to negotiate the release of the Scottish King, David II, from English captivity, where he had been held since his capture at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346. The treaty stipulated that the Scots would pay a substantial ransom of 100,000 marks for their king's release, a financial burden that weighed heavily on Scotland for years. Despite the economic strain it imposed, the Treaty of Berwick was significant as it helped in reaffirming Scotland’s sovereignty and maintaining the independence of the Scottish crown from English claims of overlordship.