Bloodless War (Sacred Accord)

The Bloodless War, known until the 17th Century as the Capture of Lothian and Fife, was a two-year conflict between the kingdoms of England and Scotland. As the name suggests, the war was characterised by a lack of bloodshed. As a result of a rebellious Scottish nobility and a powerless monarch, no pitched battles occurred and every castle and town besieged by the English surrendered within a few days. The lords of the south-eastern Scottish Lowlands revoked their feudal oaths to King XXX of Scotland and pledged allegiance to Saint Margaret, bringing many prosperous regions under English influence.

The reasoning behind the defection of the Scottish noblemen was predicated on chivalry: XXX was seen as having failed in his duty to protect his kingdom and subjects from their enemies, instead retreating to the royal castle at Dunstaffnage. Consequently, they saw no obligation to remain subjects of a failed overlord and chose the prosperous life of an English Lord Warden of the Marches. The same was true of the garrisons of the towns and castles: they had no reason to fight if their lords wished for peace, so they gladly surrendered and walked away unharmed.

The war is remembered as the lowest point in Scottish history by many Scottish nationalists.