The Treaty of Westminster, also known as the Treaty of Westminster-Ardtornish, stands as a pivotal, albeit ultimately unfulfilled, agreement in the complex Anglo-Scottish relations of the 15th century. Signed on 13 February 1462, this clandestine pact represented a desperate political gambit by English King Edward IV of the House of York and an audacious play for greater autonomy by two powerful Scottish magnates.

The Principal Architects of the Treaty

This remarkable treaty was concluded between three key figures, each driven by distinct political ambitions:

• Edward IV of England: As the recently crowned monarch of the House of York, Edward IV was embroiled in the tumultuous Wars of the Roses. He sought to destabilize his Lancastrian rivals, who frequently found refuge and support in Scotland. By forging an alliance with powerful Scottish lords, Edward aimed to create a northern front, divert Scottish resources, and potentially even conquer parts of Scotland to secure his own throne.
• John of Islay, Earl of Ross, Lord of the Isles: A semi-independent ruler of a vast Gaelic principality encompassing the Western Isles and a significant portion of the Scottish Highlands. John MacDonald II (as he was also known) wielded immense power, often acting more like a sovereign king than a feudal subject to the Scottish crown. His ambition was to formalize his independence from Scotland, perhaps even to become an English vassal with significant territorial gains, as he sought to restore the ancient Gaelic Kingdom of the Isles.
• James Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas: An exiled Scottish nobleman, the last and most powerful of the "Black Douglas" line. James Douglas had rebelled against the Scottish King James II and subsequently fled to England, where he became a staunch ally of Edward IV. His primary motivation was to reclaim his forfeited ancestral lands and significant influence in southern Scotland, using English military might to achieve this.

Context: A Kingdom Divided and a Throne Contested

The geopolitical landscape of 1462 was one of profound instability:

• England: The Wars of the Roses raged, with the Yorkist Edward IV needing to consolidate his power against the exiled Lancastrian Queen Margaret of Anjou, who had strong ties with the Scottish court.
• Scotland: Under the young King James III, Scotland's central monarchy was relatively weak, especially when compared to the formidable regional power of the Lord of the Isles and the historical influence of the Douglas family. This internal division created fertile ground for external interference and separatist ambitions.

The Shocking Terms: A Plan to Dismember Scotland

The core of the Treaty of Westminster detailed a radical proposal for the partition of Scotland, should Edward IV succeed in conquering it. The agreement outlined a future where Scottish sovereignty would be effectively dismantled and its territories redistributed under English suzerainty:

• Northern Scotland: All lands north of the Firth of Forth – a major estuary often referred to as the "Scottish sea" and a natural geographic boundary – would be divided between the Lord of the Isles and the Earl of Douglas. These territories would then be held as feudal dependencies directly from the English crown. This would have dramatically expanded John of Islay's domain, effectively establishing a vast, semi-independent Gaelic principality loyal to England.
• Southern Scotland: The strategically vital lands south of the Firth of Forth, including the populous Lowlands, would be granted to the Earl of Douglas. Like his northern counterparts, he would hold these lands as a vassal of the English monarch, re-establishing the power of his family but under foreign overlordship.

This comprehensive partition plan highlighted the extreme lengths to which Edward IV was willing to go to secure his realm and the audacious desires of the Scottish magnates to carve out their own kingdoms from a weakened Scotland.

The "Ardtornish" Connection: A Secret Pact

The "Treaty of Westminster-Ardtornish" designation refers to the dual locations significant to its creation. While the final agreement was likely ratified or confirmed in Westminster, the initial, crucial negotiations and signing by the Scottish representatives occurred at Ardtornish Castle on the Isle of Mull. This remote stronghold of the Lord of the Isles provided the perfect clandestine setting for such a treasonous pact against the Scottish crown, underscoring the secrecy surrounding the agreement.

Unraveling and Legacy: A Treaty Never Implemented

Despite its detailed provisions, the Treaty of Westminster was never brought to fruition. Several factors contributed to its ultimate failure:

• Shifting English Fortunes: Edward IV eventually solidified his position in England, diminishing his urgent need for a destabilized Scotland.
• Shifting Scottish Alliances: The diplomatic landscape in Scotland changed, making an English invasion less viable.
• Discovery of the Treaty: Crucially, the treaty remained a closely guarded secret for over a decade. It only came to light around 1476, when a copy was discovered by the Scottish government. This revelation caused a massive scandal and severe repercussions for John of Islay.

Upon its discovery, the Scottish Parliament declared John of Islay a traitor. While he was compelled to forfeit his Earldom of Ross to the Scottish crown and effectively lost his claims to the northern lands promised in the treaty, he was allowed to retain the Lordship of the Isles for a time, albeit in a diminished capacity. The Earl of Douglas, unable to garner sufficient support, remained an exile and never reclaimed his lands.

The Treaty of Westminster, though a historical footnote in terms of its implementation, remains a potent symbol of the fractured politics of 15th-century Britain, revealing the ambitions of powerful magnates and the constant struggle for sovereignty between England and Scotland.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Treaty of Westminster (1462)

What was the primary goal of the Treaty of Westminster (1462)?

The primary goal for Edward IV was to destabilize Scotland and gain an advantage in the Wars of the Roses by securing allies against his Lancastrian rivals who sought refuge in Scotland. For the Scottish signatories, John of Islay and James Douglas, it was an attempt to gain greater autonomy and territorial power, even at the cost of Scottish sovereignty, by becoming vassals of the English crown.

Who were the main parties involved in signing the Treaty of Westminster?

The treaty was signed by Edward IV of England (House of York) and representatives of John of Islay, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, and James Douglas, the 9th Earl of Douglas, who was in exile in England.

Why is it also called the Treaty of Westminster-Ardtornish?

The treaty is known by both names because the initial, secret negotiations and signing by the Scottish lords' representatives took place at Ardtornish Castle on the Isle of Mull, while the final agreement was presumably ratified or confirmed in Westminster.

What territories in Scotland were to be divided according to the treaty?

The agreement proposed that if England conquered Scotland, lands north of the Firth of Forth (the "Scottish sea") would be divided between the Lord of the Isles and the Earl of Douglas, to be held from the English crown. The Earl of Douglas would also hold the lands south of the Firth of Forth, also as a vassal of England.

Was the Treaty of Westminster (1462) ever implemented?

No, the Treaty of Westminster was never implemented. It remained a secret for over a decade and was discovered by the Scottish government around 1476, leading to severe political repercussions for John of Islay but not its execution.

What were the consequences for John of Islay after the treaty's discovery?

Upon the treaty's discovery, John of Islay was declared a traitor by the Scottish Parliament. He was forced to forfeit his Earldom of Ross and most of his mainland possessions to the Scottish crown, though he initially retained the Lordship of the Isles in a diminished capacity.