The Treaty of Falaise (1174) was one of the most humiliating agreements in Scottish history. Under its terms, William recognized Henry II as his feudal superior, and English garrisons occupied several strategic castles in Scotland, including Edinburgh, Stirling, and Berwick.

William’s submission was seen by contemporaries and later historians as a mark of weakness and failure. Scotland’s sovereignty was compromised, and William was left with little room to maneuver diplomatically.

This treaty remained a source of bitterness in Scotland for decades. However, William was later able to negotiate its annulment in 1189, when Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart) agreed to release Scotland from the treaty in exchange for a large sum of money to fund his crusades. Even this, however, was a financial burden and another form of compromise, rather than a display of strength.

Domestic Challenges: Feudal Power Struggles and Governance

William’s reign was not only defined by external threats but also by internal challenges. Scotland in the 12th and early 13th centuries was a patchwork of competing noble families, each with its own interests and ambitions. The king’s power was limited by these feudal lords, some of whom acted with near independence.

William struggled to maintain centralized control. His authority was frequently challenged by powerful magnates, and his attempts to enforce royal justice and administration met with mixed success.

Although William made some efforts to modernize the Scottish government, including supporting the growth of royal burghs (towns with special privileges), his reign did not see the kind of consolidation of royal power achieved by some contemporary monarchs. shutdown123