Treaty of Perpetual Peace (1534)

The Treaty of Perpetual Peace (1534), also known as the Eternal Peace, was a peace agreement signed on December 13, 1534, between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England. It aimed to establish a lasting peace between the two nations, who had been in a state of intermittent conflict for centuries.

Negotiated during a period of relative stability, the treaty was intended to bring an end to border raids, skirmishes, and large-scale warfare that had characterized Anglo-Scottish relations. James V of Scotland and Henry VIII of England were the reigning monarchs at the time of the treaty's signing.

Key provisions of the treaty included the dismantling of fortifications along the border regions, a commitment to resolve disputes through diplomatic channels rather than military action, and the establishment of joint commissions to address issues of cross-border crime and justice. The treaty also included agreements on trade and commerce, aiming to foster economic cooperation and interdependence.

Despite the aspirations for a "perpetual" peace, the treaty ultimately proved to be short-lived. Tensions between Scotland and England soon re-emerged, fueled by religious differences (the English Reformation), political maneuvering, and ongoing disputes over territorial claims and alliances with other European powers. The treaty was effectively rendered obsolete by subsequent conflicts, including the Rough Wooing of the 1540s, when Henry VIII sought to force a marriage between his son, Edward, and the infant Mary, Queen of Scots. While the Treaty of Perpetual Peace did not achieve its ultimate goal of lasting peace, it remains a significant historical document illustrating attempts to establish amicable relations between England and Scotland during the turbulent 16th century.