Treaty of York
| Scriptum cirographatum inter Henricum Regem Anglie et Alexandrum Regem Scocie de comitatu Northumbrie Cumbrie et Westmerland factum coram Ottone Legato | |
|---|---|
| Signed | 25 September 1237 |
The Treaty of York was an agreement between Henry III of England and Alexander II of Scotland, signed at York on 25 September 1237. It affirmed that Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmorland were subject to English sovereignty, establishing what remains the modern Anglo-Scottish border (except for the Debatable Lands and Berwick-upon-Tweed). It detailed the future status of several feudal properties and addressed other issues between the two kings, and historically marked the end of Scotland's attempts to extend its frontier southward.
The treaty was one of a number of agreements in the ongoing relationship between the two kings. The Papal legate Otho was already in England at Henry's request to attend a Synod in London in November 1237, and had been informed by Henry of the September meeting at York, which he attended. This meeting became more notable due to the writing of the contemporary chronicler Matthew Paris, who disparaged both Alexander and Otho. His untruthful allegations towards Alexander, portraying him as boorishly uncivil and aggressive, have been repeated uncritically in historical accounts.
Henry and Alexander had a history of making agreements to settle one matter or another, and related to this was their personal relationship. Alexander was married to Henry's sister Joan and Alexander's sister Margaret had married Hubert de Burgh, a former regent to Henry. On 13 August 1237 Henry advised Otho that he would meet Alexander at York to treat of peace. An agreement was reached on 25 September "respecting all claims, or competent to, the latter, up to Friday next before Michaelmas A.D. 1237".
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