David II of Scotland (5 March 1324-22 February 1371) was King of Scotland from 7 June 1329 to 22 February 1371, succeeding Robert I and Robert II. He was the last male of the House of Bruce, and he succeeded in defending Scotland from England despite spending long periods in exile or captivity.
Biography[]
David was born at Dunfermline Abbey, Fife, Scotland in 1324, the son of Robert Bruce and Elizabeth de Burgh. In 1328, he married Joan of the Tower, daughter of Edward II of England and Isabella of France, but their marriage produced no children. He became King of Scotland in 1329 after Robert's death, and he inherited a country at war with England. Following the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, he went into exile in France, and he returned in 1341 to reclaim the throne from Edward Balliol and his English supporters. In 1346, he invaded England due to his "Auld Alliance" commitment to France, and he was wounded and his army soundly defeated at Neville's Cross. He was held prisoner until 1357, when he was ransomed for 100,000 marks, to be paid over the course of ten years. He died at Edinburgh Castle in 1371, leaving no children; his death ended the House of Bruce's male line. He was succeeded as king by Robert Stewart, who became "King Robert II of Scotland".