Robert I "the Bruce" of Scotland (11 July 1274-7 June 1329) was the King of Scotland from 25 March 1306 to 7 June 1329, succeeding John Balliol and preceding David II of Scotland. He gained independence for Scotland after his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn against King Edward II of England in 1314, and his son David would succeed him as the next monarch of Scotland.
Biography[]
Early Life and Family[]
Robert was born at Turnberry Castle in Ayrshire, the son of Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick. Through his mother he inherited the title of Earl of Carrick, while his father was a prominent claimant to the Scottish throne during the succession crisis of the late 13th century. The family’s claim ultimately derived from their descent from David I of Scotland.
Path to the Throne[]
As Earl of Carrick, the young Robert Bruce was a waverer in the Scottish independence struggle. However, virtually forced to declare himself king after murdering John Comyn in Greyfriars Church, Dumfries, Robert became leader of resistance to the English.
He was crowned at Scone Abbey on 25 March 1306, though at first his position was precarious and he faced both English armies and rival Scottish nobles.
Early Campaigns[]
At first a fugitive with a handful of followers, he began an increasingly ambitious guerrilla war, ambushing patrols, destroying isolated fortresses, raiding northern England, and laying waste the lands of his Scots enemies. A victory over a small English army at Loudoun Hill in 1307 showed the potential of his spearmen, fighting in the close formation known as a schiltron.
Battle of Bannockburn and Victory[]
Confronted by the English king, Edward II, at Bannockburn in 1314, Robert opened the fighting by killing an English knight in personal combat. He chose boggy ground for the battle to disadvantage the English mounted knights and, deploying his spearmen aggressively in a mass push, drove the enemy from the field with heavy losses.
Later Reign and Recognition[]
After Bannockburn, Robert consolidated his control over Scotland. His forces carried out repeated raids into England and the Lordship of Ireland, where his brother Edward Bruce attempted to establish himself as High King. The Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 asserted Scottish independence in a letter to Pope John XXII.
Bannockburn established Scottish independence, formally recognised by the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton in 1328.
Death and Legacy[]
Robert died on 7 June 1329 at Cardross, and was buried at Dunfermline Abbey. His heart, carried on crusade by Sir James Douglas, was eventually returned to Scotland and interred at Melrose Abbey.
Robert is remembered as one of Scotland’s greatest national heroes.
Gallery[]
| King of Scots | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: John Balliol |
1306–1329 | Succeeded by: David II |