Robert I

Bruce, Robert (I), King of Scotland (1272-1329). Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, seized the throne of Scotland from the absent King John Balliol in 1306 (becoming Robert I), assassinated his political rival, Comyn of Badenoch, and reopened the war with England. Though initially militarily inept, Bruce learned quickly from his mistakes and, after the death of Edward I in 1307, was able to attack his enemies within Scotland. There was apparently no end to the tactics he was willing to employ in order to force recognition of his independent kingship: scorched earth, the ‘fiery cross’, taking castles by infiltration and levelling them to prevent regarrisoning, the use of Gaelic mercenaries, chevauchées into the north of England, the opening of a second front in Ireland (and potentially in Wales also), the development of the offensive schiltrom—all played their part. Blessed also with reliable commanders in his brother Edward, in James ‘the Black’ Douglas, and in Thomas Randolph, later Earl of Moray, the Bruce had largely gained control of his kingdom by 1309. At Bannockburn in 1314 he successfully engaged Bohun in single combat in front of the armies and then destroyed the incompetently led English. Despite this, Edward II refused to acknowledge the Bruce's kingship and the war continued, marred by Edward Bruce's disastrous campaign in Ireland (1315-18). The Bruce finally obtained English recognition during the chaos following the deposition and murder of Edward II. He died in 1329 and had asked that his heart be buried in the Holy Land, and while on this mission the Black Douglas was killed fighting the Moors in Spain. Legend has it that he threw the casket containing his old leader's heart into the enemy ranks, bidding the Bruce to lead him into battle one last time.

Bibliography

• Barrow, Geoffrey W. S., Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1992)

— Fiona Watson

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King of Scotland of the House of Bruce, also known as Robert the Bruce. Born 1274, son of Robert Bruce and Marjorie, countess of Carrick, and great-grandson of the second daughter of David, earl of Huntingdon, brother of William I. Married (1) Isabella, daughter of Donald, earl of Mar (2) Elizabeth, daughter of Richard, earl of Ulster. Died aged 54, having reigned 23 years between 1306 and 1329.

Robert the Bruce Statue at Edinburgh Castle

Scottish King Robert I, known as Robert the Bruce, was born on this date in 1274. Though he had sworn allegiance to Edward I of England in 1296, a year later he switched sides, fighting for Scotland's independence. He was crowned King of Scots at Scone in 1306, though Scotland had not yet achieved independence. Making slow inroads, Bruce's victory at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314) was a major stride in achieving his goal. In May 1328, England's King Edward III recognized Scotland's independence and Bruce as its king.

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From our Archives: Today's Highlights, July 11, 2006

Robert I or Robert the Bruce, 1274-1329, king of Scotland (1306-29). He belonged to the illustrious Bruce family and was the grandson of that Robert the Bruce who in 1290 was an unsuccessful claimant to the Scottish throne. He became (1292) earl of Carrick and on his father's death (1304) assumed the lordship of Annandale and of the Bruce lands in England. In 1296, Robert swore fealty to Edward I of England, but the following year he joined the struggle for national independence. He appears to have taken part only intermittently until an obscure contest between him and John Comyn (d. 1306) for the adherence of the Scottish nationalists resulted in Comyn's murder (probably unpremeditated) by Bruce or his followers. In defiance of Edward I, Robert was then crowned king at Scone in Mar., 1306. Defeated by the English at Methven (1306), he fled to the west and apparently took refuge on the island of Rathlin, off the coast of Ireland. The Bruce estates were confiscated by Edward, and punishment was meted out to Robert's followers. From this time of discouragement stems the legend that Robert learned courage and hope from watching a spider persevere in spinning its web.

Returning in 1307, Robert won a victory at Loudon Hill, which brought him new adherents. Edward I attempted to lead a new expedition against the rebellious Scots but died on the way and was succeeded by his son, Edward II, who failed to pursue his father's vigorous course. Robert was able to consolidate his hold on Scotland and to recapture lands and castles from the English. Stirling was besieged by the Scots and so hard pressed that the English governor finally agreed to its surrender if relief from England did not arrive before June 24, 1314. On June 23 and 24, at nearby Bannockburn, Robert overwhelmingly defeated the large English relief force led by Edward II. The war went on, and in 1318 the Scots recaptured Berwick. A truce, made in 1323, lasted only until 1327, when the bellicose young Edward III led an unsuccessful expedition to the north. Finally, by the Treaty of Northampton (1328), the English recognized the independence of Scotland and the validity of Robert's title to the throne.

Robert spent the short remainder of his life in his castle at Cardross and died there, perhaps of leprosy. As he requested, his embalmed heart was given to Sir James de Douglas, lord of Douglas, to be carried to Jerusalem for burial. Douglas was killed in Spain, but (according to tradition) Robert's heart was recovered, brought back to Scotland, and buried in Melrose Abbey. By his courage and skill Robert had freed Scotland from English rule. He was succeeded by his son, David II.

Bibliography

See biographies by A. M. Mackenzie (1934, repr. 1957), G. W. S. Barrow (1965, rev. ed. 1988), and R. M. Scott (1989, repr. 1996); C. McNamee, The Wars of the Bruces (1997).

(rŏb'ərt) , (Known as "Robert the Bruce.") 1274-1329.

King of Scotland (1306-1329) who defied Edward I of England by having himself crowned and won Scottish independence from England in a battle at Bannockburn (1314).