Robert the Bruce

1274-1329

Modern Scotland owes a great debt of gratitude to Robert the Bruce. Robert the Bruce was a leader in the Wars of Scottish Independence against England.

Robert the Bruce was born on the 11th of July 1274 to Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale and Marjorie of Carrick. Robert the Bruce became the Earl of Carrick on the day of his mother’s death, when his father gave up the title. In 1295, Robert the Bruce was wed to his first wife, Isabella of Mar.

Robert the Bruce is the modern English interpretation of the name. Roibert a Briuis was its Gaelic equivalent. Other local interpretations have been seen in various texts, this can be attributed to the fact that Robert the Bruce was fluent in the languages of his ancestry lines.

Robert the Bruce and his father swore fealty to King Edward I of England in August 1296. Some believe this to be more of a show then an actual agreement on the part of Robert the Bruce, as the following year he broke his promise and joined with the Scottish resistance against England.

When William Wallace resigned as Guardian of Scotland, Robert the Bruce took over the position along with John Comyn. Although, personal grievances and differences resulted in a third guardian being appointed, William Lamberton. In 1230, Robert the Bruce resigned from the position.

In January 1302, Robert the Bruce swore fealty again to King Edward. A 9 month truce between England and Scotland followed. In 1303, King Edward invaded Scotland again, all the nobles surrendered to him, except for William Wallace. Scotland began to be absorbed into England. In 1305, William Wallace was captured and executed. This signaled the time in which Robert Bruce would take over in William Wallace’s role in the Scottish resistance. You can read more about it in my previous article. Robert the Bruce became the King of Scotland in 1306, and secured Scotland’s independence from England at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

See also: Famous Scots.