Robert the Bruce (1274-1329) or Robert 1 was a significant figure in Scottish history, known primarily for leading Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England.
Robert the Bruce came from a noble family with both Norman and Gaelic ancestry. He was born on July 11, 1274, in Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland.a fourth-great-grandson of King David I, and the son of Marjorie, Countess of Carrick and Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale.
His grandfather, Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale. Robert de Brus, was a claimant to the Scottish throne in 1290-1292.
As Earl of Carrick,(1292 - 1306) Robert the Bruce supported his family's claim to the Scottish throne, however During the early years of the conflict with England, Bruce's allegiances were somewhat ambiguous. He swore fealty to King Edward I of England in 1296 but also had strong claims and ambitions for the Scottish crown.
In 1306, Robert killed his rival John Comyn, a powerful Scottish noble, at Greyfriars Church in Dumfries. This act significantly escalated the conflict with England and forced Robert to assert his claim to the Scottish throne. For this act, he was also excommunicated by Pope Clement V.
Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scots by Bishop William de Lamberton at Scone, near Perth, on Palm Sunday[48] 25 March 1306 with all formality and solemnity.
After his coronation, Bruce faced immediate challenges, including a significant military defeat at Methven and periods of guerrilla warfare.Despite early setbacks, Bruce's military leadership and tactical acumen gradually turned the tide in favor of the Scots. His forces conducted a highly effective campaign of guerrilla warfare, undermining the English hold on Scotland.
The Battle of Bannockburn in June 1314 was a turning point. Bruce’s forces achieved a significant victory against a much larger English army led by Edward II. This victory was crucial in securing Scottish independence.
Neoclassic bust of Robert the Bruce at the National Wallace Monument.
Otter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Following Bannockburn, Bruce worked to consolidate his control over Scotland and secure recognition of Scottish independence. This included diplomatic efforts and further military campaigns.In 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was sent to Pope John XXII, asserting Scotland's independence and Bruce’s rightful kingship.
In 1324, the Pope recognised Robert I as king of an independent Scotland, and in 1326, the Franco-Scottish alliance was renewed in the Treaty of Corbeil. In 1327, the English deposed Edward II in favour of his son, Edward III, and peace was concluded between Scotland and England with the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton in 1328, by which Edward III renounced all claims to sovereignty over Scotland.
Robert the Bruce died on June 7, 1329, at the age of 54, at Cardross in Dumbartonshire. It remains unclear just what caused the death of Robert, a month before his fifty-fifth birthday. His body is interred in Dunfermline Abbey, while his heart was taken on a crusade and later buried at Melrose Abbey His internal organs were embalmed and placed in St Serf's Church, Dumbarton.
Robert the Bruce is celebrated as a national hero in Scotland. His efforts were instrumental in achieving and maintaining Scottish independence during a crucial period in the nation’s history.His life and legacy have been romanticized in various works of literature and popular culture, reinforcing his status as a symbol of Scottish resistance and resilience.
Robert the Bruce's life was marked by significant challenges and achievements, and his legacy continues to be a source of national pride and historical interest in Scotland. He had a complex personal life, marked by two marriages and several children.
Robert the Bruce's family played a critical role in the continuation of his legacy and the stability of the Scottish crown. His marriages to Isabella of Mar and Elizabeth de Burgh were politically significant, and his children, particularly Marjorie Bruce and David II, were crucial in the historical narrative of Scotland. His illegitimate children also contributed to the support and consolidation of his reign through their service and marriages.
Here’s an overview of his family life, including his wives and children:
He married, firstly Isabella of Mar around 1295. Isabella was the daughter of Donald, 6th Earl of Mar. They had one child, a daughter.
Marjorie Bruce (circa 1296-1316): Marjorie married Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland. Their son, Robert II, would later become King of Scotland, founding the Stewart dynasty. Tragically, Marjorie died in 1316 following a fall from a horse while pregnant, though her son survived.
His second marriage was to Elizabeth de Burgh 1302.Elizabeth was the daughter of Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, a powerful Irish nobleman and a close ally of King Edward I of England.
Their children were:
Margaret Bruce (circa 1315-1346): She married William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland.
Matilda (or Maud) Bruce (dates uncertain): She married Thomas Isaac.
David II (1324-1371): David succeeded his father as King of Scots in 1329 and reigned until his death in 1371. His reign was marked by continued conflict with England and internal struggles, but he maintained the independence his father had secured.
John Bruce (died young): Little is known about him, as he died in infancy or early childhood.
Robert the Bruce had several illegitimate children, which was not uncommon for nobles of the time. These children often held positions of influence or were married into other noble families:
Sir Robert Bruce: He was one of Bruce's illegitimate sons. He supported his father’s cause and was granted lands.
Walter of Odistoun: Another illegitimate son about whom little is known.
Niall Bruce: He also supported his father’s campaigns and received lands in reward.
Elizabeth Bruce: She married Sir Walter Oliphant of Aberdalgie.
Family Legacy
Royal Lineage: Through his daughter Marjorie Bruce, Robert the Bruce’s bloodline continued in the Scottish royal family, as her son Robert II began the Stewart dynasty that would rule Scotland and later England.
Dynastic Challenges: His legitimate son, David II, had no children, leading to complex succession issues after his death. This underscored the importance of Bruce’s grandchildren through Marjorie in maintaining the royal lineage.
Extracts from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia