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[h3]Born in 1274, Robert the Bruce inherited the title Earl of Carrick and swore fealty to Edward I. However, in 1297 he joined the Scottish revolt, under William Wallace, and was appointed one of the four guardians of Scotland. [/h3]
In 1306 Bruce was crowned King of Scotland. After being defeated by the English army at Methven, in 1306, he was forced to flee to Raithlin Island, off the coast of Ireland.
Returning to Scotland, Robert waged a highly successful guerrilla war against the English. At the Battle of Bannockburn in June 1314, he defeated a much larger English army under Edward II, confirming the re-establishment of an independent Scottish monarchy.
Scotland's army was not only outnumbered at Bannockburn but lacked the experience and weaponry of Edward's troops. Bruce decided that his best hope was to force the English to fight on his territory. Bruce chose a site by a stream called Bannockburn; if the English were to attack, they had to advance on a narrow front.
When the English arrived at Bannockburn, Sir Henry Bohun, the leader of the English party, recognised Robert Bruce, and charged the Scottish king. Bruce killed Bohun with a blow from his axe.
Scottish spearmen, who had been hiding in the woodland, launched an attack. The English knights, still not organised, were forced to retreat, archers were called forward but they were charged by the Scottish knights.
Edward decided to use his knights to charge the Scottish position, but the Scottish blocked their advance and soon the English army was in retreat, and suffered heavy casualties. The battle of Bannockburn was the worst defeat in English history. Bruce was now able to launch attacks on northern England.
Two years later, his brother Edward Bruce was inaugurated as high king of Ireland but was killed in battle in 1318. Even after Bannockburn and the Scottish capture of Berwick in 1318, Edward II refused to give up his claim to the overlordship of Scotland.
In 1320, the Scottish earls, barons and the 'community of the realm' sent a letter to Pope John XXII declaring that Robert was their rightful monarch. This was the 'Declaration of Arbroath' and it asserted the antiquity of the Scottish people and their monarchy.
Robert the Bruce died in 1329.
Robert The Bruce biography
Robert The Bruce biography
Robert The Bruce biography
