Robert the Bruce

Earl of Carrick, Robert Bruce was born at Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire, in 1274, of both Norman and Celtic ancestry. Two years before his birth, Edward Plantagenet had become King Edward I of England. The ruthlessness of Edward, who earned the title "the Hammer of the Scots" brought forth the greatness of Bruce whose astonishing victory at Bannockburn in 1314 over the much larger and better-equipped forces of Edward II ensured Scottish freedom from control by the hated English.

Bruce was a great military leader and Bannockburn was a classic example of applications of the principles of war. He was also a great trainer of men and took great pains to know personally his veteran soldiers and their officers. It is understood he spoke some Gaelic in addition to Latin, Norman-French and the crude Inglis, forerunner fo modern English. Modern reconstructions of his face show him to have a very pronounced jaw and strong, noble features. His compassion and sense of humour are also well documented.

In February 1306, after William Wallace had been executed, he met John, 'the Red Comyn', in the Greyfriars church, Dumfries. It is not known what happened between them but the final result was that Comyn was dead, stabbed in front of the alter by Bruce. This was considered a terrible crime but Bruce turned it to his advantage by making the stabbing a part of his bid to claim the throne of Scotland. He went to Scone where, in a simple ceremony, Robert Bruce was proclaimed King.