| Notes |
- Earl of Carrick from 09 Nov 1292 (1318-1328); Lord of Annandale; Guardian of Scotland (1298-1300); Earl of Huntingdon (1304-1306); Lord Brus; King of Scots (1305-1329)
lang: Norman-French, Gaelic, Northern English
Archeologists tell us that Robert the Bruce was a stout man of about 5'6" who probably had black or brown hair and a square jaw.
In his prime Robert the Bruce was considered one of the three most accomplished knights in Christendom. The other two were Heinrich, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and Giles d'ARGENTAN.
At the age of 22 Robert's father ordered him to muster the men of Annandale and seize Douglas Castle from the rebel Sir William "le Hardi" de Douglas. When he reached the castle he joined with the rebels and moved northeast through Carrick gathering recruits. He met up with the Scots army at Irvine.
Dissension broke out at Irvine. Andrew MORAY and William WALLACE supported John BALLIOL while Bishop WISHART, Seamus (James) Stewart, John Stewart and Alexander LINDSAY supported Robert the Bruce. Sir William Douglas took neither side. When MORAY and WALLACE departed, the others went into discussions with the English forces at Ayr. On the 9th July 1297 the Scottish leaders agreed to produce hostages for Edward I. Robert the Bruce was supposed to hand over his infant daughter Marjorie but didn't do so.
In March 1298 WALLACE was knighted by a prominant man of the Scottish race, implying one of the earls. The Earl of Fife was a minor, the Earls of Angus and Dunbar supported the English, the Earls of Caithness, Ross and Sutherland were too remote. The remaining earls were Buchan, Lennox, Strathearn and Carrick. There were marriage links between the Bruce and WALLACE families so it is likely that Robert the Bruce, Earl of Carrick was the prominant man to knight WALLACE.
After Scottish defeat at the Battle of Falkirk, Robert the Bruce and John "the Red" COMYN were appointed guardians of Scotland. William LAMBERTON, Bishop of St. Andrews became the third guardian in 1299 and Bruce resigned in 1300 to be replaced by de UMFRAVILLE.
The Scots led by the Guardians John "the Red" COMYN and Robert the Bruce conducted an aborted attack on Roxburgh Castle in July 1299. At a council after the attack Sir David GRAHAM demanded the lands and goods of Sir William WALLACE because the WALLACE had left the kingdom without the approval of the guardians. Sir Malcolm WALLACE defended his brother and each drew their daggers. Since GRAHAM was a follower of COMYN, the outbreak of the fight was reported to COMYN who leapt at Robert the Bruce and seized him by the throat. The Earl of Buchan claimed lèse majesté was being plotted and turned on the Bishop of St. Andrews. Seamus Stewart, the 5th High Steward and others came between the opposing parties.
In 1302 the Bruce submitted to the English and married the daughter of the English Earl of Ulster.
Robert the Bruce and John "the Red" COMYN, realising that the sick and aged Edward I would soon be dead and replaced by the ineffectual Prince of Wales. They made a secret bond that if this happened they would join forces to make Bruce King of Scots and COMYN would then receive Bruce's lands. When Edward I got better COMYN lost his nerve and told the English king of the agreement.
In January 1306 Robert the Bruce was at the English court in London. The Earl of Gloucester sent his keeper of the wardrobe to Bruce's lodgings with twelve pence and a pair of spurs to warn Bruce of King Edward's intention to have him executed for treason. Bruce and his squire rode north to Scotland. On the border they intercepted a messenger carrying Bruce and COMYN's bond to the English King.
The Bruce arranged a meeting with COMYN at the Franciscan church of Glenfriars near Dumfries on the 10th February, 1306. They withdrew to the high alter where Bruce drew forth the bond accusing COMYN of treachery. After angry words were exchanged, daggers were drawn and Bruce stabbed COMYN who fell wounded on the alter. COMYN's uncle Sir Robert COMYN sprung to his defence, striking the Bruce's breastplate with a sword. Bruce's brother-in law Christopher SETON sprung to Bruce's defence and killed Sir Robert COMYN.
"I doubt that I have slain Red Comyn" Bruce said as he left the church.
"Do you doubt?" KIRKPATRICK replied, "Then I'll make sure". KIRKPATRICK and James LINDSAY then ran into the church and dispatched the wounded COMYN.
Those who want a detailed account should read "Robert the Bruce, King of Scots" by Ronald McNair Scott.
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