The Bruce (1306-1314)
Renewed war against Edward was born out of individual ambition. Robert Bruce had not forgotten his family's claim to the throne and after shifting between Edward and Balliol's supporters, he made his own move.
Bruce murdered his main rival, John Comyn, in February 1306. This provided the impetus, and the next month Bruce was crowned king. His coup divided the Scottish nobility. Many joined the English in suppressing the rebels. Bruce was defeated at Methven near Perth in June and he was forced to flee into exile, abandoning family and friends to death and imprisonment.
Bruce's exile, probably in the Hebrides, did allow him to prepare a final rebellion. In January 1307, he landed in Carrick with his rebel supporters. Edward quickly mustered forces to crush the rebels and for the next six months, Bruce's small band desperately eluded their enemy.
'Bruce out-manoeuvred Edward's poorly-led army, forcing the English king to flee for his life.'
Things began to improve with the small victories at Glen Trool and Loudoun Hill, but it was the death of Edward in July which marked a turning point.
His heir, Edward II, lacked his father's determination and ability. After a brief foray into Scotland, the new king headed south and failed to return until 1310.
Bruce grasped his chance. Leading a force northwards, during the following winter, he raised support and defeated the numerous Scottish lords who opposed him in the north.
From 1308 he used the north as a base to extend his rule into central Scotland, and this improving position allowed him to hold a parliament at St Andrews and negotiate with France, Norway and the papacy.
Though Edward II campaigned in Scotland in 1310-1311, his poor relations with his nobility led to civil war which rumbled on until 1313. Once again, Bruce exploited the opportunity. Dundee and Perth were captured and Galloway was forced to submit, leaving only Lothian in English hands.
Bruce's demand that his remaining Scottish enemies should submit finally led to Edward II preparing a fresh campaign. Before it was launched, Bruce's men captured the key castles of Edinburgh and Roxburgh.
In June 1314, a massive English army came north. It marched to relieve Stirling Castle, but on 23 June its advance was blocked by Bruce's smaller host. Over the next two days, Bruce out-manoeuvred Edward's cumbersome and poorly-led army, finally sweeping it from the fields by the small Bannock burn, forcing Edward to flee for his life.
Published: 2007-11-29
Bookmark with:
What are these?