A warrior who also fought against fellow Scots to seize the throne, Robert I secured Scotland's place as an independent national in the early 14th century.
Who was Robert the Bruce and when was he King of Scots?
Robert the Bruce, born in 11 July 1274, was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329.
He descended from Anglo-Norman and Gaelic nobility, growing up to become one of the finest warriors of his time.
Through his grandfather Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale, Robert was the Earl of Carrick and supported his family's claim to the Scottish throne.
He joined William Wallace's rebellion against the English king Edward I and was later appointed one of three Guardians of Scotland.
But he resigned in 1300, falling out with one Guardian, John III Comyn, and John Balliol was restored to the Scottish throne.
After years of accepting English rule over Scotland, in February 1306 Robert killed rival Comyn after an argument.
He then moved quickly to dispatch his rivals and seize power and was crowned King of Scots on 25 March 1306.
Robert was defeated by Edward I's armies and driven into the outer Hebrides and Ireland to regroup.
He returned in 1307, pushing back the English and wiping out his Scottish rivals to consolidate his power.
After a series of further battles, in 1314 Robert defeated the much larger English army of Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn.
This secured Scotland's independence as a kingdom and also allowed his armies to roam Northern England seizing territory.
In 1324, the Pope recognised Robert I as king of an independent Scotland.
In 1327, the diposed English king Edward II handed the throne to his son Edward III.
Peace was quickly negotiated between Edward III and Robert the Bruce at the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton, and the English claim for sovereignty was abolished.
Did Robert the Bruce fight William Wallace?
Although Robert the Bruce was ruthless in his seizure of power, he did not fight William Wallace.
Wallace was captured by the English army near Glasgow after the Scots were defeated in 1303.
Wallace was the only Scottish leader not to surrender to the triumphant English.
He was taken to London and was hanged, drawn and quartered on 23 August 1305.
When did Robert the Bruce die?
Robert the Bruce died as King of Scotland in 1329 – two years after the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton.
His body is buried in Dunfermline Abbey, while his heart was interred in Melrose Abbey.
Hi other internal organs were embalmed and placed in St Serf’s Chapel, the Cardross Parish church.
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