Rise And Triumph Of Robert The Bruce Flashcards
Bruce’s conflict with his Scottish opponents
Bruce’s conflict with his Scottish opponents
Bruce murder of Comyn in feb 1306 – this sacrilegious act deteriorated Bruce’s relationship with the Church of Scotland and intensified his feud with the Comyn family and their Scottish followers.
June 1306 Methven – Bruce army faced surprise attack, routed by valence’s force – revenge by JC’s brother-in-law.
RB + valence encounter at loud in hill, May1307 – V, as as JC bro-in law, personal vendetta – Bruce gains the upper hand, V. retreats to Bothwell
Battle of Inverurie, JC earl of Buchan, defeated (1308) – brought about “herschip of buchan”, B devastated the area (50-year impact) – to deal with the comyns to send a message to other potential Scottish opponents.
Late 1308 macdougalls defeat at the pass of brander the mcd’s had ties with. The balliol family, RB
Wiped out a key enemy. (Helped secure western isles + payback for macds 1306 ambush)
victory at the Battle of Bannockburn
Bruce acted as a role model for his troops as he carried the morale of his men: eg incidents such as his handling of De Bohun when he attempted to kill him, and Bruce split his head in response using his battle axe
English leadership failing to learn from the events of June 23rd: he continued with English mass cavalry charges although it was made clear on the previous day that the Scottish pikemen could defeat them.
Timing of guerilla warfare- on the morning of Day 2 the Scottish pikemen surprised the English trapping them where they were enclosed by the River Forth and Bannockburn before the English had time to properly prepare and set up.
Poor leadership from Edward II- he appointed Earl of Gloucester to the position of joint vanguard and demoted the Earl of Hereford; caused confusion with the decision making/chain of command.
The land was used to Bruce’ advantage with by his use of the wooded hills of Kings Park to shelter his men and hide their numbers from English scouts.
Guerilla warfare tactics that Scots would use would be making “pots”, these acted as a trap for the English meaning they would be forced onto the damp ground.
Strong Scottish leadership: Robert Keith led c.500 horses into the formation of the English archers to protect the vulnerable Scots’ schiltrons flanks
Successful advancement of military tactics: Bruce had changed schiltrons from a static formation (seen in Falkirk) to a mobile formation, allowing them to now be offensive and defensive.
Continuing hostilities 1314-1328
Arbroath: 1328 - Pope lifted ex-communication from Bruce personally and the Kingdom of Scotland. This impacted Bruce because… This impacted Bruce because Bruce was now fully accepted by the international Catholic Church
Arbroath: By 1324 the Pope was referring to Bruce as “King Robert”. This impacted Bruce because… because It improved his popularity and sealed his position as King
1329 - Pope agreed to Bruce’s request to allow Scottish kings to be anointed and crowned on a par with English and French kings. This impacted Bruce because… Bruce died before hearing these concessions, but it did secure the independent and equal status of Scotland in the eyes of the church.
the Treaties of Edinburgh/Northampton, 1328
E-N: Edward III renounced all claims of over lordship of English over Scotland. This impacted Bruce because… he was now able to focus ruling Scotland as its recognised King. He could stop his country being at war and focus on peace.
E-N: Bruce undertook to pay £20,000 to England “for the sake of the peace”. This impacted Bruce because… This impacted Bruce because it was a low sum of money for the peace. Bruce had stolen much more than this during his army’s raids into Northern England.
E-N: The was a marriage contracted between Bruce’s son and Edward III’s sister. This impacted Bruce because… It meant that peace would endure through the inter-marriage between the two countries.
