Robert the Bruce Flashcards
Why was Robert the Bruce accused of murder and sacrilege?
- Robert the Bruce was accused of sacrilege when he killed John Comyn inside Greyfriars Church (Dumfries) in 1306.
- Killing someone in a consecrated church was seen as an unforgivable sin.
- He was excommunicated from the Church as a result.
What were Robert the Bruce’s key successes?
Robert the Bruce’s key successes are as follows:
- The Murder of John Comyn & Becoming King (1306)
- The Guerrilla Warfare Campaign (1307–1314)
- Victory at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
- The Declaration of Arbroath (1320)
- The Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton (1328)
Overview of: The Murder of John Comyn & Becoming King (1306)
The Murder of John Comyn & Becoming King (1306)
- Bruce killed John Comyn in Greyfriars Church (Dumfries) in 1306, removing his biggest rival for the Scottish throne.
- Despite being excommunicated by the Pope, Bruce was crowned King of Scots at Scone shortly after.
- Although he suffered early defeats against the English, he never gave up and went into hiding to rebuild his support.
Overview of: The Guerrilla Warfare Campaign (1307–1314)
The Guerrilla Warfare Campaign (1307–1314)
- After Edward I died in 1307, Bruce launched a guerrilla warfare campaign against the English and their Scottish allies.
- He and his supporters, including his brother Edward Bruce and James Douglas (“The Black Douglas”), attacked castles and English supply lines.
- They used hit-and-run tactics and destroyed English-held fortresses to prevent them from being used again.
- By 1314, Bruce had regained control of most of Scotland.
Overview of: Victory at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
Victory at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
- Bannockburn was Bruce’s greatest victory.
- He used clever tactics, including choosing marshy ground and using schiltrons to defeat Edward II’s much larger English army.
- The English suffered a humiliating defeat, and Edward II barely escaped with his life.
- This victory confirmed Bruce’s position as King of Scotland and gave Scots hope for full independence.
Overview of: The Declaration of Arbroath (1320)
The Declaration of Arbroath (1320)
- Bruce and the Scottish nobles sent the Declaration of Arbroath to Pope John XXII in 1320.
- The document defended Scotland’s right to independence and Bruce’s right to rule.
- It contained the famous line:
“It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we fight, but for freedom alone, which no man gives up but with life itself.” - The Pope later recognised Bruce as King of Scotland in 1324, removing his excommunication.
What did the Treaty of Edinburgh achieve?
The Treaty of Edinburgh (1328)
- After years of conflict, Bruce achieved his final victory when the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton was signed in 1328.
- England officially recognised Scotland as an independent kingdom.
- Robert the Bruce was acknowledged as Scotland’s rightful king.
- This was a huge success, securing Scotland’s freedom after over 30 years of war.
What punishments did Robert the Bruce’s family & supporters face?
What Bruce did to castles he won and why?
Explain the Term: Guerrilla Warfare
Definition: A type of hit-and-run fighting where small, fast-moving forces attack the enemy and then retreat before they can be caught.
Example: Bruce’s forces ambushed English troops and destroyed castles to stop England from holding territory in Scotland.
Explain the Term: Sacrilege
Definition: A serious offence against a holy place or religious beliefs.
Consequence: Bruce was excommunicated by the Pope.
Explain the Term: Pitched battle
Definition: A planned, large-scale battle where both sides prepare their forces and fight in an open field.
Example: Bannockburn (1314) – Bruce chose the battlefield carefully, using marshy ground and schiltrons to defeat Edward II.
Explain the Term: Excommunication
Definition: A punishment from the Pope and the Catholic Church, where a person is expelled from the Church and denied sacraments (e.g. confession, communion, Christian burial, etc.).
How It Was Reversed: After Bruce’s victories, Scotland sent the Declaration of Arbroath (1320) to the Pope. In 1324, Pope John XXII lifted Bruce’s excommunication and recognised him as King of Scotland.
Explain the Term: Hammer of the Scots
Definition: A nickname for King Edward I of England, who led multiple invasions of Scotland to try and conquer it.
Why:
* Edward I was known for his brutal campaigns against the Scots, destroying towns and castles.
* He defeated John Balliol and forced him to abdicate in 1296.
* He executed William Wallace in 1305.
* However, he failed to fully conquer Scotland and died in 1307 while preparing to invade again.
Can you name key events from the story?
📌 1286 – Alexander III dies → Scotland’s succession crisis begins.
📌 1296 – Edward I invades → John Balliol abdicates.
📌 1297 – William Wallace wins at Stirling Bridge.
📌 1305 – Wallace is executed.
📌 1306 – Bruce kills Comyn & becomes king.
📌 1314 – Bruce wins at Bannockburn.
📌 1320 – Declaration of Arbroath defends Scottish independence.
📌 1328 – Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton → Scotland officially independent.
Reasons why the English lost: failures.
Reasons why the Scots won: successes
What the Declaration of Arbroath was and what it said.
IThe Declaration of Arbroath was a letter sent from Arbroath Abbey:
- signed by over 50 Scottish nobles:
- to Pope John XXII in 1320,
- asking him to recognise Scotland as an independent nation and
- to accept Robert the Bruce as the rightful king of Scotland (even though he was previously excommunicated)
- It included the declaration introduced the idea that a king should only rule if he protects his people.
What the Treaty of Edinburgh was?
The Treaty of Edinburgh was a peace agreement signed in 1328 between Scotland and England, officially ending the First War of Scottish Independence.
The terms of the Treaty were:
- England officially accepted that Scotland was an independent kingdom.
- England accepted Robert the Bruce as Scotland’s rightful king.
- England promised not to interfere in Scotland’s affairs.
- To secure peace, an arranged marriage was agreed between Robert the Bruce’s son (David II) and Edward III’s sister (Joan of England).
- Scotland agreed to pay England £100,000 to help cover the costs of the war.
