scotland9
Greer Photo 2000

Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, Bannockburn, Scotland

Robert the Bruce was crowned king in 1306. He was defeated by the English and the Comyns. Legend says Bruce spent that winter alone, hiding in a cave on a deserted island, watching a spider trying to spin a web. When it failed, it simply started over again. This inspired Bruce to return to fight the English. He won several minor battles that brought him more local support. Then, Bruce destroyed the Balliols and Comyns because they would not accept him as king. Finally, he defeated English bases in Scotland. His attempts to capture Stirling Castle led to his famous victory at Bannockburn in 1314. However, the King of England did not acknowledge him as king of an independent country until 1328. Bruce died a year later. His body was buried in Dunfermline Abbey, but his heart was interred in Melrose Abbey.