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Robert Bruce the Bruce, I, King of the Scots 1306-1329

YearDay/MonthTitle
Edward I (1272 - 1307)
1291May 10 Edward I meets Scottish Claimants
 Edward I met the claimants for the Scottish crown at Norham. There were three main claimants to the throne all of whom were descended from David Earl of Huntingdon, the brother of William the Lion who died in 1214. The three men were John Balliol, Robert Bruce and John Hastings. The decision was delayed until the following year to allow all the facts to be taken into account.
 
1306Feb 10 John Comyn murdered by Robert Bruce
 Robert Bruce murdered John Comyn.
Mar 25 Robert Bruce is crowned Robert I of Scotland
 Robert Bruce was crowned King of Scotland At Scone Abbey.
 
Edward II (1307 - 1327)
1308 Bruce takes Urquhart Castle
 Robert Bruce captured Urquhart Castle and placed it in the care of Sir Thomas Ranpolph, the Earl of Moray.
 
1309 Robert Bruce recognised as King
 Robert Bruce was formally recognised as King of Scotland by the Scottish parliament at St. Andrews.
 
1311 Bruce attacks the north
 The conflict within England gave Robert Bruce the opportunity to attack towns and forts in the north of England. He was commonly paid large sums of money by the towns' people to leave them alone. In this way he was able to raise enough money to buy better weapons for his army.
 
1313 The Scots regain ground
 Using stealth and surprise tactics Robert Bruce's army recaptured Perth, Dundee, Edingburgh and Roxburgh from English occupation.
 
1314 Bruce orders destruction of castles
 To prevent Scottish castles falling into English hands, Robert Bruce ordered that the castles at Roxburgh, Linlithgow and Edinburgh should be destroyed.
 
1319Jun Edward marches to free Berwick
 The last Scottish town to be held in English hands had been captured by Robert the Bruce. The loss of Berwick brought Edward and Lancaster together. Their common goal was to recapture the town and together with the Earl of Pembroke and Surrey they marched north.
 
1320Apr Declaration of Arbroath
 Robert the Bruce drew up the Declaration of Arbroath which defined Scotland's sovereignty and Robert's right to be King. This was sent to the Pope in the hope that he would lift the excommunication order under which Robert was still held for the death of John Comyn in 1306.
 
1322Jul The Scots invade
 The two year truce that had been agreed after the failed siege by the English at Berwick expired and Robert the Bruce invaded the north of England.
Aug Edward advances into Scotland
 In response to Robert the Bruce's attacks in the north of England, Edward called for an army and took them into Scotland. The Scots were prepared for the English and had burnt land and supplies in front of Edward's army making it difficult for the English to survive.
Oct Edward almost captured
 After returning from Scotland, Edward and Queen Isabella rested at Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire. The Scots were still nearby and met the English army led by the Earl of Richmond near Old Byland. The Scots defeated the English army and Edward had to flee to escape capture. Isabella too escaped.
 
1323Mar Peace negotiations
 Edward and Robert the Bruce began negotiations for a peaceful settlement of their differences. There were difficulties because Robert claimed the title of King of Scotland but Edward initially refused this because he had inherited the title from his father Edward I. The execution of the Earl of Carlisle had led to the start of negotiations. Carlisle had approached Robert with the intention of preparing the ground for peace talks but had not informed the king of his intentions. His actions were discovered and the king assumed his actions were treasonable. Carlisle was executed as a traitor.
 
1324Mar 5 David (II) born
 The birth of David (II), the future king of Scotland to Robert I and Elizabeth de Burgh.
 
Edward III (1327 - 1377)
1328May Treaty of Northampton
 England recognised the Declaration of Arbroath drawn up by Robert the Bruce in 1320. Scotland was accepted as an independent country under the rule of Robert.
 
1329Jun 7 David II becomes king of Scotland
 Robert I (the Bruce) of Scotland died and was followed by David (II). David was only 5 years old and so Edward Balliol claimed his right to the throne being the son of John who was king of Scotland from 1292 to 1296.

See Also

Walter 6th High Steward
Edward Bruce
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