On the Anniversary of Robert I’s Most Famous Battle…
Robert the Bruce monument at Bannockburn (Source: Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons).
Bannockburn. On this day 708 years ago, Robert The Bruce (herein shortened to Robert) confronted Edward II’s main army and crushed them in what could be considered to be Scotland’s D-Day. A remarkable turning point but far from the end of this first war of independence. Yes first. Having grown up being taught almost next to nothing about Scottish history, it was a surprise to me too. So why are Wallace and Robert portrayed as the ultimate heroes of Scotland? To quote Ernest Renan, ‘historical error is a crucial factor in the creation of a nation’, and Mark Twain ‘never let the truth get in the way of a good story’. In short, political propaganda and art.
Braveheart would have us see Robert as a coward who turned his back on freedom fighter Wallace. Outlaw King shows Robert to be a man spurred on by the death of Wallace. And John Barbour, composer of The Brus, portrays him as a man fighting for the freedom of the common folk – a sentiment later echoed by Robert Burns. In truth, historians agree that William Wallace was Balliol’s spearhead. Acting in his name to drive Edward out and return the kingdom to him. But what about Robert?
Before I go any further, I should remind you, dear reader, that I am not a historian. I did, however, study a combination of social sciences. Therefore, I have drawn on this and further (noted) research to conclude that Robert was, first and foremost, a politically ambitious and ruthless man influenced heavily by his forefathers and King Edward I himself.
Born in 1274, he was the heir to lands and titles in England and Scotland. While little is known of his childhood, it can be assumed that as part of his education he would have spent considerable time at English and Scottish estates as well as at the kingdoms’ respective courts. Both kingdoms being at peace with each other. However, it is certain that he would have known from an early age just how fine a political line he had to walk between the two. His ancestors having helped David I become king and then battled against each other at the Battle of the Standard – an English/Scottish engagement. Likewise, he would have known that his grandfather had been named Alexander III’s tanist during his minority on account of him being the king’s closest male relative until the birth of Hugh Balliol (John Balliol’s brother).
As a child, Robert would have also witnessed the ferocity of Edward I’s campaign in Wales. Studied his political and battle tactics, and how effective they both were. As a feudal lord there, his father would have likely been responsible for supplying Edward with troops. As a young teen, he would have also had a front row seat, first to the actions his grandfather and father took to strengthen their claim to the throne and then to the disastrous result of asking Edward to act as arbiter. Followed by Balliol’s weak ruling at Edward’s puppet.
While Wallace as a relative nobody had nothing to lose, Robert’s father would have well recognised that he (through his ‘bi-nationality’) had everything to lose should he push what was now his claim for the Scottish throne. But the young Robert did learn from Wallace’s warpath – facing Edward’s armies head on, in an open ‘field’, was futile but Edward’s armies were weak when the layout of the land was used to prevent heavy attack. And improved on it – the advancing circular schiltron. Both later demonstrated in the Battle of Bannockburn (as an aside, those wanting to know more about the battle itself should check out the amazing work of Dr Callum Watson).
So the young Robert would have been following his father’s wishes. He himself inherited the claim two years later but did not push it. Waiting until after Wallace’s death. Without his war chief, Balliol could not stop other claimants and the people of Scotland would have been easily riled over Wallace’s death and Edward’s overlordship. Though he did not openly strike immediately, he started the wheels of politics once again. Positioning himself on the council that governed Scotland for Edward, and cannily allying himself William Lamberton. A bishop who had been a close supporter of Wallace.
An artist's depiction of Robert bettering de Bohun on the first day of battle (Source: Massam, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
While we can only speculate about what exactly happened at Greyfriars monastery that fateful day we know it left Robert with the best claim to the throne. And he seized it.
Later, chroniclers like Barbour, would glorify Robert’s reunification of Scotland. Glossing over the likes of the Herschip of Buchan – the seizure and destruction of Clan Comyn lands and any others that resisted his claim. As well as his scorched earth tactics and failed second front in Ireland. In fact, Robert had not wanted to engage Edward II’s army at Bannockburn at all. It was his brother’s agreement with the holder of Stirling Castle that forced his hand. But ultimately the victory there helped the chroniclers create the legend that is Robert The Bruce.
Barbour was also a royal propagandist. He would write genealogies to strengthen Robert’s successors claims to the throne. They, through him, were portrayed as having a direct relationship with King Arthur. Yes that king Arthur. The Stewarts would return to Robert’s legend time and time again to strengthen their claim to the throne of Scotland. Noticeably, it saw father pitted against son in another battle at Bannockburn. Named the Battle of Sauchieburn to distinguish it from the first, king James III fought his son, Prince James (Later James IV). To rally support, the king carried Robert’s sword into battle with him. Unfortunately, it was a resounding defeat and the king was slain.
It is no wonder then that for the Scots, Robert alongside Wallace has made a lasting impression. But on this day, as on the anniversary of other battles, I stop to think not of that legend but of the ripples caused by those with power. Of the lives lost at the hands of both Scottish and English men determined to be overlords. Just how many had died by this point in history and how many more would go on to do so? And most of them would not be the ones holding weapons.
Sources
Scotland: A History from Earliest Times by Alistair Moffat, 2017.
Power and Propaganda: Scotland 1306-1488 by Katie Stevenson, 2014
Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bruce, Robert (1210-1295) Online
