Robert I the Bruce Biography

Birth of Robert I, born in Turnberry Castle, grandson of Robert VII de Bruce of both Norman and Celtic ancestry

Pays homage to Edward I on behalf of Alexander III

The "7 Earls of Scotland" support Roberts claims to the succession. Edward I is called to decide the claims of Robert the Bruce, John Balliol & others

Edward I sets up a committee to hear the Scottish claimants. 40 claimants to the Scottish throne are nominated by Robert I & 40 by Edward Balliol

Created Earl of Carrick

The court at Berwick castle favour Edward Balliols claim to the Scottish succession

Fights the English at the Battle of Falkirk

Forced to surrender to Henry de Percy & Robert de Clifford

Resigns as joint Guardian of Scotland & turns against the Scottish dissidents

The English under the Prince of Wales are held at Turnberry by Robert

The French are defeated at Courtai & Philip cannot support Scottish nationalists. Changes sides again & supports the English against the Nationalists

Robert I the Bruce makes peace with Edward I

The French are defeated, Philip can no longer support the Scottish nationalists

Edward invades Scotland & advances as far as Elgin

Appointed Member of ruling council to advise the English Governor of Scotland

Edward invades Scotland & advances as far as Elgin

Captures Dumfries after assassinating John Comyn there

Robert I the Bruce makes a reconcilliation with Edward I

Robert I the Bruce makes a reconcilliation with Edward I

Roberts father dies in England, Edward I confers upon Robert the family title & lands

After William Wallaces execution, succesfully rises against Edward I

Robert I the Bruce is mauled by the Macdougalls of Lorn, kinsmen of John Comyns, at the Battle of Dalry

Death of John Comyn, assassinated by Robert I the Bruce

Alexander II loses his wife without issue making Robert senior male heir of David I

Stabs John Comyn to death when he refuses to abandon support for King John. Stabs John Comyn, heir to John Balliol, to death at a Church in Dumfries. Robert Bruce and a small party of his followers kill John Comyn, also known as the Red Comyn, before the high altar of the Greyfriars Church in Dumfries

Succeeds as King of Scotland

As soon as Edward I hears of the coronation he prepares for war

Has neither the Stone nor the crown of destiny but a glden "coronella" is substituted. Crowned by Isabel, Countess of Buchan who claims the "MacDuff right"

Crowned King of Scotland at Scone at a 2nd ceremonial coronation within 2 days

Robert the Bruces Queen is held in a cage on the castle walls of Berwick & Roxburgh

Robert Is Army is defeated by the Earl of Pembroke. Edward I defeats Bruce at the Battle of Methven, executes many of his supporters and forces the Scottish king into becoming a hunted outlaw

Forced into exile after being defeated by Prince Edward for a 2nd time

Robert I the Bruce returns to Scotland

The aging Edward I decides to come to Scotland at the head of a large army to punish the Scots rebellion but the now weak and sick king is ineffectual as a military leader

This record states: The aging Edward I decides to come to Scotland at the head of a large army to punish the Scots rebellion but the now weak and sick king is ineffectual as a military leader.

A series of successful campaigns against the Comyns and their allies leaves Roert I the Bruce in control of most of Scotland

Excommunicated by the papal nuncio when the English Parliament meets in Carlisle

Excommunicated by the papal nuncio when the English Parliament meets in Carlisle

The English are defeated by the Scots at the Battle of Loundoun Hill lead by Robert I of Scotland

The death of Edward I eases Robert Bruces nationalist struggle against the English

Robert Bruce returns from Ireland & defeats the English under de Valence

Robert Bruce captures Urquhart Castle & places it in the care of Sir Thomas Ranpolph, the Earl of Moray

Robert Bruce captures Urquhart Castle & places it in the care of Sir Thomas Ranpolph, the Earl of Moray

Robert receives recognition from Philip IV of France

Robert I the Bruce is recognized as sole ruler by the French King and despite his earlier excommunication, even receives the support of the Scottish Church

Robert holds his 1st Parliament in St Andrews

Edward II launches his 1st raid into Scotland but is turned back

Robert I the Bruce drives out the English garrisons in all their Scottish strongholds except Stirling and invades northern England

Edward II launches his 2nd raid into Scotland but is turned back

Robert I the Bruce drives out the English garrisons in all their Scottish strongholds except Stirling and invades northern England

Completes rule over Lothian & with it virtually all of Scotland

Captures Edinburgh Castle

Captures Linlithgow Castle

Captures Perth Castle

Captures Roxburgh Castle

After Banockburn invades England as far as Richmond in Yorkshire

Recaptures Edinburgh from Edward I

Wins the recognition of Scottish independence. English losses are about 10,000, the Scots lose 4,000

Defeats Edward II when he fails to relieve Stirling Castle

Launches raids as far south as Yorkshire

Edward II fails to recapture Berwick

Robert I the Bruce captures the Hebrides

Robert I the Bruce captures the Hebrides

Robert & Edward Bruce invade Dublin. Richard de Burgh is arrested by Dublins Mayor who defends Dublin

Robert I the Bruce captures Berwick

Robert I the Bruce captures Berwick

Robert captures Queen Isabella at York

Edward fails to capture Berwick because the English Earls defend their own lands

Declares Scottish independence, the Declaration of Arbroath

Symbolic of the Scottish constitution in the 17th Century. Declares Scottish independence, the Declaration of Arbroath. Declares Scottish independence. Addressed to the Pope to lift the excommunication from Robert I the Bruce

Declares Scottish independence, the Declaration of Arbroath

Symbolic of the Scottish constitution in the 17th Century

Symbolic of the Scottish constitution in the 17th Century. Declares Scottish independence. Addressed to the Pope to lift the excommunication from Robert I the Bruce

Defeats an invasion attempt by Edward II

Crosses the Solway & ravages the North Riding

Agrees a truce with England which lasts for 13 yrs

Edward II agrees a truce because he cannot stop northern counties making peace

Pope John recognizes Robert King of Scotland but does not lift the excommunication

Signs a favourable peace Treaty with the English

Pope John recognizes Robert King of Scotland but does not lift the excommunication. A treay of mutual assistance is negotiated between Scotland & France

Pope John recognizes Robert King of Scotland but does not lift the excommunication

Birth of David, son & heir

The Parliament of Scotland agrees to pay 1/10th of their revenues to Robert

The Parliament of Scotland agrees to pay 1/10th of their revenues to Robert

The excommunication ban against Robert I the Bruce is lifted. The English Parliament recognizes Robert as King of Scotland. Roberts son & heir David marries Edward IIIs sister Joan in Berwick

Re-establishes the "auld alliance" between France & Scotland with Charles IV

The Pope issues a bull authorizing the coronation of Robert the Bruce

Under the Treaty of Edinburgh England recognizes Scottish independence under Robert I

England recognizes Scottish independence under Robert I

The English agree to return the Stone of Scone & surrender the Ragman Roll

The Treaty of Edinburgh in England is ratified by the Treaty of Northampton

The English agree to return the Stone of Scone & surrender the Ragman Roll. Ratifies Scottish independence & Robert the Bruces right to the Scottish throne. Provides for marriage between Edward's sister Joan & Bruces son David. Edward III recognizes Roberts victory in the Scottish War of Independence

The treaty recognizes Scotland's traditional border with England

The treaty recognizes Scotland's established border with England

The treaty protects succession through Robert I's heirs

Scotland agrees compensation payments as part of the peace

England renounces claims of superiority over the Scottish crown

Robert is recognized as lawful king by the English peace settlement

The treaty recognizes Robert's heirs and successors as Scottish rulers

Robert I secures English recognition of Scottish independence

The First War of Scottish Independence ends by treaty

Under the Treaty of Northampton Edward III recognizes Scottish independence

Under the Treaty of Northampton the English agree to return the Stone of Scone & surrender the Ragman Roll

Under the Treaty of Northampton the English agree to return the Stone of Scone & surrender the Ragman Roll. Ratifies Robert the Bruces right to the Scottish throne. Provides for marriage between Edward's sister Joan & Bruces son David. Edward III recognizes Roberts victory in the Scottish War of Independence

Scotland agrees to pay England compensation as part of the treaty

The peace is proclaimed after English ratification at Northampton

The independence war ends through the Edinburgh Northampton settlement

Robert's kingship is recognized by the English parliament

Robert's kingship and Scotland's independence are recognized by England

Grants Edinburgh a Charter

Edward III is free to support the Balliols against the Bruces in Scotland. Death of Robert I, of leprosy at Cardross castle