Schools

• Scottish Wars of Independence John Balliol Teaching Ideas (PDF)
• Scottish Wars of Independence William Wallace Teaching Ideas (PDF)
• Scottish Wars of Independence Robert The Bruce Teaching Ideas (PDF)

Edward I laid siege to Stirling Castle in 1304. It had been captured in 1299 by a force under Robert Bruce. The English Army used siege engines and huge catapults to pound the castle for 3 months before the Scottish forces surrendered and begged the king to spare their lives. Edward made a settlement with Scottish nobles, which was judged fair and equitable. This receipt was for two siege engines staves that were delivered to Berwick in 1304.

Robert the Bruce's family had been the other claimant to the throne that was given to John Balliol and had sworn loyalty to Edward I. Robert fought alongside William Wallace but went back to Edward's side in 1302. Unfortunately for King Edward, Robert Bruce decided to pursue his claim for the Scottish throne in 1306, not much more than a year after the peace settlement was signed. This portrait is based on the actual skull of Robert the Bruce. You can see a model taken from the skull by clicking the image.

John Comyn had fought in the wars against Edward I and his family had been loyal to John Balliol. He led a rebel attack against the English at Roslin in 1303. He and Robert the Bruce met at Greyfriars Church in Dumfries, most likely to discuss a possible rebellion. The two were old enemies and an argument broke out. Robert the Bruce struck Comyn with his sword and Bruce's men finished him off. In one moment of rage, Bruce had alienated the nobles who supported Comyn and caused his own excommunication for murder on scared ground.

Bruce had to act quickly if he was to avoid revenge at the hands of Red Comyn's allies. He started his rebellion and gathered an army of men. He marched on to Scone where Isabel, Countess of Buchan, crowned him King. When Edward heard about this act of treason, he sent the Earl of Pembroke to Scotland to destroy the rebel army.

The Earl of Pembroke surprised Robert the Bruce and his army at Methven north of Perth. Bruce's forces were routed and he was forced to flee for his life. It is during this flight that the encounter with a spider was supposed to have taken place and Bruce was supposed to have found the determination to carry on. Edward took Bruce's wife and sisters prisoner and executed three of his brothers.

After a successful attack by Bruce on Turnberry Castle in 1307, Edward I came north to crush the rebellion. He died of old age a few miles short of the Scottish Border. His son decided to turn back to England, which meant Bruce was able to turn his attention to the supporters of Red Comyn. He took his army to the Highlands and captured a number of castles, including Inverlochy Castle shown in this photograph.

Robert the Bruce fell ill on the march to Inverurie, the home of the Comyn Family. His brother Edward had to hold off the forces of John Comyn, son of Red Comyn. Bruce recovered and he finally defeated Comyn's army near Old Meldrum. He then marched to the Pass of Brander beside Loch Awe in Argyll to tackle the last of his enemies, the Clan MacDougall. They prepared a trap for him as his army marched through the narrow pass but Robert Bruce was aware of the danger and sent a contingent of his forces to higher ground. He sprang his own surprise and defeated the Clan MacDougall. Bruce was now the undisputed King of Scots. This photograph shows the Pass of Brander at the North end of Loch Awe.

Having finally defeated his Scottish opponents, Robert the Bruce set about recapturing the castles still controlled by English forces. Rather than engage in long and costly sieges, Bruce used stealth to overcome his enemies. He captured Perth Castle, Roxburgh Castle and Edinburgh Castle by scaling the walls of each and opening the gates to his men. Meanwhile, his brother Edward laid siege to Stirling Castle, and put in motion the events that led to the Battle of Bannockburn.