James Baquet

I have written before of William Wallace’s victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, and told how, after the death of King Alexander III of Scotland, Wallace led his men against the English — for which, in the end, he was captured in 1305 and gruesomely executed, his remains suffering numerous indignities post mortem.

In 1297, after Stirling Bridge, Wallace was appointed a Guardian of Scotland, an “acting king” who protected the realm in the absence of an effective king. But the following year, after losing the Battle of Falkirk, he resigned in favor of Robert the Bruce and a baron named John Comyn. But Bruce and Comyn fought bitterly, and a third Guardian, Bishop William Lamberton, was appointed in 1299 as a neutral buffer between the two. Nevertheless, Bruce resigned in 1300.

In 1304, Bruce and all the Scots leaders (except William Wallace) surrendered to the English King Edward I. But in a surprise twist, Bruce, who had a valid claim to the Scottish throne, began to make this a reality. King Edward moved to arrest him while Bruce was at the English court. But warned by an English ally, who sent him some money and a pair of spurs (indicating that he should ride away on horseback), Bruce escaped back to Scotland during the night.

In 1306, the interregnum ended when — after murdering his archrival John Comyn — Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scotland. But it was not to be smooth sailing. Edward of England naturally opposed the coronation, and Bruce lost to English forces at the Battle of Methven. Spending the following winter in exile — history does not record exactly where — he returned along with his brothers in 1307 to fight a guerrilla war against the English. In 1314 the Scots won the landmark Battle of Bannockburn against Edward II, who had succeeded his father in 1307.

After years of military and diplomatic success, Robert the Bruce died in 1329, aged 54. According to his wishes, his followers attempted to take his heart to be buried in the Holy Land, but were turned back. What is believed to be a casket holding his heart is buried in Melrose Abbey in Roxburghshire, Scotland.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. something that comes between two other things

2. acts causing shame or disgrace

3. period between kings

4. small chest or box

5. chief enemy

6. kingdom

7. horribly, disgustingly

8. devices worn on the boot heels to make a horse go faster

9. came after, followed in order

10. after death