Robert Bruce and the Scottish War of Independence

ROBERT BRUCE AND THE SCOTTISH WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

On March 18th 1286 Alexander III King of Scotland, died as a result of a fall from his horse, leaving no male heir. His death brought to an end 252 years (1034-1286) of rule in Scotland by his house. It also brought the beginning of a period of strife that would threaten Scotland’s very existence as an independent nation. In the midst of this strife rose numerous great Scottish heroes who would defy the English and fight for freedom. None were greater than Robert Bruce, later Robert I, King of Scotland. This paper will examine the events of the War of Independence and Robert Bruce’s reign as King of Scotland, and argue that Bruce gave the Scots a focus for their existing national resistance and at his death left Scotland in a secure position.

Upon Alexander III’s death, the great men of Scotland met at Scone and acknowledged Margaret, Alexander’s granddaughter and only direct descendant as inheritor to the ...