ROBERT THE BRUCE
* Son of Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick and Annandale, and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick.
* Born in 1274, was 31 when he became King, he died in 1329 in Cardross.
* Married Isabella of Mar and then Elizabeth De Burgh. They're son was King David II.
* King Edward I of England regarded him as a traitor.
* Edwards commander in Scotland, the Earl of Pembroke defeated him in 1306 at Methven near Perth and he hid amongst the hills and forests. At this time, when all seemed hopeless, he saw a spider constantly making its web in a cave in which he was hiding. This was the moment at which he vowed to keep trying to free Scotland from the English.
* Three of his brothers were executed by Edward.
* With the help of Edward Bruce, Thomas Randall and Sir James Douglas he gradually and courageously recaptured Scottish castles and lands from the English.
* Edward II advanced on Bruce's army with 20,000 soldiers.
* At Bannockburn, near Stirling, on the 24th of June, 1314, Bruce's army defeated the English who then fled south of the border.
* When he died in 1329 his body was buried at Dunfermline. His heart was removed and taken on the Crusades by Sir James Douglas,who,just before he was killed in Moorish Spain had hurled it at the enemy.
* The heart was recovered and taken back to Melrose Abbey where the new King, David II (Bruce,s son) had asked for it to be buried.
