Robert the Bruce

Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scots at Scone Abbey by Isabella MacDuff, Countess of Buchan. The coronation occurred after Bruce murdered John Comyn, his rival, in Greyfriars Church, Dumfries, sparking a new phase of the Wars of Independence.

Robert the Bruce's Scottish army decisively defeated Edward II's English forces at Bannockburn near Stirling. The victory secured Scottish independence and established Bruce as the undisputed king, though the war continued for years.

Robert the Bruce's nobles sent the Declaration of Arbroath to Pope John XXII, asserting Scotland's independence and Bruce's right to rule. The document argued that Scotland was a sovereign kingdom and that the nobles would depose Bruce if he submitted to England.

Robert the Bruce led a large-scale raid into northern England, reaching as far as Yorkshire. The raid devastated English territories and forced Edward II to pay a ransom for peace, demonstrating Scottish military strength.

Robert the Bruce signed the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton with Edward III of England, recognizing Scotland as an independent kingdom. The treaty ended the First War of Scottish Independence and included the marriage of Bruce's son David to Edward III's sister Joan.