Robert the Bruce presented by Duncan Petrie

Duncan is a regular presenter at U3A Family History Group. Now he turns his skills to a famous person from his homeland of Scotland. 

 

We have all heard of the great hero Robert the Bruce. He was king, but also an outlaw. He was the Earl of Carrick and Lord of Annandale, a renowned guerilla warrior and leader of his country, but also a traitor for some. He was inspired by a spider in a cave and eventually overcame “proud Edward’s army” with brilliant tactics. However, the famous Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 was only a third into his reign and he then left a lasting eloquent legacy to Scotland and to the world.

Let us tell you more of what this singular king really did. For example, why he chose to take the crown of Scotland, how he married his English enemy’s god-daughter, and how he established the borders of an independent Scottish state and united the very diverse peoples within it. Not to mention how he started the “Auld Alliance” with France, how he ensured that his daughter founded the royal Stuart dynasty in Scotland and then England, and how he came to be known as Braveheart after a battle in Andalucia.