Robert I of Scotland

Robert I, (Robert de Brus in Norman French and Roibert a Briuis in medieval Gaelic), usually known in modern English today as Robert the Bruce (July 11, 1274–June 7, 1329), was King of Scotland (1306–1329). He was one of Scotland's greatest kings, and one of the most famous warriors of his generation, leading Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence against England. He claimed the Scottish throne as a great-great-great-great grandson of David I of Scotland.

Background and early life

Robert Bruce was born the first child and eldest son of Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale, and of Marjorie of Carrick, 3rd Countess of Carrick, daughter of Neil, 2nd Earl of Carrick. His mother was by all accounts a formidable woman who, legend would have it, kept Robert Bruce's father captive until he agreed to marriage. From his mother he inherited the Gaelic Earldom of Carrick, and from his father a royal lineage that would give him a claim to the Scottish throne. Although his date of birth is definitely known, his place of birth is less certain: it was probably Turnberry Castle in Ayrshire, but Lochmaben in Dumfriesshire has been claimed.

Related Topics:
Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale - Marjorie of Carrick, 3rd Countess of Carrick - Earl of Carrick - Carrick - Ayrshire - Dumfriesshire

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Precious little is known of his youth. He was probably sent to be fostered with a local family, as was the custom. We can presume that Bruce was raised speaking all the languages of his lineage and nation and was almost certainly fluent in Gaelic and Norman French, with Latin and possibly English. His youth is said by an English chronicler to have been mostly passed at the court of Edward I. He saw the outcome of the 'Great Cause' in 1292, which gave the Crown of Scotland to his families' great rival, John Balliol, as unjust. As he saw it, it prevented his family from taking their rightful place on the Scottish throne.

Related Topics:
Gaelic - Norman French - Latin - English - Edward I - 1292 - John Balliol

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Soon afterwards, his grandfather, Robert Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale - the unsuccessful claimant - resigned his lordship to Robert de Brus, Bruce's father. Robert de Brus had already resigned the earldom of Carrick to Robert Bruce, his son, on the day of his wife's death in 1292 thus making Robert Bruce the Earl of Carrick. Both father and son sided with Edward I against Balliol. In April 1294, the younger Bruce had permission to visit Ireland for a year and a half and, as a further mark of Edward's favour, he received a respite for all the debts owed by him to the English Exchequer.

Related Topics:
The unsuccessful claimant - 1294 - Ireland

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In 1295, Robert married his first wife, Isabella of Mar, the daughter of Donald, 6th Earl of Mar. Isabella died a year later bearing their only child, Marjorie Bruce, who married Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland and bore him the future Robert II of Scotland.

Related Topics:
1295 - Isabella of Mar - Marjorie Bruce - Robert II of Scotland

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