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.

Legends

According to legend, after his defeat at the hands of the Comyns and the subsequent incarceration of his family, Bruce hid himself in a cave on a deserted island, watching a spider trying to spin a web. Each time the spider failed, it simply started all over again. Inspired by this, Bruce returned to inflict a series of defeats on the English, thus winning him more supporters and eventual victory. The story serves to explain the maxim: "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again." Other versions have Bruce defeated for the seventh time by the English, then let him watch the spider spin seven webs, fail, then spin an eighth and succeed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, this legend only appears for the first time in a much later account, "Tales of a Grandfather" by Sir Walter Scott, and may have originally been told about his companion-in-arms the James Douglas (the Black).

Related Topics:
Sir Walter Scott - James Douglas (the Black)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to another legend, when the Black Douglas was surrounded by the Moors he threw Bruce's heart ahead of him, telling it to lead on as it had done before.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~