Robert Bruce: The Greatest Hero of Scotland - Literature review Example

Robert Bruce: The Greatest Hero of Scotland Introduction Robert Bruce was undoubtedly the greatest hero of Scotland. It is, indeed, unfortunate that not many analysts realize this as reflects in the fact that Braveheart, the Hollywood movie attributed the heroics entirely to William Wallace rather than Robert Bruce, thus building the impression of Robert Bruce as an opportunist who only knows how to serve his self. The reality is that Scotland was in need of the cunningness and patience of Robert Bruce rather than the William Wallace’s impetuousness, particularly during the encounters with enemies like the English under the command of Edward I and then Edward II. Robert Bruce approached the matter strategically and bided his time, so he established himself as the King of Scotland first, so that he would be ready by the time of Bannockburn. Two years before Robert Bruce was born in 1274, Edward Plantagenet had been made England’s King Edward I. Edward Plantagenet was titled as “The Hammer of the Scots” because of his ruthlessness, which helped bring forth Robert Bruce’s greatness. Robert Bruce got an astonishing victory in the year 1314 at Bannockburn while fighting with Edward II who had much better-equipped and larger forces. This victory earned Scotland independence from the control of the English. As his power dawned upon the people, the parliament declared him the King. A brief history The struggle to achieve control over Scotland commenced with the death of Alexander III in the year 1286. Alexander III left Margaret, his grandchild as the heir who was the King of Norway’s infant daughter. The English King Edward wanted to force his northern neighbors into full subjugation, thus coming up with the idea of getting Margaret married to his son as a desire perfected at a treaty that was sealed at Birgham. According to the terms of the treaty, Scotland was supposed to be considered as an independent and separate kingdom without any control of England over it, though it was Edward’s desire to maintain the garrisons of England in numerous castles of Scotland. The young Norwegian princess passed away on her way to Scotland, thus exposing the succession to a number of claimants, the most prominent of whom were Robert Bruce and John Balliol. “King Edward, while reserving his own rights as one of the competitors, promised the rest that within two months of awarding the Crown he would restore kingdom and castles to the rightful king, and that in future on the death of a king he would demand nothing but homage and the rights incidental to it” (Barrow, 2005, p. 44). Robert Bruce never gave up What really makes Robert Bruce the greatest hero of Scotland is that fact that he never lost hope or gave up despite all the challenges and difficulties that came his way (Bartell and William, 2006, p. 103). It was on 27 March 1306, when Robert Bruce declared himself to be the Scots’ King. As could be predicted, Edward sent a huge army toward north for the Battle of Methven and happened to defeat Robert Bruce. Edward executed many supporters of Robert Bruce and made him a hunted outlaw from the Scottish king. The indefatigable king of Scotland had bided his time. For a whole year, he was demoralized while the terror of the English spread far and wide in Scotland. In this period, two brothers of Robert Bruce were assassinated. Robert Bruce finally resolved to show up. “When, looking up with wistful eye, The Bruce beheld a spider try His filmy thread to fling From beam to beam of that rude cot-- And well the insects toilsome lot Taught Scotlands future king.” (Barton cited in Poetry-Archive.com, 2003). With the support of Sir James Douglas, Robert Bruce’s chief lieutenant, he gained his first victory in 1307 on Palm Sunday. The call was answered by the clans from all over Scotland and the forces of Robert Bruce accumulated to fight the invaders from England. They had many victories over the cavalry with spearmen. “[Robert Bruce] was exceptionally persistent and had that sense of perspective that great leaders possess” (Magill, 2012, p. 184). Robert Bruce had minimal help By the time, Edward made the decision to reach Scotland to punish the impudence of the Scots at a large army’s head. But he was then too aged and weak to lead the military force effectively. It was the time for Edward II, the son of Edward I to execute the plan of his dying father. However, Edward II lacked the resourcefulness and ruthlessness that were the qualities of his father. In addition to that, he was caught in domestic issues. At an early age, Edward II did not have the desire to become involved in the affairs of Scotland. As a result of this, Robert Bruce did not have anybody to help him consolidate the gains and take his enemies to task. Robert Bruce achieved control over most of Scotland because of numerous successful campaigns that were run against the Comyns as well as their allies. The French King recognized Robert Bruce as the sole ruler in the year 1309. In spite of his previous excommunication, he also got the help of the Church of Scotland. With these resources at hand, Robert Bruce exiled the English garrisons in the year 1311 in all of their Scottish strongholds but one i.e. Stirling. Robert Bruce also invaded the northern England. Robert Bruce’s victory in Bannockburn One of the deadliest battles in the history of Great Britain happened on 24 June 1314 when Robert Bruce’s armies were considerably smaller in volume as compared to their English rivals. Robert Bruce’s army did not have the experience that the troops of Edward had. In addition to that, Edward had many armoured longbowmen and knights which happened to be “the two most effective forces in medieval warfare” (Simkin, n.d.). Bruce had very less longbowmen and knights as compared to Edward and had to primarily depend upon the spearmen. In spite of all these challenges, Robert Bruce used such strategies and tactics while fighting that deterred the English army from putting its strength to fill use. As a result of this, Robert Bruce had won in the Bannockburn. This resulted in an extraction of Scotland from the control of the English. The armies of Scotland had now the freedom to invade as well as cause harassment in the northern England. The military successes of Robert Bruce enabled him to invade Ireland in which the exuberant Irish had crowned Edward, his brother, the king. Edward II carried out another expedition toward the border’s north but was made to retreat and seek peace. By the end of the year 1314, Robert Bruce had become substantially distant from 1306’s King Hobbe. Robert Bruce had immensely grown in his security and stature and “allowed him to demand fealty of all Scots on pain of forfeiture of their lands in his realm” (Brown, 2004). His outstanding military success was followed by equally powerful and impressive diplomatic overtures. The appeal made by the nobility of Scotland caused the new Pope at Rome to lift the excommunication of Robert Bruce. It was in May 1328 when the helpless and weary English king signed a peace treaty at Northampton, recognizing Scotland as a kingdom that was independent and had Robert Bruce as its king. Robert Bruce’s career culminated with the Declaration of Independence that was passed at Arbroath. One year later, Robert Bruce passed away with all his dreams come true, leaving behind a history and memories of a truly national hero of Scotland forever. Robert Bruce was the hero for Barbour Although it is not difficult to strip away the legend about an important person in the history, yet clearing the legend away does little to actually reveal the person. While the incidents and important events discussed before reflect the bravery and greatness of Robert Bruce, it is important to through light upon the true personality of Robert Bruce for him to qualify as legendary. This is, to a certain extent, linked with the amount of credence given to Barbour because “though only a boy when Bruce died, [Barbour] was a most careful and exact recorder, especially of names, personalities, incidents and points of detail. We shall not be on unsafe ground if we accept Barbour’s portrait of the king, even though we must correct it by more reliable evidence wherever that is necessary and possible” (Barrow, 2005, p. 406). Barbour himself is not a legend, but he thought of Bruce as a hero of the artwork. Barbour used to emphasize upon Robert Bruce’s chivalrous qualities consciously or unconsciously. Barbour has also asserted that the age in which Robert Bruce lived had chivalrous qualities. Barbour portrays Robert Bruce as a man who is kingly and humane at the same time, who is generous but is very firm in his purposes. Barbour’s portrayal of Robert Bruce as a prudent and great king is like a confirmation and establishment of the fact that Robert Bruce deserves to be considered as the greatest king of Scotland. In addition to Barbour, numerous analysts to date have praised the leadership qualities of Robert Bruce, an example of which is here: “A student who carefully reads the biographies of great men finds that they do get some suggestions from unknown sources when they are desperately situated or when treachery follows them to do its nasty work. During such critical moments,…Robert Bruce…and other great leaders escaped danger by suddenly changing their arrangements and acting under, what may be called inspired suggestions from unseen sources” (Row, 1905, p. 289). This clearly speaks of the strategic planning, prudence, precision of judgment, and focus with which Robert Bruce advanced and thus became successful. Conclusion Robert Bruce fully deserves to be remembered as the great Scottish king. Since very early age, he started fighting against the English kings’ tyranny. Scotland gained freedom in the battle of Bannockburn. Until then, there were many rivals for Scotland’s throne. The battle of Bannockburn made his people realize the power Robert Bruce had to the extent that he was unanimously announced the King by the parliament of the land. In spite of the numerous losses to the King of England, Robert Bruce did not lose hope until he finally succeeded and earned Scotland the independence and the unique identity that it enjoys to date. He was a man of courage, patience, will, and determination which is why, he deserves to be remembered as the great Scottish king. References: Barrow, GWS 2005, Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland, 4th ed., Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Bartell, J, and William, R 2006, Gohar English Teachers Notes 5, Gohar Publishers. Brown, M 2004, The Wars of Scotland: 1214-1371, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Magill, FN 2012, The Middle Ages: Dictionary of World Biography, Volume 2, Routledge. Poetry-Archive.com 2003, Bruce And The Spider, [Online] Available at http://www.poetry-archive.com/b/bruce_and_the_spider.html [accessed: 4 June 2013]. Row, BS 1905, A History of Vijayanagar: The Never to be Forgotten Empire, Part 1, India: Asian Educational Services. Simkin, J n.d., Robert the Bruce, [Online] Available at http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/NORbruce.htm [accessed: 4 June 2013]. Read More