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Robert The Bruce

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Robert the Bruce was born Robert VIII de Bruce on July 11, 1274. He had ties to the Scottish royal family by marriage through his grandfather Robert de Bruce VI, who claimed the throne when it was left vacant in 1290. Feudal Superiority was claimed by Edward I and John de Balliol was awarded the crown instead. In 1292 Robert VII resigned his title of Earl of Carrick in favour of his son Robert VIII. 

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By 1295 the scottish rebellions had started and were being led by William Wallace. The Bruce was originally one of the leading supporters of Wallace before regaining Edward I's confidence. With the death of Wallace in 1305 however The Scottish War for Independence took a dramatic turn.

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February 10, 1306 saw John "the Red" Comyn murdered at Dumfries by Bruce in a decisive maneuver to be crowned King of Scotland. Robert the Bruce was crowned on March 25th at Scone before several lost battles made him an outlaw and fugitive. He returned in 1307 and over several years gained supporters in his cause to free Scotland. By 1314 Robert the Bruce had recaptured Perth, Galloway, and Edinburgh among others. His defeat of Edward II on June 24, 1314 at Bannockburn marked the triumph of Robert I.

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The treaty of Northampton with Edward III in 1328 recognised Robert I as King of Scotland and renounced English claims to the country. Robert the Bruce spent his years after Bannockburn reviving his kingdom. He worked with his parliament to restart the the processes of royal government, fixing the administrative and legal issues and reviving the exchequer audits. 

Robert the Bruce died at Cardross, Dumbartonshire on June 7, 1329 and was buried at Dunfermline Abbey. 

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If you would like to know more about this Scottish Hero and the events and people surrounding his life please check out the links below.

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https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-the-Bruce

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Bruce

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wallace

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Comyn_III_of_Badenoch

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https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-Stone-of-Destiny/

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