Robert the Bruce

By Fiona J. Watson

Subjects: Biography, TRAVEL, Kings and rulers, General, Robert i, king of scots, 1274-1329, Scotland, biography, Scotland, history, Scotland, kings and rulers, History

Description: From disastrous beginnings after he took the throne of Scotland, having murdered a powerful rival, Robert I became a military leader of consummate genius. Throwing away the rulebook of medieval warfare, which favoured the mounted knight, he remodelled the Scottish army as a disciplined, audacious band of brothers capable of surprising castles, raiding and extracting blackmail as far south as Yorkshire and even defeating a mighty English army in pitched battle. Ruthless, charismatic, indomitable and lucky, the 'Bruce' is a towering example of an underdog capable of turning disadvantage into adv.