Something I have been wanting to do for a long time is post about some historical figures in this forum. Time has not allowed but I will eventually get all who I personally enjoy reading about and share with you as well. Hope you enjoy.
That was interesting to read about. Thanks for the link. I never realized that Robert the bruce helped England invade Scotland. Guess that's what I get for learning my scottish history from watching Mel Gibsons Braveheart.
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"May those who love us, love us. And those who hate us, may God turn their hearts. And if he doesn't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping." -Celtic Proverbs
Grateful am I to have a sword in which to defend myself at all times, blessed am I for the days I need not use it.
Near the end of the movie "Bravehart" is when Robert the Bruce betrays him but then he turns and helps him to escape, I have always wondered if the Bruce actually helped him escape. So I guess I had better read this story. Hopefully it will change my mind a little on Robert, I know he was no were near as bad as his father.
In May 1297, Wallace attacked the town of Lanark, killing the English sheriff and unrest quickly became full-blown rebellion. Men flocked to join Wallace and he began to drive the English out of Fife and Perthshire. In September 1297, Wallace defeated a much larger English force at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. This and subsequent military successes severely weakened the English hold on Scotland. Wallace then launched raids into England. In late 1297 or early 1298 he was knighted and appointed 'guardian of the kingdom' in the name of John Balliol, the deposed king of Scotland.
So the movie got a little more than his death correct, but the poetic lic. hollywood uses can really alter historic facts, but I have read that the Bruce sided with Edward I because of John Comyn and John Balliol(John Balliol was appointed by Edward I but denounced the English rule in Scotland). During all of this is when Robert rode with Edward I at Falkirk, but what I can not find is if Robert helped W.W. escape after the battle at Falkirk.
The Bruce up until 1304 when he finally came over to the Scottish Cause for good changed sides between England and Scotland more times than he changed his underwear. This was a common practice amongst the Scottish Gentry as they usually held lands and titles on both sides of the border and many had sworn fealty to Edward for those lands and titles.
There is little credible evidence to show that The Bruce was even at Falkirk in fact shortly after the Battle the English drove The Bruce off his English estate and burned it. Wallace was betrayed by one of his own compatriots a Scots knight named Sir John Menteith. This took place at a tavern outside of Glasgow and it is rumoured that the traitor turned a bannock (flat oat cake) over as a signal that Wallace was present.
In the movie the fact that the Battle of Stirling was fought on a bridge was ignored, at Falkirk the Irish did not change sides nor was Wallace wounded by an arrow. He escaped the Battle with about 300 of his followers at sunset and crossed the River Carron where he personally slew the last English Noble to die at the battle, a Sir Brian le Jay who pursued to closely, was unhorsed and killed by Wallace. Immediately upon crossing the river Wallaces' horse fell dead from the multiple wounds it had received.
I just found this on the Bruce Trust website: Question to Robert the Bruce
You are often accused of betraying William Wallace - how do you answer this accusation ?
I was always a good and true friend to William - I respected his brave heart, his loyalty and his commitment. In truth - I always believed he followed the wrong man and cause but that was William's way and although I was unable to support him as well as history may think I should have - I would have done him no ill deed and in truth made every effort to protect him from his enemies. I would not have wished the horrific fate that befell him... on any man - least of all that brave soul and his death played its part in hardening my heart and resolve to bring Scotland out from under the influence of that cruel and vengeful heart... Edward I.
If memory serves me right it was originally a Ballad not a poem and as to the author, I sorry I don't know. A piece of trivia, you can see the Isle of Arran from the town I was born in, Troon, and the mountains form the profile of The Bruce in full armour laying down on his back resting.
Camac.
PS. I wouldn't take to heart everything that the BBC says about Scottish History. They are after all English (Sassenach)
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