Robert the Bruce (1274-1329) was the famous unifier of Scotland and defeater of the English at Bannockburn - the legendary hero responsible for Scottish independence. Michael Penman retells the story of Robert's rise - his part in William Wallace's revolt against Edward I, his seizing of the Scottish throne after murdering his great rival John Comyn, his excommunication, and devastating battles against an enemy Scottish coalition - climaxing in his victory over Edward II's forces in June 1314. He then draws attention to the second part of the king's life after the victory that made his name.

A new and revealing portrait of the king behind the legend during the turmoil of the First Scottish Wars of Independence, based on primary sources.

Cornell sets the iconic battle in political and military context and focuses new attention on the roles of Robert and Edward in the events leading to the build-up of their armies. He reassesses both the crucial melee fought on the second day and the casualties suffered by the English.

From author Jack Whyte comes the true story of Robert the Bruce: a passionate man. An incredible warrior. And one of Scotland's finest. Robert I, or as he is known to a grateful Scottish nation, Robert the Bruce, was one of Scotland's greatest kings, as well as one of the most famous warriors of his generation. He spearheaded the valiant Scots in their quest for freedom, leading his people during the Wars of Scottish Independence against the Kingdom of England during the middle ages. His reign saw the recognition of Scotland as an independent nation, and today Bruce is remembered in Scotland as a national hero. It was by no means a fair and easy road for this indomitable fighter. As a young man he saw the English king Edward I award the vacant Crown of Scotland to John Balliol. The nation quickly splintered into factions and this spurred Robert and his father to at first side with Edward and then against John, whom many of the nobles did not feel was the correct person to guide the nation. Thus began a decades-long path for Scottish freedom. To achieve this goal, Robert sometimes had to delicately balance the power of the nobles against the might of the English. He was a tireless campaigner and after a full life of battle and diplomacy, in May 1328, King Edward III signed the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton, which recognized Scotland as an independent kingdom and Bruce as its king. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

An Edinburgh Classic edition to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314

This volume aims to critically examine the bad reputation gained by the Comyns in post-Bruce Scotland. The name Comyn has long been associated in Scottish tradition with treachery: the family were involved in the infamous kidnapping of the young Alexaner III in 1257, were accused of treachery against William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, and of betraying Robert Bruce to Edward I of England 1306. This reappraisal of the Comyns' role concludes that the period 1212 to 1314 should be regarded as the Comyn century in Scottish history.

The legend of how the famous, freedom-fighting Scottish king was inspired to victory by a tiny spider.