On The Trail Of Robert The Bruce

Here is the astonishing blow-by-blow account of how, against fearful odds, freedom-fighter Bruce led the Scots to win their greatest victory ever in the War of Independence. The trail takes us to Bruce sites in Scotland and beyond, over 70 in all, with fully detailed maps. Elaborate illustrations help set the scene on the Bruce's story, which is one part blood and gore, two parts love and laughter. Ross proves himself a master of writing hands-on history with attitude.

Renowned motorcycle historian David Ross retraces the life of Sir James the Good, or the Black Douglas as he was known to his English enemies, from his campaign of terror in the northern shires of England to his death on an Andalusian battlefield. Following Sir James travels across Britain and Spain, Ross uncovers the true story of Scotlands fiercest forgotten hero

Craving an escape from everyday life, Gregor Ewing writes a personal account of his 1,000 mile walk over nine weeks with collie Meg that takes them through Northern Ireland and the central belt of Scotland, literally following in Robert the Bruce's footsteps. From Kintyre, Arran and Ardrossan north to Ayr through Glasgow to Fort William and Elgin, south to Inverurie, Aberdeen and Dundee, over the Forth to Edinburgh and Berwick upon Tweed then east through Roxburghshire to Bannockburn, Gregor frames his expedition with historical background that follows Robert the Bruce's journey to start a campaign which led to his famous victory seven years later.

The Scotland of the past and the Scotland of the future. That is the essence of A Passion for Scotland, and its author David Ross takes the reader on a passionate journey through the story of this country, which stirs the primal fires from the opening lines. It is a personal, patriotic yet unbiased view of the path the Scots have taken, and of the path they are trying to forge into the 21st century, and is fascinating and moving by turns. It provides a wealth of material on Scotland, from history through to politics through to travel. But it is also an impassioned call to his fellow countrymen. Inside this book you will find out about Wallace and Bruce, Montrose, the Jacobites, John McLean, and Tartan Day USA. You will find out ?what makes a Scot?. Plus, revealed for the first time, details of the final resting places of all Scotland?s kings and queens.

Robert the Bruce is a detailed account of the life and times of the Scottish hero and monarch. It covers his life from childhood to death, looking at the political, social and military life of Scotland before, during and after the time of Robert the Bruce. The book looks at the relationship between The Bruce and people like Edward I and Edward II of England, William Wallace and the other contenders for the Scottish crown. The main thrust of the book is a chronological account of how The Bruce clawed his way to power, his struggles and battles and his eventual victory which gave Scotland independence and freedom from an acquisitive and warlike neighbour. It looks in detail at the murder of John Comyn, of which The Bruce stood accused, and the political ramifications of the killing. Robert the Bruce was no saint. He was a ruthless, cunning warrior, a man of his times, dedicated to what he saw as his mission in life. Flawed he may have been but he was also a great King, a worthy warrior and a man who deserves to emerge from the shadow of William Wallace - a position to which he has been relegated ever since the film Braveheart.

A biography of a great Scottish hero, who brought independence to Scotland which argues that the historic figure is not the same as the undoubtedly genuine hero of popular mythology.

Robert the Bruce was Scotland's greatest King ever. The Bruce, as he was known, was crowned King of Scots in 1306, a time when the ancient kingdom of Scotland was under harsh and illegal English occupation. As soon as King Robert began his reign, his army was treacherously attacked at Methven, resulting in a calamitous defeat for the Scots which forced the Bruce into hiding. Yet, steadily between 1307 and 1313 King Robert won battle after battle, shunning pitched medieval clashes, and fighting as a guerilla force, a form of warfare which he, perhaps, invented. The war peaked in 1314 when the Bruce faced a formidable English invasion. With brilliant tactics and resolute bravery the vastly outnumbered Scots defeated and routed the knights, archers, and foot soldiers of mighty England at the Battle of Bannockburn. And that's only the first part of this epic tale of the Bruce's long and event-filled life. The Great Scot is a novel filled with valor, treachery, passionate love, journeys great and small, and people of every rank and situation-all from the pages of Scottish history.

Waged on 14 October 1322, the battle of Byland (an area north-east of Thirsk) was fought between the two monarchs, Edward II and Robert the Bruce, and their forces. The Scots' motive for the engagement was to force the English into accepting the independence that Bannockburn hadn't actually achieved, the aim being to capture the King and force his hand. The plan nearly worked, and Edward II had to make a humiliating escape, losing his baggage train (again), putting his queen, Isabella, dangerously close to capture, and allowing the the Scots to pursue him to the gates of York. This new history of one of Robert the Bruce's most significant victories shows how close the Scots came to capturing the King.