2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Describe events during Scotland’s civil
war
• Explain how Bruce was able to win the
civil war
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
3. In 1306, Robert the Bruce crowned himself as King of
Scotland. He faced opposition from Scottish and
English forces, leading to a Scottish civil war.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
4. Bruce wanted Scotland’s
independence. He began
his reign as king by
attacking King Edward’s
troops in different parts of
Scotland.
He won control of Cupar
Castle in Fife and forced
supporters of Comyn to
pay homage to him.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
Cupar
5. King Edward, who was very
angry with Bruce’s actions,
appointed Aymer de
Valance as his Special
Lieutenant in Scotland.
Valance was the brother-
in-law of John Comyn and
so desperate to take
military action against
Bruce.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
6. Valance fought back
against Bruce’s rebellion.
In June 1306 Valance’s men
attacked as Bruce’s army
prepared camp in
Methven, near Perth.
Most of Bruce’s men were
killed, and the king himself
was almost captured.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
7. Bruce and the few
survivors escaped and
travelled west. However
they were attacked near
Dalrigh by men led by John
MacDougal of Argyll.
MacDougal was related to
John Comyn. The attack in
August 1306 killed many of
Bruce’s remaining men.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
8. Bruce was now without an
army. He sent members of
his family to Kildrummy
Castle for their protection,
but they were betrayed
and captured by Valance’s
forces.
Edward now planned to
take firm action against
other Bruce supporters.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
9. Male supporters of Bruce,
including his brother Neil,
were executed in the same
way as William Wallace.
Bruce’s wife and daughters
were imprisoned, including
in nunneries. The Countess
of Buchan was locked in a
hanging cage at Roxburgh
Castle.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
10. Bruce’s whereabouts in
late-1306 and early 1307
are unknown. Many
believe he went to Ireland,
or an island off the coast of
Scotland.
Bruce was also given a
nickname by the English:
King Hob (meaning King
Nobody).
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
11. Bruce’s disappearance has
led to a famous legend.
Whilst hiding, Bruce is said
to have watched a spider
trying to build its web,
even though it kept failing.
He was said to be inspired
by the spider’s actions to
return home and fight.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
12. Bruce captured Turnberry
Castle (his birthplace) in
February 1307 and used
the farmers for an army.
However that same month
two of his brothers
(Thomas and Alexander)
were captured by the
English and eventually
executed.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
13. Bruce planned a guerrilla
campaign against the
English.
Bruce defeated an English
army patrol at Glen Trool
in April 1307.
The following month, in
May 1307, Bruce would
again face Valance.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
14. The two sides met at
Loudoun Hill in Ayrshire in
May 1307.
Valance had a stronger
army but Bruce’s choice of
battlefield – limiting the
size of area Valance could
fight in – gave Bruce
victory. More Scots then
joined his army.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
15. Bruce then gained another
huge boost to his
campaign.
King Edward was leading
another army north to
Scotland, however he died
in the north of England in
July 1307. His son, Edward
II, became the new King of
England.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
16. Bruce then captured
various Comyn-supporting
castles in early 1308:
• Inverlochy
• Urqhuart
• Inverness
• Nairn
Bruce’s success persuaded
others Scots to join him.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
17. Bruce then became ill, with
many of his men believing
that he might die.
Bruce’s men had failed to
take control of Elgin Castle.
They came under attack
from the Earl of Buchan,
although were not
captured or killed.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
18. In May 1308, a final battle
between Buchan and Bruce
took place at Inverurie.
Bruce left his sick bed to
lead his men to victory.
Bruce’s men then
destroyed homes, food and
livestock and also killed
Comyn supporters in the
Buchan area.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
19. Bruce then sought to win
control of the Western
Isles, and take revenge for
his defeat at Dalrigh.
In August 1308, Bruce’s
men challenged and
defeated the McDougals at
the Pass of Brander in
Argyll, winning control of
Dunstaffnage Castle.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
20. Bruce now had control of
Scotland.
He had defeated his
enemies, and forced them
to join his side, or had
them killed.
His next target was to
remove any further English
influence from Scotland.
Bruce and the Scottish Civil War
