Robert the Bruce by George Jameson
© Scottish National Portrait Gallery
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KING ROBERT I (THE BRUCE)
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Date of birth: |
11 July 1274.
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Place of birth: |
Said to have been Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland, but there are alternative claims. |
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Dynastic house: |
Robert was the first king of the House of Bruce.
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Parents: |
Lord Robert de Bruce and Countess Marjorie of Carrick. |
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Titles held: |
King of Scotland, Earl of Carrick, Lord of Annandale.
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Length of reign: |
Robert ruled Scotland for 23 years between March 1306 and June 1329. |
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Age on accession: |
Robert was 31 years old when he became king.
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Marriage and family: |
Robert married twice throughout his life. His first marriage was to Isabella of Mar and his second to Elizabeth de Burgh. He had a number of children and his son David, succeeded him on the Scottish throne. |
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General:
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There is a famous story surrounding Robert the Bruce and a spider in a cave. The story tells how Robert took refuge in the cave as the English army threatened to take a strangehold. As he sat there feeling low at the thought that the battle might be lost, he observed a spider building a web. The spider kept slipping and fell down time after time, but eventually he succeeded and built his web. Robert was inspired by this example and became determined that he too would not be put off by failure.
This is why the phrase 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" has its origin. The story is said to be purely a myth, but it has lived on for generations since and is known to schoolchildren across the country and around the world. |
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Death and burial: |
Robert died at Cardross Castle in Dumbarton in June 1329 at the age of 54. He was buried in Dunfermline Abbey. His heart is buried at Melrose Abbey, Scotland. | |
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