[MR] Dark Deeds in Scotland (What Else?)

[Groff, Garth (ggg9y)]

Noble Friends, Especially Fellow Scots,

Yesterday, 10 February, was the anniversary of a grim but extremely important moment in Scottish (and English history). It was the day in 1306 that John Comyn ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Comyn ) was murdered, and Robert the Bruce ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Bruce ) began his quest for the crown of Scotland.

Relations between the Bruce and Comyn had been bad for some time, and neither man had a sterling record. Both were rival claimants for the Scottish crown, and both had equally good (or tenuous) claims. Unfortunately for John Comyn, he had been tainted with the cowardly (perhaps treasonous) flight of the Scottish cavalry under his command at the Battle of Falkirk ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Falkirk_(1298) ). Bruce had played footsie with the English for some time, having lands in English-controlled France that he was protecting. He had been present at Falkirk on the English side, though he supposedly took no part in the battle. Bruce was playing on both sides of the Scottish/English divide, and his dealings with the Scots may have been exposed to Edward I by John Comyn. What a pair!

So the two men agreed to meet in the Greyfriars Church in Dumfries to settle their differences. Nobody knows what exactly happened, but daggers were drawn, or a dagger was drawn which ended up in John Comyn's body. According to most accounts, Bruce emerged from the church and said to his followers, "I have just killed John Comyn." They rushed inside and found Comyn still alive though seriously wounded. Bruce's followers apparently finished the job, and also eliminated at least one Comyn follower who was protecting his lord.

Sheesh! No wonder the English call us Scots "dagger happy". Maybe the Bard was right!

In any case, Robert the Bruce had thrown the dice, and had to finish the game. He had himself crowned King of Scotland at Scone on 25 March 1306. This was just the beginning of his long slog to free Scotland from English domination and Edward I's grip. That took several years of hard fighting, against the English, their Scottish supporters, and other rivals for the throne (including the remaining Comyns). This culminated with the Battle of Bannockburn 23-24 June 1314, when The Bruce's Scottish army trounced a much larger force, personally (and very ineffectively) led by the next English king Edward II ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bannockburn ).

Robert the Bruce is generally thought of as Scotland's greatest king, and he certainly was a successful and popular ruler once he was firmly on the throne. Like most kings of his time, he had a ruthless streak, and there certainly was a considerable amount of blood on his hands. In any case, Robert the Bruce successfully restored Scottish independence.

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, That Crazy Scot