[MR] Scotland: Robert the Bruce Crowned in 1306

[Groff, Garth (ggg9y)]

Noble Friends, Especially Fellow Scots:

On this day in 1307, Robert de Bruce was crowned Robert I, King of the Scots at Scone. His coronation was a makeshift affair, presided over by Bishop William de Lamberton with Bishop of Glasgow Robert Wishart, with several earls (all Bruce supporters) in attendance. They didn't even have the Stone of Destiny (aka, The Stone of Scone), which had been carried away to England with the other honors of Scotland by Edward I. The ceremony was repeated the next day when Isabella MacDuff arrived late. The MacDuffs had the hereditary right to crown Kings of the Scots, and she acted for her under-aged brother.

Robert's coronation had been soaked in blood, especially the blood of his rival John Comyn, who was stabbed by Bruce during an parley in the Greyfriars Church in Dumfries six weeks before. Who drew their dagger first is a long debated question, but both men were hot tempered, and both had an equal claim to the throne. There was much more blood to be spilled, especially among the Comyns, before Robert de Bruce was secure on the throne. He went on to be one Scotland's most successful kings, and foremost military leaders.

And by the way, at this time there was no King of Scotland. The very English concept of the King as owner of the country and all within did not exist (yet) in Scotland. Robert I was King of the Scots, the people. This is echoed by the Declaration of Arbroath, which reserved the right of the earls and barons to choose another king if Robert proved unworthy.

You can read about Robert de Bruce at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Bruce .

If the weather weren't foul, I would have put up my saltire flag this morning.

Yours Aye,

Lord Mungo Napier, The Archer of Mallard Lodge
Read "The Tale of Mungo Napier":
http://people.virginia.edu/~ggg9y/napier1.html