Robert The Bruce

"A noble hart may hae nae ease, gif freedom failye"

This statue depicting King Robert the First of Scotland - The Bruce, stands on it's mahogany base at 55cm.It is hand cast in resin-bronze and patinated with black wax and graphite. One of a certified edition of 250 it retails at £189

Robert the Bruce was probably born in Ayrshire on 11 July 1274. However, there are alternative claims for His birthplace, notably Lochmaben Castle in Annandale, Dumfriesshire - the seat of the Bruce family.

Robert the Bruce lent support to William Wallace and became a Guardian of Scotland (with John Comyn) but when Edward offered a truce in 1302, Robert accepted and joined Edward's "Scottish Council". But in 1306 he killed John Comyn after a quarrel, declared himself King of Scotland and was crowned at Scone in March 1306. He then began a guerilla war against the English King.

Initially unsuccessful he gradually captured a number of castles - chivalrously allowing the defenders to return to England. During this time, the "Declaration of Arbroath" was sent to the Pope in Rome, pleading the case for a free Scotland.

After heavily defeating the English army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and defeating Edward II's invasion in 1322, Edward III of England eventually agreed to the Treaty of Edinburgh which recognised Scotland's independence.

King Robert was gravely ill by this time and died at Cardross on 7 July 1329. His body was buried in Dunfermline Abbey. At his request, his heart was taken on a Crusade by James Douglas. Recently a new stone was placed over the spot where his heart is interred. On it reads "A noble hart may hae nae ease, gif freedom failye" - "A noble heart may have no ease if freedom fail".