What did Robert the Bruce Do?

Robert I, the Bruce (1274-1329), was the King of Scotland who defeated the larger and more powerful English forces under King Edward II at Bannockburn in 1314. His victory ensured the freedom of the Scots. The English had begun to try to establish dominance over Scotland under Edward I. In the 1290s, the throne of Scotland was contested between John Balliol, the English choice, and Robert Bruce. In exchange for supporting Balliol, Edward I demanded that he, Edward, have judicial superiority over the King of Scotland and that Scotland help him pay the costs of defending their land. Balliol refused, and Edward launched attacks against Scotland in retaliation. The Scots were defeated by the English in 1296. William Wallace, a Scottish knight, fought back, but in the wake of his early victories, the English became more determined to control Scotland. In 1306, Robert the Bruce declared himself King of Scotland, and he went on to win a number of military victories, including his important victory at Bannockburn in which he defeated the better defended English troops. This victory wrested Scotland from English control, and in 1328, a peace treaty with the English recognized Scotland as an independent nation.