In August 1274 London rejoiced over the spectacular coronation of England’s warrior-king Edward I. Little could the ‘Hammer of the Scots’ have known in that moment of glory that just one month earlier – and with no such fanfare – a child had been born who would challenge his voracious territorial ambitions and free Scotland from English rule.
Romantic stories abound about King Robert the Bruce, most recently given the Netflix epic treatment in Outlaw King (2018) with actor Chris Pine starring as the Scottish hero. But how did an apparent young hothead become Scotland’s saviour: emerging from controversies over murder and excommunication to be lauded a national icon?
Born into an aristocratic, landed Scottish family 750 years ago on 11 July 1274, probably at Turnberry Castle
