SOURCE EXERCISE ON ROBERT BRUCE IN 1306
Source A: Walter of Guisborough, writing around 1307, describes
the encounter between Robert Bruce and John Comyn in 1306
Robert Bruce aspired to the kingdom of Scotland. Fearing the lord John
Comyn, lord of Badenoch, who was a powerful man in the land an d
faithful to the king of England and knowing that he could be stopped by
him, he sent in deceit two of his brothers, Thomas and Nigel, asking that
he would please come to him at Dumfries to deal with a certain business
touching them both.
Comyn, suspecting nothing, came to him with a few men. When they were
speaking together with words which seemed peaceful Bruce suddenly,
with very different words, began to accuse him of betrayal. Comyn spoke
peaceably and excused himself but, as Bruce had conspired, he struck
him with his foot and sword and went away.
Bruce’s men cast him down on the paving of the altar, leaving him for
dead. A certain knight of his, lord Robert Comyn, his uncle, ran to bring
him help. But Christopher Seton, who had married Bruce’s sis ter, met
him, struck his head with a sword and he died…
At the beginning of 1306 Robert Bruce had himself crowned king of
Scotland.
Source B: John of Fordun, writing in the 1370s, describes the same
sequence of events
A day was appointed for Robert Bruce and John Comyn to meet together
at Dumfries. John Comyn was accused of treachery and he denied it. The
evil-speaker was stabbed and wounded in the church of the Friars.
On being asked by those around if he would live, he straightaway
answered ‘I can’. His enemies, on hearing this, gave him another wound
as he died.
A few days after John’s death, Robert Bruce, taking as many men as he
could get, hurried to Scone. And after being set on the royal throne, he
was crowned in the same manner as kings of Scotl and usually were.
WARS OF INDEPENDENCE (H, HISTORY)
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SOURCE EXERCISE ON ROBERT BRUCE IN 1306
To what extent do Sources A and B agree about the murder of John
Comyn? (5 marks)
Compare the content overall and in detail.
Feature of marking
Mark allocation
Overall comparison
Up to 2 marks
Direct comparisons
Up to 4 marks
In answering this question:
1.
Look at the nature of the evidence and try to make some overall
comparison about the key issue addressed in both sources.
 When were the sources written?
 Are they both primary evidence or is one much later?
 Which side do they seem to sympathise with? Is it the same
side?
 Who were the authors? What were their nationalities?
2.
Then look in detail at the content of the two sources. Look for two
areas of clear agreement or disagreement, for example the way in
which Robert Bruce is described.
 Then take evidence from Source A, quoting a few key phrases
to show the impression given of Robert and his motivation.
 Then take evidence from Source B that contrasts with this,
quoting key words that present Robert in a different light.
Look for a second clear area of agreement or disagreement, for
example the way in which John Comyn is described.
 Then take evidence from Source A, quoting a few key phrases
to show the impression given of Comyn and his motivation.
 Then take evidence from Source B that contrasts with this,
quoting key words that present Robert in a different light.
End your answer with a clear statement on the extent to which the
two sources agree about the murder of John Comyn. Your choices
include:
 fully
 not at all
 to a limited extent.
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WARS OF INDEPENDENCE (H, HISTORY)
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2009
SOURCE EXERCISE ON ROBERT BRUCE IN 1306
Extension exercise based on Source B
1.
2.
In source B, John of Fordun writes that Robert went to Scone
‘taking as many men as he could’. How much support was there for
Robert at this stage, 25 March 1306?
Fordun goes on to say that Robert was set on the royal throne and
crowned ‘in the same manner as kings of Scotland usually were’.
How far does Source A give an accurate description of the
inauguration of Robert Bruce?
Points to consider
 Where was the crowning stone of the kings of Scots at this time?
 Were all the required people present?
 How was the inauguration of Robert different from that of his
immediate predecessor, John Balliol?
Source C: Extract from Medieval Scotland by A.D.M.Barrell, 2000
If Bruce did intend to usurp the throne, then the support of the Comyns
and their numerous connections would have been invaluable…It is
not…apparent why Bruce, who potentially had never been richer or more
highly favoured by the English king, was prepared to gamble on seizing
the Scottish throne while the formidable Edward I was still alive…It is
inconceivable that Bruce set out with the specific intention of murdering
a rival within the confines of a consecrated church.
How far does Source C explain the murder of John Comyn in
February 1306? (10 marks)
Use the source and recalled knowledge.
WARS OF INDEPENDENCE (H, HISTORY)
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2009
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