Our most Valiant Prince, King and Lord
Day to day Government
Bruce restored the household offices, judicial offices of sheriff and
justiciar filled and working; new sherriffship of Argyll; Parliaments (15
known of throughout reign) hearing judicial cases, forfeiting law
breakers-e.g. MacRuarie 1325; new laws enacted 1318 (law codified by
churchman civil servants-Regiam Majestatum). But also need for acts v.
seditious rumour-mongering, v. magnate feuds and for the improvement of
Scottish armed service.
Considerable rebuilding of everyday life-trade restored with EuropeGermany, Flanders, France; Berwick recovers much of its wool tradeburgesses increasingly involved in government in parliament.
The Kings Patronage
Bruce resettlement of Scottish land-there was a redistribution of
forfeited and royal lands to his supporters. Bruce was over generous to
his relatives and close circle of knights, Thomas Randolph, James Douglas,
the Stewarts, Seton, Fraser, Keith, Hay, Boyd and his illegitimate
children.
There is a school of thought that suggests these promoted supporters
became ‘over mighty’ in their respective areas. This stored up trouble for
the King’s son David II in the future from families like the Douglas,
Stewart and Ross. King Robert’s favour did add additional military
services for the crown and it put these families in a position of local
dominance. However by giving the families grants in regality and free
barony did the Bruce reduce royal influence in these regions? King
Robert was bankrupt by 1326 and had to ask Parliament for more
taxation. (tenth of rents for life with conditions of use).
A number of the ancient earls were subdued and disappointed with the
Kings patronage. Some former Balliol-Comyn men were so frustrated that
they became involved in the Soules conspiracy to kill King Robert and
restore the Balliol dynasty. Six of these men had signed the Declaration
of Arbroath in 1320 to the Pope, which suggests that the document was
engineered by the Bruce. These men were William de Soules, Ingram de
Umfraville, Mowbray, Abernethy, Barclay, Mowat.
Royal Succession
In the 1315 parliament tailzie Edward Bruce was recognised as heir
presumptive before King Robert’s daughter, Marjorie Bruce. (There was a
fear of female succession as 1286-90 proved). However by 1318
parliament had to recognise Marjorie’s son, Robert Stewart as heir
presumptive after Edward Bruce was killed in Ireland.
The 1326 parliament recognised David Bruce as heir-like the Decleration
of Arbroath are these tailzies tests of subjects loyalty by the crown and
suggestive of Robert’s fears about a minority succession. Thomas
Randolph and James Douglas are to be Guardians in that event. (James
Douglas is sent on crusade with the King’s heart in 1329)
King Robert’s overall legacy
Assured Kingship with extensive support by late 1320’s with loyal
commanders who have been well rewarded. There is however an
undercurrent of support for the Balliol Kingship and continued problems
with the Disinherited. There is peace with England in 1328 but there is
an illegal regicide regime and terms already broken by the Disinherited at
this point. The alliance of 1326 with France is positive but David’s
succession as a child makes the throne vulnerable and will create
problems.
Use green workbook for Chronology
Reading for the next period/week/essay
G.W.S Barrow, Robert the Bruce and the Community of the Realm (1988) Chapter 14.
G.W.S Barrow, ‘The Idea of Freedom in late Medieval Scotland’ Innes Review (1971)
M. Penman, ‘The Soules Conspiracy of 1318-20’ Innes Review (1999)
A. Grant, Independence and Nationhood (1984), Chapter 1.
R. Nicholson, Edward III and the Scots (1965) or Scotland-the Later Middle Ages (1974)
A.A.M Duncan, ‘War of the Scots, 1306-23’ (1992).
A.A.M Duncan, The Nation of the Scots and the Declaration of Arbroath (Pamphlet 1970).