11 Fascinating Insights About Robert the Bruce, Scotland's Legendary King

Featured in the Netflix film Outlaw King, Robert the Bruce stands as one of Scotland's most revered historical figures. Dive deeper into the life of this iconic ruler.

1. Robert the Bruce was a multilingual storyteller at heart.

Fluent in Scots, Gaelic, Latin, and Norman French, he was a passionate reader who immersed himself in the chronicles of past rulers. A 1364 parliamentary document notes that Robert the Bruce "frequently read, or had read to him, the accounts of ancient kings and leaders, learning how they governed during both war and peace." In his leisure, he would recount stories of figures like Charlemagne and Hannibal from memory.

2. Although celebrated as Scotland's hero, he initially aligned with England for several years.

During the 1290s, the Bruce family protested that they were unjustly deprived of the Scottish throne. This followed the deaths of King Alexander III and his granddaughter Margaret, which left the succession unclear. After prolonged disputes, John Balliol was crowned in 1292. The Bruces, who had stronger maternal ties to the former royal lineage, viewed Balliol as an illegitimate ruler. Consequently, when conflicts arose between Balliol and England's Edward I, the Bruces sided with England.

3. He eliminated his most significant political opponent.

A major obstacle to Robert the Bruce's ascension to the Scottish throne was John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, Balliol's nephew. In 1306, Robert met Comyn at Greyfriars Chapel in Dumfries, Scotland, where he accused Comyn of betrayal and fatally wounded him. (When rumors surfaced that Comyn had survived, Robert's allies returned to the chapel and ensured his death, leaving his blood on the altar.) Soon after, Robert proclaimed himself King of Scotland and began organizing a rebellion against England.

4. He found refuge in a cave and drew inspiration from a determined spider.

The rebellion did not unfold as planned. After Robert killed Comyn in a church, Pope Clement V excommunicated him. His subsequent efforts to defeat England also failed. In the winter of 1306, he fled Scotland and took refuge in a cave on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland.

Legend recounts that while hiding in the cave, Robert observed a spider repeatedly attempting to spin a web. Despite numerous failures, the spider persisted. Inspired by its determination, Robert vowed to return to Scotland and continue his fight. Within three years, he convened his first parliament.

5. He led his army into battle accompanied by a troop of ponies.

In battle, Robert the Bruce favored a light cavalry strategy using ponies (known as hobbies) and small horses (called palfreys), a method referred to as hobelar warfare. In a well-known account, an English knight, Sir Henry de Bohun, riding a large warhorse, spotted Robert on his palfrey and charged at him. Robert, standing in his stirrups, positioned himself perfectly to strike Bohun with his battleaxe, killing him instantly. Afterward, the king reportedly lamented, “I have ruined my good axe.”

6. He had a particular fondness for eating eels.

Robert the Bruce’s physician, Maino de Maineri, criticized the king’s habit of consuming eels. “I am certain this fish is harmful, as I observed during my time with Robert Bruce, King of Scots, who endangered his health by eating moray eels, which resemble lampreys," de Maineri wrote. "These eels were caught in polluted, muddy waters.” (Interestingly, excessive eel consumption was believed to have caused the death of King Henry I of England.)

7. His unexpected triumph at Bannockburn demonstrated that skill and strategy could overcome sheer numbers.

In 1314, Robert the Bruce achieved a remarkable victory over King Edward II’s forces at Bannockburn, sending the English army, as the anthem Flower of Scotland recounts, “homeward tae think again.” The odds were against him; the English boasted 2000 armored cavalry and 15,000 infantry, while the Scots had only 500 cavalry and 7000 foot soldiers. However, Robert cleverly utilized the terrain, forcing the English to navigate treacherous, marshy streams. This victory marked a pivotal moment in the Scottish War of Independence and significantly advanced Scotland’s quest for freedom.

8. He is deeply connected to the legends of the Knights Templar.

Treasure hunters believe that in the 14th century, the Knights Templar sought refuge in Scotland under Robert the Bruce’s protection, bringing with them a wealth of treasures. Allegedly, they hid gold and sacred artifacts—ranging from ancient Gospel manuscripts to the Holy Grail—in various locations, including the famed Rosslyn Chapel, featured in The Da Vinci Code. However, these tales lack substantial evidence. Medieval historian Helen Nicholson suggests that any surviving Templars were more likely residing in the warmer climate of Cyprus.

9. His legacy continues to support a Scottish church financially.

Following the death of his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, Robert the Bruce pledged an annual donation of five Scots pounds to the Auld Kirk in Cullen, Scotland—now known as the Cullen and Deskford Parish. This gesture was in response to the congregation’s kindness in caring for Elizabeth’s remains after she died in a horse-riding accident in 1327. Deeply moved, Robert vowed to continue the donation “for all eternity,” and the payment is still being made today.

10. His remains are divided and buried in several locations.

Robert the Bruce passed away on June 7, 1329, just shy of his 55th birthday. While the exact cause of his death is debated, many modern historians attribute it to leprosy. His funeral was an extravagant event, requiring thousands of pounds of candle wax. In keeping with royal tradition, his body was divided: his chest was opened, and his heart and organs were removed. His internal organs were buried near Cardross Manor, where he died; his body was interred at Dunfermline Abbey; and his heart was placed in a metal urn, carried by Sir James Douglas, who vowed to take it to the Holy Land.

11. His heart became the original symbol of bravery.

Sadly, Sir Douglas never reached the Holy Land. He was diverted to Spain to fight the Moors, where he met his end. Before his death, Douglas allegedly threw the urn holding Robert’s heart and shouted, “Lead on brave heart, I’ll follow thee.” The heart was eventually brought back to Scotland, where it remained lost until archaeologists unearthed it in 1921. Today, it rests in Melrose Abbey.