Robert II of Scotland: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:51, 6 November 2003

Revision as of 17:27, 23 November 2003

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In [[1318]] the Scottish parliament decreed that if King Robert died without sons the crown should pass to his grandson; but the birth of a son, afterwards King [[David II of Scotland|David II]], to Bruce in [[1324]] postponed the accession of Robert for nearly forty-two years. Soon after the infant David became king in 1329, the Steward began to take a prominent part in the affairs of Scotland. He was one of the leaders of the Scottish army at the battle of Halidon Hill in July 1333; and after gaining some successes over the adherents of [[Edward Balliol]] in the west of Scotland, he and [[John Randolph]], 3rd Earl of Moray (d. 1346), were chosen as regents of the kingdom, while David sought safety in France.

The colleagues soon quarrelled; then Randolph fell into the hands of the English and Robert became sole regent, meeting with such success in his efforts to restore the royal authority that the king was able to return to Scotland in 1341. Having handed over the duties of government to David, the Steward escaped from the [[battle of Neville's Cross]] in 1346, and was again chosen regent while the king was a captive in [[England]]. Soon after this event some friction arose between Robert and his royal uncle. Accused, probably without truth, of desertion at Neville's Cross, the Steward as heir-apparent was greatly chagrined by the king's proposal to make [[Edward III of England]], or one of his sons, the heir to the Scottish throne, and by David's marriage with [[Margaret Logie]].

In 1363 he rose in rebellion, and after having made his submission was seized and imprisoned together with four of his sons, being only released a short time before David's death in February [[1371]]. By the terms of the decree of 1318 Robert now succeeded to the throne, and was crowned at [[Scone]] in March [[1371]]. His reign is unimportant. Some steps were taken by the nobles to control the royal authority. In 1378 a war broke out with England; but the king took no part in the fighting, which included the burning of [[Edinburgh]] and the Scottish victory at Otterbourne in 1388.