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Robert the Bruce, rainders king of Scotland, from 1306 until his passing in 1329 at the age of 54.

While he had a storied life, history remembers him most for his courage in delivering the Scottish

people freedom from the English crown. And though his journey to the throne was far from simple,

his bravery has become legendary.

Robert was born on July 11th, 1274 at tamboury castle, his mother's ancestral home.

Little remains of the building these days, but at the time it was a commanding stone structure

bordered by the Irish sea on three sides. As his mother held him close, listening to the sound

of the gentle waves just beyond the walls, one can only wonder if she imagined the future he had

in front of him. Robert and his younger siblings were born into a life of great privilege.

Their father was the Isle of Carrick, and their paternal grandfather was the Lord of Anandale.

Many historians believe the children would have benefited from an extensive education

that included philosophy, languages and music, as well as swordplay and jousting.

Perhaps these last two endeavors helped shape Robert into the warrior king he would one day become.

He grew up during the reign of King Alexander III, which was a relatively peaceful time for Scotland.

However, fortunes throughout Europe were starting to turn in what is now recognised as the late

medieval period. Across the continent, political rivalries were worsening, and many of the

gilded class were keen to shore up their power. Upon King Alexander's death in 1286,

...