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February 22, 1371: Illegitimate Children Seized Scotland's Throne
On February 22, 1371, Robert Stewart's 50-year wait to become King of Scotland should have ended, but one of the most powerful lords in the realm assembled armed men and blocked the coronation ceremony. The reason? Many believed Robert and ALL his children were illegitimate bastards with no right to the throne.
What followed was a month-long standoff that could have destroyed the kingdom. To secure his crown, Robert had to buy off his opponents with marriages, titles, and land. Even then, the legitimacy questions never went away, leading to eighty years of political poison that would climax in a king's assassination in 1437.
Yet this "illegitimate" king founded the Stuart dynasty, one of the most famous royal houses in European history, ruling Scotland for over 300 years and eventually uniting the Scottish and English crowns under James VI/I.
This episode explores how Robert Stewart lived for over a decade with Elizabeth Mure in what the Church considered an incestuous relationship, fathering at least ten children before seeking papal dispensation to legitimize them. We examine how his second marriage created a rival bloodline that would haunt Scotland for generations. And we discover how his great-great-grandson's murder in 1437 stemmed directly from legitimacy disputes that began at this very coronation.
Every British monarch since 1371, including the current royal family, descends from this questionable union. The entire legitimacy of the British monarchy for over 650 years rests partly on a Pope's decision to overlook Church law because the political alternative was civil war.
🎙️ ABOUT THE DAILY HISTORY CHRONICLE
Every day, historian Richard Backus explores a moment from the past that shaped our world—and discovers why it still matters today. From medieval succession crises to modern revolutions, from forgotten heroes to infamous villains, each 15-minute episode brings history to life with compelling storytelling and deep analysis.
📚 HOSTED BY: Richard Backus, publisher of University Teaching Edition and author of 87 books on history and classic literature
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for daily history episodes that connect the past to the present
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By Richard G BackusOn February 22, 1371, Robert Stewart's 50-year wait to become King of Scotland should have ended, but one of the most powerful lords in the realm assembled armed men and blocked the coronation ceremony. The reason? Many believed Robert and ALL his children were illegitimate bastards with no right to the throne.
What followed was a month-long standoff that could have destroyed the kingdom. To secure his crown, Robert had to buy off his opponents with marriages, titles, and land. Even then, the legitimacy questions never went away, leading to eighty years of political poison that would climax in a king's assassination in 1437.
Yet this "illegitimate" king founded the Stuart dynasty, one of the most famous royal houses in European history, ruling Scotland for over 300 years and eventually uniting the Scottish and English crowns under James VI/I.
This episode explores how Robert Stewart lived for over a decade with Elizabeth Mure in what the Church considered an incestuous relationship, fathering at least ten children before seeking papal dispensation to legitimize them. We examine how his second marriage created a rival bloodline that would haunt Scotland for generations. And we discover how his great-great-grandson's murder in 1437 stemmed directly from legitimacy disputes that began at this very coronation.
Every British monarch since 1371, including the current royal family, descends from this questionable union. The entire legitimacy of the British monarchy for over 650 years rests partly on a Pope's decision to overlook Church law because the political alternative was civil war.
🎙️ ABOUT THE DAILY HISTORY CHRONICLE
Every day, historian Richard Backus explores a moment from the past that shaped our world—and discovers why it still matters today. From medieval succession crises to modern revolutions, from forgotten heroes to infamous villains, each 15-minute episode brings history to life with compelling storytelling and deep analysis.
📚 HOSTED BY: Richard Backus, publisher of University Teaching Edition and author of 87 books on history and classic literature
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for daily history episodes that connect the past to the present