Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5)  tell how Robert the Bruce gets Scotland its independence. With William Wallace’s rebellion crushed, Scotland lies under England’s rule. But to free Scotland, Robert the Bruce must first commit a terrible crime.----more----

He needs to murder his great rival, John Comyn. He murders him in a Church. People are appalled. But they realise that Robert the Bruce is their best hope for freedom from English rule.

Robert embarks on a series of hit and run raids on the English. Edward I, the Hammer of the Scots, rouses for one last campaign to crush Robert the Bruce. But old and sick he dies as he crosses the Scottish border.

His son, Edward II is not up to the job. His nobles hate him. While he squabbles with his own nobles, Robert the Bruce captures more and more of Scotland. Finally Edward II takes his army north. But Robert outsmarts him at the Battle of Bannockburn. The English knights suffer a devastating defeat. And Edward II flees for this life.

Scotland is now free with Robert the Bruce as the King of Scots. By contrast, Edward’s nobles are so angry with Edward that they kill him gruesomely.

But Scotland stays free. England never again tries to conquer Scotland. And when Scotland and England become one country hundreds of years later they do it peacefully and not through conquest.

This is the final episode in our three part series on the Scottish Wars of Independence. If you liked this one you might like:

Part 1: The Hammer of the Scots

https://www.historystorytime.com/e/war-of-scottish-independence-i-the-hammer-of-the-scots/

Part 2: William Wallace

https://www.historystorytime.com/e/wars-of-scottish-independence-william-wallace/

You don’t need to listen to previous episodes to enjoy the next one.

NEW PATRONS CLUB - EXTRA EPISODES:

In this episode we also launch our new Patrons’ Club. There are different tiers of membership. But they all involve more episodes each month and you can get to choose your episode or even be in an episode. We’d love you to become a member. Go to https://www.patreon.com/historystorytime to sign up and to listen to our latest exclusive episode on the Seven Wonders of the World.