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[[File:Outlaw.jpeg|thumbnail|left|280px|The movie Outlaw King tells the tale of Robert the Bruce and his rise to the Scottish throne. ]]__NOTOC__Many of us know the story of <i>Braveheart</i>, where William Wallace leads a major rebellion against Edward I in the late 13th century. That movie did not only show the English as repressing the Scots but it also showed another prominent Scottish figure, Robert the Bruce, as being supplicant to the English and enabling their actions until finally he successfully revolts against the English during the reign of Edward II. Many historians had criticized this aspect, where Robert the Bruce was shown in a negative light. In fact, Robert the Bruce, along with many Scots, did for a time accept Edward I as the king, but Robert the Bruce may have actually simply weighted and calculated for an opportune time rather than risk a rebellion that was likely to fail. The Netflix movie <i>Outlaw King</i> tells his story and the making of Scotland that was free of English rule.

==The Main Story==The story begins with In fact, Robert the Bruce, along with other prominent Scottish noblesmany Scots, meeting with did for a time accept Edward I to accept him as their king in around 1306. They had already led a rebellion that was unsuccessful, where Edward I, Hammer of the Scots, had earned his nickname by winning against the Scots. Robert still wants to be king, as his family has ancient lineage to the thrown of Scotland, but other claimants exist for Robert the Scottish throne Bruce may have simply waited and none of them are in position to attack the English due to their strength and possession of many key areas of Scotland. John Comyn calculated for an opportune time rather than risk a rebellion that was another Scottish noble who also had perhaps just an equal or maybe even stronger claim likely to the Scottish throne.<ref>For more on the period before and the beginning of the Scottish rebellions against Edward I, see: Traquair, P. (1998)fail. The Netflix movie <i>Freedom’s sword: Scottland’s wars of IndependenceOutlaw King</i>tells his story and shows a fictional version of how Scotland freed themselves from English rule. London: HarperCollins. </ref>

William Wallace is ====The Main Story====The story begins with Robert the last major Bruce, along with other prominent Scottish figure not nobles, meeting with Edward I to accept Edward I him as their king. Eventually, after several years of being on the run and hiding in the highlands and other regions, William is killedearly 1300s. This is shown in the movie as inspiring They had already led a rebellion against that was unsuccessful, where Edward I, Hammer of the EnglishScots, that had earned his nickname by defeating the death of Wallace somehow triggers a nationalist rage that sparks Scots. Robert still wants to begin to plot to take back Scotland. As the Bruce begins to plot the rebellionbe king, he meets with Comyn in Greyfriars church. However, the two quickly make their own claims his family has ancient lineage to the throne of Scotland and Comyn does not show willingness to side with the Bruce against Edward I. This leads to Robert the Bruce striking and later Comyn dies, which leads to the Bruce being excommunicated but being absolved by other claimants exist for the Scottish church leaders as they promoted the rebellionthrone. Six weeks later, Bishop William de Lamberton crowned the Bruce King None of the Scots at Scone, which was the traditional place that Scottish kings were crowned. However, despite this, many Scottish nobles did not join his rebellion and he was betrayed, which almost led to his capture but he escaped with a few followers. In fact, at the Battle of Methven where the Bruce and his army was almost destroyed, Aymer de Valence defeated him claimants are in a surprise position to attack. After this, the Bruce may have spent the winter English because they are weak and English also possesses key areas of 1306-1307 in the HebridesScotland. His wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, John Comyn was hiding in Kildrummy Castle after this battle, but she was captured after a siege of another Scottish noble who might have had an even stronger claim to the castle that was guarded by Robert the Bruce's brother (Niall Bruce). After the castle fell, Niall Bruce was executedScottish throne.<ref>For more on the events at around period before and the time beginning of the Battle of MethvenScottish rebellions against Edward I, see: Saunders, C. J., Le Saux, F. H. M., & ThomasTraquair, N. (Eds.)P. (20041998). <i>Writing warFreedom’s sword: medieval literary responses to warfareScottland’s wars of Independence</i>. Cambridge ; Rochester, N.YLondon: D.S. Brewer, pg. 107HarperCollins. </ref>

From that time on, Robert William Wallace is the Bruce had realized last major Scottish figure not to defeat accept Edward I as the English he would have to conduct a mostly guerrilla warking. This proved to be very successful Eventually, after several years of being on the run and he began to have some success hiding in attacking the English in places they did not expecthighlands and other regions, William is killed. When he did next meet The movie shows that Wallace's death inspires rebellion against the English in battle, he wanted because his death sparks a nationalist rage that convinces Bruce to plot to choose take back Scotland. As the ground where Bruce begins to plan for the battle would berebellion, he meets with Comyn in Greyfriars church. In May 1307However, the advantage point for him was at Loudoun hill, two quickly make their own claims to the throne of Scotland and Comyn does not show a place that was trapped on either willingness to side by marsheswith the Bruce against Edward I. While This leads to a fight where Robert the Bruce was aware of this, the English were not. They saw his small army that was poorly equipped strikes and fell into his trapkills Comyn. They had also produced trenches that restricted English movements Comyn's death causes the Scottish Church to areas that were prepared with spearsexcommunicate Bruce. Robert Despite Bruce's excommunication, the Scottish church leaders absolve Bruce was attacked by Aymer de Valence, once again, but this time he had made conditions perfect for and promote his victory, which he was able to takerebellion.<ref>For more on Aymer de Valence, see: PhillipsSix weeks later, J. R. S. (1972). <i>Aymer Bishop William de Valence, Earl Lamberton crowned Bruce the King of Pembrokethe Scots at Scone, 1307-1324: baronial politics in which was the reign of Edward II</i>. Oxford: Clarendon Presstraditional location where Scottish kings were crowned despite its close proximity to an English garrison. </ref>

While the movie ends thereHowever, it is clear that this was a turning point. Soon after this battle, Edward II took over England from many Scottish nobles failed to join his father after he had died and he was far less able rebellion which almost led to fight the Scots effectivelyBruce's capture. After more successful operations by the Bruce and the major defeat of the English escaped with a few followers at the Battle of Bannockburn, where once again Robert the Methven. Bruce and his army were almost destroyed in a night attack that had to use creative tactics to makeup for his inferior numbersthem unprepared as Aymer de Valence defeated him in a surprise attack. After that timethis, it was Robert the Bruce who launched invasions on may have spent the winter of 1306-1307 in the English and Hebrides after successfully escaping. His wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, went into hiding in Kildrummy Castle after this battle, but she was later recognized as captured after a siege of the Scottish king castle that was guarded by Edward IIRobert the Bruce's successorbrother (Niall Bruce). After the castle fell, Edward IIINiall Bruce was executed.<ref>For more on Edward IIthe events at around the time of the Battle of Methven, see: WarnerSaunders, C. J., Le Saux, F. H. M., & Thomas, KN. (2015Eds.). (2004). <i>Edward IIWriting war: the unconventional kingmedieval literary responses to warfare</i>. StroudCambridge ; Rochester, GloucestershireN.Y: AmberleyD.S. Brewer, pg. 107.</ref>

[[File:OutlawFrom that time on, Robert the Bruce had realized to defeat the English he would have to conduct a mostly guerrilla war. This proved to be a very successful strategy as he began to have success in attacking the English in places they did not expect. When he did next meet the English in battle, he wanted to choose the ground where the battle would be. In May 1307, the advantage point for him was at Loudoun Hill, a place that was trapped on either side by marshes.jpeg|thumb|The movie Outlaw King tells While the tale Bruce was aware of Robert this, the English were not. They saw the small Scottish army that was poorly equipped as an opportunity to destroy him and they fell into his trap. The Bruce and his rise forces had also made trenches that restricted English movements to areas that were prepared with spears. Robert the Bruce was attacked by Aymer de Valence, once again, but this time he had made conditions perfect for Scottish thronevictory.<ref>For more on Aymer de Valence, see: Phillips, J. R. S. (1972). <i>Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, 1307-1324: baronial politics in the reign of Edward II</i>. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ]]</ref>

==Historical Accuracy==While <i>Braveheart</i> has been much criticized for its lack of historical accuracythe movie ends there, it is clear that this was just a turning point. Soon after this battle, Edward II took over England from his father after he had died and not he was far less able to mention how it diminishes fight the role Robert Scots effectively. After more successful operations by the Bruce played in and the war against major defeat of the English, <i>Outlaw King</i> does a generally better job in showing key events until at the Battle of Loundoun Hill. There is still a lot of leeway in the way in which key events are shown and not much agreement as to how they happened. For instanceBannockburn, King where once again Robert is initially shown as reluctant in the movie in accepting that he and the other Scottish nobles are vassals of the English king. There could be some truth Bruce had to use creative tactics to thiscompensate for his inferior numbers, but it is also likely that this stage of his career was part of a larger plan that had been at work for some time. He and the other nobles Scots were soundly defeated and were unable to mount a serious resistance. He had already, for instance, made a pact with William Lamberton to always support each other, possibly to lay effectively broken free from the groundwork for rebellionEnglsh. William Wallace was killed in 1305After that time, but it took was Robert the Bruce an entire year before he who launched his rebellion. In fact, Edward I had likely begun suspecting invasions on the rebellion, English and was later recognized as he asked Robert the Bruce to keep his castle at Kildrummy (Figure 2)Scottish king by Edward II's successor, Edward III.<ref>For more on Edward I's and Robert's relationships and conflictsII, see: WhyteWarner, J., & Whyte, JK. (20162015). <i>The GuardianEdward II: a tale of Andrew Murraythe unconventional king</i>. First U.S. edition. New YorkStroud, Gloucestershire: ForgeAmberley.</ref>

Other issues include ====Historical Accuracy====[[File:Side.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 2. Kildrummy castle was supposed to be Robert's key home and eventually became the marriage he had with place where Elizabeth, his second wife. He married her well before (in 1302) he launched his rebellion, rather than around was captured by the time English.]]While <i>Braveheart</i> has been much criticized for its lack of the rebellion. The depiction that they only gradually got to know historical accuracy, and trust each other may not be that accurate as to mention how it diminishes the marriage was more likely to be similar to Medieval political marriages. The depiction of role Robert the Bruce's defeat at played in the war against the English, <i>Outlaw King</i> does a generally better job in showing key events until the Battle of Methven shows treachery by de Valence was Loudoun Hill. There is still a lot of leeway in the way in which key events are shown and not so much treachery agreement as a clearly bad mistake by the Bruceto how they happened. He would or should have known de Valence would likely be loyal to the English kingFor instance, King Robert is initially shown as de Valence was English. The other major flaw was reluctant in the presence of Edward II movie in accepting that he and the Battle other Scottish nobles are vassals of Loudoun Hill in the filmEnglish king. He would very There could be some truth to this, but it is also likely not that this stage of his career was part of a larger plan that had been there at work for some time. He and the other nobles were soundly defeated and certainly Edward II would not have challenged Robert were unable to mount a serious resistance. He had already, for instance, made a pact with William Lamberton to always support each other, possibly to any fightlay the groundwork for future rebellion well in advance of the rebellion. Even if he didWilliam Wallace was killed in 1305, but it took Robert the Scots would not have let him escape as Bruce an entire year before he did in launched his rebellion. In fact, Edward I had likely begun suspecting the filmrebellion, as he would have been an extremely valuable prizeasked Robert the Bruce to keep his castle at Kildrummy (Figure 2).<ref>For more on Elizabeth Edward I's and Robert's relationships and her marriage to the Bruceconflicts, see: Underhill Whyte, FJ. A, & Whyte, J. (19992016). <i>For her good estateThe Guardian: the life a tale of Elizabeth de BurghAndrew Murray</i>. 1st edFirst U.S. edition. New York: St. Martin’s PressForge. </ref>

==Key Characters==Robert Other issues include the Bruce was shown as a bravemarriage he had with Elizabeth, heroichis second wife. He married her well before (in 1302) he launched his rebellion, but also opportunistic characterrather than around the time of the rebellion. The depiction that they only gradually got to know and trust each other may not be that accurate as the marriage was more likely to be similar to Medieval political marriages. In many waysThe depiction of the Bruce's defeat at the Battle of Methven shows treachery by de Valence. However, he it was such not so much treachery as a person who won important battlesclearly bad mistake by the Bruce. He also learned from his mistakeswould or should have known de Valence would likely be loyal to the English king, particularly after as de Valence was English. The other major defeats to flaw was the presence of Edward II in the Battle of Loudoun Hill in the Englishfilm. Effectively It is unlikely that he learned that chivalrous battles with the English would never work since they always had the numbers have been there and resourcesEdward II certainly would not have challenged Robert to any fight. Once Even if he did, the Scots would not have let him escape as he did in the Bruce switched to battles film because he can win would have been an extremely valuable prize.<ref>For more on his terms Elizabeth and Guerilla tacticsher marriage to the Bruce, then he began to winsee: Underhill, F. A. (1999). <i>For her good estate: the life of Elizabeth de Burgh</i>. 1st ed. New York: St. Martin’s Press. </ref>

Elizabeth de Burgh was ====Key Characters====Robert the Bruce's second wife who supported her husband and eventually was shown as a brave, heroic, but also opportunistic character. His opportunistic strike made it possible for him to turn the tides of war against the British. He learned from his mistakes, particularly after major defeats to love himthe English. We don't actually know much about her, as Medieval women were rarely recorded He realized that he could not engage in historical documentsany chivalrous battles with the English would never work. She did likely take care The British always had superior numbers and resources, but once the Bruce switched to guerrilla tactics, he changed the tides of his Marjorie war and made it possible for the Scots to win.<ref>For more on Robert the Bruce, who was see: Penman, M. A. (2014). <i>Robert's daughter from his first marriagethe Bruce: King of Scots</i>. However, how brave or inspiring she may have been is not clearNew Haven: Yale University Press. </ref>

John Comyn is shown as a competitive figure to Elizabeth de Burgh was Robert the Bruce's second wife who supported her husband and eventually learned to love him. His character may not have been as negative as was suggestedWe don't actually know much about her, as he may have been opportunistically killed as Robert rose Medieval women were rarely recorded in powerhistorical documents. His loyalty to Edward She did likely take care of Marjorie Bruce, who was no different than the BruceRobert'sdaughter from his first marriage. However, as both were technically under English authority until Robert decided whether she was brave or inspiring is unclear. We do know she was held in captivity for eight years before she was exchanged for prisoners after the Battle of Bannockburn<ref>See earlier reference to make a move and take the Scottish crown for himself. Elizabeth de Burgh</ref>

John Comyn is shown as a competitive figure to Robert the Bruce. His character may not have been as negative as was suggested, as he may have been opportunistically killed as Robert rose in power. His loyalty to Edward was no different than the Bruce's, as both were technically under English authority until Robert decided to make a move and take the Scottish crown for himself.<ref>For more on Comyn and his claim to the Scottish throne, see: Crome, S. (1999). <i>Scotland’s first war of independence</i>. Alford: Auch Books, pg. 77. </ref> Aymer de Valence was certainly a loyal English subject throughout his career rather than someone who betrayed Robert. Aymer's family had noble heritage from the time of the Norman conquest and was of French origin. <ref>See earlier reference to Aymer de Valence</ref>

====Summary====The <i>Outlaw King</i> does a much better job than <i>Braveheart</i> in depicting events that led to the Scottish rebellions that ultimately led to their Scottish independence. The significance of Robert the Bruce is that not only did he lead Scotland to independence but it was through his line that the Scottish monarchy eventually merged with the English kings and became the ancestors of the current British monarch. Robert the Bruce, both his ambition and bravery, were critical to the ultimate success against the English. The key events between the 1290s and 1307, the first major victory against the English, are sometimes glossed over or not displayed to full accuracy. However, the rise of Robert the Bruce in the film does show the difficult political landscape that Robert had to navigate in his rise to power and ultimately obtain the Scottish crownfor himself and family. ====References====<references/> {{Contributors}}