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How Historically Accurate is the Outlaw King

412 bytes added, 16:08, 22 November 2018
Key Characters
==Key Characters==
Robert the Bruce was shown as a brave, heroic, but also opportunistic character. In many ways, he was such a person who won important battles. He also learned from his mistakes, particularly after major defeats to the English. Effectively he learned that chivalrous battles with the English would never work since they always had the numbers and resources. Once the Bruce switched to battles he can win on his terms and Guerilla tactics, then he began to win. <ref>For more on Robert the Bruce, see: Penman, M. A. (2014). <i>Robert the Bruce: King of Scots</i>. New Haven: Yale University Press. </ref>
Elizabeth de Burgh was Robert the Bruce's second wife who supported her husband and eventually learned to love him. We don't actually know much about her, as Medieval women were rarely recorded in historical documents. She did likely take care of his Marjorie Bruce, who was Robert's daughter from his first marriage. However, how brave or inspiring she may have been is not clear. <ref>See earlier reference to 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>
Edward I and II are both shown as greedy rulers of England who would stop at nothing in subjugating the Scottish kingdom. While perhaps there is some truth to that, they were also usually cautious. Edward I did try to rule Scotland by playing off the Scottish nobles against each other, while his son was likely to be a more indecisive and poor strategic thinker relative to his father.

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