[[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 the early 1300s. 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 English 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 claimants are in a position to attack the traditional place that Scottish kings were crowned even though it was near an English garrison. However, despite this, many Scottish nobles did not join his rebellion because they are weak and he was betrayed, which almost led to his capture but he escaped with a few followers at the Battle English also possesses key areas of MethvenScotland. The Bruce and his army John Comyn was almost destroyed in a night attack that another Scottish noble who might have had them unprepared as Aymer de Valence defeated him in a surprise attack. After this, an even stronger claim to the Bruce may have spent the winter of 1306-1307 in the Hebrides after successfully escaping. His wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, went into hiding in Kildrummy Castle after this battle, but she was captured after a siege of 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, NP. (Eds.). (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 a very successful strategy as he began to have success Eventually, after several years of being on the run and 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 marshes. While with the Bruce was aware of this, the English were notagainst Edward I. They saw his small army that was poorly equipped as an opportunity This leads to destroy him a fight where Robert the Bruce strikes and they fell into his trapkills Comyn. The Comyn's death causes the Scottish Church to excommunicate Bruce and his forces had also made trenches that restricted English movements to areas that were prepared with spears. Robert the Despite Bruce was attacked by Aymer de Valence's excommunication, once again, but this time he had made conditions perfect for the Scottish victorychurch leaders absolve Bruce and promote his rebellion.<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 had to use creative tactics to makeup for and his inferior numbers, the Scots army were effectively broken free from the Englshalmost destroyed in a night attack that had them 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., KLe Saux, F. H. M., & Thomas, N. (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>
While the 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 he was far less able to fight the Scots effectively. After more successful operations by the Bruce and the major defeat of the English at the Battle of Bannockburn, where once again Robert the Bruce had to use creative tactics to compensate for his inferior numbers, the Scots were effectively broken free from the Englsh. After that time, it was Robert the Bruce who launched invasions on the English and was later recognized as the Scottish king by Edward II's successor, Edward III.<ref>For more on Edward II, see: Warner, K. (2015). <i>Edward II: the unconventional king</i>. Stroud, Gloucestershire: Amberley.</ref> ====Historical Accuracy====[[File:Side.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 2. Kildrummy castle was supposed to be Robert's key home and eventually became the place where Elizabeth, his wife, was captured by the English.]]
While <i>Braveheart</i> has been much criticized for its lack of historical accuracy, and not to mention how it diminishes the role Robert the Bruce played in the war against the English, <i>Outlaw King</i> does a generally better job in showing key events until the Battle of Loudoun 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 instance, King 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 to this, 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 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 the groundwork for future rebellion well in advance of the rebellion. William Wallace was killed in 1305, but it took Robert the Bruce an entire year before he launched his rebellion. In fact, Edward I had likely begun suspecting the rebellion, as he asked Robert the Bruce to keep his castle at Kildrummy (Figure 2).<ref>For more on Edward I's and Robert's relationships and conflicts, see: Whyte, J., & Whyte, J. (2016). <i>The Guardian: a tale of Andrew Murray</i>. First U.S. edition. New York: Forge.</ref>
Other issues include the marriage he had with Elizabeth, his second wife. He married her well before (in 1302) he launched his rebellion, rather 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. The depiction of the Bruce's defeat at the Battle of Methven shows treachery by de Valence. However, it was not so much treachery as a clearly bad mistake by the Bruce. He would or should have known de Valence would likely be loyal to the English king, as de Valence was English. The other major flaw was the presence of Edward II in the Battle of Loudoun Hill in the film. He would very likely not have been there and certainly Edward II would not have challenged Robert to any fight. Even if he did, the Scots would not have let him escape as he did in the film, as he would have been an extremely valuable prize.<ref>For more on Elizabeth and her marriage to the Bruce, see: Underhill, F. A. (1999). <i>For her good estate: the life of Elizabeth de Burgh</i>. 1st ed. New York: St. Martin’s Press. <dh-ad/ref>
[[File:SideOther issues include the marriage he had with Elizabeth, his second wife.jpg|thumb|Figure 2He married her well before (in 1302) he launched his rebellion, rather than around the time of the rebellion. Kildrummy castle The depiction that they only gradually got to know and trust each other may not be that accurate as the marriage was supposed more likely to be Robertsimilar to Medieval political marriages. The depiction of the Bruce's key home defeat at the Battle of Methven shows treachery by de Valence. However, it was not so much treachery as a clearly bad mistake by the Bruce. He would or should have known de Valence would likely be loyal to the English king, as de Valence was English. The other major flaw was the presence of Edward II in the Battle of Loudoun Hill in the film. It is unlikely that he would have been there and eventually became Edward II certainly would not have challenged Robert to any fight. Even if he did, the Scots would not have let him escape as he did in the place where film because he would have been an extremely valuable prize.<ref>For more on Elizabethand her marriage to the Bruce, his wifesee: Underhill, was captured by F. A. (1999). <i>For her good estate: the Englishlife of Elizabeth de Burgh</i>. 1st ed. New York: St. Martin’s Press.]]</ref>
====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 battlesHis opportunistic strike made it possible for him to turn the tides of war against the British. He also learned from his mistakes, particularly after major defeats to the English. Effectively He realized that he learned that could not engage in any chivalrous battles with the English would never work since they . The British always had the superior numbers and resources. Once , but once the Bruce switched to battles he can win on his terms and Guerilla guerrilla tactics, then he began changed the tides of war and made it possible for the Scots 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 whether she was brave or inspiring she may have been is not clearunclear.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 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>
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.
====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}}
==References==[[Category: Historically Accurate]][[Category:Wikis]][[Category:British History]]
