Robert the Bruce Trilogy

✍ Scribed by H A Culley

• Tongue: English
• Weight: 431 KB
• Category: Fiction

✦ Synopsis

Anthology containing:

01 The Path to the Throne

The first book of a new trilogy about Robert the Bruce's and Scotland's historic struggle for independence in the Middle Ages. When King Alexander III is killed at an early age, a struggle for the throne of Scotland between John Balliol, supported by the powerful Comyn clan, and the Bruce family begins. Edward Longshanks, King of England, nicknamed the Hammer of the Scots, seizes the opportunity to declare himself Lord of Scotland and installs John Balliol as a puppet king.

For the next thirty years Scotland has to fight for its independence, led initially by William Wallace until his barbaric execution in London, and then by Robert Bruce who is crowned King of Scots amidst a climate of murder, treachery and shifting loyalties.

This first book takes us from Robert’s childhood to his coronation, which is immediately followed by defeat at the hands of his English foes and their Scottish allies. Robert and a few companions become fugitives and the future looks bleak indeed.

02 The Winter King

This is the second book in H A Culley’ trilogy about Robert the Bruce, the King of Scots who wrested Scotland’s independence from England in the early fourteenth century. Robert has just been crowned King of Scots after the murder of his main rival, the Red Comyn, but he loses his first battle and becomes a fugitive with practically every man’s hand turned against him.

In the first years of his reign he struggles for survival, becoming a fugitive a second time with just his squire by his side at one stage. Three of his brothers are executed in the most gruesome manner and his wife, daughter and sister are captured and held prisoner in England. However, his indomitable spirit refuses to submit to these reverses and, during the fight to recover his kingdom, he develops the art of guerrilla warfare and remarkable techniques for capturing castle after castle.

Finally, in June 1314, he faces the army of his nemesis, Edward the Second of England, at Bannockburn. Despite being heavily outnumbered and without heavy cavalry, he inflicts a crushing defeat on Edward. Now he can begin the long and difficult process of re-establishing Scotland as an independent nation.

03 After Bannockburn

After his decisive victory at Bannockburn Robert Bruce consolidates his rule over Scotland, but Edward II of England maintains his claim to be the overlord of the country and refuses to recognise Robert as King of Scots.

Robert decides to put pressure on Edward by raiding northern England unmercifully and invading Ireland, ruled by Edward of England. He makes his brother, Edward, Earl of Carrick, High King of Ireland but when Carrick is killed at the Battle of Faughart, Robert’s dream of wresting control of Ireland from English rule is dashed.

It leaves Robert vulnerable as the Bruce dynasty now has no male heir. Meanwhile Edward of England faces serious problems at home, not helped by the unpopularity of his relationship with his favourite, Hugh Despenser.

‘After Bannockburn’ tells of the epic struggle between the two men, which dominates the rest of their lives. The story is told mainly through the eyes of two Northumbrian brothers who rise to knighthood in the service of King Robert and who are instrumental in securing the eventual independence of Scotland.