Section D
1. Robert Bruce: the ambitions of the Bruces.
The Bruce family was one of the most powerful in Scotland and bitter rivals of the Comyn / Balliol alliance. Robert THE Bruce’s grandfather was the head of the family when the Maid of Norway died. He became known as “The Competitor” because he competed with John Balliol to become King.
The Bruce family also had lands in England and Robert THE Bruce had been partly brought up at the court of Edward I at Westminster. But Robert had also been brought up to believe that his family had a right to be Kings of Scotland. In the middle ages, family loyalties were the most important loyalties and when Robert THE Bruce became head of the Bruce family he became responsible for the Bruce family claim. It was his responsibility and his destiny.
