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King of Scots and driven by his own destiny, Robert the Bruce dedicated his life to freeing his beloved Scotland from the oppressive Plantagenet rule. For Bruce, Bannockburn was a personal success even before a blow was struck: the Scottish army that gathered there, in defiance of the English might, was evidence of his own unique style as mediator and peacemaker between the Clans and the Scottish nobility, for centuries divided by their own history. At last, they stood united against the real enemy, ready to face their greatest ever test.
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The spirited daughter of King Edward's friend, the Anglo-Saxon Earl of Ulster, the Lady Elizabeth recoiled from the savageries perpetrated on the Scots and, against all her own interests, threw in her lot with The Bruce whom she eventually married.
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Lamberton was Bruce's great friend and constant adviser, for which he suffered sorely. He became a hunted fugitive and although captured by the English, he managed to escape and continued to bring Bruce aid from Holy Church - funds and much else towards the struggle for independence.
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Although a young cleric - a mere Parson of Mordington in Berwickshire - the capabilities of Bernard de Linton were recognised by Bruce who used him as his chaplain during long and grim campaigning. Bruce eventually appointed him Chancellor of the Realm, William Lamberton making him Abbot of Arbroath.
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A young knight, son of William, Lord of Douglas who had died in the Tower of London in 1299 as Edward's prisoner, Sir James became the closest of The Bruce's friends and associates in the field. A gallant knight and brilliant fighter, he was feared as much by his comrades as his enemies.
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This great rock-top fortress overlooked and secured the first point where the Forth estuary might be crossed by a bridge in the old days. It was the ancient seat of the Scots royal line and the strongest hold in the land. Unfortunately, early in the years of Independence, it was betrayed into English hands, and remained so, since it was easy proof against early artillery and siege machinery.
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After the battle, Bruce repaired immediately to this Augustinian Abbey which is set within a loop of the meanderings of the River Forth, not far from Bannockburn. The abbey became the scene of the surrender for many English lords and some of the greatest knights in Christendom.
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Bruce's friend, Angus Ogg MacDonald, Lord of the Isles was one of Bruce's most ardent supporters. Never quite acknowledging Bruce as "King" over the Isles (the mainland was OK!) Angus Ogg saw himself as fighting with rather than under Bruce. Such were the king's political skills and his high regard for MacDonald, this gave him no difficulties and the Islesman was to prove to be his greatest ally on many occasions. No more so, than at Bannockburn.
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The army that flocked to Bruce's banner at Bannockburn came from every corner of Scotland - further testament to his political skills. This chess piece represents an infantryman from the Lowlands, in the colours of Sir Alexander Seton, Seneschal Steward of Scotland, from the family of Bruce's brother-in-law.
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Identified by his heraldry, this man served in the train of Sir Henry Sinclair, of the family which rose to be Earls of Orkney. In hand-to-hand combat the two-headed battle-axe was a savage and powerfully effective weapon with few but the most heavily armoured able to resist its crushing power.
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During the long years when his wife Elizabeth was held captive by the English, Bruce developed a strong relationship with one, Christina McRauarie of Garmoran. A powerful clan leader, she attracted Bruce as a warrior and a woman of great influence. That relationship developed into a passionate affair, with Christina providing both love and shelter for Bruce at times of severe oppression. Strange as it may seem, she became great friends with Elizabeth after the queen was released from imprisonment. The relationship and circumstances were understood by both.
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Sir Neil Campbell of Lochawe, although of Highland background, had many men from the Lowland areas in his force. The pikemen it was who formed into their four-sided 'hedgehog' schitrons and inflicted so much damage on the charging English heavy cavalry. This was a tactic invented by Sir William Wallace who first used it in battle with the sharpened ends of young trees. It became a recognised form of protection by the few against the many, later translating into even more devastating effectiveness with the birth of the rifle.
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At Bannockburn, many of the common folk, some armed only with the simplest of "weapons" - kitchen knives, farm implements and the like - were rallied to the cause by Bishop William Lamberton. At a critical stage in the desperate struggle, they charged into the battle from their place of safety in the nearby Torwood and were mistaken by the English as a fresh army. At that point, the English finally conceded the day and all that was left was the long tortuous and bloody process of the two armies concluding the business in hand.
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Each Lord and Chief had his own banner-bearer, whose duty it was to remain close to his master's side in the heat of battle, his flag identifying him amongst all the armour-encased knights. The hand axe or short sword was usually his only form of defence, with the other hand taking the immense strain of holding his Lord or master's colours aloft.
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Although Bruce spent most of his struggle ex-communicated by Rome, the people's Church was strong in his support. Bishop William Lamberton made his personal support very public, much to the chagrin of his "superiors" in England and abroad. The other Scottish clergy found comfort in this and many of the monks of Stirling's Cambuskenneth Abbey rallied to the cause.
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Prominent in the fight for survival of his nation's identity, was William Wallace, son of a minor Scottish nobleman. In truth, Wallace was possibly Scotland's greatest-ever hero. Whilst Bruce fought for a throne, Wallace fought only for his people and his country.
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William Wallace available as a separate figure, mounted on a castled base
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