The Bruce

by John Barbour

A! Fredome is a noble thing
Fredome mays man to haiff liking
Fredome all solace to man giffis
He levys at es that frely levys

These are some of the most famous lines in Scottish literature. They were written c.1375 by John Barbour, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, as a celebration of the Age of Chivalry—an age of bravery, valor, and above all loyalty. Its twin heroes are Robert the Bruce and James Douglas, his faithful companion. The epic sweep and scale of the poem catch the full drama of Bruce’s life - from being pursued by dogs in Galloway to his great triumph at Bannockburn, from hunted fugitive surrounded by traitors to kingship of a free nation.

The poem is one of the key sources for any life of Bruce and incorporates much information not found elsewhere. The language of the poem is easy to read and its vigor and imagery provide a marvelous insight into the medieval mind. This is the first accessible modern edition featuring a full historical introduction, a special commentary on Bannockburn, a facing page translation with extensive annotation, and six detailed maps. This edition also includes the other great nationalist statement about the reign of Robert the Bruce, The Declaration of Arbroath.

A.A.M. Duncan’s work on The Bruce represents the culmination of a life-long interest and this book, comprehensively revised in 2007, marks a radical reassessment of the history of Robert the Bruce as recounted in the poem which bears his name.

Genres: Scotland, History, Poetry, Classics, Historical

800 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1375

About the author

John Barbour (c.1320 - 1395) was a Scottish poet and the first major named literary figure to write in Scots.

His principal surviving work is the historical verse romance, The Brus (The Bruce), and his reputation from this poem is such that other long works in Scots which survive from the period are sometimes thought to be by him. He is known to have written a number of other works, but other titles definitely ascribed to his authorship, such as The Stewartis Oryginalle (Genealogy of the Stewarts) and The Brut (Brutus), are now lost.

Barbour was latterly Archdeacon of the Kirk of St Machar in Aberdeen. He also studied in Oxford and Paris. Although he was a man of the church, his surviving writing is strongly secular in both tone and themes. His principal patron was Robert II and evidence of his promotion and movements before Robert Stewart came to power as king tend to suggest that Barbour acted politically on the future king's behalf.

Reviews

[Zeta Syanthis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool, though I mostly had to give up on the original poem and read the story itself.

[Robert Nield]

Easy language for Middle English - much more negotiable than the Gawain Poet, even without referring to the quality facing translation - profound influence on the ideas even of modern Scottish nationalism, and particularly the final book with a Scottish noble crusading in Islamic Spain wearing the dead king of Scotland's innards around his neck illustrates how surprisingly connected the medieval world could be. My copy seems to be missing the last 20 lines or so but maybe that's an editorial thing I'm not understanding.

That said, it's very long and I feel I could've read books 1, 5, 13-14 and 20 and got a similar amount out of it. Barbour is very repetitive, operates largely episodically and doesn't seem to have a bigger structure, or any qualms around hypocrisy or historical omission. Doubtless of great interest to Bannockburn fanatics.

[vada sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anotha one!

For my dissertation, but actually enjoyed reading it cover to cover seven times to make sure I didn't miss anything I promise. I am also now significantly better at reading medieval Scots, and it makes me feel like I'm going insane.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books 1 through 4 and book 10 only (so far)

[Ray Melville]

Abandoned

[Wioletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the story itself:

Intersting take on how medieval literature such as this one connects to further ”war writing” that are closer to the present

(Read story for War Writing summer course)

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very culturally important book as stated in the book description. My motivation for reading this magnificent book was its history, generally and specifically and that an ancestor of mine was Chief Armourer to Robert the Bruce, later, after he won the war, King Robert the Bruce.

Lots of details and certainly a historians and genealogists delight. I would recommend this interest in the times also this book.

[Ron Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read aloud!