Robert the Bruce: King of the Scots

by Michael Penman

Robert the Bruce (1274–1329) famously defeated the English at Bannockburn and became the hero king responsible for Scottish independence. In this fascinating new biography of the renowned warrior, Michael Penman focuses on Robert’s kingship in the fifteen years that followed his triumphant victory and establishes Robert as not only a great military leader but a great monarch.
 
Robert faced a slow and often troubled process of legitimating his authority, restoring government, rewarding his supporters, accommodating former enemies, and controlling the various regions of his kingdom, none of which was achieved overnight. Penman investigates Robert’s resettlement of lands and offices, the development of Scotland’s parliaments, his handling of plots to overthrow him, his relations with his family and allies, his piety and court ethos, and his conscious development of an image of kingship through the use of ceremony and symbol. In doing so, Penman repositions Robert within the context of wider European political change, religion, culture, and national identity as well as recurrent crises of famine and disease.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Military History, Royalty, Historical, Medieval History

456 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Michael Penman is a senior lecturer in History at the University of Stirling.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: ARC read via Netgalley.

It’s all Braveheart’s fault. Totally. Mel Gibson’s movie about Scotland’s Freedom Fight, William Wallace, might be one of the reasons why there is shortly going to be a vote about the dissolution of the union, but it sure as hell played fast and loose with history.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if, when asked about Robert the Bruce, most Americans said something like “you mean that guy who sold out Braveheart?”

This is a shame because, in many ways, it is because of The Bruce that Scotland became Scotland, yet outside of the United Kingdom he is not as well known as he should be. Michael Penman does go some way in changing this.

The book, in terms of style, is not perfect. It borders on being dry at times. The scholarship seems good (I am not an expert in the field) and everything is footnoted. If a reader does not have any background knowledge about the period, the reader might be a little lost. Knowing about Edward I and II is a benefit as is being away of the politics. Penman does not include much background material.

Those criticisms aside, reading the book is a learning experience, even for those who know who Bruce was. It is comprehensive as it can be in terms of Bruce’s life, focusing, in particular, on his relationship with his father and brothers. Areas of debate are examined and when the facts are unclear, Penman makes sure that the reader knows that. It seems a common thing to point but considering how many authors make jumps based on little evidence, a writer who doesn’t does deserve some praise.

Recommended highly for those interested in Scottish history.

[James Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much to commend this biography of King Robert. Until now the principal biography of Robert I has been GWS Barrow's Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm, which was first published in 1965 and has been published in four editions. Barrow's Bruce, however, pays scant attention to the post-Bannockburn period. This omission was never addressed by Barrow; Penman, hoever, concentrates on the fifteen years from Bannockburn to the king's death in 1329.

There is much in the post-Bannockburn period which is fascinating, albeit it does not have quite the visceral drama of Bruce's struggle for the throne. From 1314 to 1329 Bruce had to deal with the complexities of retaining power and of seeking to ensure the stability of the realm that he would pass to his infant heir, Prince David. Penman is excellent on the complexities of problems that faced the king. He discusses in detail how Robert sought to entrench his power by rewarding his supporters and sought by deal making to obtain a lasting peace with England, albeit without undermining his realm by acceding to the demands of the Anglo-Scots lords, better known as the Disinherited.

Penman does a fine job of conveying the complexities that faced King Robert, documenting in detail the actions of the king throughout this time and the challenges that he faced. There is much detail in the book, and that will sometimes begin the overwhelm the reader, but persistence will be rewarded handsomely. The picture of King Robert that emerges from this book is of a king that had mastered his foes - Scots and English alike - on the battlefield, governed his subjects wisely, and had was similarly masterful in his dealing with those who opposed him on the diplomatic 'battlefield'.

One of the problems with this book (and which is entirely beyond Penman's control) are the gaps in the Scottish archival records. Penman is frequently forced to resort to make suppositions as there is simply no documentary evidence on which he can draw. One of the times this is most obvious is the 1320 coup to depose Bruce. This is one of the most important events in Bruce's reign, but Penman is forced to speculate on the motivation of the plotters as there is simply nothing firm on which to base his writing (the chroniclers do recount this event, but their version of it is confused and unreliable).

In summation this is a very good book, which does much to add to out picture of the latter years of Bruce's reign, but once cannot evade the conclusion that it is not a great book. King Robert was indisputably Scotland's greatest king, but he still awaits a biography comparable to his greatness.

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turbulent period in Scottish history produced a vast array of interesting characters, none more so that Robert the Bruce (seventh of that name). A man who straddled both sides of the political fence, who gave all, lost all, and ultimately won all for Scotland. A man surrounding by just as much mythology as William Wallace or the Black Douglas, and yet fact proves much more interesting than fiction.

This scholarly work would surely have a place on the bookshelf of both the student and academic alike.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

I have read more than my fair share of books on medieval English history, and feel like it's high time I hear "the other side of the story", so to speak. Robert the Bruce is this legendary Scottish king that most people don't know much about other than he defeated the English at Bannockburn (or that he seemed pretty much like a traitor in Braveheart). This book will end that deficit for you, perhaps a bit too much.

This is a highly technical, dense historical book. That warning should be very clearly made. I was so overwhelmed at first that I wasn't sure I was going to make it through - lots and lots of lists of names and documents and court decisions. Until I committed to reading a full chapter a day, and allowing myself to do some limited skimming, I couldn't really glean anything out of my occasional reading.

In the end, I am very glad I made it through and certainly learned a lot. If you don't have the patience to slog through this kind of tome, then I would highly recommend the conclusion. It is fantastic, and most of my quotes are from it.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Binge Reviewing My Previous Reads #History of Scotland

Michael Penman’s Robert the Bruce: King of the Scots is a meticulously researched and vividly written biography that brings to life one of medieval Scotland’s most complex and enduring figures. Picking up from the turbulence of Wallace’s martyrdom and the battles chronicled in Cornell’s Bannockburn, Penman provides a comprehensive examination of Bruce not just as a warrior but as a king, strategist, and nation-builder whose legacy shaped Scottish identity for centuries.

The book is both scholarly and accessible, blending rigorous archival work with narrative flair that keeps readers immersed in the high-stakes drama of 14th-century Scotland.

Penman delves into Robert the Bruce’s early life, exploring his lineage, ambitions, and the web of familial and political alliances that would influence his later rise to power. He skillfully contextualizes Bruce’s claim to the throne amidst competing dynasties, internal Scottish rivalries, and the overarching shadow of English ambitions.

This focus on the intricate political landscape allows readers to understand that Bruce’s achievements were never inevitable; they required patience, negotiation, and at times ruthless pragmatism. Far from a mythic hero, Bruce emerges as a shrewd and sometimes calculating figure, navigating loyalties, betrayals, and the complex expectations of the Scottish nobility.

The biography pays particular attention to Bruce’s military career, tracing campaigns that culminated in Bannockburn while also examining lesser-known skirmishes and sieges. Penman highlights Bruce’s tactical ingenuity, his ability to read both terrain and opponent, and his skill in rallying diverse Scottish forces under a unified command. Unlike accounts that focus solely on the spectacle of battle, Penman situates these engagements within political and social contexts, showing how military victories reinforced legitimacy and how temporary setbacks tested the resilience of Bruce’s rule.

What sets Penman apart is his nuanced treatment of Bruce’s kingship beyond the battlefield. Governance, legal reforms, and efforts to consolidate the Scottish realm are given equal weight alongside martial exploits. The book explores how Bruce strengthened the monarchy, managed relations with the Church, and cultivated loyalty among regional magnates. Through this lens, his life becomes a case study in medieval statecraft, demonstrating the interplay between personal ambition, national identity, and the structures of power.

Penman also engages with historiography and legend, carefully distinguishing documented events from myth while acknowledging how heroic narratives—like those of Wallace or Bruce himself—shaped both contemporary perception and modern memory. This analytical rigor gives the work depth, situating Bruce within both his historical moment and the enduring symbolic landscape of Scottish nationalism.

Comparatively, Penman complements Barrow’s and Cornell’s works. Where Barrow emphasizes the “community of the realm” and Cornell dramatizes Bannockburn, Penman integrates both perspectives into a full-scale biography that balances the political, military, and personal dimensions of Bruce’s life. Readers gain a sense of continuity: from the collective effort that legitimized his kingship to the decisive battles that secured it, and finally to the administrative and dynastic strategies that ensured its endurance.

Ultimately, Robert the Bruce: King of the Scots is a definitive study that combines scholarship, narrative precision, and historical empathy. It portrays Bruce as a layered figure—warrior, politician, and visionary—whose life exemplifies the challenges and triumphs of leadership in medieval Scotland, and whose legacy resonates far beyond his own era.

[H. P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no Scotland without Robert the Bruce.

Braveheart features the Bruce in a bit role that is only a little bit historical. Outlaw/King is centered on the Bruce but, like most accounts, it only tells the tale of how he won the realm, not how he kept it. Penman’s account’s primary selling point is that he devotes as much attention to the Bruce’s post-Bannockburn career as to what happens before.

Sadly, Penman falls into the academic history trap of sucking all of the tremendous inherent drama out of his narrative.

It can’t be easy to tell a story this good so dully. Penman can be less than clear is distinguishing between the Bruce and his father (admittedly no mean task). He gets bogged down throughout in listing seemingly every single royal grant. I understand the study of Scottish history suffers from a dearth of original sources even more severe than is generally the case for medieval Europe. But that doesn’t mean you have to tell us everything. Penman doesn’t spend enough time providing context or placing discrete events within a broader narrative.

Speaking of his father, Penman views Robert not as a serial side-switcher (as depicted in Braveheart), but someone committed to resisting the English and willing to defy his father to do so (as neither Braveheart nor Outlaw/King depicted him). Penman doubts that Comyn conspired with Edward; he is willing to believe, on the other hand, that the murder was premeditated.

There is plenty of inherent tension in Robert’s reign, even after Bannockburn. Independence from England remained a closely run thing. Not the least because Robert was frequently in poor health, was separated from his wife for an extended period of time, and did not sire a son until 28 years after his daughter Marjory was born. A war-torn, divided land produced an income half that of his predecessor two generations prior.

Penman’s account might be necessary, if only for the post-Bannockburn coverage, but I would start elsewhere.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of Robert the Bruce from the publisher.

[Brandon Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish, I could not put Penman's analysis of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, down.

What gripped me was the chronological account of Robert's upbringing, family and potential watershed moments. Penman's writing style creates a historical story, embedded with factual evidence, that walks you through Bruce's fight and political maneuvering to become King. It truly felt to me like a story unfolding before me that kept my eyes glued to the page.

Now, as a student history, I can honestly say this analysis of Bruce is not over-embellished in patriotism. Penman tackles the issues of Bruce's early 'career' and the sources that have survived to this day. This results in a very informative and objective review of Bruce's kingship, both within Scotland and on the international stage.

The only subjective con to Penman's work is if you seek in-depth detail of the Scots military strategy during this time. Whilst he covers campaigns across Europe, he mainly focuses on the impact and consequences these brought to Bruce's rule.

Ultimately, I would recommend this to anyone as THE quintessential book to learn about the mechanisms and manoeuvres to solidify Bruce's Kingship.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant biography. Please be aware is very academically written which is brilliant and highly informative. Just have it as a thing to remember

[Nancy Goldberg Wilks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert the Bruce: King of the Scots is a detailed biography of the famous Scottish king written by Historian Michael Penman. As I am an amateur armchair historian, I feel ill-equipped to review this massive, detailed, professional work.

Before reading the book, I was aware of Bannockburn and fascinated by Robert the Bruce – but, I was aware of little else. This immense historical tome has changed that.

Although Penman claims that Robert the Bruce focuses on Robert’s fifteen year rule after Bannockburn, the book, like the story, begins much earlier. Penman describes the climate into which the Bruces claimed rights as heir to the Scottish throne, as well as the contrary rights claimed by others. We learn of the complex machinations, the political climate of both England and Scotland, and the competing claims that led up to Robert Bruce being crowned king of Scotland. We see how masterful Robert was at reading and handling the politics around him, as well as at dealing with adverse natural conditions that challenged the country. Penman explains how Bruce handled these difficult situations, conspiracies, and changing political and religious climates, both within and without Scotland. Bannockburn was a turning point, and Robert’s method of rule also changed. The book continues through – and beyond – Robert’s death, resulting perhaps from leprosy.

I was amazed to learn how “hands-on” and “down in the trenches” a ruler Robert was. In addition, he appears to have been very savvy and sophisticated. But, as I have already admitted, I am no Historian.

I enjoyed Robert the Bruce, and I learned a great deal. I did not, however, particularly care for the writing style. Although the book is informative, insightful, and appears to be well documented, it is not an easy read. While reading it, I frequently wished that I could sit down and do some rewriting of it.

In addition to the writing, I was most frustrated by the organization. Penman would be progressing through time and then suddenly the book would seem to jump backwards in time. Though the book appears to progress chronologically, it jumps around so much that I quite honestly cannot understand the organizational understructure. Perhaps this is simply the bane of the discipline.

Nonetheless, to chronicle Robert the Bruce’s rule is a massive undertaking, and the result is chocked full of much detailed information. Penman should be commended for his masterful reconstruction of the life of Scotland’s beloved hero.

RECOMMENDED

[Jeff Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most people would remember Robert the Bruce from the movie Braveheart. While it wasn’t the most flattering portrayal, Penman’s academic biography goes further to reveal his alliance with the English to obtain the Scottish throne, his murder of John Comyn to do the same, and how it really wasn’t until the death of Edward I, that he made any progress in sustaining his kingdom. What I find particularly interesting is that popular books and series, such as Game of Thrones, pale in comparison to the level of politics and treachery that actually came from the time period. One could draw allusions to Rob Stark “King of the North” to Robert the Bruce “King of the Scots”. Robert the Bruce would become the first King of Scotland by repeatedly defeating and embarrassing the English, at one point almost capturing Edward II. It was the gap between the death of Edward I, the repeated clashes with Edward II, and the peace pact with Edward the III, that establishes the Kingdom of Scotland separate from the English.

While this could have been a fascinating account of the time period with all sorts of treachery, desperate times, and glorious battles, Penman has created a purely academic text without narrative flow. While he could have taken some time with the imagery and created powerful scenes (such as at the Battle of Bannockburn where he splits Sir Henry de Bohun with a battle axe), he rushes through all the information, giving names, dates, and battles as if one was to commit it to memory. One could compare this to Thomas Costain’s the Three Edwards and be left wanting. While Penman provides more detail on the Scottish side of the story, he really needed to create a better narrative.

Penman takes great pains to correct the poet John Barbour, whose poetry shaped much of the primary history of the time period, but takes away any of the drama in doing so. He creates a man out of the myth, but he pulls apart the tapestry in the process. It is an informative account and timely with the Scottish Independence vote coming to a head as this book was being published, but it lacks the dramatic narrative that is required of most biographies for the general public. It seems as if someone could use this as a jumping off point to create one.

[Odette Cortés · Rating 3 out of 5]

So with this book I am on the fence. Yes, it is filled with information; names, places, years, everything might need to know and wonder about the history of Scotland and Robert the Bruce. No, there is not really a story, but facts, lots and lots of facts piled on top of each other. Therefore the reading wasn’t easy. Therefore if you are going to read this for a paper this is perfect, if its for curiosity or light reading I wouldn't recommend it.

Michael Penman’s Robert the Bruce: King of Scots is painfully detailed and it gives you the history of one of Scotland’s greatest heroes step by step. You get to read of how busy this man’s life was as Penman condenses tons of information in the pages of the book.

I got this book from NetGalley.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, what an incredibly detailed book. Unfortunately, it was so detailed, it completely left me behind. Great for scholarly historians, not so much for those with a passing interest.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert the Bruce is an excellent book to read about the Scottish king. I thought it was well researched and documented. Recommended.
5 stars.

[Steve Gorka]

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