Stirling. Robert the Bruce. And Independence

Robert the Bruce, Stirling Castle, Scotland

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Update to 2014.  Scotland may press, and possibly succeed, in seeking independence. Who is to judge?  Issue ongoing.

Look back, however, at Robert the Bruce, 1279-1329.  He. as King of Scotland at the time, fought for that against the English with their overwhelming resources and military experience, and lost.  That is the tale and impression.

• Or did he? Robert the Bruce was indeed mortally wounded, and his army was small and badly equipped, but there is more.  The cause was not lost; but instead the battle was a victory for R the B and his men.  Update 2014:  The  Financial Times recounts a more accurate assessment:  see Don your 3D glasses to fight Scotland's 'auld enemy' from April 5-6, 2014 at http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/3d31a13c-b9bf-11e3-a3ef-00144feabdc0.html#axzz300RUM4DD 
• Bannockburn brainwashing: the term in the article for revisionist history. And a new video and game at the visitors' center now shows that.

So independence was not wrought by all force;  it took a treaty some 400 years after Bannockburn to establish full political union, and settle the issue.  See Scots independence issues, Global post, at   http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/united-kingdom/120224/scottish-independence-alex-salmond-cameron-referendum.  England is not keen.  They had the military victory, but apparently hearts and minds remain elusive..
How many families, including ours, with both Ireland and Scotland roots, and English, have put a Robert Bruce in every generation.  Does that mean we are related?  Probably not.  Fantasizers like to think so, even if through the time-honored route of bastardy, as was William the Conqueror. A bastard, that was, as probably were our forbears.  Wonderful, but hardly in "the line." Independence for Scotland.  The fantasist likes it. Scots independence. Salute, with a balance needed so the common good is served, both sides.

The usual photos of R the B seem remote, medieval, not connected.  We prefer ours.  ROBERT THE BRUCE.  See above.  A mind, a body, an intelligence, a strength, a leadership, not to be diminshed by statuary presented in the usual way, interchangeable.  He needs to be on his horse. Not this tripe: see yjr BBC -- usually, and here, a reliable fact source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/bruce_robert_the.shtml

This, a tribute to our family's most recent, Robert Bruce McConaghy.  Hi, Rob. Will a niece, a nephew, a child, a cousin, pass on the tradition. Tradition of naming.  The actual genes do not matter.  The heart does. The heart of Robert the Bruce, severable from other remains. Heart at Melrose Abbey, or elsewhere, not diggable. See the fate of the heart at  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/robert-the-bruces-heart-finds-its-final-resting-place-1167359.html

A family value, with or without genes to boot:  autonomy regardless of gender or surrounding ideologies from people with steeples. Go, R the B. See your sword in the displays at Stirling Castle.  Huge.  Enormous.  Whose arm could wield but thine.  Go, R the B.  Fitness with a purpose.

Stirling Castle, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

William Wallace, a la Braveheart, at Memorial, Stirling, Scotland

Attention should be paid to the swords of famous battle leaders.   Robert the Bruce, who led the victory of the Scots over the British at Bannockburn in 1314, see http://www.britishbattles.com/scottish/battle-bannockburn.htm apparentlyearlier (later?)  received the sword of William Wallace, see http://www.forthstimeline.com/downloads/wallace_leaflet.pdf .  Scroll down the sites for representations of medieval swords.  Wallace may not have been a pivotal figure at all for Bruce, but the two later get linked by the proximity of their memorials. See, e.g., http://www.hotelsinscotland.org/scotland/bannockburn-stirling-scotland.php/ Wallace was tortured and killed by the English in 1305 when they finally overcame him by betrayal, capture, butchery.  Wallace was known for his own victory over the British at Stirling Bridge in 1297.

What happened to that particular sword is not known, but the sword attributed to Robert the Bruce in Stirling, is so long and heavy that it is hard to imagine anyone able to lift it. I understand that a young man began with increasingly heavy and long swords so that by the time he was grown, he could wield such a one handily.  Like lifting a cow by beginning as a child with a calf. 

Robert the Bruce, Equestrian Statue, Stirling Castle, Scotland

Stirling. A Wedding and Stirling Castle; History of Stirling

Stirling, Scotland, traditional wedding

Love around the world. Enjoy this happenstance photo of a couple, kilts and all in the family, and the bagpiped processing up the cobblestones to their reception at Stirling Castle.

Stirling, like so many castles, rents itself out to banquets and special events. See its formidable location here, at http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirlingcastle/. In 1299, Robert the Bruce reclaimed it from the English. Short-lived. See its timeline at http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirlingcastle/timeline.html, and history at ://www.instirling.com/sight/castle.htm

Stirling Castle, on its high outcrop of rock, stands vigil over the lowest point for crossing the River Forth. Records are paltry for prior to 1100 AD. Then, things begin. A Chapel is dedicated there, Cambuskenneth Abbey is built on the grounds below, by the river, and William the Lion sets up a hunting park at Stirling.

British hunting parks were an early land-management idea, geared, however, for the benefit of the local lord. A monarch or ruler would set aside lands for fostering herds of game animals, but included in the concept were laws governing forest management, and restricting access by common people, see Encyclopedia of World Environmental History at page 979 here, at this Google book. The book also describes and compares uses of "commons" and later public parks.

Then William I was captured, and his release was conditioned upon the English getting Stirling. Then the British give it back, and William ultimately dies there. See Timeline at http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirlingcastle/timeline.html/ Read there of the series of building programs, murders, sieges, all the stuff of England vs. Scotland and aspiring ruler vs. aspiring ruler at that site. Use these sites that offer timelines - quick reference for an overview.

Stirling, William Wallace - "Braveheart"

 
William Wallace Statue, Wallace Memorial, Stirling Castle area, Scotland

The tower memorial to William Wallace, near Stirling Castle, is about 220 feet high, and this smaller commemorative statue is at the base, near the parking area.  From this height, Wallace is said to have watched the collecting English soldiers, before the Battle of Stirling.

This Wallace statue has not been popular, with people thinking it looks too much like Hollywood's Braveheart a la Mel Gibson.  The film title is even inscribed on the shield there.  So, some have defaced the nose. 

The space for the statue was leased, not purchased, so the lease is about to expire and we can expect that it will not be renewed.  It was offered for sale but no-one bought.  See ://www.scotlandvacations.com/williamwallace.htm/

Note the sword.  It is a 5/ 4" bruiser, of the type "Claymore" - see them at://www.medievalware.com/Scottish-Great-Claymore-Sword-p/2011mk.htm/. Seeing one up close:  cannot even imagine being able to lift it with both hands to waist height outstretched.