Source: “The Knights templar And Scotland”, By Robert Ferguson, The History Press, Brimscombe Port Stroud, Gloucestershire, 2011.
4. The Excommunication of Robert the Bruce.mp4
4. Bruce, Betrayal, and Bannockburn - How Medieval Excommunication Forged Scottish Independence.m4a
This topic details the complex events leading to Robert the Bruce's excommunication and its profound impact on Scottish independence. It traces the lineage disputes for the Scottish throne, emphasizing the humiliation of John Balliol by King Edward I and the subsequent rivalry between Robert the Bruce and John "The Red" Comyn. The central and most significant event discussed is Bruce's stabbing of John Comyn in a church, an act that directly led to his excommunication by the Pope at King Edward I's behest. This unprecedented religious censure, however, inadvertently fostered a strong allegiance between the Scottish clergy and Robert the Bruce, setting the stage for the pivotal Battle of Bannockburn and potentially providing a haven for the excommunicated Knights Templar.
Topic 1: Overview of the Excommunication of Robert the Bruce This source primarily focuses on the excommunication of Robert the Bruce, an event rooted in the complex political landscape of late 13th and early 14th century Scotland. It highlights that the excommunication was a pivotal moment, influenced by King Edward I's earlier actions, particularly his selection of John Balliol as King of Scotland in 1292. The excommunication is presented as a significant historical application of the "law of unintended consequences," implying that its repercussions, especially eight years later at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, were unforeseen by those who initiated it. The presence of the Templars at Bannockburn is also noted as being connected to these unfolding events.
Topic 2: Scottish Fealty to England (Pre-1306) Before 1306, the King of Scotland was required to owe fealty to the King of England, Edward I. This arrangement meant that Scotland was not genuinely independent, and its monarch had to be acceptable to the English king. This fundamental lack of independence for Scotland and the overlordship claimed by King Edward I provided the foundational context for the succession disputes and conflicts that ultimately led to Robert the Bruce's excommunication and the subsequent war for Scottish independence.
Topic 3: The Vacant Scottish Throne (1290) and Contenders The events that culminated in Robert the Bruce's excommunication began around 1290, when the Scottish throne became vacant. This created a power vacuum and a multitude of claimants to the crown. Among these many contenders, only two were recognized as having a legitimate and strong claim: John Balliol, Lord of Galloway, who was a direct descendant of David I and had the backing of the powerful Comyn family through his sister's marriage; and Robert I, Lord of Annandale, known as Robert the Competitor, who was the grandfather of Robert the Bruce. Their competing claims set the stage for external intervention and internal strife.
Topic 4: King Edward I's Intervention in Scottish Succession To resolve the dispute over the Scottish throne, King Edward I took an active role. In June 1291, he opened a "great court" where each contender presented a petition detailing their lineage and reasons for their claim to the throne. The court deliberately delayed its decision, continuing through June 1292. Ultimately, with considerable influence and "nudging" from King Edward I, the court finally named John Balliol as the rightful heir to the Scottish throne on November 17, 1292. This highlights Edward's direct involvement and manipulative influence over Scottish affairs.
Topic 5: John Balliol's Humiliation and Abdication Despite being crowned King of Scotland, John Balliol's reign was largely ineffective and marked by constant humiliation at the hands of King Edward I. Edward I had unilaterally declared himself the "overlord of Scotland," diminishing Balliol's authority. Furthermore, many Scots, including Robert I (Robert the Competitor), refused to acknowledge Balliol as king or pledge homage to him. This lack of recognition and the continuous indignities inflicted by Edward I ultimately led to Balliol's abdication on July 10, 1296, leaving the Scottish throne vacant for the next ten years.
Topic 6: The Struggle for the Throne Post-Balliol Following John Balliol's abdication in 1296, the Scottish throne remained vacant for a decade. During this period, two major contenders emerged as the leading figures in the ongoing struggle for the crown: Robert the Bruce, who was the grandson of Robert I, and John 'The Red' Comyn. Their rivalry was intense, as both commanded significant power and influence within Scotland, setting up a direct conflict for the ultimate prize of the Scottish kingship.
Topic 7: The Backgrounds of Robert the Bruce and John Comyn Robert the Bruce and John Comyn represented two powerful and competing forces vying for the Scottish throne. The Comyn family had strong English roots, and John Comyn himself was considered to have a more direct lineage to the throne, which garnered him the backing of King Edward I. In contrast, Robert the Bruce's family, the de Brus line, originated in France, and he was widely regarded as being from the noblest stock in all of England. These distinct backgrounds contributed to their rivalry and complicated the loyalties of Scottish nobles.
Topic 8: The Stabbing of John Comyn at Greyfriars The single most pivotal event directly leading to Robert the Bruce's excommunication was his stabbing of John Comyn. This infamous act took place in front of the altar at the Monastery of the Grey Friars in Dumfries. The fact of the stabbing itself is widely known and well-documented in historical accounts. However, the precise sequence of events and the motivations immediately preceding this violent confrontation remain less clear and are subject to various interpretations. This act of sacrilege within a holy place was a critical turning point.
Topic 9: The Controversial Pre-Stabbing Agreement One widely known narrative suggests that before the stabbing, Robert the Bruce sought a compromise with John Comyn, possibly prompted by a severe illness of King Edward I in 1205 (though this date is likely a typo for 1305 or similar). Bruce allegedly proposed an imaginative deal: he would cede his lands to Comyn if Comyn would support his claim to the Scottish throne, or alternatively, Comyn would cede his lands to Bruce if Bruce backed Comyn. They supposedly signed and sealed this agreement, which included a bond of secrecy. Comyn reportedly chose to take the land and pledged support for Bruce, but then immediately betrayed Bruce by giving a copy of the indenture to a recovered and furious King Edward.