Source: “The Knights templar And Scotland”, By Robert Ferguson, The History Press, Brimscombe Port Stroud, Gloucestershire, 2011.
8a. Templars at Bannockburn - A Historical Mystery.mp4
8a. Bannockburn's Templar Secret - Unpacking Bruce's Impossible Victory.m4a
This topic explores the intriguing question of whether Templar Knights could have been present at the Battle of Bannockburn, specifically assisting Robert the Bruce. It first establishes Robert the Bruce's background, highlighting his renowned fighting skills, linguistic proficiency, and widespread reputation, suggesting he would have been known and respected by Templars. The text then delves into the logistics of Templar flight from France and England, analyzing their potential ages, combat experience, and estimated numbers to determine if a significant force of experienced knights could have reached Scotland. While acknowledging that a definitive answer remains elusive, the author concludes that it was plausible for Templars to have been at Bannockburn, possibly as advisors, given the circumstances of their persecution and Bruce's sudden success with a large army.
Topic 1: Robert the Bruce's Background and Education Robert the Bruce was born on July 11, 1274, at Turnberry Castle. Details about his early youth are sparse, but in keeping with the customs of the era, he was likely fostered and educated by a foster mother alongside her own children. By the age of eighteen, he had acquired a comprehensive education and exceptional fighting skills. He was recognized as a well-rounded and likeable individual. Due to his position as an heir to the Scottish throne, Bruce was rigorously trained in the languages pertinent to his lineage and nation. He was fluent in Gaelic, English (both the court English of London and northern English dialects), and Norman-French, and was literate in Latin, also possessing the ability to read French. This linguistic versatility would have enabled him to communicate effortlessly with Templars from England and many from France.
Topic 2: Robert the Bruce's Renowned Fighting Prowess Robert the Bruce's combat skills were widely celebrated and highly regarded across Christendom. He was ranked among the three most accomplished knights of his time, alongside the Holy Roman Emperor Henry and Sir Giles D'Argentan. His decisive and immediate actions were exemplified by his swift dispatch of John 'The Red' Comyn. A profound demonstration of his phenomenal courage occurred on the first day of the Battle of Bannockburn. During this engagement, he confronted Sir Henry de Bohun, to whom King Edward I had granted Bruce's lands. Bruce struck de Bohun with such immense force that his axe cut through the opponent's helmet, skull, and brain, causing his own axe handle to splinter. This incident underscored his formidable strength and battle-hardened resolve.
Topic 3: Robert the Bruce's Diplomatic Relations with France Formal diplomatic exchanges between Robert the Bruce and France initiated around 1309. This commenced with a letter from King Philip IV, who reminded Bruce of the historical alliance between the French and Scots and solicited assistance for a forthcoming crusade. Robert the Bruce's response was cordial, yet he requested that his aid for the crusade be deferred until Scotland had successfully "recovered her pristine liberty." This interaction demonstrates an established line of communication between Scotland and France, and it indicates Bruce's strategic prioritization of Scottish independence even while maintaining amicable international relations.
Topic 4: Robert the Bruce's Physical and Reputational Legacy Robert the Bruce died on June 7, 1329, at the age of fifty-four, most likely succumbing to the effects of leprosy. His noble stature and the indelible marks of his life of battles are visually depicted through various historical representations. A statue at Bannockburn showcases his regal presence. Further, a forensic bust, meticulously crafted from his skull by Dr. Ian Macleod and Dr. Richard Neave, provides a vivid portrayal of his facial features. This bust reveals the scars and creases etched onto his face, including a sword wound to the head and a broken cheekbone, unequivocally indicating that he was a formidable and resilient individual. His reputation as a skilled fighter was not confined to Scotland but extended widely across Europe, suggesting he would have been recognized and respected by numerous Templar Knights.
Topic 5: Templar Eagerness to Potentially Join Robert the Bruce Considering the brutal fate that befell arrested Templars and the unique circumstances of Scotland's blanket excommunication from the Church, it is highly probable that Templar Knights would have been exceptionally eager to align themselves with Robert the Bruce. The widespread excommunication of Scotland created an anomalous environment where Templars, who were being persecuted across Europe, might find a sanctuary or a cause worth fighting for, free from the immediate pressures of the Papacy and secular rulers who had turned against them. This situation offered a rare opportunity for freedom and continued purpose, making an alliance with Bruce highly appealing.
Topic 6: The Central Question of Templar Presence at Bannockburn The debate surrounding the actual presence of Templars at the Battle of Bannockburn is an intense and ongoing historical discussion that is unlikely to be definitively resolved as an absolute fact. Proponents of their presence often assume their involvement, sometimes picturing them charging during the battle, perhaps even in their distinctive white tunics bearing the red Templar cross, particularly over Gillies Hill. Conversely, skeptics argue that the majority of Templars who would have constituted an effective fighting force had either been killed at Acre in 1291 or would have been too advanced in age by the time of Bannockburn in 1314. Therefore, the fundamental question remains whether any Templars who fled could have effectively assisted Robert the Bruce, either as combatants or, more likely, as advisors.
Topic 7: Key Historical Timeline Related to Templars and Bannockburn Understanding the context of potential Templar involvement at Bannockburn necessitates an awareness of several critical dates. The fall of Acre, a significant event for the Templars, occurred on May 18, 1291. Sixteen years later, on October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France initiated the widespread arrests of Templars. The decisive Battle of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce secured a monumental victory, took place on June 24, 1314. This date falls twenty-three years after the fall of Acre and seven years after the major Templar arrests. This timeline is crucial for assessing the potential age, combat experience, and overall availability of Templars who might have been in a position to participate in or advise at the battle.
Topic 8: Templar Recruitment and Service in Outremer New Templar recruits typically joined the Order in their mid to late twenties, though some squires were knighted earlier, around twenty or twenty-one years old. It was also common for many Templars to be recruited later in life. Before the fall of Acre, new, young recruits were promptly dispatched to the fighting lines in Outremer, the Crusader states in the East. Knights generally served in Outremer for a period ranging from one and a half to three years. Following this period of service, they were rotated back to France or their native countries, a practice similar to modern military rotations. This system ensured that a core of experienced, battle-hardened knights was continuously developed and cycled through the Order's various strongholds.
Topic 9: Age Profile of Templars at the Time of Arrest An analysis of the ages of interrogated Templars provides insight into their demographic makeup. The Templars, leading an austere but generally healthy lifestyle, tended to live fairly long lives, often reaching their late fifties or early sixties, provided they were not killed in battle. In France, among those interrogated, twenty-four percent were between the ages of fifty and fifty-nine. Furthermore, eleven percent were even older, aged between sixty and sixty-nine years, with a small number being older still. This age distribution is important for determining how many Templars, at the time of their arrest in 1307, might have still been physically capable of contributing to a military effort like Bannockburn seven years later.