Famous Men of the Middle Ages · Ch. XXIII · Unit 8: Freedom fighters and far travelers
31. Robert Bruce
Goal: Your child can tell how Edward I tried to rule Scotland, the stories of Wallace and of Bruce and the spider, and what happened at Bannockburn.
You'll need
- The book, open to this chapter
- A map of Europe and the Mediterranean (a free online map or a globe)
- Paper and colored pencils
- Your timeline strip (see the tips at the top)
What's in the book
Chapter XXIII (1306-1329): asked to choose a Scottish king, Edward I of England makes himself king, takes the Stone of Scone to Westminster, and imprisons King Baliol. William Wallace drives out the English but is beaten by the English archers and later put to death. Robert Bruce is crowned in 1306, is beaten five times, and hides in a hut on an island, where a spider's sixth try gives him courage. He wins back the castles and defeats Edward II at Bannockburn on June 24, 1314. In 1328 England recognizes Scotland's independence.
The lesson, step by step
Set the scene
Find Scotland, the Grampian Hills in the middle, and Stirling, near where Bannockburn was fought. Then find the small islands off the north coast of Ireland.
Read the chapter
Read Chapter XXIII aloud. It begins:
The most famous king that Scotland ever had was Robert Bruce.
Heads-up: the book says Edward "cruelly put to death" Wallace, and that Bruce split a knight's skull with his battle-axe. Both are brief.
Tell it back
Prompts:
- How did Edward I become king of Scotland?
- How did Wallace arrange his men, and how did Edward beat them?
- What did Bruce's wife say when he was crowned?
- What happened at Bannockburn?
Bruce and the spider
Read Bruce's words as he watched the spider:
That is just the number of times the English have defeated me. If the spider has courage to try again, I also will try again to free Scotland!
SayThe book says "It is said"; this is a famous old story. Ask: Have you ever kept trying at something after failing again and again?
What we know now
The book says the Stone of Scone was still in Westminster Abbey in 1904. Say: In 1996 it was given back to Scotland. It travels to London only when a new king or queen is crowned.
Remember it
Add to the timeline: "1314 Battle of Bannockburn." Say: 1314, Bannockburn: Scotland is free.
Afterwards
Ask your child to tell the story of Bruce and the spider to someone in the family.
Tip
If your child likes the spider story, find a spider web outside this week and watch for a while (just look; don't touch).
Answers to the book's problems
Thirteen men claimed the Scottish throne and asked Edward to choose; he said he would be king himself, and his army made the nobles kneel to him. Wallace put spearmen in hollow squares with bowmen inside; Edward brought up his archers, whose arrows broke the squares. She said they were only playing at being king and queen, like children; he answered that he would be king in earnest. Bruce, with thirty thousand men, beat an English army of a hundred thousand under Edward II.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.