Robert II of Scotland Worksheets
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Summary
- Early years and guardianship
- Accession to the throne and reign
- Loss of power and death
Key Facts And Information
Let’s find out more about Robert II of Scotland!
Robert II descended from Robert I of Scotland and from the prominent Stewarts. He was heir presumptive to the Scottish throne for more than five decades. He was one of the Guardians of Scotland during the minority of David II. His reign from 1371 until his death in 1390 was characterised by a brief period of political and economic stability, the rise in power of his sons, and the conflict with England. Robert II was the first of the Stewart dynasty that ruled Scotland for many centuries.
Great Seal of Robert II of Scotland
Early years and guardianship
- Born on 2 March 1316 in Paisley Abbey in Renfrewshire, Robert Stewart was the only child of Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, and Marjorie Bruce, the eldest daughter of Robert I of Scotland. His mother is believed to have died in 1317 in a riding accident. His father came from a prominent Scottish family. Robert was brought up as a Gaelic noble in the west of Scotland, particularly on the Stewart lands in Bute, Clydeside and Renfrew.
- The right of Robert’s mother as heir to the throne was revoked by Parliament in 1315 in favour of Robert I’s younger brother, Edward Bruce. However, Edward died in battle in 1318, which led Parliament to name Robert as heir should the king die childless.
- In 1324, Robert lost his position as the king’s heir presumptive when Robert I had a son named David with his second wife.
- Two years later, Parliament at Cambuskenneth restored him to the line of succession should David die without a successor. He was given lands in Argyll, Roxburghshire, and the Lothians, along with the status.
- Following the death of his father in 1326, Robert, at age 10, succeeded as the 7th High Steward of Scotland and inherited vast estates. This position conferred upon him a status equal to that of the most influential families in the kingdom.
- In 1327, David II became king following the death of Robert I. Since he was still a minor, Guardians of Scotland were appointed to rule the kingdom under the orders of the late king.
- At the time, Robert was already orphaned and was entrusted to the care of his uncle, Sir James Stewart of Durrisdeer, who was one of the appointed regents.
- Robert’s position as heir to the throne was again under threat as the Second War of Scottish Independence broke out in 1332.
- Edward Balliol, son of the deposed John Balliol, invaded Scotland to overthrow David II with the assistance of Edward III of England.
- The Bruce supporters suffered heavy defeats at Dupplin Moor in 1332 and again at Halidon Hill in 1333, at which the 17-year-old Robert joined.
- Balliol’s forces continued to overpower David II’s supporters. In fact, Robert’s estates fell to Balliol, as well as numerous Scottish strongholds, by the winter of 1333.
- Robert successfully escaped from being captured and took refuge at Dumbarton Castle, where the king and other nobles were also staying.
An 18th-century depiction of David II
- In 1334, the house of Bruce appeared to be on the losing end, and so David II fled to France. Meanwhile, Robert was determined to win back his estates in the west of Scotland.
- While David II was in exile, Robert took advantage of the conflict between Balliol and the king to expand his own estates and strengthen his influence and network of allies.
- He was also appointed a Guardian in the absence of the king, jointly and later as a sole ruler. By the late 1330s, Balliol lost a significant number of his principal supporters to the Bruce side and the main English garrisons started to fall to the Scots.
- By 1341, it appeared that Scotland was stable and secure enough to allow for David II’s return. Upon his return, the king realised that his nobles had significantly expanded their own power bases, particularly Robert.
- This led to the king’s distrust towards Robert. David II began to rule on his own.
- In 1346, David II launched an invasion of England and was initially successful. Robert accompanied the king at the Battle of Neville’s Cross, which ended in England’s favour. Many Scottish nobles were killed in battle.
- David II was wounded and captured. He remained a captive in England for the succeeding 11 years.
- The period of David II’s captivity in England again saw the rise of Robert to the guardianship of Scotland.
- In 1347, Robert undertook the legitimation of his ten children with Elizabeth Mure. His marriage to Elizabeth in 1336 was deemed uncanonical, thus he secured a papal dispensation to allow him a canon law marriage.
- Robert’s guardianship was briefly cut off by Parliament due to David II’s influence. He secured the position once again in 1352.
- Several negotiations were held between Scotland and England for David II’s release. Robert and the regency council often rejected the terms, which prevented the king from being freed.
- It was not until 1357 that the Treaty of Berwick was reached, in which a huge ransom would be paid in annual instalments over 10 years in exchange for David II’s freedom. The treaty also stipulated a 10-year truce between the two kingdoms.
- Scotland’s failure to complete the ransom payment allowed Edward III to continue to pressure the childless David II to name an English successor. This was again rejected by the Scottish regency council.
- David II governed actively for the rest of his reign. In 1363, he successfully dealt with a brief rebellion led by Robert. Robert finally submitted to the king after the failed coup. Despite the animosity between the two, Robert remained the king’s heir presumptive.
Accession to the throne and reign of Robert II of Scotland
- In February 1371, David II died of natural causes. Robert II, who was heir presumptive for more than five decades, succeeded to the Scottish throne. His coronation was delayed owing to an armed protest by William, Earl of Douglas, which likely involved a dispute regarding Robert II’s right of succession.
A 16th-century depiction of Robert II
- Under Robert II’s rule, the Stewarts significantly extended their holdings in the west, in Atholl, and in the far north. His sons, including those from his second marriage, were granted important titles.
- This expansion of the Stewart influence came at the expense of other nobles. Nevertheless, it did not cause resentment since the magnates were usually well rewarded.
- Robert II delegated authority to his sons, now in key posts, and this style of kingship generally went well for the first decade of his rule.
- In essence, he was able to establish his control over half of the Scottish earldoms through his sons or by strategic marriages of his daughters to prominent lords.
- Also in the early years of his reign, Robert II sought the future security of the Stewart dynasty by having Parliament pass provisions regarding the succession. The Stewarts were to rule Scotland in the centuries to come.
- Furthermore, Robert II also set about fabricating a history of a unified Scotland with his grandfather, Robert I as its greatest hero. This was to improve the public image of the Stewarts.
- Robert II commenced retaking parts of southern Scotland that his predecessors had lost to England. He entered into a defensive treaty with the French. The Scottish magnates on the border launched attacks on the English-held zones.
- Whilst the 1370s saw the recovery of the country’s finances and the continuity of its policies, this changed in the latter part of his reign.
- The wool trade, which brought lucrative customs duties for the Crown, became less profitable. Direct taxation ended, and the authorities responsible for tax collection grew increasingly fractious.
- Scottish militancy on the border with England increased and proved successful in the late 1370s, especially after the death of Edward III. In the early 1380s, Scottish attacks on the English zones continued, resulting in the recovery of Lochmaben Castle and Teviotdale. Robert II then sent delegates to participate in the Anglo-French truce of 1384.
Loss of power and death of Robert II of Scotland
- As Robert II’s reign progressed, his son, John, Earl of Carrick, became the most important Stewart magnate south of the Forth. Meanwhile, his other son, Alexander, Earl of Buchan, who was in charge of the government in the north, was disliked by many northern earls. Robert II appeared unwilling to deal with Alexander’s activities. This led to a coup d'état in 1384, in which Robert II’s authority to govern was removed and John was appointed Guardian of Scotland.
- Robert II remained king in all but name, leaving most matters of government to John.
- With John in power, John’s supporters significantly benefited from Crown patronage. Meanwhile, he was unable to curb his brother Alexander’s activities in the north. In fact, Alexander gained more control.
- In 1385, the Scots renewed the conflict with England. A Scottish force with French assistance penetrated the north of England. This resulted in small gains and also provoked a damaging counterattack by Richard II of England.
- A series of truces halted the war, but by 1388, Scotland again organised an attack against England. The Battle of Otterburn in Northumberland ended in Scottish victory. However, this signalled John’s fall from power.
- The guardianship passed from John to Robert II’s son, Robert, Earl of Fife, in 1388. Robert had the support of many nobles, as he was determined to deal with Alexander. He removed Alexander from his positions in the north. Robert II then toured the northeast in January 1390, perhaps in order to promote the new political setup. On 19 April, the king died in Dundonald Castle in Ayrshire and was succeeded by his eldest son, John.
Image Sources
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Robert_II%2C_King_of_Scotland_seal.png/800px-Robert_II%2C_King_of_Scotland_seal.png
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/David_II_of_Scotland_by_Sylvester_Harding_1797.jpg
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/ca/Robert_II_of_Scotland.png?20080906164716
Frequently Asked Questions About Robert II of Scotland
- Who was Robert II of Scotland?
Robert II (1316–1390) was the first monarch of the House of Stewart (later Stuart) and reigned as King of Scotland from 1371 to 1390.
- What was Robert II's relationship with Robert the Bruce?
Robert II was the grandson of Robert the Bruce. His father, Walter Stewart, was the High Steward of Scotland, and his mother, Marjorie Bruce, was Robert the Bruce's daughter.
- How did Robert II become king?
Robert II became king after his uncle, King David II, died without legitimate heirs. As the next in line through his mother, Robert II inherited the throne in 1371.