More about Robert the Bruce and Bannockburn Buy tickets for live shows at www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx Buy me coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/ScottishBruce

@brucestevenson8797

Жыл бұрын

Best haggis story ever. When will the tickets for your New Zealand shows be released? Guessing they will be through a NZ ticketing agent

@murrayscott9546

Жыл бұрын

Manl,.l just shillelaghed my pants ! Much thánks.

@stephenlemon8270

Жыл бұрын

Excellent stories very interesting

@harrymceachan2381

Жыл бұрын

A poem Bannockburn De Boyun Charges... "Get intae him Robbie" the Sodgers cried "He's only nearly double yer size" Rab Stepped aside His Pony nimble He always said She could turn on a thimble De Boyun came on O' What a sight Full Armour Helm Lance held tight Rob stood up tall grippin' His Axe Wi' it's lang lang shaft De Boyun rushed past stabbin' at air His Chance O' Fortune wis nae mair Rob swung His Axe an' cleft the Helm De Boyun fell doon an; enteret Hell The Sodgers cried "O Whit a Stroke" King Robert wis sad Cause His Axe wis broke So There The Bold DeBoyun lies Deid In a pool o' blood Wi' His V shaped Heid....

I suspect that someone looking for chivalrous conduct in medieval times would have found it mostly in books, not on battlefields.

@magnusosmond1835

Жыл бұрын

Unless you ransoming prisoners

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

You've got that right. 👍 No chivalry in destrier-charging an enemy with levelled lance that isn't fully armoured and armed themself.

Bruce and de Bohun were fighting for the Croon, Bruce took his battle-axe and knocked de Bohun doon.

Makes sense Bruce wouldn't take an unnecessary risk the day before battle, but regardless, he still stoved his heed in

@tombearclaw

Жыл бұрын

Until the advent and adoption of man portable rifled guns, generals often ranged far ahead of their armies with a smaller retinue.

@joemuir2575

Жыл бұрын

Brilliant comment, Bruce complained after it that he broke his favourite axe

Either way, Robert the Bruce was victorious . Love the channel.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

True

Brilliant Star Trek Scotty impersonation.

I’m going for the first version, not least for the showcasing of a great story being told by a great story teller! 👏👍

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

You're too kind

"And that's when haggis was invented". Sometimes, a comedy punchline is written that will reverberate through history. I think I cracked three ribs laughing. So many thanks, Bruce.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Ah, I'm delighted

@darriendastar3941

Жыл бұрын

@@ScotlandHistoryTours I have but one upvote to give you. (I'll make a Kofi payment next month so you know my thanks are sincere. Hope your time in the Antipodes is a rollicking success.)

@eamonnclabby7067

Жыл бұрын

​@@ScotlandHistoryTours there is a herd of Haggis roaming free here in the wilds of the wirral...I blame reading the Beano...

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

@eamonnclabby7067 Truth be told, Gnasher is a hairy haggis. Legit.

The John Barbour version of the story seems to me to be have been interwoven with metaphor to show how Robert the Bruce came to defeat the English- a lightly-armed underdog using nimbleness, intelligence and nerves of steel to get the better of a powerful but arrogant foe. Barbour was a poet and he understood the importance of symbolism and storytelling- even if the duel didn't happen quite the way he said it did, the dramatic, perhaps embellished, version he told perfectly illustrated what The Bruce had accomplished as a leader and warrior. Experts in medieval weapons and armour have for a long time found it pretty improbable that anyone could have literally chop through an iron helmet and split someone's head in half, even a powerful warrior with a first-rate axe. Medieval armour was really good at defending from slashing and chopping blows from bladed weapons, and helmets were usually the strongest part. A skilled and experienced veteran soldier like The Bruce would probably have aimed the blow at a less well-protected part of his opponent to make sure he killed or disabled him. That adds to the likelihood that the Barbour version is at least a bit exaggerated for poetic effect.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Don't you just love the poetry?

Another great episode, never would i take the word of an Englishman to tell me the truth, about Scottish history.

@maximillianphoenix9374

3 ай бұрын

You very wee minded man

I'm a trekkie and loved the reference!

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

I did it for you Kathleen

@kathleenlambert4961

Жыл бұрын

@@ScotlandHistoryTours 🥰

The second story has some merit in that it gives me the impression that Bruce may have considered De Bohun's party as a scouting party and therefore needed to be eliminated before "it saw too much" of the Scottish preparations. However, the first story is the most impressive given that the Scots were so very much outnumbered and therefore, when this story (whether true or not) spread throughout the Scots army, it must have been so inspirational in contributing to their victory on the second day. It also makes for a better story for Hollywood! 😂

Another class video Bruce. About time you were linked up with schools to get this heritage to our kids, told in your clever and engrossing manner. Keep 'em coming 10/10

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for that

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

Agreed, but never going to happen, until we revoke the union and replace Holyrood with a lawful Scottish Parliament. Meantime, Wastemonster and the ruling English class will never allow Scottish people, schoolchildren included, to learn of their genuine history. It's step #101 of colonising a nation.

The truth always lies somewhere in the middle doesn't it? Time and propaganda always cloud reality. Thanks Bruce!

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Aye, right enough

I did the the wars of independence for my Sixth Year History about 40+ years ago now. I scraped a pass despite missing the whole historiography section. My brilliant history teacher was appalled, but the stuff I had done must have been good enough… I’ve read a few of the better books on Bruce too, but this is the first time I’ve heard the English chronicle’s version. What I know is that the primary/secondary sources always paint the picture from their own perspective and you need to find the truth in all of it. That’s what you’ve really said here. So here’s what I think. De Bohun was scouting as the English source said. He ran into/was ambushed by the Scots who may have known he was coming, though why Bruce would but himself in danger… A melee ensues where Bruce or one of his crew kill de Bohun in a square go. Game over. Scots portray it as a heroic 1 on 1, England as a shabby ambush. Glosses over that England was on another imperial adventure in a then sovereign country they had no business being in attempting to displace the rightful King of Scots.

Stories are great. I'm English, my home is Edinburgh, so I'll go with story one. Have a good antipodean trip, Mr Fummey

Thank you from a history & genealogy buff, in the USA), who has greatly enjoyed your work, Mr. Fummey! It may be that I'm descended both from Malcolm Canmore and Edward II; definitely from Duncan I and also Henry & Eleanor. This is fascinating, as I both admire Robert the Bruce and am (possibly), a descendant of the Behun family. Please keep telling the stories of all the sorts of people who made Scotland what it is, and what it can be!

love your vids, thehistory is amazing

That was a blast. Absolutely loved it, and love hearing stories both true and folklore about King Robert.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

The spider went on to have a successful career as a motivational speaker.

LOVE your side on how haggis was invented - that created an explosion of laughter from me! Obviously, your final comments are the most logical and the Scots would "never" falsely embellish history in their favor the way the other side liked to do!

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

😜

@martinodoni8943

Жыл бұрын

Is that why Scottish look-outs claimed that the English army approaching Stirling must have been 40,000-strong......?

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

@martinodoni8943 I, along with others, I'm sure, would be everso appreciative, were you to provide links to support your comment. Unless, of course, it's spurious nonsense, created in a pique of rage, in the manner of a five year old having a hissy fit, because they don't like what they hear?! I'm sure that isn't the case, but it looks suspiciously so, ergo, I would be somewhat remiss not to enquire, as I'm sure you understand.

I'm more inclined towards the first version but with a fair few pinches of salt. It wasn't uncommon for leaders with good leadership skills to be out ahead of their troops or be doing the rounds of the encampment, encouraging their troops prior to a battle or on the march. And by all accounts, from plenty of other primary sources, de Bohun was known to be inclined towards rash behaviour, so yes, it was perfectly possible that he took his fateful decision and rode out to tackle the Bruce.

@missfoxglove8989

Жыл бұрын

The second story is more likely. He's chivalrous to his Foe, but a back stabbing traitor and a murderer to his allies. He murdered my ancestor in a church when he was confronted for a leaked coup to steal the Scottish throne and he murdered my family progenitor as well as massacring half of my ancestors who tried to rally against him after the murder. They were both supposed to be protectors of the Scottish throne.

@SteinerHaus

Жыл бұрын

I like the pink house coat idea, but baulkd at the origin of haggis. Mebbe Zombie Picts? Regardless, guid tale Sennachie.

@derektaylor8830

Жыл бұрын

@@missfoxglove8989 history doesn’t remember the losers. I wouldn’t take it so personally. Bruce did the business when it was needed, that why he is remembered as the greatest ever Scotsman. Shame for those that got in his way, but hey, it’s a hard life being a medieval mafioso.

@larrymorgan63

Жыл бұрын

Some of the most famous military leaders in history took risks and led from the front, when occasion demanded it. Alexander the Great, Julius Caeser, Napoleon and even Nelson.

@johnhiggins4470

Жыл бұрын

@@missfoxglove8989Time to get over it don’t you think? 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Thank you for the video....masterfully told. Coming from a hearty stock of storytellers myself (deep in the Appalachian wood of North Carolina, US), I can sit for hours listening to good stories. After listening to a few of yours...I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone can call history "boring" (unless it be told by a detached school teacher). Good travels Sir 😎

Hi Bruce another great video. I wish you well on your travels. And we will see you when you get back to your much loved Scotland. ..... Elgin

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

I hope so

One of my very favorite stories, Bruce! Thanks again for a great telling! *And as a fellow historian, I'm sure there's probably a bit of truth to both versions and the actual truth somewhere in between, as both versions have some sense of the realities of warfare and politics of the time.

Always interesting, always entertaining, always informative.

Wonderfully delivered.

Regardless of the version, Bruce still looks amazing.

Hi Bruce, Robert the Bruce is my ancestor, and I have the Bruce lineage back 33 generations. I love history and anthropology. I also enjoy your channel.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Very cool

Brilliantly telt. Honestly I am fine with either version as the outcome is what really matters. Hope you are planning a Canadian tour sometime after the Aussies and Kiwis. Saor Alba Gu Brath.

I so enjoy your videos. I wish complete success with your comedy tour. Hope you someday make it to the states.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Maybe one day!

Your mention of the spider story reminded me that I first heard it in junior school. I grew up in Birmingham. Shamefully, in my opinion, at senior school, we didn't cover British history at all. I think it might partly be why I like to hear about British history now.

Bruce and De Bruin fought for the Crown. Bruce took up his battle axe and knocked the bugger down. An old scot tale/poem poem.

Another spectacular production. Vivid

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated!

Love your Baja top Bruce ,I have a one ❤.

I think I'm going with the first story. Because, as we all know, history is written by the winner. 😉

So I’m up at 4am in S.Ontario so I can make boxing training at 6:30 and I find a KZread alert to another brilliant video from Bruce. Had me dying with laughter. Now I have to get that out of my head somehow before sparring. Cheers Bruce; another blinder. When are you touring Canada? 😎🇨🇦🎸

@ScotlandHistoryTours

5 ай бұрын

Live shows in Canada in 2024. Shows in Halifax, Annapolis, New Glasgow, Moncton, Montreal, Perth , Ottawa, Toronto, Fergus, Seaforth, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Most of the details are here. www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx

THANK YOU

Just love the way you tell a story 🙂

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Vickie

I can't believe I only just found this page, I would have loved to see your live show in Melbourne! I was only a few weeks late.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

11 ай бұрын

Next time

Live long & prosper, friend!

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

😜

I’m liking the first story. Any story about Robert the Bruce is most interesting to me. My ancestor was his amor bearer, secretary, & friend which eventually years later led to Drum Castle. Thanks for sharing this with us Bruce!! Stay awesome!!❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Either way, I don't see underhandedness on the part of Sir Bruce. In both accounts, Sir Henry initiated the attack bc he thought the Scotts were in a position of disadvantage. He miscalculated and lost.

I’m American of English and Scottish descent. According to my research, some of my Mom’s people were in fact de Bohun. I knew this story and when I discovered that Henry de Bohun would be a cousin to me. I think more likely it was a combination of both stories . I think Henry stumbled upon the Bruce and Bruce wacked him fair and square with an axe

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

Likely, it took more than one blow, any others, once De Bohun was unhorsed. Not a pretty ending, but no less grisly than the skewering he'd planned for De Bruce. Live by the, er...lance, die by the, er...axe.

"Arise Sir Bruce Fumey " 😄...that's no gonnae happen noo ! 🤣🤣🤣

History is written by the victorious or so I've heard. But I think 9:15 you have shown so well is told from the unique perspective of the historian's interpretation of facts. Repeated until it becomes truth. We can't help being human, ego defenses et al. As you prove so well in each wonderful video. Thank you.

Brilliantly done pal, At 40 The Bruce would have been at his most physically powerful. As a bricklayers labourer I certainly was.

I've told this story myself, but I'm going to add in the haggis part now... it make logical sense!!!

@robertlanglands9161

Жыл бұрын

But how does it square with the wild haggis being chased round the mountains by the haggis hunting dogs that Bruce previously revealed?

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

@robertlanglands9161 Socialised haggis are entirely different from their feral cousins, obviously.

I think that the first version is nearest the truth, Robert the Bruce was a doughty fighter with the axe and he often used highland ponies because the were better suited to the terrain.

I prefer the origin story of haggis. Sincerely Your American Cousin. Ian Anderson. ( Scots on both sides Anderson and Thornton, both in and around the Paisley area.) I am a Long time watcher of your channel, thank you sir for what you do and the way you do it.

brilliant

I always look forward to seeing new content Bruce. Keep it up! 👍

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man

Always makes us smile. Thanks.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

😁

"Sittin on a little pony, dressed in a pink house coat and slippers" 😂😂😂😂 That got me on my knees heaving🤣

@ScotlandHistoryTours

11 ай бұрын

😜

Bruce, I always enjoy your historical facts and “stories”. ☺️

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

Thanks for the new video! 😊

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome

Awesome video. I read this account long ago, and it always just makes a lot of sense. There are a myriad of things Bruce may have been doing out and about on the easiest mount he could find.

Love your content

I thank you for what you

@scottsmithii5195

Ай бұрын

do

Being English myself,I'm very fascinated by Bruce's character.I heard he did dine some of the English barons taken prisoner after the battle.:)

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

It was customary, as they'd be hostages for reward in cash or favour, so makes sense to treat them well.

Great video, funny and informative as always

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Glad you think so!

well done on your Downing St reply BTW👍

Both versions of the story are plausible and the truth is probably a third. Funnily enough, as an Englishman (actually 25% Scots) the only version I've previously heard is the first one, the Scots version although in that version (of the version) it took place as the opening action of the battle rather than the night before. Another excellent video Bruce!

Yeah defo one for the living room.....🤭👍atvb dave....

I watched another KZread video a while back that did an experiment using a replica medieval helmet and axe, in which they tried to split the helmet with a single axe blow as per the Bruce legend. They found it impossible to split the helmet with a single blow. Not impossible to kill who was inside the helmet just impossible to split the helmet with a single blow. I believe the second story is more likely as by this stage in the wars of independence, experience would have taught the Scots army and leadership that they would have to be uncompromisingly calculated, cunning and feral to achieve victory over almost always superior odds.

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

I'm of the opinion the blow was intend to stun and unhorse Bohun. Hard to get up, leaving him totally vulnerable, already comatose or dead. Bruce would have known this, no stranger to some the drawbacks of armour, helmets in particular, himself. The rest was likely embellishment, propaganda. Either way, Bohun didn't survive the encounter, costing England dearly, psychologically, as well as depleting them of valued manpower, all for the sake of personal glory. Someone states, in comments, his family had fallen out of favour with the king, which would go some way to explaining why he'd break ranks, as a scout or as a means of regaining his family honour, but it proved fatal, instead. His family were not what you could ever describe as lucky.

Going to be offshore in Darwin from February to April. Pity you weren't up North. My relatives in Christchurch, New Zealand might go if I tell them. Hope to catch you or your shows in Scotland sometime. Keep making the videos......my favourite Scottish history tutor 👍

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Please tell them. We're going to Darwin for a bit of snorkelling

@pinoyibon3908

Жыл бұрын

@ScotlandHistoryTours Ha ha. Pipelay for me. Leave the diving for ROV. Last time I went snorkeling was in Boracay, Philippines 🇵🇭 with my wife. A far cry from my hometown of Fraserburgh.

🥂 and I hope your new years is good ❤️

very good

Come do a show in Texas!

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

I'm measuring up a bullet proof vest as we speak😜

I've sent dates to my pals down under. I'd love to be there and come and see yas. Keep up the great work.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Yaaay

Great as always hopefully you can do individual clan videos love to hear you take on them

@therabbithole-sn5yb

Жыл бұрын

Great name, my great great grandfather was a McLaren. I've been doing my genealogy & my great grandmother was a MacKenzie, which is where I get my middle name from.

@Scottmclaren620

Жыл бұрын

@@therabbithole-sn5yb been doing mine to harder then I thought lol got as far back as 1800s

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

@therabbithole-sn5yb By the looks of it, your middle name is, er, _rabbit?_ 🤔😉😂

Star Trek references will never be too far!

You're not doing any Sydney shows! 😫

Good morning from America Bruce my friend! Another grand tale on this grand winter's day. Well told!

So...he did all that in his housecoat and slippers ...just to give the right start for hostilities (which he won) the next day...which is why we can sit and enjoy our Bruce give a blow by blow versions of the tale...thanks Bruce hope you enjoy the coffees

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Big thanks

@ChristophersMum

Жыл бұрын

@@ScotlandHistoryTours It's my plesure

As an American of French descent, I'm going to go with the "rash young knight" version. As has been said many times: There's training . . . and then there's experience. Also known as "raw recruit versus grizzled veteran."

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Aye

@kenbrown2808

Жыл бұрын

the correct pronunciation of that phrase is "old age and treachery beats youth and enthusiasm."

@edithengel2284

Жыл бұрын

I don't know what Sir Henry's previous experience of fighting was, if any, but he was not a rash youth; he was a rash adult of 37, only 3 years younger than the Bruce.

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

@kenbrown2808 _Phrasing,_ as opposed to _pronunciation._ You're welcome. 👍

There's a great story from the US Navy F-14 community, that puts a more likely optic on this encounter. One of the leading Tomcat pilots had a very high win/loss record in simulated aerial combat, he was the Top Cat. A new pilot keen to try himself against the best goes into the pre-flight brief and Top Cat tells him the fight will be guns only. Ok old school and a more worthy kill for the best of the best etc.... Twenty seconds into the aerial fight and Top Cat is claiming a Fox2 kill (IR Missile) from three miles away. "What the hell, you said guns only!" "Sorry my bad, guns only!" They break off into the second planned fight and ten seconds later Top Cat claims a Fox 3 (radar guided missile) kill from nine miles away, and turns for home. In the debrief this god of the air is challenged over his integrity. He replies "Integrity down - kill ratio up" Once you've decided to settle your differences by sticking bits of metal into each other, you've bet the house on a vicious hand and stuck with a fight to the death - kill ratio is everything. Integrity can be debated later by those away from the cockpit.

@SD-de4do

Жыл бұрын

A true testament to the stupidity of humankind.

@MuriKakari

Жыл бұрын

Stuff the bloody Marquis of Fantailler.

Interesting. I read a book by a Mr. McNair Scott and I swear he told it like the first version except it was the morning of the battle. I’ll have to fish that book out again.

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

And did you....fish the book out, I mean?

@KellyAnn1997

6 ай бұрын

@@billyandrew I couldn’t find it! I might have to see if I can find an online version now.

Kia ora from Aotearoa. When you tour this year, are you able to visit Palmerston North? It would be great to see you live!

What a fantastic channel. Educational, entertaining and funny. Although I'm English I have Scottish ancestry through my Nans branch of the family (MacFarlane) and the work you do helps connect me to that side of my ancestry. Extremely interested in the battle of Harlaw but struggle to find books on it. Currently reading Bludie Harlaw, Realities, Myths, Ballads. Do you know of any others? Any road keep up the good work.🙂

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Not off the top of my head kzread.info/dash/bejne/goBqz7yCd7Tgj7A.html

I love it. ☮️🌹🦋❤️

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Ah thanks

The second version I only heard on your video, I learnt as a child from the Ladybird book Robert the Bruce that the knight challenged the Scottish King along with the story about the spiders web. By the way I heard that Robert the Bruce was born in the village of Writtle, Essex, in England not in Scotland. I hope you get a good reception when you visit Perth, the most important one, the city in Western Australia, because I went to school there.

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

He was born in Ayreshire. The proper name was *De* Bruce, obviously of French origin.

@henrysevern

6 ай бұрын

@@billyandrew I thought no one knows for sure where Robert the Bruce was born. It is also claimed that while the family was travelling through, Robert the Bruce was actually born in the village of Writtle in Essex, England now a large village to the north east of Chelmsford. I have cycled and driven through this village many times.

I have to agree with several people in that it would make more sense that the first version occurred. I don't believe that he would take soldiers and ambush a small scouting group at the risk of leaving his post. Why run down a few scouts? He would have let them come to him and there were also recorded accounts, apposed to heresay from the English. Loved your video as always ❤

I would agree with the poem of Barbour on the account of De Bohuns death. I read a book which mentioned De Brus being a greta champion in Melee tournaments on the continent which earned him fame and fortune and showed he was a very proficient and competent combatant. The fact that De Bohun saw the King he must have let his ego get the best of him by charging the King as to De Bohun not just killing the King of Scots he would seal his reputation in chivalric terms but defeating a famous knight who won numerous Tournaments/Melee’s.

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

The kid was a contender, but paid the price of his inexperience. Jousting tournaments and battlefields are two different animals.

Well I like both stories and your jersey. And until now I liked haggis!

Nice one Brucie! 😏

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! 😃

Never heard the second version before...but it does sound more plausible 😉😊

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

Yeah, Bumhum mistakenly thinking he'd shish kebab Robert, who wasn't armoured or armed appropriately. I'd have loved to have been in his head, when realisation hit him. As the gifs, using Morgan Freeman's voice-over always say: _"It was at that moment he knew he'd fcukd up!"_ 🤪😂😂😂

And that's how haggis was invented. Brilliant. :D

@ScotlandHistoryTours

8 ай бұрын

😜

The way encounters of the sort on horses go, there could be elements of truth to both stories. A following blow as a mounted opponent passes would strike from behind. Also, Scottish mounts might be smaller, more agile "ponies" than the larger "destriers" used by the many knights. If the Bruce were scouting the situation to see for himself, the encounter could be both chance and planned. As regards the destruction of the rest of the vanguard party, it's unlikely a "vanguard" would be composed of just one night, and, wel,l the Scotts had little use for the southerners anyway.

Grew up in torwood

I'll go for the first version. But there is no way in hell that the Bruce was unprepared. Bannockburn is famous for the shallow pits, holes and spikes. Bruce's lack of armour and small pony and apparent unpreparedness were an enticement. Thousands of English cavalry had already started chasing Randolphs footsoldiers on the other route into Stirling Castle, which could have ended with Bruce being totally outflanked. 'Attack me ! Attack me ! Here I am ! There's my flag look!' What Barbour fails to mention in my opinion is that Bruce and his wee pony were maybe behind a hidden shallow pit and the dafty de Bohun was already on his way down or put off balance. Rope a Dope!

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

Sounds about right to me. I'd guess he knew it was Bruce, but had his daft heid on, thinking his superior weight with him and the destrier fully armoured, his reach advantage with the lance and Bruce's obvious lack of protection and arms would make it easy. The Spangle got what he deserved. 😂😂😂

Interesting and hilarious

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Thanks

What did you do to get sentenced to transportation Bruce? LoL! Seriously, have a wonderful trip down under. I think both stores are partly true and partly embellished I Don't think Robert the Bruce would have been caught off guard on the eve of battle. Safe journeys Bruce.

I vote for the first version!

I go for the first version.

I've always liked the Nigel Tranter version of the first story. Bruce was careless and then couldn't back down when he was challenged. De Bohun was just out of his depth lol.

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

De Bohun was unsurpassed in all jousting tournaments. Battlefields are a different game altogether. It's like paintball and war. 😂

Love your presentation style Bruce I always watch your videos. One subject I don't find covered in your archive is the debacle in the 1690's called the Darien Expedition, what happened and how come the Scots had to turn to the English for a bale out? What is the back ground to this important part of Scottish history? Surely the Scottish and English were already bound togetherv because of the union of the crowns when James the VI of Scotland became James I of England?

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

The Scottish nobles financed the ill-fated Darien attempt, using about 20% of the Lowland's finances. The English and Spanish navies blockaded supplies, so the colonists starved or froze to death. Poor organisation and logistics, as well as the lack of anticipation of unfriendly action by the aforementioned nations ensured the mission was doomed to failure. England had been eager, for many years, to lock Scotland into any sort of treaty, as Scotland, at least in a commercial sense, was expanding rapidly. The Scottish nobles, up to their eyeballs in debt, following the failed colonisation, accepted English gold to unlawfully sign the _Acts of Union 1707,_ which went against the wishes of the Sovereigns, every man, woman and child, in Scotland, the ones with the authority to give the contract the green light or to veto it. English troops were garrisoned in Scotland's cities and towns for over eighteen months, afterwatds, in order to viciously quell protests and riots by the Sovereigns. Scotland didn't go cap-in-hand to England, as the propaganda machinery still claims. It was the treacherous nobles. The rest is Wastemonster's *Smoke and Mirrors Show,* churning out lies and propaganda in equal measure.

Now that's a fine way o' making the noble haggis a wee bit more appetizing! Whichever version of this most famous story ye care to credit, it's just uncanny how relevant the spirit of it remains in Scots/English relations. Listening to those wonderful, fiery orators from the SNP blasting the Sassenach at Westminster, you'd think that Bannockburn was yesterday: "Now ’s the day, and now’s the hour; See the front o’ battle lour; See approach proud Edward’s power, Chains and Slaverie.- Wha will be a traitor-knave? Wha can fill a cowards’ grave? Wha sae base as be a Slave? -Let him turn and flie.-"

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

🤔👏👏👏👍

Thanks for doing the merch in larger sizes for FBs like me. I just bought one :) The merch site doesn't work on Firefox (just so you know). It does seem to work on other browsers.

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

Yaaay and oooh. There's a swing and a roundabout to look at

@billyandrew

6 ай бұрын

😂😂😂

Great piece of storytelling. The English version sounds by far the more likely closer to what really happened, not just because it shows the Englishman losing (so it is a story against interest), but also because it doesn't make Bruce sound like a numpty. The Scottish version pretty transparently reflects conventions about chivalrous warfare at that time, not reality. To my modern sensibilities, it sounds like a story of FAFO.

@kenbrown2808

Жыл бұрын

however, it also makes excuses for the loss by the english; which IS in the english interest when the losing bit can't be denied.

@martinodoni8943

Жыл бұрын

The Scottish version implies that Bruce violated the Chivalry code by dodging De Bohun's attack. The code of Chivalry ruled that sidestepping or dodging was a sign that you lacked the strength and the courage to stand your ground and beat your opponent straight up.

@johnmurray2995

Жыл бұрын

@@martinodoni8943 does nothing of the sort. He accepts the challenge despite being unarmored and shows extraordinary physical prowess and courage facing a fully armored opponent according to the Scottish version. There was absolutely no chivalrous law that said you just stood there and smacked away at each other without any skill or finesse.

@johnmurray2995

Жыл бұрын

@@kenbrown2808 sure, but I also said it doesn't make it sound like Bruce was a numpty who got caught out without his gear on by some arsehole looking to pick a fight. That Bruce saw him coming and buried him sounds altogether more likely to me.

@kenbrown2808

Жыл бұрын

@@johnmurray2995 as I said in my own comment, I suspect if you averaged the stories, you'd have it about right. the English interest would be in saying he was armed and in saying there was an ambush, because that excuses the attack, and excuses the loss. the scots have an interest in saying the Bruce was caught unprepared, because that makes him sound even more badaxe.

I nearly spit out a mouthful of coffee when you said that's how haggis was invented! 🤣

@ScotlandHistoryTours

Жыл бұрын

😜