(1274–1329). A fugitive lay on a bed of straw, heartsick with discouragement. Idly he watched a spider hanging from its web and trying to swing itself from one beam to another of the wretched cottage roof. Six times the spider tried and failed. “If it tries again and is successful,” said the fugitive to himself, “I too will make another attempt.” On its seventh attempt the spider was successful. The fugitive was the Scottish hero Robert Bruce, who had been crowned king of Scotland after Sir William Wallace was executed by the English (see Wallace). Taking heart from the spider's success, he now won back one stronghold after another. At last, on June 24, 1314, the English and Scottish forces met in the great battle of Bannockburn, which was to decide the fate of Scotland. The great army of Edward II came pouring over the border. Bruce had not half as many men. He chose a strong position. On one side flowed the little stream called the Bannock, with steep rocky banks; on the other rose Stirling Castle. In front were bogs and marshes. Wherever the land was firm, Bruce had pits dug to entrap the enemy's horsemen. The skilled English archers were unsupported by the English cavalry and were forced to retire. When the armored knights advanced they stumbled into the pits that had been dug for them and found themselves helpless before the forest of leveled spears of Bruce's men. Presently from behind the Scottish ranks what appeared to be a fresh army was seen advancing. In reality it was only the servants, drivers, and other camp followers whom Bruce had sent behind a hill, and who now came forward to join the fight. The English were thrown into confusion and suffered a bloody defeat. Bruce's throne and Scotland's independence were secure. Bruce proved to be a wise king and during his reign, from 1306 to 1329, was called “good king Robert.” In his later years he longed to go to the Holy Land to fight against the Muslims, who were again in possession of the Sepulchre of Christ. He was the more anxious to do this because he was troubled at the thought that when he was a young man he had slain a rival before the very altar of God. When he knew that he must die without fulfilling his desire, he asked Lord James Douglas to be responsible for taking his heart to the Holy Land. When Bruce died, Douglas put the king's heart in a silver casket and started with it for the Holy Land. In Spain he found the Christians hard pressed by the Muslims and went to their aid. In the heat of the battle he threw Bruce's heart into the midst of the infidel host, crying: “Go thou before as thou wert wont to do, and Douglas will follow!” The brave Douglas perished in the battle, but one of his knights recovered Bruce's heart. He carried it back to Scotland, where it was buried in Melrose Abbey. |