Robert Bruce: And the Community of the Realm of Scotland - Tapa dura

This towering history set a new academic standard for academic writing. -- Alec Salmond The best book on Scottish history ever written. -- Gordon Menzies It is described on the dust-wrapper as ' the best book on Scottish history ever written ' . Such hyperbole is rarely deserved; in this case it surely is. -- MICHAEL PRESTWICH English Historical Review This towering history set a new academic standard for academic writing. The best book on Scottish history ever written. It is described on the dust-wrapper as ' the best book on Scottish history ever written ' . Such hyperbole is rarely deserved; in this case it surely is.

The story of how Robert Bruce outwitted Edward I, the shrewd and ruthless King of England, defeated his son Edward II, and in doing so regained Scotland's independence. Professor Barrow describes the dazzling and tragic career of William Wallace, the English military occupation of Scotland that was its consequence, and the emergence of Robert Bruce as the centre of Scottish resistance. The author pieces together from the surviving evidence a vivid and almost day-by-day account of Bruce's daring tactics, his crowning at Scone in March 1306, his defeat by the English three months later, and his life as a fugitive.