Robert Bruce and the community of the realm of Scotland

by G.W.S. Barrow

'The best book on Scottish history ever written.' Gordon MenziesThe 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. Illustrated with maps and photographs, including a plate section. (11/28/05)

Genres: History, Scotland, Biography, Nonfiction, Medieval History

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Geoffrey Wallis Steuart Barrow DLitt FBA FRSE was an English historian and academic. He was Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh, and arguably the most prominent Scottish medievalist of the last century.

The son of Charles Embleton Barrow and Marjorie née Stuart, he was born on 28 November 1924, at Headingley near Leeds. Barrow attended St Edward’s School, Oxford, and Inverness Royal Academy, moving onto the University of St Andrews and Pembroke College, Oxford.

He became Lecturer in History at University College, London in 1950, remaining there until 1961 when he became Professor of Medieval History at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and then in 1974 Professor of Scottish History at the University of St Andrews. He was Sir William Fraser Professor of Scottish History and Palaeography at the University of Edinburgh from 1979 to 1992.

He married, in 1951, Heather Elizabeth née Lownie, with whom he had one son and one daughter.

He began his work by studying the nature of feudalism in Anglo-Norman Britain, but moved on to specialize more thoroughly on Scottish feudalism. His work has tended to focus on Normanisation in High Medieval Scotland, especially in reference to governmental institutions.

Reviews

[Eylül Çetinbaş · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the glorious Scottish history books I've ever read. I'm a big enthusiast of Professor Barrow, how I wish I could take a course from him or just meet him. I tried to contact, however, i was told that he was very old and hardly went either to his office or to the university. He, himself and his books are legendary to my way of thinking.

[Leon McNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Bruce And The Community Of The Realm Of Scotland

A good book to pair with this reading might be - James The Good: The Black Douglas, David R. Ross


An impeccable book that presents the historical account of the glorious, victorious, meticulous, and sagacious Robert the Bruce, king of Scots. Reason surmounted over more reasons for his appreciation, and it quickly became more obvious why this particular king of Scots is today revered in Scotland as the hero-king, and was contemporarily known as Good King Robert, he who is the true "Braveheart". A book surely worth meticulous study, in order to effectively understand the Community of the Realm of Scotland at the time, the conservative behaviour of the Scottish nobles in defending the primogeniture line of kingship, the attitudes of Scottish-Anglo relationships and causes, and the effect that William Wallace had: I would implore anyone to read it.

Robert the Bruce's story does not start when he became king, however. And nor does Scotland's triumph against tyranny. G.W.S. Barrow also discusses the burdens Scotland faces against two kings who constantly shun the Kingdom of Scotland in wake of its Realm of nobles and barons, in favour of claiming to be Scotland's overlord. As such, the Scottish people in the form of the nobles, gentry, barons, bishops, and knights, face against these foreign kings in matters of Church, Law, legislation, warfare, and diplomatic talks of peace, all in the pursuit of their independence as well as their king being fully understood and recognised. Letters to the Pope for the recognition of Scotland as independent and sovereign are constantly written, but interfered and blockaded by English letters written by the king and bishops claiming overlordship, noble-submission, and that as it's a domestic matter the Pope ought not to interfere. While the Scots campaigned for peace in the Canterbury peace-talks, Edward I laughed and scorned them, threatening with oath to, "lay the whole of Scotland waste from sea to sea and force its people to submission". Against all grounds of shifting from this view, no peace could realistically be made, and many failed attempts were made by Robert the Bruce, should it only be that England were to recognise Scotland as independent with the valiant Bruce as its king: further to the pains of this cause, after the Battle of Bannockburn, the Declaration of Arbroath 1320 was written that led to the Pope's final acceptance, and the Treaty of Edinburgh 1328 thereafter that led to Edward III's eventual acquiescence.

"To the most sincere prince, the Lord Edward, by God's grace illustrious king of England, Robert, by the same grace king of Scots, sends greetings in Him by whom the thrones of rulers are governed.
Since while agreeable peace prevails the minds of the faithful are at rest, the Christian way of life is furthered, and all the affairs of Holy mother church and of all kingdoms are everywhere carried on more prosperously, we in our humility have judged it right to entreat of your highness most earnestly that, having before your eyes the righteousness you owe to God and to the people, you desist from persecuting us and disturbing the people of our realm, so that there may be an end of slaughter and shedding of Christian blood. Everything that we ourselves and our people by their bodily service and... of wealth can do, we are now, and shall be, prepared to do sincerely and honourably for the sake of good peace and to earn perpetual grace for our souls. If it should be agreeable to your will to hold negotiations with us... let your royal will be communicated to us in a letter..."
- Robert the Bruce, king of Scots; letter to Edward II, king of England, c.1320

[Louise Musgrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure Class.
As an Englishwoman, I found it humbling to read about these times when English kings sought to attack all our neighbours. Our kings were an obnoxious bunch! This book by Barrow showed what happened when we provoked the Scots by trying to conquer them. King Robert I was an amazing man who gave the Plantagenets and their followers a right bloody nose. I found myself supporting the Scots. King Robert I is an inspiring man!

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on Robert the Bruce and the Scottish War of Independence that you'll EVER read. In addition, this just may be the best book on the idea of the "nation state" in Medieval Europe that you'll ever read.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Binge Reviewing My Previous Reads #History of Scotland

G. W. S. Barrow’s Robert the Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland is a masterful exploration of one of Scotland’s most iconic figures and the political, social, and military structures that shaped his reign.

Far from being a mere hagiography of Robert the Bruce, Barrow situates him within the complex web of feudal loyalties, local communities, and national aspirations, offering a nuanced portrait of leadership, nation-building, and mediaeval Scottish society. The book is dense with scholarship yet remarkably readable, bridging meticulous archival research with narrative clarity.

Barrow’s core argument revolves around the concept of the “community of the realm,” emphasising that Robert the Bruce’s success depended not solely on personal valour or martial prowess but on his ability to unify diverse factions within Scotland. Nobles, clergy, and commoners each played a part in sustaining the independence struggle against England, and Bruce’s legitimacy was as much a product of consensus as of conquest. This perspective reshapes the popular perception of Bruce from a lone hero to a political strategist, adept at navigating alliances, rivalries, and the shifting loyalties of his contemporaries.

The book meticulously traces Bruce’s rise from contested kingship to ultimate victory at Bannockburn, embedding each military manoeuvre in the broader socio-political context. Barrow emphasises the interplay between local allegiances and national objectives, showing how Bruce leveraged his relationships with regional lords and clans to consolidate power. The narrative also pays attention to the administrative and institutional aspects of his reign, including land management, taxation, and the legal frameworks that strengthened the Scottish monarchy. In doing so, the book demonstrates that nation-building was not simply won on the battlefield but through sustained governance and negotiation.

Barrow excels in contextualising Bruce’s campaigns within broader medieval Scottish society. The interplay between war, politics, and community is portrayed with granular detail: sieges, skirmishes, and diplomacy are intertwined with the social obligations and economic realities of the time. Readers gain insight into the lives of nobles, knights, and ordinary folk, understanding how their support, resistance, or neutrality shaped the course of history. The book also interrogates myths and legends surrounding Robert the Bruce, separating folkloric embellishment from historical evidence without diminishing the inspirational qualities of his life.

A notable strength is Barrow’s use of primary sources. Charters, letters, and contemporary chronicles provide a rich foundation for interpretation, giving the narrative authority and precision. The text is supported by maps and genealogical tables that clarify complex familial and political networks, aiding comprehension of a period characterised by factionalism and territorial disputes.

In comparative terms, Barrow’s study resonates with works on other mediaeval nation-builders, such as Froissart’s chronicles of Edward III or the biographies of Joan of Arc, yet it distinguishes itself through its focus on the interplay between king and community. Unlike romanticised histories of Scottish independence, Barrow emphasises institutional structures and collective agency, making the book both a political history and a social history.

Ultimately, Robert the Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland is an indispensable account for anyone seeking to understand the making of mediaeval Scotland. It illuminates how leadership, loyalty, and communal cohesion intersected to produce a resilient national identity, providing a textured understanding of one of history’s enduring figures.

Through Barrow’s meticulous scholarship, Robert the Bruce emerges not just as a hero of legend but as a shrewd, pragmatic, and profoundly human architect of Scottish independence.

[G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book online specifically because I had been asked to update the school resources on the 'Scottish Wars of Independence' topic. After that experience I naturally became more invested in the history of that era, and I wanted to read one of the great pieces of historical writing therein. Having studied the topic at university I remember Barrow being mentioned in revered terms by my lecturer, himself a leading academic on the subject. It was late one night and I started reading the Amazon 'look inside' tab. Within 2 minutes I was hooked.

This is history writing par excellence. No longer vague figures from the dim and distant past, Robert Bruce, William Wallace, King Alexander III, King Edward I all come vividly to life in a thrilling narrative re-telling of a period of history become legend in Scotland and throughout the world. Alongside the narrative is an objective, sharp analysis which demonstrates the mind of a skilled professional at the top of his game. No stone seems unturned in the research; otherwise bland seeming documents become illuminating evidence through Barrow's writing on the basis of which this world of medieval power and politics is rejuvenated.

There are so many passages which grab attention but the chapter on Bannockburn is simply sublime. The scale of the two armies mobilising, the clear difference in morale between Edward II's three massive units of landed knights and gentry versus King Robert's erstwhile rag-tag band of brothers is a spectacle that even THAT Hollywood film could not capture. I would even go so far as to say Barrow captures something transcendent about the Scottish national character: the hardy pragmatism with which Bruce speaks to his soldiers on the eve of battle reverberated deep within, making me feel connected to my history in a way that has been lost as the world becomes smaller.

Robert (the) Bruce is not always portrayed as the hero. In much historical writing he has been made out to be a traitor, a murderer, a machiavellian manipulator, and/or a cold-blooded opportunist. Barrow's view is that of the steadfast, realist conservative: his virtues were his indefatigable defiance of tyranny and his surefire belief not just in his own position but in the unity of Scotland as distinct from its nearest neighbour. It was his faith in Scottish independence answerable only to God, in fact, which inspired others to support him.

Brilliantly, beautifully written; Barrow had me reaching for the dictionary app at regular intervals. Not only has my knowledge of this period of history improved substantially, but so has my vocabulary! (Bruce, for example, was known for his 'contumacy'...!) Not always an easy read, and there are some passages of analysis which are dense but necessary to understand the overall topic. Bear with it, though, and you will reap the rewards granted by a master of medieval history.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

very informative, my first real read of aspects of Scottish history ,I've got a better understanding of that time and also why we are passionate about our two great heroes in the bruce and Wallace ,and why were proud to be Scots, the tragedy of Wallaces execution and the fate that befell the bruces brothers it was a brutal time of treachery and double dealings and a reminder that the elite will do anything to secure there titles and estates at the expense of the rest of us not to dissimilar to this day and age

[Steven Shook · Rating 4 out of 5]

G.W.S. Barrow's Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm is a comprehensive biography drawn from numerous sources that sheds light on the life of Robert Bruce beyond his incredible achievement at the Battle of Bannockburn. Barrow does excellent work weaving detailed information throughout the book into a very readable story. This should be required reading for anyone with an interest in the history of Scotland.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

No Flow, slow read often lost interest

[Bev Mynott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book though not quite what I was expecting. I think I was expecting a "biography" of Robert the Bruce, with information on his family, his life, etc, but instead this is a fascinating book about the Scottish Wars of Independence, life in late medieval Scotland, the Scottish church and politics, and puts Robert the Bruce into context. This is the authoritative book on this subject, and boy does it deliver! There are a couple of excellent chapters at the end of the book about Good King Robert, what we really know about him, which sources are reliable and which are not, and judges him by the standards of his time rather than by our modern standards.
This is what history books should be like.
My only comment is that if you know little or nothing about Robert the Bruce, this isn't the book to start with - you would be better with a more straightforward history of his life, and then use this to build up your knowledge of the times he was living in, the chronology of events that took place and the people involved in the Wars of Independence.

[A D · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are literally dozens of books to choose from if you want to read about Scotland’s greatest King. This is by far and away the best of them. Written in 1965, it is a scholarly masterpiece. Detailing Bruce’s early years, taking of the throne and his struggles to keep it and leave it to his successor’s. It takes in all of the important characters of the time, is incredibly detailed but also immensely readable.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Professor Barrow’s detailed history of Robert Bruce’s ascent to the throne of a united Scotland and its achievement of definitive independence from England in the 14th century. For the general reader, the genealogical parts will seem over done but the portrayal of the economic social political religious and military aspects of Scottish history of the time are superb.

[Artists' Forest]

First edition hardcover, copyright 1965

[Old-Barbarossa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's more to King Rab than spiders and Bannockburn.