Dr. Iain MacInnes

So, yeah, so if we start in the 13th century, the Bruce's hold lands in Scotland and in England. But Robert V, he also has a distant claim to the throne of Scotland, as his mother was the great-granddaughter of King David I. And according to the Bruce's, Robert V was promised the throne... around 1238 by the then childless King Alexander II.

So, yeah, so if we start in the 13th century, the Bruce's hold lands in Scotland and in England. But Robert V, he also has a distant claim to the throne of Scotland, as his mother was the great-granddaughter of King David I. And according to the Bruce's, Robert V was promised the throne... around 1238 by the then childless King Alexander II.

And so in part because of this, Robert V is known as Robert the Competitor. However, even if he was promised it, and it seems unlikely, Alexander II does produce a son who reigns successfully until he falls off his horse and dies in 1286. And unfortunately, Alexander III is pre-deceased by all of his children and is succeeded then by a young three-year-old granddaughter, Margaret.

And so in part because of this, Robert V is known as Robert the Competitor. However, even if he was promised it, and it seems unlikely, Alexander II does produce a son who reigns successfully until he falls off his horse and dies in 1286. And unfortunately, Alexander III is pre-deceased by all of his children and is succeeded then by a young three-year-old granddaughter, Margaret.

She dies in Orkney on her way to Scotland. With Margaret's death, there is no clear successor to the Scottish throne. And in that context, the 70-year-old Robert V resurrects his claim to the Scottish throne. Does he get the throne, Ian? Because it sounds like no one else is around. Because of the fact that there is no obvious successor, everyone and their auntie throws their hat into the ring.

She dies in Orkney on her way to Scotland. With Margaret's death, there is no clear successor to the Scottish throne. And in that context, the 70-year-old Robert V resurrects his claim to the Scottish throne. Does he get the throne, Ian? Because it sounds like no one else is around. Because of the fact that there is no obvious successor, everyone and their auntie throws their hat into the ring.

And so to avoid Scotland slipping into civil war, the Scottish guardians who are controlling Scotland in lieu of having a king look outside for help and they look to Edward I of England. Edward does think about pursuing his own claim to the Scottish throne, but instead he says, well, OK, I'll make the decision for you.

And so to avoid Scotland slipping into civil war, the Scottish guardians who are controlling Scotland in lieu of having a king look outside for help and they look to Edward I of England. Edward does think about pursuing his own claim to the Scottish throne, but instead he says, well, OK, I'll make the decision for you.

But all the candidates have to acknowledge me as the superior king over Scotland. And so what follows is what's called the Great Cause, which is a legal process. And in that process, Robert V is unsuccessful. Oh, no. Yes, indeed. Instead, the throne goes to his rival, John Balliol.

But all the candidates have to acknowledge me as the superior king over Scotland. And so what follows is what's called the Great Cause, which is a legal process. And in that process, Robert V is unsuccessful. Oh, no. Yes, indeed. Instead, the throne goes to his rival, John Balliol.

Ian, what's the family history? So he's certainly part of the Scottish elite. His father is an Earl, the Earl of Carrick. The Bruce family are originally from Normandy and came to England in the 12th century. And so, yes, Robert would be raised to be a Lord, to be a future Earl. There is the possibility, too, that Robert spent time within the household of King Edward I of England.

Ian, what's the family history? So he's certainly part of the Scottish elite. His father is an Earl, the Earl of Carrick. The Bruce family are originally from Normandy and came to England in the 12th century. And so, yes, Robert would be raised to be a Lord, to be a future Earl. There is the possibility, too, that Robert spent time within the household of King Edward I of England.

But we haven't mentioned his dad, Robert Bruce No. 6.

But we haven't mentioned his dad, Robert Bruce No. 6.

While Robert V passes his claim to the Scottish throne onto his son, Robert VI, Robert VI passes his claim onto his elder, onto his son, Robert VII. So Robert VI retains the claim to be king of Scots, but can live off his estates in England and not have to give homage to the new king, who is his enemy, John Balefield. Robert VII does. He has to go and give homage.

While Robert V passes his claim to the Scottish throne onto his son, Robert VI, Robert VI passes his claim onto his elder, onto his son, Robert VII. So Robert VI retains the claim to be king of Scots, but can live off his estates in England and not have to give homage to the new king, who is his enemy, John Balefield. Robert VII does. He has to go and give homage.

And he will ultimately retain that claim to the Scottish throne.

And he will ultimately retain that claim to the Scottish throne.

It's probably just a corruption of the de Bruce name that they brought from France. It is an anachronism. It is just Robert Bruce, ultimately.

It's probably just a corruption of the de Bruce name that they brought from France. It is an anachronism. It is just Robert Bruce, ultimately.