Dr. Iain MacInnes

And there are individuals and families who are forced into exile and to abandon their claims to lands in Scotland because they refuse to support Robert. And they are also out there waiting for their chance. And these disinherited lords have a figurehead in Edward Balliol, son of King John of Scotland and an alternative claimant to the throne.

And there are individuals and families who are forced into exile and to abandon their claims to lands in Scotland because they refuse to support Robert. And they are also out there waiting for their chance. And these disinherited lords have a figurehead in Edward Balliol, son of King John of Scotland and an alternative claimant to the throne.

And so all of this is looming over the horizon as we look forward from Robert's death in 1329. And ultimately, his death is not the end of things. Balliol and the disinherited invade Scotland in 1332 and recommence the Bruce Balliol Civil War that Robert I had arguably started himself when he murdered John Common in Dumfries.

And so all of this is looming over the horizon as we look forward from Robert's death in 1329. And ultimately, his death is not the end of things. Balliol and the disinherited invade Scotland in 1332 and recommence the Bruce Balliol Civil War that Robert I had arguably started himself when he murdered John Common in Dumfries.

This extends a year later as the English join the conflict and so the Wars of Independence recommence once more and continue for a further 25 years before the rights and independence that Robert I thought he'd won are arguably won for good. And even then, Scotland is not what it was in 1329. Parts of the borders are lost for decades.

This extends a year later as the English join the conflict and so the Wars of Independence recommence once more and continue for a further 25 years before the rights and independence that Robert I thought he'd won are arguably won for good. And even then, Scotland is not what it was in 1329. Parts of the borders are lost for decades.

Berwick-upon-Tweed, some periods in the 15th century apart, is lost forever. And while this is not all Robert's fault, he certainly contributed to the context in which these events ultimately occurred, and he set the scene for the years of conflict that followed.

Berwick-upon-Tweed, some periods in the 15th century apart, is lost forever. And while this is not all Robert's fault, he certainly contributed to the context in which these events ultimately occurred, and he set the scene for the years of conflict that followed.