Robert the Bruce was just as much a conqueror as the kings of England
So Colin Mcallister (Letters, 10 April) thinks that the Anglonorman-to-the-core Robert Bruce became King of Scots by the choice of the people unlike in England where kings ruled by conquest ?
Bruce initially crowned himself after murdering the man with the greater claim to the throne but was then forced to flee into hiding. Having by his actions then lost everything including his extensive English estates he decided that his only hope was to, yes, re-grab the throne by conquest. This he accomplished by cleverly deciding to adopt guerrilla warfare as his method.
This almost became unstuck when half his invasion force was defeated by the Mcdowalls of Galloway (not part of the people of Scotland ?), resulting in the death of two of his brothers. Part of his successful campaign included what later amounted to genocide in Galloway, Lorne and Moray “pour encourager les autres” – a king by common choice indeed! In spite of Burns’ stirring words there were precious few freemen at Bannockburn.
We may also note that the letter to the Pope of 1320 which in 1904 became the “Declaration of Arbroath” was actually at the behest of Bruce as a means of countering his excommunication for deeds committed
– ie these had actually been at the behest of the people. One of the more notable examples of “it wisnae me”?
DR A MCCORMICK
Kirkland Road, Terregles, Dumfries
We actually have indeed reached a very sad place in our constitutional debate when ultra-unionists like Allan Sutherland and Alexander Mckay (Letters, 9 April) are jumping with glee at Murdo Fraser’s inexpert attempt to diminish the importance of the Declaration of Arbroath (Scotsman, 8 April). Murdo Fraser is no medieval expert and I know that his interpretation would not stand scrutiny in the eyes of experts I have encountered through work.
The Declaration is a wonderful piece of our history, although it’s true to say that many factions through the ages have claimed that it speaks for them. They include Jacobites, anti-jacobites, Royalists and nationalists, to name a few. Nevertheless, it is an iconic piece of our history which makes clear that for Scotland, sovereignty lies with the people. And whether current day Unionists like it or not, it was a strong affirmation of Scotland’s independence.
GILL TURNER
Derby Street, Edinburgh