20 h 25 minAudiobook17 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
What does courage demand when a king has only a small band of followers and a country to fight for?
In John Barbour’s historical verse epic The Bruce, Scotland struggles to escape English rule. Robert Bruce must turn a contested claim into leadership, while nobles weigh resistance against submission and their own interests. Military setbacks leave him dependent on movement, concealment, and the loyalty of a small band.
Beside Bruce stands James Douglas, whose opposition to English power includes the loss of his family’s lands. Hard journeys, castle attacks, and carefully planned raids give the poem its adventure. At Bannockburn, preparation and leadership meet overwhelming pressure. Through these scenes, Barbour explores freedom, friendship, and the judgement that gives bravery purpose.
What you’ll discover
- A king under pressure Follow Robert Bruce as endurance and judgement become as vital as strength in battle.
- Douglas beside Bruce Meet a loyal ally whose daring draws power from careful planning and personal loss.
- Courage that knows patience Discover why these heroes conceal themselves, wait, and seek an enemy’s weakness before striking.
- The pressure of Bannockburn Enter a battle where Barbour brings preparation, leadership, and courage into sharp focus.
- Freedom worth the hardship Explore how scattered resistance becomes a shared cause through loyalty, sacrifice, and perseverance.
Who will love it
You will love this if you enjoy tales of outlaw kings, daring raids and clever ambushes, or if you wish to meet the Scotland of Bruce and Douglas in a vivid, fast-moving voice.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- A True Story and a Stolen Crown
- Douglas Loses a Father and Bruce Escapes
- A Murder in a Church and a Crown at Scone
- The Hunted King and the Long Winter
- Return to Carrick and the Douglas Larder
- The Bloodhound, the Traitors and Loudoun Hill
- Sickness, Victory in the North and Castles Won by Cunning
- The Road to Bannockburn
- What the Poem Is About and How It Is Told
Who’s who
- Robert the BruceThe Earl of Carrick who takes the Scottish crown, then endures defeat and flight, determined to win back the freedom of his country.
- James of DouglasA young knight whose father dies in an English prison, he joins Bruce and wins castles by cunning to regain his lost lands.
- Edward BruceThe king's bold brother, who loves a fight, cares nothing for the odds and hungers for a crown of his own.
- Thomas RandolphThe king's nephew, first captured and set against Bruce, who becomes his loyal captain and the Earl of Moray.
- Edward I of EnglandThe powerful king who judges the Scottish succession, takes Scotland for himself and wants Bruce hanged for his rebellion.
- Sir Aymer de ValenceThe English commander sent to put down Bruce, who respects his enemy even while hunting him across Scotland.
- John of LornA Highland lord who hates Bruce for the killing of his kinsman Comyn and hunts him with a sleuth-hound.
- Sir John ComynA rival lord who offers Bruce a bargain over the crown, but carries the secret to the English king.
Formats and delivery
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- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, from the first page.
- Audiobook
- 20 h 25 min, complete, read by Lucas Linden.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 17 minutes, to read or to hear.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Hardcover
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
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The Bruce
by John Barbour · 1375
A hunted king wades streams to lose a bloodhound while James Douglas storms castles with ladders and a trick.
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In short
The Bruce is a long poem in rhyming couplets about Robert the Bruce, who wins the crown of Scotland and holds it against the might of England. It was written by John Barbour, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, who finished it in the 1370s.
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
A True Story and a Stolen Crown
Barbour opens by promising a story that is both pleasing and true. He says that stories of brave people from the past make those people seem present, and he names his two heroes, King Robert and good Sir James of Douglas. He prays that he may say nothing but the truth.
Then he takes you back to the death of King Alexander. Scotland lies without a ruler for years, and the nobles cannot agree on a successor. Some back Balliol, who descends from the eldest sister. Others back Robert the Bruce, Lord of Annandale, who stands one step nearer in blood. Barbour sets out both arguments about male and female descent as clearly as he can.
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What is The Bruce by John Barbour about?
It is a Scots poem about Robert the Bruce, who claims the crown of Scotland and fights English rule. It follows him and Sir James Douglas through defeats, daring raids and the Battle of Bannockburn.
Is The Bruce a true story?
Barbour claims to write true history, about seventy years after the events, using eyewitness accounts. Modern historians find it accurate on many details of places and deeds, though some dates and numbers are off.
When was The Bruce written and why?
Barbour finished it in the 1370s, and royal pensions followed. The poem celebrates King Robert and Douglas, and it shows how Scotland won back its freedom.
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