" And Now for Something (almost) Completely Different"........

Why "almost"? Because they are still 3d prints from Potbelly Miniatures

Apart from that one similarity, I have not painted anything of this type for 20+ years I would imagine.

So, without further ado, I give you....

Robert the Bruce and The Black Douglas!

Robert I (1274–1329), known as Robert the Bruce, was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329. A descendant of King David I, he became a leading figure in Scotland’s struggle for independence from England and is remembered as a Scottish national hero.

Initially supporting William Wallace’s campaign, Robert eventually claimed the Scottish throne. Crowned in 1306, he faced English defeats before regrouping and launching a successful guerrilla campaign against English forces.

His greatest victory came at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where he defeated a much larger English army under Edward II, securing Scotland’s independence in practice.

In 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath affirmed Scotland’s independence. This was recognised by the Pope in 1324 and formally acknowledged by England in 1328. Robert died in 1329 and was succeeded by his son, David II.

On 23 June, 1314, the first day of the Battle of Bannockburn, two English cavalry formations advanced towards the Scots who were positioned beyond the Bannock Burn. As they crossed the stream, the English formations encountered a body of Scots, among them Robert the Bruce himself. Without warning, Henry de Bohun, the nephew of the Earl of Hereford, raised his lance and charged at the unsuspecting Bruce. Bruce turned to face him and, at the last moment as the two passed side by side, he swiftly pulled his pony aside, dodged the lance and split Bohun's head wide open with his battle axe. 

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Sir James Douglas (c. 1286–1330), known as The Black Douglas, was one of Scotland’s most celebrated military commanders and a close companion of Robert the Bruce. He played a major role in the Wars of Scottish Independence, earning a fearsome reputation among the English for his daring raids and ruthless battlefield tactics.

Douglas became renowned for his guerrilla warfare, surprise attacks and daring raids into northern England. He helped capture Roxburgh Castle in 1314 and fought alongside Bruce at Bannockburn. His repeated victories made his name feared by English soldiers and it was even used to frighten children.

Following Bruce’s death in 1329, Douglas undertook to carry the king’s embalmed heart on a crusade to the Holy Land. Diverting to Spain to fight the Moors, he was killed at the Battle of Teba in 1330. His remains and Bruce’s heart were returned to Scotland, where the heart was buried at Melrose Abbey.

And in my wallet, I have one of these (yes, for all you Englishmen, it is a dreaded Scottish pound note - shriek, horror, pass the smelling salts, vicar!)

As you can see, Robert the Bruce is so venerated in Scotland, he is even on our money (or was until the notes were all replaced with crappy fake gold coins!)

And here is his statue on the field of Bannockburn, near Stirling 

Thanks for visiting!