Braveheart

[jkdesq]

I am an unapologetic Bruce apologist. Bruce was in an awkward position. He could fight for the English and betray his country. Or, he could fight for Wallace and Baillol (Wallace fought in the name of Baillol) and aid in installing a ruler very much opposed to the Bruces who might ultimately dispossess the Bruce family. It is not suprizing that Bruce flip-flopped a fair bit, prior to his coronation.

Bruce could not have been a pseudo-independant puppet King because Edward I wouldn't have accepted it. My understanding is that the Bruces were so powerful (as great land holders in both England and Scotland) if the Bruces were Kings of Scots, the Bruces could have rivaled the Plantagents for control of England. So, as arbiter of the succession of the Scottish throne following the death of Alexander III and the Maid of Norway, Edward I picked John Bailol (ie. the Comyn's faction). Bruce could not accepted Plantegenat overlordship and be King.

Once Bailol was King, Edward I went out of his way to embarrass, humiliate and emasculate Bailol as King. Bruce wouldn't have wanted to be a puppet, because as Bailol found out, the English are not very nice to their puppets.

Lastly, once Bruce had himself Crowned at Scone, he burnt his bridges. Edward I was so angry that he had three of Bruces brothers hung, drawn and quartered. This was despite the fact that their father was an English nobleman in goodstanding. Edward I went out of his way to humiliate Bruces sisters, daughter and other female relatives. If Bruce was caught, his head would have been on a pike. After his coronation, there was never any ability for Bruce to negotiate with the Plantagets.

I think there are two stages to Bruce's career: pre-Coronation when he was in an awkward position and some flip-flopping can be understoon and post-coronation, when there was no possibility of a negotiated settlement with Edward I.