1297 - 1364

1297
William Wallace annihilates an English army at Stirling Bridge after having successfully captured many Scottish towns.

1298
At Falkirk, William Wallace's overconfident forces are soundly defeated by those of Edward I. The Scots leader will never again command a large body of troops, but become a fugitive.

1305
William Wallace is betrayed, captured and finally executed in London.

1306
Robert Bruce, having murdered John Comyn, declares himself King of Scots.

1307
Robert Bruce wins his first victory over the English on Palm Sunday, thus, galvanizing the clans into action.

1308
Death of Duns Scotus, Franciscan scholar who has pioneered the classic defense of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception to be forever enshrined as a basic tenet of Roman Catholicism.

1314
Fought on Mid-Summer's Day, the Battle of Bannockburn is a stunning victory for Robert Bruce, for Scotland and for small nations everywhere in their attempts to remain independent. Edward II's English army is annihilated.

1318
Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray, who had helped achieve Scotland's great victory at Bannockburn, persuades Pope John XXII to recognize Robert Bruce as King of Scots.

1320
By The Declaration of Arbroath, English King Edward II recognizes Scotland as an independent kingdom and Robert Bruce as its king. The Declaration makes Scotland an independent nation, the first in Europe to have its territorial unity under a single king.

1323
The Treaty of Northampton is ratified by a weary, helpless Edward II, recognizing Bruce's title to the Scottish throne. A final treaty will be signed in 1328.

1325
Birth of John Barbour, who's "The Bruce" was the first major work of Scottish literature, telling the story of the Scottish leader's triumphs. His later works on Bruce include the political history of Scotland from the death of Alexander III in 1286 to the burial of Bruce's heart in 1332.

1329
David II succeeds Robert Bruce as king of Scotland, but his irresponsible behavior leads to the increase in the power of the Scottish barons that will have such important repercussions in Scottish political and religious history.

1332
Edward III invades Scotland, and Edward de Balliol is installed as king. David Bruce is forced to flee to France.

1346
David Bruce's attempt to recapture the throne of Scotland ends with defeat at Neville's Cross, where he is taken prisoner and held for the next eleven years, during which he will become thoroughly indoctrinated in English customs.

1364
Anglo-Norman Edward de Balliol dies. His recognition of, and gifts of land to, English king Edward III lays the foundation for English domination of the Scottish lowlands.