Bruce, like all his family, has a…
February 1306 CE
Bruce, like all his family, has a complete belief in his right to the throne.
However, his actions of supporting alternately the English and Scottish armies have led to a great deal of distrust towards Bruce among the “Community of the Realm of Scotland”.
His ambition is further thwarted by the person of Comyn.
Comyn had been much more resolute in his opposition to the English, he is the most powerful noble in Scotland, and he is related to many more powerful nobles both within Scotland and England.
He also has a powerful claim to the Scottish throne through his descent from Donald III (twentieth King of Scots) on his father’s side and David I (twenty-fourth King of Scots) on his mother’s side.
Moreover, he is the nephew of King John, thirtieth King of Scots.
To neutralize this threat, Bruce invites him to a meeting under truce in Dumfries on February 10, 1306.
Bruce attacks Comyn before the high altar of the church of the Greyfriars monastery and flees.
On being told that Comyn had survived the attack and is being treated, two of Bruce's supporters, Roger de Kirkpatrick and John Lindsay, go back into the church and finish Comyn off.
As Comyn had been supported by Edward, this act commits Bruce to the Scottish patriots.