Scotland in the Middle Ages excommunication of Bruce and his followers by Pope Clement V, his support slowly strengthened; and by 1314 with the help of leading nobles such as Sir James Douglas and Thomas Randolph only the castles at Bothwell and Stirling remained under English control. Edward I had died in 1307. His heir Edward II moved an army north to break the siege of Stirling Castle and reassert control. Robert defeated that army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, securing "de facto" independence. In 1320 the Declaration of Arbroath, a remonstrance to the pope from the nobles of Scotland, helped convince Pope
Robert Bruce, 2nd Baron of Clackmannan and killed on 23 July 1403, during the Battle of Shrewsbury, and his son Robert succeeded him as third baron. Robert Bruce, 2nd Baron of Clackmannan Sir Robert Bruce, 2nd Baron of Clackmannan & Rate (died 23 July 1403) was the son of Sir Thomas Bruce 1st Baron of Clackmannan and Marjorie Charteris of Stenhouse. Robert Bruce was born in Clackmannan, Scotland the son of Thomas Bruce, 1st Baron of Clackmannan and his wife Marjory. Robert received more land in Clackmannan in 1359 from his cousin, King David II, and additional land in Rate, Scotland in 1367. He married Isabel