Edward II of England barons banished Gaveston, to which Edward responded by revoking the reforms and recalling his favourite. Led by Edward's cousin, the Earl of Lancaster, a group of the barons seized and executed Gaveston in 1312, beginning several years of armed confrontation. English forces were pushed back in Scotland, where Edward was decisively defeated by Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Widespread famine followed, and criticism of the king's reign mounted. The Despenser family, in particular Hugh Despenser the Younger, became close friends and advisers to Edward, but Lancaster and many of the barons seized the Despensers' lands
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