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
Niall Bruce of Carrick Niall Bruce of Carrick Niall Bruce of Carrick (died 17 October 1346), was a 14th century English noble. Niall is said to be an illegitimate child of King Robert I of Scotland. He was killed during the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346. Niall of Carrick is alleged to be the illegitimate child of King Robert I of Scotland and an unknown mistress. The Battle of Neville's Cross took place to the west of Durham, England, on 17 October 1346. The ensuing battle ended with the rout of the Scots, the capture of King David II of Scotland and the