Robert the Bruce later account, "Tales of a Grandfather" by Sir Walter Scott, and may have originally been told about his companion-in-arms Sir James Douglas (the "Black Douglas"), who had spent time hiding out in caves within his manor of Lintalee, which was then occupied by the English. The entire account may in fact be a version of a literary trope used in royal biographical writing. A similar story is told, for example, in Jewish sources about King David, and in Persian folklore about the Mongolian warlord Tamerlane and an ant. It is said that before the Battle of Bannockburn, Bruce was attacked
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