[Robert the Bruce Trilogy 01] • The Path to the Throne

The first book of a new trilogy about Robert the Bruce's and Scotland's historic struggle for independence in the Middle Ages. When King Alexander III is killed at an early age, a struggle for the throne of Scotland between John Balliol, supported by the powerful Comyn clan, and the Bruce family begins. Edward Longshanks, King of England, nicknamed the Hammer of the Scots, seizes the opportunity to declare himself Lord of Scotland and installs John Balliol as a puppet king.

For the next thirty years Scotland has to fight for its independence, led initially by William Wallace until his barbaric execution in London, and then by Robert Bruce who is crowned King of Scots amidst a climate of murder, treachery and shifting loyalties.

This first book takes us from Robert’s childhood to his coronation, which is immediately followed by defeat at the hands of his English foes and their Scottish allies. Robert and a few companions become fugitives and the future looks bleak indeed.