King Robert II of Scotland (1371 - 1390)
Name: King Robert II of Scotland
Father: Walter Stewart
Mother: Marjorie daughter of Robert Bruce
Relation to Charles III: 18th great-grandfather
House of: Stewart
Born: March 2, 1316 at Paisley
Ascended to the throne: February 22, 1371 aged 54 years
Crowned: March 26, 1371 at Scone Abbey, Perthshire
Married:(1) Elizabeth Mure, 1336
Married:(2) Euphemia of Moray, 1355
Children: 10 by Elizabeth Mure including John (Robert III), 4 by Euphemia and several illegitimate.
Died: April 19, 1390, at Dundonald Castle, Ayrshire, aged 74 years, 1 month, and 17 days
Buried at: Scone Abbey
Succeeded by: his son John who took the name Robert III
Robert was a grandson of Robert Bruce, and the first in the House of Stewart dynasty. The name came from his ancestor Walter Stewart who was appointed High Steward of Scotland by David I. He had escaped following the defeat of David II at Halidon Hill in 1333 and took over as Guardian of Scotland while David was in exile in France.
He was a mature man of 54 when he succeeded to the throne on the death of David, but he was weak king and did not rule well over the nobles who were critical of him leading to a loss of prestige of the crown. His heir John took over the rule to attempt to restore law and order.
A truce with England in 1384 was short lived, and the border wars continued. In 1388 the Scots under James Douglas won a victory at Otterburn near Newcastle over Henry Percy ‘Hotspur’ of Northumberland.
Robert had 14 legitimate children and at least 7 illegitimate. He was succeeded by his son John who took the name Robert III.
Timeline for King Robert II of Scotland
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1371 | Robert Stewart, the first Stewart King of Scotland becomes king |
| 1384 | Truce is arranged between England, Scotland, and France. Scotland refuses to recognize truce. Anglo Scottish war resumes |
| 1388 | Battle of Otterburn in which Scots defeat Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur) |
| 1390 | Robert II dies and is succeeded by his son John, who becomes Robert III. |