Who Was Robert The Bruce?

Robert the Bruce reigned Scotland as Robert 1.  He lived from 1274-1329.  He was involved with William Wallace in the uprising against Edward 1 of England, in the years 1297-1298.  He fought against Edward because although Robert was a rightful heir to the throne of Scotland, Edward instead chose John Balliol to be king.  
In 1306 Robert the Bruce seized the throne of Scotland.  Edward ll was now in control of England and he and the pope did not recognise Robert as king of Scotland.  However, after Edward ll was murdered in 1327, Edward lll took power and he recognised Robert as the Scottish king.  This led to Scotland being granted the status of being an independent and separate kingdom from England in 1328.  It is for this reason that Robert the Bruce is still celebrated in Scotland today.  His victory was shortlived however: he died in 1329, reputedly from leprosy.

A self proclaimed scots king.