The Crown in the Heather

In the early 14th century Scotland is without a king.  Robert Bruce wants to be that king, yet King Edward of England doesn't want that to happen.  He wants Scotland to be a vassal state of England.  Because of Edward, Bruce does not become king, rather that honour goes to a Balliol.

The Scottish nobles are in disagreement about who should be their king.  William Stewart and Bruce agree to provide their children as hostages to Edward in order to prevent the English from attacking Scotland.  Meantime, William Wallace does battle with the English.  When Wallace loses a major battle, many Scottish nobles turn their backs on him.  Bruce, in turn, turns his back on the Scottish nobility.  He plans on protecting his own land.

However, it is for the love of a woman that The Bruce is prepared to kneel before Edward.  By swearing fealty to Edward, he hopes to both gain the crown of Scotland and the hand of the woman he loves.  However, it is a traitor that truly hands the crown of Scotland to Robert Bruce.

For all that, King Edward would not stand idly by.  He sends an army north.  English treachery would almost destroy Bruce and his army, and Scottish families turning one one upon another would almost be the end of his dream, but he would persevere.  I look forward to reading the next two books in this Bruce trilogy by author N. Gemini Sasson.