Judgment

On the 700th anniversary of a pivotal event in Scottish history comes the conclusion of Robyn Young's epic trilogy about Robert the Bruce, one of history's greatest rebels Robert the Bruce has achieved his great ambition to be crowned King of Scotland, but in so doing has provoked the wrath of Edward of England. Raising the feared dragon banner, the English king marches north with his army, determined to recapture the kingdom. But the English are not Robert's only enemies. By murdering his rival, John Comyn, he has split the kingdom apart; when his own countrymen join forces with Edward against him, the newly crowned king faces disaster on the field of battle. With his army all but destroyed and many of his supporters captured or killed, Robert is forced to flee into the wilderness. He has a crown, but no country; the will to lead, but no real authority. Slowly, surely, from hidden strongholds in the mountains and out in the Western Isles, Robert pushes back his enemies with the support of a few brave men and the alluring and powerful noblewoman Christiana. Surviving battles and sickness, betrayals and hardship, he wins the hearts of those who follow him and, eventually, the respect of a nation. By midsummer 1314 the English have regrouped under Edward II and head north. These two forces will meet in an epic showdown near the village of Bannockburn, where Robert will rally his army for a battle that will lead the way toward salvation and freedom--for himself and his country--and cement his place in history, as warrior knight, exiled king, lover, comrade, murderer and legend.