With the Netflix original film, Outlaw King, now released he is very much the man of the moment once again.

Bruce is such a well-known figure in Scottish history that facts you may not already know about him are quite hard to come by.

However, historians at Historic Environment Scotland have been looking at the lesser known bits of information about the Outlaw King.

Interest in Robert the Bruce has surged following the release of Netflix original film Outlaw King with the King of Scots played by Chris Pine. PIC: Netflix.

Here historian, Nicki Scott, cultural resources advisor at HES, looks at 10 more hidden pieces of history surrounding the great warrior and leader.

1. Never the twain shall meet

Although they were alive at the same time, and William Wallace was Guardian of Scotland immediately before Robert the Bruce, there is no evidence that the two ever met.

2. Not an axe-ident

The poet John Barbour wrote that Bruce broke a favourite axe killing Henry de Bohun in single combat at the Battle of Bannockburn.

Accounts tell that the English knight lowered his lance and charged at Bruce. The Scot stood his ground. At the last minute Bruce side-stepped the charge, bringing down his axe on the challenger’s head.

3. Family reunion

Bruce’s victory at Bannockburn in 1314 enabled him to demand the return from English captivity of his wife Elizabeth, his daughter Marjorie, his sister Christina, and Robert Wishart, bishop of Glasgow.

4. The Peerage of Scotland

Robert the Bruce was Earl of Carrick from 1292 to 1313. This title is now held by Charles, the Prince of Wales.

5. Changing sides

Both Robert and his father were loyal to the English king when war broke out in 1296. They even paid homage to Edward I at Berwick. However, eight months later Bruce renounced his oath and joined the Scottish revolt against Edward, recognising John Balliol as king.

From 1302 to 1304 Robert was again back in English allegiance. His marriage to Elizabeth de Burgh, daughter of the earl of Ulster (part of English-held Ireland) influenced this change. From 1304 he abandoned Balliol, and planned to take the throne for himself.

6. An important landowner

As well as the earldom of Carrick and the lordship of Annandale, Bruce held land in the Carse of Gowrie, Dundee, and the Garioch in Aberdeenshire.

Before the Wars it was fairly common for Scots to hold English lands. Records show that Bruce held lands in Durham and other large English estates. In 1306, Edward I confiscated the honour of Huntingdon from Bruce.

7. An attack on the Irish

In 1315, Robert’s younger brother Edward led an expedition to Ireland. His aim was to overthrow the Dublin-based English government and become the High King of Ireland.

Robert joined his brother with a sizeable force in 1317. However, bad weather, famine, and disease forced the Scots to retreat when they reached Limerick. Edward held on in the north until he was defeated and killed in 1318.

8. A regal match

As per the terms of the 1328 Treaty of Edinburgh, making peace between Scotland and England, Robert’s son David (aged 4) was married to Edward III’s sister Joan (aged 7).

Other terms of the treaty saw Scotland agree to pay England £20,000 to end the war and England recognise Scotland’s independence with Robert I as king.

9. In the archives

More than 600 written acts by Bruce have survived, including charters, brieves, letters and treaties.

Most of these documents are grants or confirmations of property. This was a key way that Bruce rewarded individuals and families who had supported him.

10. A wee bit more inclusive

During Robert’s reign, parliament became more representative of the full community of the realm. Bruce summoned a small number of burgesses from each royal burgh to attend sessions in 1312 and 1326, after which it became normal practice.

-This article first appeared on the Historic Environment Scotland blog

10 facts you (probably) didn't know about Robert the Bruce