Which creature inspired Robert the Bruce of Scotland to try again?

The legend of Bruce and a spider is world famous.

It is said that in the early days of Bruce’s reign he was defeated by the English and driven into exile. He was on the run - a hunted man. He sought refuge in a small dark cave and sat and watched a little spider trying to make a web.

Time and time again the spider would fall and then climb slowly back up to try again.

If at first you don't succeed - try, try again.

Finally, as Bruce looked on, the spider managed to stick a strand of silk to the cave wall and began to weave a web. Robert the Bruce was inspired by the spider and went on to defeat the English at the Battle of Bannockburn.

More Info: www.educationscotland.gov.uk

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27 Comments

Bruce Cassamajor

Robert Bruce, the “king of the 7th battle” or “king of the 7th trial”. King of Scotland, he lost 7 battles to the English. In run, he observed the spider failed six times to stick the web, and succeed the 7th time. He quickly associated the six trials to the six defeats. He regained courage, gathered his poorly equiped battered men, upon the call of a good message from a spider. His weak, poor, angry, ill, sick defeated men crushed the British Army to dust, only on the 7th battle. My father read the story, which he admired so much, when he was only 10, in 1929. He was adamant to call his first son “Bruce”. Because his first son came as a twin: the girl called Luna, born 3 days before the first son. He believed he should reserve the name for his 2nd son. He you go. I got that name. My dad recited, by heart, the whole three pages story from age 10 till near death at 93. In fact my whole life is like that. Most of my successes in life come after numerous trials. Thanks for reading me...

DannyBoy

Thanks, it's important for your life to have a story, of meaning.

Bruce Cassamajor

Daniel Halley: I appreciate your comment. It is quite geracious on your part for making people feel important. Thank you.

Margaret O'Neill

I actually live in an area Robert The Bruce frequented... He is well known around this area, and there is a place named after him in the area called Brucehill and a field his wee cottage stood in too...