Biography of King David II of Scotland 1324-1371

On 17th July 1328 King David II of Scotland (age 4) and Joan of the Tower Queen Consort Scotland (age 7) were married at Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland [Map]. She the daughter of King Edward II of England and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 33). He the son of King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland (age 54) and Elizabeth Burgh Queen Consort Scotland.

Lanercost Chronicle. 17th July 1328. The young king, as mentioned, also gave his younger sister, Lady Joan of the Tower, in marriage to David (age 4), the son of Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, who was then five years old, just as his mother, the Queen of England, had arranged—she who at that time ruled the entire kingdom. The wedding was solemnly celebrated at Berwick on the Sunday next before the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene.

Dedit etiam juvenis rex predictus sororem suam juniorem, dominam Johanam de Turre, in uxorem David filio Roberti de Brus, regis Scotia, qui puer tunc erat quinque annorum, sicut ordinaverat mater sua regina Angliæ, que tunc temporis totum regnum regebat. Celebrate vero funt nuptiæ folemniter apud Berwicum, Dominica die proxima ante festum sanctæ Mariæ Magdalenæ.

On 7th June 1329 [his father] King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland (age 54) died at Cardross Manor, Argyll. He was buried at Dunfermline Abbey [Map]. His son David (age 5) succeeded II King Scotland. [his wife] Joan of the Tower Queen Consort Scotland (age 7) by marriage Queen Consort Scotland.

On 19th March 1330 the King's uncle Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent (age 28) was beheaded at Winchester Castle [Map]. Earl Kent forfeit. Edmund had been convicted of plotting against the court believing his brother King Edward II was still alive. It later emerged the plot had been created by Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 42) to entrap Edmund. [his brother-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 17) was unable to show leniency risking complicity in the plot. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].

See Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke, Walter of Guisborough, Knighton 2555, Murimuth and Parliament Rolls.

On 29th November 1330 Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 43) was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn [Map] accused of assuming royal power and of various other high misdemeanours. His body hung at the gallows for two days and nights. He was buried at Christ Church, Greyfriars [Map]. [his mother-in-law] Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 35) subsequently requested his burial at Wigmore Abbey [Map] and, after firstly refusing, [his brother-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 18) allowed his remains to be removed to Wigmore Abbey [Map]. His grandson Roger (age 2) succeeded 2nd Earl March, 4th Baron Mortimer of Wigmore.

On 12th August 1332 Battle of Dupplin Moor was fought between the supporters of the infant King David II of Scotland (age 8), son of [his father] King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland, and the supporters of King Edward I of Scotland (age 49), supported by the English. The Bruce army included [his half-brother] Robert Bruce Lord of Liddesdale and Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar (age 39). The Balliol army included David III Strathbogie 11th Earl Atholl (age 23), Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 30), Thomas Ughtred 1st Baron Ughtred (age 40) and Walter Manny 1st Baron Manny (age 22). The battle is notable for being the first to use dismounted men-at-arms supported by archers; a formation that would bring repeated success to the English both in Scotland and France.

Robert Bruce Lord of Liddesdale was killed leading a charge.

Nicholas Hay (age 47) was killed.

Thomas Randolph 2nd Earl Moray was killed. His brother John (age 26) succeeded 3rd Earl Moray.

Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar was killed.

On 16th December 1332 the Battle of Annan Moor was fought between the supporters of the seven year old King David II of Scotland (age 8), son of [his father] King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland, and the supporters of King Edward I of Scotland (age 49), supported by the English. The Bruce army, led by, Archibald Douglas (age 34), supported by John Randolph 3rd Earl of Moray (age 26) and King Robert II of Scotland (age 16) surprised King Edward I of Scotland and his supporters at Annan and threw them out of Scotland.

On 25th March 1333 the Battle of Dornock was fought between the supporters of the seven year old King David II of Scotland (age 9), son of [his father] King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland, and the supporters of King Edward I of Scotland (age 50), supported by the English, commanded by Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 43). The English army quickly overwhelmed the Scottish force. William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl (age 33) was captured and spent two years in prison.

On 19th July 1333 [his brother-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 20) defeated the Scots army at the Battle of Halidon Hill near Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland [Map]. [his brother-in-law] John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall (age 16) commanded.

English archers, just as at the Battle of Dupplin Moor one year previously, had a significant impact on the massed ranks of Scottish schiltrons. Edward's army included: Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk (age 33), who commanded the right wing, Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon (age 56), Robert Pierrepont, Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon (age 30), Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 54) and John Sully (age 50). One of the few English casualties was John Neville (age 34) who was killed.

The Scottish army included King David II of Scotland (age 9). Alexander Bruce, Alan Stewart (age 61), James Stewart (age 57), John Stewart, William Douglas 1st Earl Atholl, Archibald Douglas (age 35) who were all killed.

Hugh 4th Earl Ross (age 36) was killed. His son William succeeded 5th Earl Ross.

Malcolm Lennox 2nd Earl Lennox was killed. His son Domhnall succeeded Earl Lennox.

Kenneth de Moravia Sutherland 4th Earl Sutherland was killed. His son William succeeded 5th Earl Sutherland. Johanna Menteith Countess Sutherland by marriage Countess Sutherland.

In January 1337 [his brother-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 24) created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France ...

William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 36) was created 1st Earl Salisbury. Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 33) by marriage Countess Salisbury.

William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 27) was created 1st Earl of Northampton. Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 24) by marriage Countess of Northampton.

Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 46) was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 19) having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 35).

Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 38) was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 51) by marriage Countess Suffolk.

On 24th June 1340 [his brother-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 27) attacked the French fleet at anchor during the Battle of Sluys capturing more than 200 ships, killing around 18000 French. The English force included John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick (age 24), William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 30), Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham (age 27), William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby (age 10), John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle (age 22), Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 38), Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 30), Walter Manny 1st Baron Manny (age 30), Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 32) and Richard Pembridge (age 20).

Thomas Monthermer 2nd Baron Monthermer (age 38) died from wounds. His daughter Margaret succeeded 3rd Baroness Monthermer.

On 17th October 1346 at the Battle of Neville's Cross at Neville's Cross, Durham [Map] the English inflicted a heavy defeat on the Scottish army that had invaded England in compliance with their treaty with the French for mutual support against England.

The English army included: William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt (age 45), Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham (age 34), Ralph Hastings (age 55), Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby (age 55), Archbishop William Zouche, Henry Percy 10th and 2nd Baron Percy (age 45) and John Mowbray 3rd Baron Mowbray (age 35).

Of the Scottish army King David II of Scotland (age 22), John Graham Earl Menteith (age 56) and William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl (age 46) were captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map].

[his half-brother] Neil Bruce, John Randolph 3rd Earl of Moray (age 40), David Hay 6th Baron Erroll (age 28) and Edward Keith of Sinton (age 66) were killed.

In 1351 Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 41) was created 1st Duke Lancaster by [his brother-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 38). Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 31) by marriage Duchess Lancaster.

Lionel of Antwerp 1st Duke of Clarence (age 12) was created 1st Earl of Ulster.

John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 10) was created 1st Earl Richmond.

Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 49) was created 1st Earl Stafford.

See Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker

On 19th May 1359, or thereabouts, a double-royal wedding celebration took place at Reading Abbey, Berkshire [Map] whereby two children of [his brother-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 46) were married:

John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 19) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess Richmond. She the daughter of Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 49) and Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 39). He the son of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England (age 44). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.

John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 11) and Margaret Plantagenet Countess of Pembroke (age 12) were married. At the time John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke was a ward of King Edward III of England who would enjoy the benefit of the substantial revenue of the Earldom of Pembroke until John came of age nine years later in 1368. She died two or so years later probably of plague. She the daughter of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England. He the son of Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke and Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke (age 42). They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England.

On 13th April 1360 a freak weather event known as Black Monday Hailstorm occurred as the army of [his brother-in-law] King Edward III of England (age 47) were camped outside Chartres [Map]. Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 47), William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 50), Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 50), Edward "Black Prince" (age 29) and Walter Mauny were present. Around one thousand English were killed, with up to six thousand horses. King Edward III of England believed the event to be an Act of God and proceeded to negotiate with the French resulting in the Treaty of Brétigny.

On 28th April 1360 Guy Beauchamp died from injuries received during the Black Monday Hailstorm.

On 7th September 1362 [his wife] Joan of the Tower Queen Consort Scotland (age 41) died of plague at Hertford Castle [Map]. She was buried at either Christ Church, Greyfriars [Map] or Greyfriars Church Farringdon Within [Map].

On 22nd February 1371 King David II of Scotland (age 46) died without issue at Edinburgh Castle [Map]. He was buried at Holyrood Abbey [Map]. His nephew Robert (age 54) succeeded II King Scotland. He, David, was the last of the male line of the House of Bruce. Robert, the first of the House of Stewart, being the son of his sister [his half-sister] Marjory Bruce who had married Walter Stewart 6th High Steward.