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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Nap, post: 8254255, member: 73099&quot;]&quot;The worst of kings and most miserable of men&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>These words were purportedly said by the Scottish king Robert III, in a self-deprecating description of himself, shortly before his death.</p><p><br /></p><p>Robert was not a particularly successful monarch, and his words rang somewhat true, but his self-assessment seems harsh.</p><p><br /></p><p>Robert, born John Stewart, was the son of Robert Stewart, king Robert II of Scotland. The elder Robert was the son of Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert the Bruce. Robert II faced internal difficulties and challenges with England, as all Scottish kings did, but by his old age, was becoming an ineffective ruler. However, though sick, Robert II refused to die. Ultimately through mostly bloodless machinations, John became the effective regent of the kingdom, sidelining his dad.</p><p><br /></p><p>When his father did finally die, John became king, taking the name of Robert III. He did this probably because of the bad reputation kings named John had earned as rulers of England, Scotland, and France.</p><p><br /></p><p>Finally in formal control, Robert III found himself quickly cornered by his own machinations- the system he worked to marginalize his father was used against him, and he too found his power significantly limited by the rise of others. It didn&#039;t help that Robert was injured after being kicked by a horse, and seen as being disabled, unable to lead armies, as expected of a medieval king.</p><p><br /></p><p>Medieval Scottish politics is challenging to follow. Besides everyone having the same name (Robert&#039;s main rival was his brother, who had the birth name of Robert as well), loyalty seems to be primarily to clan, with family and country loyalty far less important. So we see many familial assassinations and betrayals, intrigue and rebellions.</p><p><br /></p><p>Robert III saw most of his power, as well as the life of his oldest son, lost to his brother. Finally, Robert tried to have his younger son James, the future James I of Scotland, go into exile in the safety of France, however James was captured by English pirates and was imprisoned by Henry IV. It was in the wake of these events, that left the Scottish king a broken man, that Robert III died, in 1406.</p><p><br /></p><p>Robert has largely been maligned by history, as an ineffective king who could not maintain authority over his lieutenants, and family. The criticism is partly deserved. The lack of central authority and respect for monarchy was a continuation of the same system that Robert used to take power for himself during his father&#039;s reign. However, it is also perhaps a little unfair to blame him for the disorganization and political instability of Scotland, a situation that started well before his time and persisted for hundreds of years. Robert was not remembered for being cruel, starting useless wars, or taxing his subjects into poverty. His power grab in the waning years of his father&#039;s life was probably the appropriate course of action, as Robert II was probably not capable of ruling. He is remembered in some sources as being kind and just. Robert III probably did not have the stomach to rule as a Scottish king. He should have had his brother assassinated, and taken a firm hand with his nobles, but that doesn&#039;t seem to have been his style. Ultimately, his son James would return to Scotland and rule as king, though the cycle of clan feuds and political instability would continue for long afterwards.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is a coin of Robert III, a groat.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1455001[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Groat of Robert III, king of Scotland 1390-1406</p><p>Mint: Edinburgh</p><p>Heavy coinage</p><p>S. 5164</p><p>O: +ROBERTVS DEI GRA REX SCOTRVM</p><p>R: DNSxP TECTOR MSxIxLIB ATORMS</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; VILL AxED INBV RGhx[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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