After his decisive victory at Bannockburn Robert Bruce consolidates his rule over Scotland, but Edward II of England maintains his claim to be the overlord of the country and refuses to recognise Robert as King of Scots.
Robert decides to put pressure on Edward by raiding northern England unmercifully and invading Ireland, ruled by Edward of England. He makes his brother, Edward, Earl of Carrick, High King of Ireland but when Carrick is killed at the Battle of Faughart, Robert’s dream of wresting control of Ireland from English rule is dashed.
It leaves Robert vulnerable as the Bruce dynasty now has no male heir. Meanwhile Edward of England faces serious problems at home, not helped by the unpopularity of his relationship with his favourite, Hugh Despenser.
‘After Bannockburn’ tells of the epic struggle between the two men, which dominates the rest of their lives. The story is told mainly through the eyes of two Northumbrian brothers who rise to knighthood in the service of King Robert and who are instrumental in securing the eventual independence of Scotland.