In follow-up to yesterday’s post about cool events this summer, what could beat this past weekend reenactment in Stirling Scotland, of the Battle of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce in 1314 defeated the forces of Edward II in 1314. This year’s action was masterfully captured by Andrew Milligan for the PA.  It is one of the absolute best reenactment photographs that I have seen.

The Bruce was, of course, the great founder and champion of Scottish independence.  But the most bizarre element of his life occurred after his death.  It was his wish to have his heart buried at the holy sepluchre  in the Holy Land.  As he himself explained:”

“I will that as soone as I am trespassed out of this worlde that ye take my harte owte of my body, and embawme it, and take of my treasoure as ye shall thynke sufficient for that enterprise, both for your selfe and suche company as ye wyll take with you, and present my hart to the holy Sepulchre where as our Lorde laye, seyng my body can nat come there.”

The Bruce died 685 years ago on June, 7, 1329. His body was interred at Dunfermline Abbey.  His loyal friend agreed and pledged to take the embalmed heart on a pilgrimage and crusade to the Holy Sepluchre.  Douglas however, only reached Granada where he fell in battle laying the siege to Teba.  The embalmed heart was found upon the field of battle and returned to Scotland by Sir William Keith of Galston. It was buried at Melrose Abbery in Roxburghshire.