The Resume

(July 11, 1274-June 7, 1329)
Birth name was Robert de Brus
King of Scotland (1306-1329)
Other titles included Earl of Carrick, Knight and Overlord of Annandale, and Guardian of Scotland
Defeated Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
Also known as Robert I, King of Scots

Why he might be annoying:

He was motivated as much by politics as by love for Scotland.
He became king by murdering a rival for the throne.
He was excommunicated for the murder, but he eventually smooth-talked the Pope into taking him back.
When England invaded Scotland, he ran away and hid in Ireland.
His forces only started winning when England's King Edward I died and his incompetent son took over.
He asked that his heart be cut out and taken to the Holy Land when he died (and it was, but the, um, courier never made it there).
He is thought to have come up with the irritating cliche: 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.'

Why he might not be annoying:

He eventually freed Scotland from English rule.
Three of his brothers were murdered by English agents, and his wife, sisters, and daughter were imprisoned.
With only 7,000 men, he defeated an army of 20,000 at Bannockburn.
He taught his soldiers to use the difficult Scottish terrain to their advantage.
He rebuilt the Scottish government from practically nothing.
He was merciful to his conquered enemies.
He spoke three languages.
He died a horrible death from leprosy.
The movie 'Braveheart' makes him look more conniving than he actually was.

Credit: Wieland Kalligaro

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• I am a Nebraskan
• I am Scottish
• I Have Skin Cancer [Melanoma]
• I was Excommunicated
• Knights
• Look at Me, I'm Armed
• Look at Me, I'm Thirsty
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing a Crown
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Medieval Times
• Monarchs, Royalty and Nobles
• People with Bruce, Marc or Keith in their Names
• Profiles 11501-11750 (Ranked: 11640)
• Top 100 Great Britons [BBC, 2002] (Ranked: 74)
• Wieland Kalligaro's Profiles [Series 2]

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 34 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 25 Votes: 48.00% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 20 Votes: 55.00% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 27 Votes: 59.26% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 29 Votes: 62.07% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 35 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 42 Votes: 45.24% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 76 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 217 Votes: 43.78% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 271 Votes: 42.44% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 158 Votes: 51.27% Annoying