BattlefieldsBruce Kills John Comyn at Greyfriars Dumfries 1306
Medieval

Bruce Kills John Comyn at Greyfriars Dumfries 1306

1306
Scotland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
John Comyn the Red and his retinue in Greyfriars Church
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Robert Bruce and Roger de Kirkpatrick
Outcome
Comyn killed; Bruce committed to revolt; excommunication imposed; Bruce crowned at Scone six weeks later; Second War of Independence effectively began
The Battle

History & Significance

On 10 February 1306 Robert Bruce met John Comyn the Red, his rival for Scottish leadership, in the Greyfriars Church at Dumfries and stabbed him to death before the high altar. The killing of Comyn — whether premeditated or the result of a quarrel — ended any chance of peaceful settlement and committed Bruce irrevocably to open rebellion. The sacrilegious killing in a church caused Bruce's excommunication but also removed his most dangerous domestic rival and forced a decision: revolt or submission. Bruce chose revolt.

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