King Robert II Crowned at Scone

Robert II (2 March 1316 – 19 April 1390) was King of Scots from 1371 to his death in 1390. The son of Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, and Marjorie, daughter of King Robert the Bruce, he was the first monarch of the House of Stewart. Upon the death of his uncle David II, Robert succeeded to the throne.

King Robert II was crowned at Scone Palace, near Perth, Scotland, on March 26, 1371. He was the first monarch of the Stewart (later spelled Stuart) dynasty, which would go on to rule Scotland for several centuries and eventually also England and Ireland. Robert II’s accession to the throne marked the beginning of a significant era in Scottish history, as it brought a period of relative peace and stability after the turbulent reigns of his predecessors.

Robert II was the grandson of Robert the Bruce, the famous Scottish king who secured Scotland’s independence from England. His crowning at Scone followed the tradition of Scottish kings being inaugurated on the Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone. This stone had been used for centuries in the coronation of Scottish monarchs and is steeped in legend and significance, symbolizing the Scottish monarchy’s legitimacy and continuity.

His reign, which lasted until his death in 1390, was characterized by a relatively peaceful domestic environment and stability, although there were minor conflicts, particularly on the borders with England. Robert II’s legacy is significant, as his lineage established a royal dynasty that would see Scotland through many pivotal events, including the Wars of Scottish Independence and, eventually, the union of the crowns under James VI of Scotland (who also became James I of England) in 1603.