'The Scottish chivalry;—
—With foot in stirrup, hand on mane,
Fierce Edward Bruce can scarce restrain
His own keen heart, his eager train,
Until the archers gain'd the plain ;
Then, "Mount, ye gallants free!"...'
The Bruces were known for their military skill, as Scott portrays in his poem "The Lord of the Isles". The younger brother of Robert the Bruce helped his brother in Scotland, and was present at the Battle of Bannockburn.
A year after Bannockburn, the Bruces launched a campaign in Ireland to wrest it from English control, and open up war on two fronts against the British. In part, their invasion was invited by the O'Neill King of Tir Eoghain, who later swore fealty to Edward Bruce. Bruce was crowned King of Ireland in May 1318. The war was ongoing five months later, when the Battle of Faughart occurred. Bruce's forces suffered a terrible defeat, with Edward losing his life, on October 14, 1318.