'Lord of the Isles' Summary

The poem begins with Robert Bruce, exiled and hunted by the English, seeking refuge with Ronald, Lord of the Isles, on the eve of his marriage to Edith of Lorn. Bruce's presence disrupts the celebrations and pits the guests against one another: some siding with Bruce, while others remain loyal to the English crown. Amidst the ensuing tension, Bruce is forced to flee, but he later rallies a Scottish army to challenge the English forces. As Bruce's army marches towards the pivotal Battle of Bannockburn, Edith finds herself torn between her familial loyalty to the English and her love for Ronald. The poem culminates in a dramatic depiction of the Battle of Bannockburn, a defining moment in Scottish history, as Bruce's forces triumph over the English, securing a crucial victory for Scottish independence.