author
John Barbour
d. 1395
A pioneering voice in Scots literature, this 14th-century poet is best known for The Brus, a vivid verse account of Robert the Bruce and Scotland’s struggle for independence. His work helped establish Scots as a language of major literary storytelling.
1 Audiobook
The Bruce
by John Barbour
About the author
Born in the early 14th century and later serving as archdeacon of Aberdeen, he was a churchman as well as a writer. Records connect him with travel for study, and he remained an important clerical figure in medieval Scotland until his death on March 13, 1395.
He is chiefly remembered for The Brus, the great verse narrative that tells the story of Robert the Bruce and the wars of Scottish independence. Often described as the first major named literary figure to write in Scots, he gave the language an early masterpiece that combines patriotism, storytelling, and historical memory.
A few other works have been linked to him, but The Brus is the one securely associated with his name and reputation. For many readers, its lasting appeal lies in the way it brings heroism, politics, and national identity into a lively, accessible poetic voice.