Elizabeth de Burgh, wife of Robert the Bruce, was held prisoner in England for eight of the years of Bruce’s campaign and was only released in the aftermath of victory at Bannockburn, in trade for captured English Nobles.

In any tale told of Scotland’s struggle for freedom, it is impossible not to include Sir William Wallace who gave his life, not for a throne or personal gain but for an ideal - the freedom of his nation. Wallace was betrayed and taken captive to London where he was hung, drawn and quartered. That was a long nine years before Bannockburn, but it was his selflessness in that cause which challenged the conscience of Robert the Bruce, eventually spurring him into enduring and decisive action.

For the English, Bishop Hugh de Cressingham was appointed Chancellor of Scotland by Edward I who briefed him to do as he wished to make his charges’ lives a misery. It goes without saying that he was hated with a passion by the Scots. In a fruitless campaign against Wallace, he was slain at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and his body flayed, to provide souvenirs for the victorious Scots and fine sword tabard for William Wallace!

These and many more are immortalised in history and captured for you again in the finest Pewter craftsmanship. But on the long and bloody road to Bannockburn, the relentless quest for freedom is the hero. Nowhere will you find that story told with more imagination and passion than in Nigel Tranter’s epic historical novels, "the Bruce" Trilogy, the books and writer that inspired this chess set. If you have not read the tale, then perhaps leading your pieces into battle across the epic Bannockburn Chess Board will inspire you to do so.

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