The First Poet in Scots

John Barbour (1320- 395) is the first known Scottish poet to write in Scots. Though some of his works are now lost. His major work for which he has won deserved fame. The Brus (The Bruce) survives and is still widely known and read today. Some of Barbour’s works are now lost including the Stewartis Oryginalle ( the Genealogy of the Stewarts) and the Brut (Brutus). The first of these being written for his patron Robert II.  The first Stewart King of Scots (1371-1390). Barbour was made Archdeacon of the Kirk of Machar in Aberdeen in 1356. After completing his studies in Paris and Oxford for which he received a letter of safe-conduct to enter England.

                                           Barbour at Court

On King Robert II’s accession in 1371 John Barbour served at the king’s court during which time he wrote his great work , the Brus (Bruce) for which he received ten pounds. The Bruce details Robert Bruce’s ultimately successful struggle to win the Scottish throne. And to re-establish Scottish independence with the help of his great friend James Douglas and of the Stewarts themselves. The poem presents a heroic image of Robert Bruce particularly at the Battle of Bannockburn. The Brus (Bruce) established John Barbour as the ‘father of Scottish Poetry’, a position he still holds today.