The Bruce
The Bruce is John Barbour's verse chronicle of the Scottish war of independence, composed around 1375 and the earliest substantial work of Scottish literature. In some thirteen thousand lines of rhymed couplets it follows Robert Bruce from the disputed succession and the killing of Comyn through the years of defeat and hiding in the hills, the loyalty of James Douglas, the recovery of the castles and the victory at Bannockburn in 1314, down to the deaths of the king and of Douglas on crusade. Barbour mixes romance and history. This is W. M. Mackenzie's edition of 1909, which prints the original Scots text from the two surviving manuscripts with introduction, notes, appendices and a glossary. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Bruce
The Bruce by John Barbour can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Bruce online?
Yes. The Bruce opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Bruce free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Bruce is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Bruce in the public domain?
Yes. The Bruce by John Barbour is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Bruce?
About 11 h 52 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Bruce?
The Bruce by John Barbour is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
