If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 613

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bannockburn, Stirling, Scotland

 

A “Hail Caledonia” product published by Whiteholme Ltd of Dundee, Scotland, this unused card has a photograph of the statue of Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots, 1306-1329.  The statue was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 24 June 1964, to commemorate the 650^th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.  The title and number 21984 are found at the bottom margin of the card.

 

South of the city of Stirling in Scotland is the town of Bannockburn.  It was named after the stream, or burn, that runs through the town and flows into the River Forth.  The area is especially known for being the site of one the pivotal battles fought during the Wars of Independence between the kingdoms of Scotland and England in the 13^th and 14^th centuries.

 

The massive bronze figure of King Robert I of Scotland is set upon a white granite plinth.  The king is dressed in light armor, holding his battle-axe, and astride his horse.  In 1964 the statue was commissioned by the Earl of Elgin.  Pilkington Jackson was the sculptor.  He used the measurements from Bruce’s skull that had been rediscovered at Dunfermline Abbey in 1818.  It is believed that King Robert I was probably about 6 ft 1” or 185 cm. tall as a young man.  At his written request, after he died, his heart was removed and buried at Melrose Abbey in Roxburghshire. 

 

The bronze statue was covered in a green patina so it was restored in 2013 in preparation for the 700^th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 2014.

 

Also at this site is the Rotunda, Memorial Cairn, and Flagpole.  Sir Robert Matthew is responsible for the overall concept, with H.C. Clark designing the landscape scheme, and F.R. Stevenson as project architect for the buildings.  The Rotunda is a circular enclosure of concrete-block topped by a timber rail.  Massive, rough boulders at the entrance blend the natural and artificial landscape.  Openings at two places the visitor is provided with a view similar to that of the advancing army of Edward II. 

 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_the_Bruce

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bannockburn

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrian_statue_of_Robert_the_Bruce,_Bannockburn

 

This last link is supposed to be on one line but it was too long.  It will need to be copied and pasted into a browser search field:

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bannockburn,_Rotunda,_Memorial_Cairn,_Flagpole_And_Statue_Of_King_Robert_I