On 14 August 1337, the future King Robert III of Scotland was born at Scone Palace, outside Perth. Robert III was christened John, but in Scotland, this was deemed to be too unpopular and considered an unlucky name for a monarch.
Robert was granted permission from the Scottish Parliament to change his name and was crowned king on 14 August 1390, four months after he ascended the throne.
Robert was described as “feeble”, “timid” and “unfit to rule” and there were questions about his legitimacy. Robert was fifty-three by the time he became king and was severely disabled due to injuries he received from a horse’s kick in 1388.
Real power during his reign was held by his younger brother, the Duke of Albany and his son, the Duke of Rothesay.
Further Reading:
The Early Stewart Kings: Robert II and Robert III, 1371-1406, (2007), Stephen Boardman
Power and Propaganda: Scotland 1306-1488 (New History of Scotland), (2014), Katie Stevenson