Robert II

Robert II, the first monarch of the House of Stewart (or Stuart), ruled as King of Scotland from 1371 to 1390. Grandson of Robert the Bruce through his daughter Marjorie, Robert's ascent marked the beginning of the Stewart dynasty's long association with the Scottish and later the English thrones. His reign was characterized by relatively passive leadership and a decentralized governance approach, allowing regional lords to amass power. While Scotland enjoyed a period of peace with England during his rule, internal divisions and border skirmishes were prevalent. Robert II's strategy of delegating authority to his sons and allies often led to conflicts of interest and political rivalries. Despite these challenges, his reign established the Stewarts as the ruling dynasty of Scotland, setting the stage for successive Stewart monarchs.