SCOTLAND. 2011. Robert the Bruce statue overlooking the Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle Esplanade, Stirling Castle, Stirling. Robert I, known as Robert the Bruce, ruled from 1306 until his death in 1329. His statue looks out towards Bannockburn where in 1314 he defeated a much larger English army under Edward II, during the Battle of Bannockburn. This triumph is said to have been due to the help of one spider; prior to the battle, Robert had been on the run and sought refuge in a cave where he watched a spider attempting to make a web, and he allegedly thought to himself: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." With this renewed belief in the power of trying again, Robert was able to overpower his foes.