David II of Scotland
David II of Scotland was born in 1324, the son of King Robert the Bruce and his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgh. He was known as a courageous and intelligent young man, and he was crowned king at the age of five following his father's death in 1329. During his early reign, Scotland was plagued by warfare with England, and David was forced to spend much of his time in exile in France. He returned to Scotland in 1341 and attempted to rebuild the country's economy and government. David's reign was marked by ongoing conflict with England, including the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346, where he was captured and held prisoner in England for 11 years. During his captivity, Scotland was ruled by his nephew, Robert Stewart. David was finally released in 1357, and he returned to Scotland to continue his efforts to strengthen the country's government and economy. He died in 1371, leaving no heir to the throne. Despite his long reign and efforts to improve Scotland, David is often overshadowed by his father Robert the Bruce, who is celebrated as a hero of Scottish history.
