Simple question, really. The bruces wanted to prevent the english using Ireland as a launchpad to reinforce carlisle and attack the strathclyde area.
As a result they sent troops to Ireland during the years they weren't campaigning in England.
Their stratgey was to play on pan celtic sentiment and hopefully recruit gaelic irish armies to use against the anglo norman leadership in ireland while at the same time encouraging welsh rebellion.
Colin McNamee has made the argument that this strategy was ultimately hopeless and based on Edward Bruce's ambition rather than tactical matters (in particular setting off during bad weather) and that a wiser strategy might have been using a show of force in an attempt to bring the anglo norman leadership in Ireland over to Robert's side as they weren't happy with Edward II.
Is there any chance of that working?
As a result they sent troops to Ireland during the years they weren't campaigning in England.
Their stratgey was to play on pan celtic sentiment and hopefully recruit gaelic irish armies to use against the anglo norman leadership in ireland while at the same time encouraging welsh rebellion.
Colin McNamee has made the argument that this strategy was ultimately hopeless and based on Edward Bruce's ambition rather than tactical matters (in particular setting off during bad weather) and that a wiser strategy might have been using a show of force in an attempt to bring the anglo norman leadership in Ireland over to Robert's side as they weren't happy with Edward II.
Is there any chance of that working?