William Wallace
Not all Scots accepted English authority. In May 1297 William Wallace began a series of risings that culminated in his victory at Stirling Bridge on 11 September 1297. Wallace then became Guardian of Scotland, using the seal of Balliol, whose deposition he did not recognize.

Edward I defeated Wallace at Falkirk in July 1298, and Wallace was replaced as Guardian by Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, and John Comyn of Badenoch. Wallace travelled abroad after 1299 to encourage the Pope and the King of France to secure a solution that preserved Scottish independence. Wallace's increasing influence raised the prospect of Balliol's return to power and the denial of Bruce's claim to the throne. It may have been for this reason that Bruce joined the English in 1302. The Scottish Parliament submitted to Edward I in March 1304, by which time Wallace had also returned to Scotland. He was captured and executed by the English in August 1305.

Bruce's struggle against the English
By 1305, Scotland was described as a land and not a realm by Edward I, suggesting his intention of placing it under direct English rule. Edward's exclusion of Scottish influence is shown by the prominence of the three lions of England on the seal he used for Scottish affairs. He was reluctant to grant English-held land to his supporters and offered unconquered areas as reward. This may have been why Bruce again changed sides and claimed the throne directly. He murdered John Comyn in February 1306, and was crowned at Scone on 25 March. However, a series of defeats quickly forced the collapse of his rule.

Bruce hid from the English in the Western Isles of Scotland during the winter of 1306-7, when he was famously inspired by a spider to attempt a further recovery of the throne. He returned in the spring and won victories in Ayrshire.

The death of Edward I in July and hesitation by Edward II also allowed Bruce to defeat the followers of Comyn. By 1308 his support was growing. He raided northern England and soon received the backing of the Scottish clergy. He then began to expel the English from southern Scotland. On 24 June 1314 at Bannockburn he brilliantly defeated a larger English army attempting to raise the siege of Stirling castle.

Bruce in power
Bannockburn strengthened Bruce's position as king. He was able to reward his own supporters, and demanded oaths of loyalty from others. He had also decided on his heir and struck a new seal by 1318.

Bruce's armies captured Berwick in April 1318 and savage raids, as far as Yorkshire, brought about a truce with England in December 1319. Bruce's right to be king was not recognized by Edward II, however, and further Scottish raids in northern England were made in order to prod the English into a lasting peace. In April 1320 the Scots also launched a diplomatic mission, with the declaration of Arbroath, to persuade Pope John XXII to uphold Scottish independence. Bruce was not recognized as king by the Pope until 1324.

Scottish raids and peace negotiations continued in the years up to 1324, but England still did not recognize Robert I, and would not give up the claim to Scotland. The auld alliance with France was renewed with the Treaty of Corbeil in April 1326, and the deposition of Edward II in September 1327 and further raiding finally forced the English to recognize Scottish independence and Bruce's kingship in 1328.

On his death in June 1329, Bruce passed the succession to his heir David, but since he was under age, a regency was established under the Earl of Mar, David's uncle. This led to renewed conflict, as Edward III promoted the rival claims of Edward Balliol to the Scottish crown after 1332.