Book I. State of Scotland at death of Alexander III (37). The succession is disputed, and the King of England made arbiter (78). Balliol chosen as king, but is soon degraded. Occupation and oppression of Scotland by Edward I (183). Barbour's praise of freedom (225). The forfeiture of the Douglases (281). Early life of James Douglas (288). The covenant between Bruce and Comyn (483). Comyn betrays Bruce to Edward (561). Bruce summoned before Edward's Privy Council (602).

Book II. Bruce escapes to Scotland (12), and kills Comyn at Dumfries (36). Douglas joins Bruce (99), who is crowned at Scone (179). Aymer de Valence sent against Bruce (195). The armies meet at Perth (247). Bruce surprised and defeated at Methven (346). Randolph captured (463). Bruce retreats to the Mounth (468), and is joined by the Queen at Aberdeen (512). Digression on siege of Thebes (528). Bruce withdraws to the hills (568).

Book III. John of Lome attacks Bruce. Bruce's encounter with three enemies (93). Lome withdraws (185). Bruce encourages his men with the stories of Hannibal (207) and Caesar (277). The ladies sent, with Neil Bruce and earl of Atholl, to Kildrummy Castle (299). The King gives them his horses (352). Harsh winter conditions force Bruce to make for Kintyre (367). They cross Loch Lomond (405), and meet earl of Lennox (490). All embark for Kintyre. Lennox is pursued but escapes. In Kintyre they are well received by Angus of Islay (659). Bruce decides to winter in Rathlin (679), and sails there. Men of Rathlin do him homage (756).

Book IV. The persecution of Bruce's supporters in Scotland. The Queen seeks sanctuary in Tain (39), but is handed over to the English. Edward of Carnarvon besieges Kildrummy (70), which is set on fire by a traitor (106) and surrenders (169). Edward I on way to Scotland falls ill at Burgh-in-the-Sand (191). Digression — the folly of trusting in familiars (215); the story of earl Ferrand (238). On his death-bed Edward orders Scots prisoners to be hung and drawn (333). Douglas goes to Arran (377) and takes Brodick Castle (414). Bruce joins him (508), and sends Cuthbert to spy out Carrick (565). Bruce, thinking he has seen the pre-arranged signal of a fire, prepared to cross to Carrick (612). Prophecy of his eventual triumph (635). Digression on foreknowledge, astrology and necromancy.