The qualities of Robert the Third were the reverse of all these.

In youth he had indeed seen battles; but, without incurring disgrace, he had never manifested the chivalrous love of war and peril, or the eager desire to distinguish himself by dangerous achievements, which that age expected from all who were of noble birth and had claims to authority.
Besides, his military career was very short.

Amidst the tumult of a tournament, the young Earl of Carrick, such was then his title, received a kick from the horse of Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith, in consequence of which he was lame for the rest of his life, and absolutely disabled from taking share either in warfare or in the military sports and tournaments which were its image.

As Robert had never testified much predilection for violent exertion, he did not probably much regret the incapacities which exempted him from these active scenes.

But his misfortune, or rather its consequences, lowered him in the eyes of a fierce nobility and warlike people.