Clan Bruce

Clan Bruce
Clann Brùs[1]
Crest: A lion stantan Azure armed and langued Gules
Motto	Fuimus (We have been)
Profile
Region	Lowlands
District	Fife
Chief
The Rt Hon. Andrew Douglas Bruce
The 11th Earl of Elgin
Seat	Broomhall House
Historic seat	Lochmaben Castle Clackmannan Tower
Septs of Clan Bruce Airth, Brews, Brix, Bruwes, Bruss, Bruc, Bruys, Brues, Brice, Bryce, Bruce, Bruice, Bruis, Bruze, Broce, Brois, Broiss, Brose, Broise, Brouss, Brus, Bruse, Brush, Carlyle, Carlysle, Cowden,[2] Crosbie, Crosby, de Bruce, de Brus, de Brix, Leggat, Randolph, Stenhouse
Clan branches Bruce of Elgin (chiefs) Bruce of Annandale (historic chiefs) Bruce of Kincardine See also:Bruce baronets Counts Bruce of the Russian Empire
Allied clans Clan Campbell Clan Carruthers Clan Mar Clan Irvine Clan Kennedy Clan Erskine Clan Kirkpatrick
Rival clans Clan Comyn Clan MacDougall Clan Lamont

Clan Bruce (Scottish Gaelic: Brùs) is a Lowlands Scottish clan.^[3] It was a royal house in the 14th century, producing two kings of Scotland (Robert the Bruce and David II), and a disputed High King of Ireland, Edward Bruce.

Origins

The surname Bruce comes from the French de Brus or de Bruis, derived from the lands now called Brix, Normandy, France.^[4] There is no evidence to support a claim that a member of the family, 'Robert de Brix', served under William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England.^[5] This notion is now believed to have originated in unreliable lists, derived from the later Middle Ages, of people who supposedly fought at the Battle of Hastings.^[5]

Both the English and Scots lines of the Brus/Bruce family demonstrably descend from Robert de Brus, 1st Lord of Annandale who came to England in 1106.^[6][7] Robert de Brus was a companion-in-arms of Prince David, later King David I.^[8] In 1124 he followed David north to reclaim his kingdom.^[8] When a civil war broke out in England between Empress Matilda and her cousin, Stephen, David I of Scotland led a force into England.^[8] However de Brus did not follow David and instead joined the English and at the Battle of the Standard in 1138 he took prisoner his own son, who was now Lord of the lands of Annandale.^[8] Robert de Brus, 1st Lord of Annandale died on 11 May 1141 and was buried at Gysburn.^[6]

Foundation of the royal line

Main article: Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale

The foundation for the Bruce royal claim came in 1219 when Robert Bruce, 4th Lord of Annandale married Isobel of Huntingdon, daughter of David of Scotland, 8th Earl of Huntingdon and niece of William the Lion.^[8] The union brought both great wealth, with the addition of lands in both England and Scotland.^[8] Their son, Robert Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale, known as "The Competitor" was sometime Tanist (a particularly Gaelic type of heir) to the throne. On the death of Alexander III both Bruce and John Balliol claimed succession. Margaret, Alexander's infant granddaughter was named as heir, however, she died in 1290 travelling to Scotland to claim her throne. Soon after the death of young queen Margaret, fearing civil war between the Bruce and Balliol families and their supporters, the Guardians of Scotland asked the kingdom's southern neighbour, Edward I of England to arbitrate among the claimants in order to avoid civil war. Edward I saw this as the opportunity he had long been waiting for to conquer Scotland^{[citation needed]} as he had conquered Wales and rule over all the British Isles. In 1292 Edward chose Balliol who swore allegiance to the English monarch. It was not long, however, before Balliol rebelled against Edward, eventually leading to John's defeat and forced abdication after the Battle of Dunbar in 1296.^[6]

Ascent to the throne

Robert the Bruce and Isabella of Mar

Main article: Robert the Bruce

Main article: Wars of Scottish Independence

With the abdication of John Balliol, Scotland was effectively without a monarch. Robert the Bruce swore allegiance to Edward at Berwick-upon-Tweed but breached this oath when he joined the Scottish revolt the following year. In the summer of 1297 he again swore allegiance to Edward in what is known as the Capitulation of Irvine. Bruce appears to have sided with the Scots during the Battle of Stirling Bridge but when Edward returned victorious to England after the Battle of Falkirk, Bruce's lands of Annandale and Carrick were exempted from the lordships and lands which Edward assigned to his followers. Bruce, it seems, was seen as a man whose allegiance might still be won.

Bruce and John Comyn (a rival for the throne) succeeded William Wallace as Guardians of Scotland, but their rivalry threatened the stability of the country. A meeting was arranged at Greyfriars Church, Dumfries which was neutral ground, but Bruce stabbed Comyn through the heart,^[8] and as a result was excommunicated by Pope Clement V. Nevertheless, Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scotland at Scone, Perthshire in 1306. However, soon after he was forced by the English to retreat into Argyll, in an attempt to reach his Clan Campbell allies.^[9] The Clan MacDougall, whose chief was the uncle or cousin of John Comyn who Bruce had murdered, surprised the Bruce and defeated him in what was known as the Battle of Dalrigh.^[9] The king escaped but left behind what was described as a magnificent example of Celtic jewellery, known as the Brooch of Lorne and it became one of the Clan MacDougall's great treasures.^[9] Three years later Robert the Bruce led three thousand battle hardened veterans into Argyll against the MacDougalls.^[9] John MacDougall of Lorne set an ambush for them but in the ensuing Battle of the Pass of Brander the MacDougalls were defeated and forced to flee.^[9] The MacDougalls' lands were then forfeited by the king and he gave them to the Campbells for their loyalty.^[9] Robert the Bruce led the Scottish army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 where the English were defeated.^[6]

In 1334 Thomas Bruce, who claimed kinship with the royal house of Bruce, organized a rising in the Kyle, along with Robert Stewart (later King Robert II) against the English.^[8]

After Robert the Bruce

Robert the Bruce's son, David II became king on his father's death in 1329. In 1346 under the terms of the Auld Alliance David marched south into England in the interests of France, but was defeated at the Battle of Neville's Cross and imprisoned on 17 October of that year, and remained in England for eleven years. David returned to Scotland after negotiation of a treaty and ruled there until he died in Edinburgh Castle unexpectedly in 1371 without issue. The line of succession passed to the House of Stewart.^[6]

Sir Edward Bruce was made commendator of Kinloss Abbey, which included the Barony of Muirton, and was appointed a judge in 1597.^[8] He was appointed a Lord of Parliament with the title of Lord Kinloss in 1601.^[8] Edward Bruce accompanied James VI to claim his English throne in 1603.^[8] As a result, he was subsequently appointed to English judicial office as Master of the Rolls.^[8] He was granted the Barony of Kinloss as Lord Bruce of Kinloss in 1608.^[8] In 1633 his son, Thomas, was created first Earl of Elgin.^[8] When the fourth Earl died without issue, the title passed to the descendants of Sir George Bruce of Carnock, who already held the title Earl of Kincardine and in 1747 the Earldoms were united.^[8]

Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin was a diplomat and ambassador to the Ottoman Empire between 1799 and 1803. He spent much of his fortune smuggling marble sculptures from the Athens Parthenon out of the Ottoman Empire.^[8] They are now commonly referred to as the Elgin Marbles. His son, James, was Governor General of the Province of Canada and Viceroy of India.^[8]

v t e Earls and Marquesses of Ailesbury, Earls of Cardigan, Earls of Elgin, and Earls of Kincardine family tree

Edward Bruce of Blairhall c. 1505–1565 Lord Kinloss, 1602 Lord Bruce of Kinloss, 1604 Lord Bruce of Kinloss, 1608 Edward Bruce 1548–1611 1st Lord Kinloss, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1604), and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1608) George Bruce of Carnock c. 1550–1625 Margaret Primrose Earl of Elgin, Lord Bruce of Kinloss, and Baron Bruce of Whorlton in the County of York, 1633 Edward Bruce 1594–1613 2nd Lord Kinloss, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1604), and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1608) Thomas Bruce 1599–1663 1st Earl of Elgin, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), and Baron Bruce of Whorlton, 3rd Lord Kinloss, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1604), and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1608) Mary Preston George Bruce (2nd) of Carnock d. 1643 Robert Bruce of Broomhall d. 1652 Earl of Ailesbury (1st creation), Viscount Bruce, and Baron Bruce of Skelton, 1664 Baron Brudenell of Stonton in the County of Leicester, 1628 Earl of Cardigan, 1661 Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry, 1647 See also: Dukes of Montrose family tree for the Earl of Kincardine 1644 creation Robert Bruce 1627–1685 2nd Earl of Elgin, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), and Baron Bruce of Whorlton, 1st Earl of Ailesbury, Viscount Bruce, and Baron Bruce of Skelton, 4th Lord Kinloss, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1604), and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1608) Thomas Brudenell c. 1583–1663 1st Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton Edward Bruce d. 1662 1st Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Alexander Bruce c. 1629–1680 2nd Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Alexander Bruce d. 1706 4th Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Thomas Bruce 1656–1741 3rd Earl of Elgin, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), and Baron Bruce of Whorlton, 2nd Earl of Ailesbury, Viscount Bruce, and Baron Bruce of Skelton, 5th Lord Kinloss, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1604), and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1608) Robert Brudenell 1607–1703 2nd Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton Alexander Bruce c. 1666–1705 3rd Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Robert Bruce d. 1718 5th Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Alexander Bruce 1662–1721 6th Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Thomas Bruce 1663–1739/1740 7th Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Baron Bruce of Tottenham in the County of Wilts, 1746 Charles Bruce 1682–1747 4th Earl of Elgin, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), and Baron Bruce of Whorlton, 3rd Earl of Ailesbury, Viscount Bruce, and Baron Bruce of Skelton, 6th Lord Kinloss, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1604), and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1608), 1st Baron Bruce of Tottenham George Brudenell 1685–1732 3rd Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton Elizabeth Brudenell 1689–1745 William Bruce 1710–1740 8th Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Earldom of Ailesbury, Viscountcy of Bruce, Whorlton Barony Bruce, Barony of Bruce of Skelton, and Lordship of Kinloss extinct, 1747 Earl of Ailesbury Buckinghamshire, Great Britain (2nd creation), 1747 George Brudenell, later Montagu 1712–1790 Duke of Montagu, Marquess of Monthermer, 4th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton James Brudenell 1725–1811 5th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton Robert Brudenell 1726–1768 Thomas Brudenell-Bruce 1729–1815 1st Earl of Ailesbury, 2nd Baron Bruce of Tottenham Charles Bruce 1732–1771 5th Earl of Elgin, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633) and Lord Bruce of Kinloss, 9th Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry, Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1604), Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1608) Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce of Whorlton, County of York, and Viscount Savernake of Savernake Forest, Wiltshire, 1821 Robert Brudenell 1760–1837 6th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton Charles Brudenell-Bruce 1773–1856 1st Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce, and Viscount Savernake, 2nd Earl of Ailesbury, 3rd Baron Bruce of Tottenham William Robert Bruce 1764–1771 6th Earl of Elgin and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), 10th Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Thomas Bruce 1766–1841 7th Earl of Elgin and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), 11th Earl of Kincardine and Lord Bruce of Torry Baron Elgin of Elgin, 1849 James Brudenell🐴 1797–1868 7th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton George Brudenell-Bruce 1804–1878 2nd Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce, Viscount Savernake, 8th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton, 3rd Earl of Ailesbury, 4th Baron Bruce of Tottenham Ernest Brudenell-Bruce 1811–1886 3rd Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce, Viscount Savernake, 9th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton, 4th Earl of Ailesbury, 5th Baron Bruce of Tottenham James Bruce 1811–1863 8th Earl of Elgin and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), 12th Earl of Kincardine (1647) and Lord Bruce of Torry, 1st Baron Elgin George John Brudenell-Bruce 1839–1868 Henry Brudenell-Bruce 1842–1911 5th Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce of Whorlton, and Viscount Savernake, 11th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton, 6th Earl of Ailesbury, 7th Baron Bruce of Tottenham Victor Alexander Bruce 1849–1917 9th Earl of Elgin and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), 13th Earl of Kincardine (1647) and Lord Bruce of Torry, 2nd Baron Elgin George William Thomas Brudenell-Bruce 1863–1894 4th Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce of Whorlton, and Viscount Savernake, 10th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton, 5th Earl of Ailesbury, 6th Baron Bruce of Tottenham George William James Chandos Brudenell-Bruce 1873–1961 6th Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce of Whorlton, and Viscount Savernake, 12th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton, 7th Earl of Ailesbury, 8th Baron Bruce of Tottenham Edward James Bruce 1881–1968 10th Earl of Elgin and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), 14th Earl of Kincardine (1647) and Lord Bruce of Torry, 3rd Baron Elgin Chandos Sydney Cedric Brudenell-Bruce 1904–1974 7th Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce of Whorlton, and Viscount Savernake, 13th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton, 8th Earl of Ailesbury, 9th Baron Bruce of Tottenham Michael Sydney Cedric Brudenell-Bruce 1926–2024 8th Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce of Whorlton, and Viscount Savernake, 14th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton, 9th Earl of Ailesbury, 10th Baron Bruce of Tottenham Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce b. 1924 11th Earl of Elgin and Lord Bruce of Kinloss (1633), 15th Earl of Kincardine (1647) and Lord Bruce of Torry, 4th Baron Elgin David Michael James Brudenell-Bruce b. 1952 9th Marquess of Ailesbury, Earl Bruce of Whorlton, and Viscount Savernake, 15th Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudenell of Stonton, 10th Earl of Ailesbury, 11th Baron Bruce of Tottenham Charles Edward Bruce b. 1961 styled Lord Bruce Heir apparent to the Earldom of Elgin and the Earldom of Kincardine Thomas James Brudenell-Bruce b. 1982 styled Earl of Cardigan Heir apparent to the Marquessate of Ailesbury and Earldom of Cardigan

Clan Chief

The current Chief, Andrew Bruce, 11th Earl of Elgin, is prominent in Scottish affairs and is convener of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.

Bruce tartan

Branches

Earl of Elgin
Count Bruce	Bruce of Crionaich

• Bruce of Elgin
• Bruce of Annandale
• Bruce of Kincardine
• Bruce of the Russian Empire
• Bruce of Crionaich

Castles

Castles that have belonged to the Clan Bruce include:

• Fyvie Castle
• Airth Castle
• Muness Castle
• Thomaston Castle
• Culross Palace
• Clackmannan Tower
• Fingask Castle
• Kinross House
• Lochleven Castle
• Lochmaben Castle
• Turnberry Castle

See also

• Scottish Clan
• Earl of Elgin
• Earl of Kincardine
• Robert the Bruce
• Edward Bruce
• David Bruce
• Lord of Annandale

References

1. Mac an Tàilleir, Iain. "Ainmean Pearsanta" (docx). Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
2. Peter, David MacGregor (1856). The Baronage of Angus and Mearns: Comprising the Genealogy of Three Hundred and Sixty Families, Curious Anecdotes, Descriptions of Clan Tartans, Badges, Slogans, Armory, and Seats, Ancient Sculptures, etc. Being a Guide to the Tourist and Heraldic Artist. Edinburgh, Scotland: Oliver & Boyd, Tweedale Court. p. 265 "The family of Cowden is a cadet of that of Bruce of Airth".
3. "Clan Bruce".
4. A. A. M. Duncan (2004). de Brus, Robert (I), Lord of Annandale (d. 1142). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-861411-1. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
5. Emma Cownie (2004). Brus, Robert de (supp. d. 1094). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-861411-1. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
6. Grant, James (1886). The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans. Edinburgh, Scotland: W. & A. K. Johnston Limited. p. 2.
7. Blakely, Ruth Margaret (2005). "Robert de Brus I:Founder of the Family". The Brus family in England and Scotland, 1100–1295. Woodbridge, UK: Boydell Press. pp. 8–27. ISBN 978-1-84383-152-5.
8. Way, George of Plean; Squire, Romilly of Rubislaw (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins (for the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 82–83. ISBN 0-00-470547-5.
9. Way, George of Plean; Squire, Romilly of Rubislaw (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins (for the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 216–217. ISBN 0-00-470547-5.

Bibliography

• Blakely, Ruth Margaret (2005). The Brus family in England and Scotland, 1100–1295. Boydell Press. ISBN 978-1-84383-152-5.

*Royal House* Clan Bruce
Preceded by House of Balliol	Ruling House of the Kingdom of Scotland 1306–1371	Succeeded by House of Stewart