Catherine Bruce of Clackmannan facts for kids
Catherine Bruce of Clackmannan (born 1696, died 1791) was an important Scottish lady. She is best known for pretending to make famous people, like the poet Robert Burns, into knights.
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Who Were the Jacobites?
Catherine Bruce lived in a place called Clackmannan Tower in Clackmannanshire, Scotland. Her husband, Henry Bruce, was a supporter of the Jacobites. The Jacobites were people who believed that the Stuart family should be the kings and queens of Britain, not the Hanoverian family who were ruling at the time.
Henry Bruce fought for the Jacobites in a big event called the 1745 uprising. This was when Jacobite supporters tried to take back the throne. Catherine also strongly supported the Jacobite cause.
A Royal Connection
Catherine Bruce was famous for being a bit unusual. She had many interesting visitors at her home, Clackmannan Tower. She was very proud of her family history. She believed she was related to Robert the Bruce, who was a famous King of Scotland from 1306 to 1329. Her husband also claimed to be related to him.
Knighting Robert Burns
In 1787, the well-known Scottish poet, Robert Burns, came to visit Catherine. During his visit, Catherine used a special family sword to "knight" him. This sword was said to have once belonged to King Robert the Bruce himself!
Burns's friend, Dr. Adair, who was with him, described Catherine. He said that even though she could barely speak because of a health problem, she was still very welcoming and polite. It is believed that during the knighting ceremony, Catherine said she "had a better right to confer that title [knighthood] than some people." This meant she thought her family had more right to give out titles than the current royal family, who she saw as not the true rulers.
Other Special Guests
Over the years, Catherine also "knighted" other chosen guests with the same sword. One of these guests was Dr. John Jamieson, who was famous for editing the Scots Dictionary.
When Catherine died, the special sword went to the Earl of Elgin. In 2018, the sword was shown to the public for the very first time.
Her Lasting Memory
Catherine Bruce passed away in 1791. Her life story was later included in a play called Tales of Clackmannan. This play was put on by the Walking Theatre Company and celebrated the history of the Clackmannanshire area.
There is even a Scottish country dance called "Lady Catherine Bruce's Reel" named after her. The Clackmannanshire Council owns a painting of Catherine. It is believed to have been painted by someone from the school of the Scottish artist David Allan.
Images for kids
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Catherine Bruce of Clackmannan by (school of) David Allan
