Robert de Brus, 1st Lord of Annandale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert I de Brus
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| Born | c. 1078 France |
| Died | 11 May 1141 Skelton Castle, Yorkshire, England |
| Noble family | Bruce |
| Spouse(s) | Agnes de Pagnall - Agnes de Bainard |
| Issue | Adam de Brus, 2nd Lord of Skelton Robert de Brus, 2nd Lord of Annandale Agatha de Brus Hugh de Brus (uncertain) Peter de Brus (uncertain) |
Robert I de Brus was an important lord who lived a long time ago, from about 1078 to 1141. He was one of the first members of the famous Bruce family to own land in Scotland. He was also known for starting a special church called Gisborough Priory in Yorkshire, England, in 1119.
Contents
Robert de Brus: An Early Life Story
The Bruce family name comes from a place called Bruis (now Brix, Manche) in Normandy, France. The family came to England after King Henry I of England fought a war in Normandy.
Robert de Brus is first mentioned in old records between 1094 and 1100. He was a witness to an important document for Hugh, Earl of Chester. This document gave a church in Flamborough, Yorkshire, to Whitby Abbey. Around 1100–1104, the Earl of Chester likely gave Robert some land in Yorkshire.
Between 1103 and 1106, Robert de Brus signed another important document for William, Count of Mortain. In 1109, at a big meeting in Nottingham, he signed a document from King Henry I. This document confirmed that the church in Durham owned certain lands.
From 1109 to 1114, Robert owned many lands in Yorkshire. He also signed a document for King Henry I at Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Records from 1115–1118 show he owned even more land. It is thought that the King gave Robert his land in Yorkshire soon after a battle in 1106.
Robert was at a large meeting of important northern lords in Durham in 1121. Between 1124 and 1130, he was with the King at Brampton. Around 1131, he was with King Henry I in France. He also signed a document with Alan de Percy for the monks of Whitby.
It is said that King Henry gave Robert about 80 estates in Yorkshire. Robert also kept in touch with other Norman lords.
Robert de Brus and Scotland
Robert de Brus became friends with David FitzMalcolm, who later became King David I of Scotland. Their friendship might have started around 1120. When David became king in 1124, he gave Robert the Lordship of Annandale in Scotland. However, there is not much proof that Robert actually lived on his Scottish lands.
After King Henry died, King David did not want to accept Henry's replacement, King Stephen. Instead, David supported his niece, Empress Matilda, who also wanted to be queen. David used the confusion in England to try and claim land in Northumberland for his son.
Robert de Brus of Annandale did not agree with King David's actions. Because of this, Robert and King David stopped being friends. Robert bravely told David he would no longer support him. Robert then joined the English side at the Battle of the Standard in 1138.
Before the battle, Robert tried to convince David to change his mind. He reminded David how he and other Normans had helped David's brother, King Alexander, to share the Scottish Kingdom with David back in 1107. But Robert's plea did not work. Robert and his oldest son, Adam, joined the English army. However, Robert's younger son, also named Robert, fought for King David. This was because the younger Robert wanted to keep his Scottish inheritance.
Robert de Brus's Family Life
Robert de Brus, the first Lord of Annandale, was married to a woman named Agnes. Some old records say she was Agnes de Pagnall or Agnes de Bainard. Some even say he married both women. However, newer research shows that these ideas are not proven.
Records show that his wife, Agnes, was from the Surdeval family. We don't know exactly who her parents were. She might have been the daughter of Richard de Sourdeval, who owned many lands in Yorkshire. Or she might have been the daughter of Richard's son Robert, or his daughter Matilda Maude de Sourdeval.
Robert and Agnes had these children:
- Adam I de Brus: He was the oldest son. He inherited all the English lands. He died only 22 months after his father. We do not know his wife's name. Adam had a son also named Adam. This family line ended in 1272. But Adam's daughter, Isabel, married Henry de Percy. They became the ancestors of the Percy family, who were important Earls and Dukes of Northumberland.
- Robert II de Brus: He was the younger son. His father gave him the Scottish Lordship of Annandale during his lifetime. This Robert was an ancestor of Robert the Bruce, who became a famous King of Scotland.
- Agatha de Brus: She married Ralph FitzRibald of Middleham.
Robert de Brus: His Final Years
In 1119, Robert de Brus started the Augustinian church called Gisborough Priory. He made his younger brother, William de Brus, the first leader of the church. This priory became a special burial place for the Bruce family for many years.
Robert de Brus died on May 11, 1141, at Skelton Castle in Yorkshire, England. Because he founded Gisborough Priory, he was buried inside the church in a place of honor. His wife Agnes and his children survived him. Robert's son, Adam de Brus, was buried there in 1143. His other son, Robert, was buried there after he died in 1194. Both the Scottish and English parts of the family were buried there. The last one was Robert de Brus, the fifth Lord of Annandale, in 1295. Later, a large monument was placed there to honor the Bruce family and their most famous descendant, King Robert Bruce of Scotland.
