Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale facts for kids

Robert de Brus (born July 1243 – died before April 1304) was an important noble in medieval times. He was the 6th Lord of Annandale and, through his wife, the Earl of Carrick. He was also the father of Robert the Bruce, who later became the King of Scotland.

Robert de Brus came from a family with Scottish, Norman, and Irish roots. His family line went back to David I of Scotland, a Scottish king.

Robert de Brus: A Life in Medieval Times

Early Life and Family

Robert de Brus was the son of Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale and Lady Isabella de Clare. He was likely born in July 1243, probably at his family's estate in Writtle, Essex, England.

A popular story says that in 1270, when Robert was 27, he was on a journey during the Ninth Crusade. One of his friends, Adam de Kilconquhar, died in Acre. Robert had to deliver the sad news to Adam's widow, Marjorie of Carrick. The story claims Marjorie was so impressed by Robert that she held him captive until he agreed to marry her. They married in 1271. However, historians doubt this story because of the dates of the crusade.

What we do know is that in 1264, Robert's father was captured during the Battle of Lewes in England. After another battle, the Battle of Evesham in 1265, Robert and his father gained lands from rebellious nobles. Robert received land in Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Bedfordshire.

In 1270, Robert and his younger brother Richard received permission to join Edward on a crusade. They likely returned by October 1271.

Marriage and Royal Connections

In 1272, Robert married Marjorie, Countess of Carrick without permission from the Scottish King. Because of this, she temporarily lost her castle and lands, but got them back after paying a fine.

Around this time, Robert's mother died. In 1273, his father married Christina de Ireby. This new marriage added more lands to the Brus family's holdings. Robert didn't get along well with his stepmother.

Robert became an important messenger for Alexander III, the King of Scotland, at the English court. He swore loyalty to Edward I on Alexander's behalf in 1277.

Key Events and Roles

• 1281: Robert helped arrange the marriage of Alexander, Prince of Scotland, to Margaret, the daughter of the Count of Flanders.
• 1282: He fought alongside his brother Richard in Edward I's conquest of Wales.
• 1284: Robert attended a meeting in Scone where Margaret, Maid of Norway, the granddaughter of Alexander III, was recognized as the next in line to the Scottish throne.
• 1286: He was a witness to an important agreement called the Band of Turnberry, along with his father and son.
• 1290: He was part of the Treaty of Birgham.
• 1290: After Margaret, the Maid of Norway, died, the Scottish throne became empty. Robert supported his father's claim to be king. However, the crown was given to John Balliol, a distant cousin.
• 1291: Robert swore loyalty to Edward I, who was seen as the overlord of Scotland.
• 1292: His wife, Marjorie, died.
• 1292: His father, who had lost his claim to the throne, gave his Lordship of Annandale to Robert. Robert then passed his wife's Earldom of Carrick to his own son, also named Robert.
• 1293: Robert sailed to Bergen, Norway, for his daughter Isabel's marriage to King Eric II of Norway.

Later Years and Death

In May 1295, Robert's father died. On October 6, Robert swore loyalty to Edward I and was made Constable and Keeper of Carlisle Castle.

• 1295: King John Balliol took Annandale from Robert and gave it to John III Comyn.
• 1296: In March, Robert's soldiers at Carlisle Castle fought off an attack led by John Comyn.
• 1296: In April, Robert again swore loyalty to Edward I and fought for him at the Battle of Dunbar Castle.
• 1296: In August, Robert and his son renewed their loyalty to Edward. However, Edward I did not recognize Robert's claim to the Scottish throne. Robert then went back to his estates in Essex.
• 1296: Robert married a woman named Eleanor.
• 1304: Robert de Brus died around Easter while traveling to Annandale. He was buried at Holm Cultram Abbey in Cumberland.

After Robert's death, his wife Eleanor remarried.

The Earl of Carrick's burial slab in Holmcultram Abbey, Abbeytown, Cumbria

Robert was old and sick at this time. There are reports that he wanted his son to make peace with Edward I. If his son continued to rebel, it could put Robert's own income and lands at risk, especially those in England.

Robert's son eventually submitted to Edward I in 1302. The Bruce family might have felt it was too difficult to keep fighting for King John, who was in exile. There were also rumors that King John might return with a French army, which would mean the Bruces would lose any chance of becoming kings themselves.

Family

Robert's first wife was Margery of Carrick, the 3rd Countess of Carrick. She was born in 1254 and died in 1292. Carrick was a Gaelic Earldom in Southern Scotland. They married at Turnberry Castle in 1271 and lived there and at Lochmaben.

Their children were:

• Isabel Bruce (born around 1272): She married King Eric II of Norway in 1293. She died in 1358 in Bergen, Norway.
• Christina Bruce (born around 1273): She married Sir Christopher Seton and later Sir Andrew Murray. She died in Scotland in 1356 or 1357.
• King Robert the Bruce (born July 11, 1274 – died June 7, 1329): He became King of Scotland. He married Isabella of Mar and later Elizabeth de Burgh.
• Nigel de Brus (born around 1276): He was captured and executed in 1306.
• Edward Bruce (born around 1279): He was crowned "King of Ireland" in 1316 and died in battle in 1318.
• Mary Bruce (born around 1282): She married Sir Neil Campbell and later Sir Alexander Fraser.
• Margaret Bruce (born around 1283): She married Sir William Carlyle.
• Thomas de Brus (born around 1284): He was captured and executed in 1307.
• Alexander de Brus (born around 1285): He was executed in 1307.
• Elizabeth Bruce (born around 1286): She married Sir William Dishington.
• Matilda/Maud Bruce (born around 1287): She married Hugh, Earl of Ross in 1308.

Robert had no children with his second wife, Eleanor.

Ancestry

In Fiction

Robert de Brus has appeared in movies, though sometimes with historical inaccuracies.

• In the 1995 film Braveheart, he was played by Ian Bannen. The movie incorrectly shows him involved in the capture of William Wallace. In reality, Robert de Brus died in 1304, and William Wallace was captured in 1305.
• In the 2018 film Outlaw King, he was played by James Cosmo. This movie shows Robert de Brus feeling sad about his difficult relationship with King Edward I (also known as Longshanks).