Clan Bruce (Bruce Tartan)

1. The Family of Bruce (Bruce Tartan)

2. Clan Bruce History (Bruce Tartan)

The ancestry of this illustrious tribe can be traced back to Normandy in 11th-century France. Following William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, to England in 1066 was Robert de Brus.

As David I of Scotland traveled north in 1124 to retake his country, one of his relatives, Robert de Brus, joined Prince David as a comrade-in-arms during his visit to the court of Henry I of England.

Scotland's armies were defeated at the Battle of the Standards, a crucial English Civil War engagement, in 1138.

Invading Scottish forces led by David were being resisted by English forces, but de Brus' own second son, Robert, who did not share his father's loyalty, was seized.

Robert eventually made it back to the Annandale region, and as a sign of his defiance, he adopted the fabled red saltire instead of his father's arms, which were a red lion on a silver field.

Robert, 4th Lord of Annandale, and Isobel, William of Lion's niece, wed, laying the cornerstone for the future Bruce dynasty.

This not only validated the opulent gesture of the land grant at Annandale, but it also served as the basis for all subsequent claims to the throne made by Bruce.

Robert de Bruce was also appointed Alexander III's guardian in 1255 and named one of the Regents of the Kingdom of Scotland.

Alexander III's death in 1286 opened the door for a contest for the Scottish throne. The Balliol family was the primary rival of the Bruce.

The rivalry was heightened by Margaret, the Maid of Norway, the young heir to the throne, who passed away in 1290. As Alexander III's closest heir, he seized the Crown in 1290.

One can contend that Edward acted dishonestly:

On one hand, it is stated that the competing families begged Edward I to serve as a mediator in order to prevent a future civil war.

On the other hand, he applied a rigid interpretation of the succession laws given to King Malcolm MacKenneth, disregarded the claims made by the Bruce in 1290, and preferred the Balliols.

Edward I used the chance to claim an overlordship over Scottish matters since he was dissatisfied with the John Balliol-favoring verdict he had issued in 1292.

Balliol's response was armed opposition, but at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296, this was unsuccessful.

Dunbar caused the struggle for the Scottish throne to become more intense, however it now took the shape of a conflict between the Comyn and Bruce families.

In winning this battle, the illustrious 8th Robert the Bruce (1274–1329) displayed Machiavellian traits.

On February 1306 in the Minorite Friars' chapel in Dumfries, John Comyn met with him at his invitation. The subsequent incident, in which Robert famously staked his claim to the throne by fatally stabbing his adversary in the heart, has become well-known.

The coronation of Robert took place at Scone Palace on March 27, 1306. He was excommunicated for this sacrilegious conduct, but he persisted in using the same steely determination that had brought him the crown to convince others who were skeptical of the veracity of his claim and the substance of his leadership.

The Battle of Bannockburn, which took place in 1314, marked the conclusion of this struggle for Scottish independence and the beginning of a successful process of reunifying a nation torn apart by war.

The Scottish independence for which Robert the Bruce, the 7th Lord of Annandale, the 2nd Earl of Carrick, and the Scottish regent, had battled so valiantly was reaffirmed by the Treaty of Northampton in 1328.

The acts of Sir James Douglas, who attempted to protect the purity of Robert the Bruce's deceased King's spirit by escorting his heart to the Holy Land following his death in 1329, show how highly regarded he was.

Although it eventually found rest at Scotland's Melrose, it never made it through Spain due to Douglas' passing. David, King David's son, succeeded his father as King David II at the age of 5 and ruled until his death in 1371.

David II constructed Clackmannan Tower probably in the 1300s, and in 1359 he sold it to his cousin Robert Bruce.

The seventh Earl of Elgin, a prominent diplomat who invested his own personal riches in the effort to recover the marbles from the Pantheon that were fast deteriorating past repair, was one of the less well-known Bruce ancestors.

3. Clan Bruce Tartans

It was once stated that the Bruce tartan was of ancient provenance when it first appeared in the Vestiarium Scoticum, but this has never been verified. Don't feel guilty though, it is still just close to 200 years old.

'Modern' refers to the dye colors, which are typically darker.

W/8 R36 G8 R8 G24 R8 G8 G8 G8 G8 R36 Y/8 Threadcount

Bruce Modern

The term ‘ancient’ refers to the dye shades, usually lighter.

Threadcount  W/8  R36  G8  R8  G24  R8  G24  R8  G8  R36  Y/8

Bruce Ancient

4. Clan Bruce Crest & Coats of Arms

4.1 Clan Bruce Crest

Worn by all of the name and ancestry

4.2 Clan Bruce Coat of Arms

Note on Coats of Arms: A coat of arms is given to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist.

With the exclusions listed above, the weapons depicted below are personal weapons. The only person authorized to use these weapons is the grantee.

5. Clan Bruce Places & People

5.1 Clan Bruce Places

The Bruce family's strongholds are currently, or once were, located in the following locations.

5.1.1 Broomhall House, Fife

The Bruce Earls of Elgin had their residence at Broomhall House in the Fife town of Dunfermline. The home was initially constructed in 1702, but throughout the last three centuries, it has undergone numerous repairs and redesigns.

5.1.2 Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire

5.1.3 Airth Castle, Falkirk

5.1.4 Muness Castle, Shetland

5.1.5 Culross Palace, Fife

5.1.6 Clackmannan Tower, Clackmannanshire

5.1.7 Fingask Castle, Perthshire

5.1.8 Kinross House, Kinross

5.1.9 Lochleven Castle, Fife

5.1.10 Lochmaben Castle, Dumfries & Galloway

5.1.11 Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire

5.2 Clan Bruce People

5.2.1 King Robert I (1274-1329)

Robert and Edward Bruce were the two sons of Robert Bruce of Annadale. Robert junior went to support Wallace and independence for a time, telling his father, "I must be with my own," but only until 1302 when he formed a truce with Edward, despite the fact that his father remained pro-English to safeguard his money.

For a third generation, the Bruces had been vying for the Scottish throne while facing up against competing family claims from the Balliols, Comyns, Frasers, and others. He managed his many interests while serving on Edward's "Scottish Council" for many years.

He made enemies with the powerful Comyn family when he fatally killed John Comyn in a church in 1306, and he also committed sacrilege, leading to the church's immediate excommunication.

He declared himself King of Scots at Scone and moved for an open uprising against Edward and his followers.

Despite popular backing, an English force led by Aymer de Valence put an end to the uprising on June 26 at Methven.

Bruce, who was once the richest man in the nation, was caving. His family and friends were picked up and put to death; William Wallace's head was placed on London Bridge next to Simon Fraser's.

The following year, however, on Palm Sunday, Bruce and his remaining allies started a guerilla battle that brought them successive victories.

The Black Douglas was becoming the terror of England. Forces from the Isles were brought by Angus Og, whose descendants would become the MacDonalds.

In the conflict with Edward, the Comyns, and the MacDougalls, the Earls of Atholl and Lennox joined.

Bruce had almost complete control of Scotland above the Forth by the summer of 1308, and parliament met in St. Andrews in March of the same year.

Now that he was no longer alive, Edward I gave his son the order to place his son's remains in a sack at the front of the army that kills Bruce.

Edward II didn't gather his force to reclaim Scotland until June 1314. Bruce was ready for him when his highly-equipped army, which was three times as large as Bruce's, arrived at Bannockburn.

Edward did not attempt again until 1322, when he was forced to leave his possessions behind and continue running until he reached Yorkshire.

The Declaration of Arbroath was drafted in 1320 when the leaders of Scotland wrote a letter to the Pope announcing Robert I as their King and their independence from England.

They also threatened to fight anyone who opposed their freedom. Pope John Paul XXII responded by rescinding Robert's excommunication.

With Scotland, peace was sought in 1328. Edward III's sister was married to Bruce's son David while they were both still very young. The internal strife and English pressure would soon resume once the King passed away from leprosy the following year.

Bruce wanted his heart to be taken and interred in the Holy Land. James Douglas, a companion of his, lost his life in the attempt while battling the Moors in Spain. His heart returned to Melrose after his body was laid to rest in Dunfermline.

5.2.2 Thomas Bruce (1766-1841)

The pantheon's marbles that were irreparably damaged were sought for by the seventh Earl of Elgin, a renowned diplomat who invested his own personal riches in the endeavor.

5.2.3 Sir William Bruce (c. 1630-1710)

Architect in charge of Holyrood and Hopetoun House renovations.

6. Associated Names

The following names are septs or associated names of the Family of Bruce:

Airth, Bruwes, Bruss, Bruc, Bruys, Brues, Brice, Bryce, Bruce, Bruice, Bruis, Bruze, Broce, Brois, Broiss, Brose, Broise, Brouss, Brus, Bruse, Carlysle, Carruthers, Crosbie, De Brix, Leggat, Randolph, Stenhouse