Alexander Bruce of Earlshall

ALEXANDER BRUCE OF EARLSHALL

Alexander Bruce of Earlshall, here treated, is the son of Peter Bruce of Earlshall He is identified as such in a charter made in his favour dated 9 April 1551. Scrymgeour Documents: number 89

His Last Will and Testament

BRUCE
ALEXANDER
3 / 9 / 1601
IN ERLISHALL, PARISH OF LEUCHARS IN FIFE
TESTAMENT TESTAMENTAR AND INVENTORY
EDINBURGH COMMISSARY COURT
CC8/8/35

Death

Alexander Bruce of Earlshall, here treated, died on 30 September 1600, probably at Earlshall in Leuchars parish, Fife, Scotland. [NRS: CC8/8/35]

First Marriage

Eufamia Leslie

Second Marriage

Janet Elphinstone

Evidence from Scrymgeour Family Documents

                   1

9 April 1551: Charter grantit be Johnne, bischope of St. Androis, to Alexander Bruce, sone and appeirand air to Peter Bruce of Fordell, and Nannis Scrymgeour, his spous, of the half pairtis of the half landis of the Kirktoun of Strathdichtiemertyne and Baldoven, daitit 9 Aprile anno jm v c lj zeiris. Scrymgeour Documents: number 89

                   2

15 October 1552: The precept of seising following upoun the said charter of the said dait, togidder with the instrument of seising gevin to the said Alexander Bruce upoun the said precept, daitit 15 October anno j m v c lij yeiris. Williame Haitlie, notar. Scrymgeour Documents: number 90

                   3

1563: Ane precept of resignatioun grantit be Peter Bruce, younger of Erlishall, and Agnes Scrymgeour, his spous, for upgeving in the handis of Johnne, archibischope of St. Androis, superiour, of the half of the half landis of the Kirktoun of Strathdichtiemertyne and Baldoven and mylne thairof, in favouris of Johnne Scrymgeour, constable of Dundie, daitit j" v c lxiij. Scrymgeour Documents: number 91

                   4

3 May 1566: Procuratorie of resignatioun grantit be Alexander Bruce, sone and appearand air to Peter Bruce of Erlishall, for resigning in the handis of Johnne, archibischope of St. Androis, of all and haill his half of the half of all and sindrie the landis and barrony of Stradichtiemertyne in favouris of John Scrymgeour, constable of Dundie, and James Scrymgeour, his sone, daitit 3 Maij anno j m v c lxvj zeiris. Scrymgeour Documents: number 88

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

3 March 1581: Extract Contract of Marriage betwixt David Nairne of Sandfuird on one part and Robert Bruce of Pitlethie and Annas Bruce, his daughter on the other part. Said David is to marry said Anna betwixt the date of the contract and Whitsunday following; and is to cause her to be infeft , in her virginity, in conjunct fee with himself, and the heirs to be begotten betwixt them, in the lands of Sandfuird called the Plewlands of Sandfuird, with tower, fortalice, houses, yards etc. lying in the parish of Forgane and sheriffdom of Fyffe (Fife), to be held of the King under reversion of 2000 merks to be granted by the heirs of the said marriage to the heirs male already begotten betwixt said David and umquhile Eufame Bruce, his first spouse and so soon as said David or said heirs male shall infeft said Annas and her foresaids in the quater lands of Pursk to beheld of the King, and said Annas in liferent in an annual rent of 20 bolls victual (half bear and half oatmeal) furth of the said lands of Sandfuird, to be held of said David and his heirs for one penny blench, the said Annas shall renounce Sandfuird and all Annas' right of terce, in favour of said heirs male; and they shall grant a reversion of ssaid quarter lands of Pursk to said heirs male for 2000 merks. For which causes said Robert is to pay 1000lib Scots in name of tocher; 1000 merks of which is to be bestowed by said David on lands or annual rent in favour of himself and said Annas and their foresaids. If said Annas shall die within year and day after the marriage the tocher is to be repaid. Both parties consent to registration in the Books of Council and Session or Commissary's Books of Sanctandrois and to that effect constitute Masters David Dischingtoun, Williame Russell, George Mearnis and Andrwe Greiff, their procurators. At Pitlethie, 3 Mar 1581 (1582) Witnesses ALEXANDER BRUCE OF ERLISHALL, Petir Nairne, burgess of Dundie, Jhone Ure, minister of the Evangel, JHONE BRUCE, BROTHER GERMAN OF SAID ALEXANDER. Charlis Watsoun, notary public. The bride signed by a notary being unable to write. Recorded 4th May 1585. Extracted from the Commissariot Book of St Andrews by John Arnott, clerk thereof. National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2625

                   2

1 March 1588-89: Procuratory of resignation by Alexander Bruce of Erlishall of the third part of the Barony of Lucheris and others (to be called the Barony of Erlishall) in the hands of the King in favour of William Bruce his eldest lawful son, whom failing to Robert Bruce of Pitlethy, father-brother of said Alexander, whom failing to Mr Robert Bruce, son lawful to Sir Alexander Bruce of Airth, whom failing to John, Alexander and Robert Bruce, successively brothers-german to said Mr Robert under reservation of liferent of said Alexander Bruce, dated at Erlishall. (Tag, no seal) National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Hamilton-Bruce family of Grange Hill and Falkland, reference GD152/168

                   3

October 1595: Marriage Contract between Robert Bruce, elder, of Pitlathie [Pitlethie], Janet Dundas, his spouse, Robert Bruce, younger, their son and apparent heir, Alexander Bruce, liferenter of Erlishall [Earlshall], and William Bruce, his son and heir apparent, fiar thereof, and the said Alexander Bruce and Andrew Wod [Wood] of Largo on behalf of the said William Bruce, and David Maxwell of Teiling [Tealing] and Hew Maxwell, his son and heir, Alexander Bruce of Airth, and William Bruce, his son and heir, cautioners for the said Robert Bruce, elder and younger, on the one part, and Mr John Schairpe [Sharp] of Howstoun, advocate, and Helen Shairpe, his daughter, on the other part, concerning the marriage of the said Robert Bruce, younger and said Helen Schairpe. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Shairp family of Houston, West Lothian, reference GD30/767

Evidence from the Laing Charters

15 September 1603: Instrument of Sasine following on a precept of clair constat by David Ramsay, lord of the franktenement of Clettie, for infefting William Bruce, now of Eailshall, as heir of his father, the late Alexander Bruce of Earlshall, in the above annualrent from the lands of Clettie: Held of the granter in blench-farm. Witnesses to precept, David Robertson and David Paterson. Sasine given by Henry Audimoute, bailie, 10 September 1603. Witnesses, David Ramsay of Clettie, Archibald Wilson, David Wilson in Clettie, and Andrew Anderson. James Anderson, notary, clerk of the burgh of Cupar. Laing Charters: 1450

Biographical Summary

Alexander Bruce, 3rd Lord of Earlshall was born in Earlshall Castle, Fife, Scotland. His parents were Peter Bruce and Agnes Scrimgeour.

He was the 3rd Lord of Earlshall.

Alexander married Euphemia Leslie in April in Scotland. Together they had the following children:

1. John, d 1585
2. William Bruce, 4th Lord of Earlshall. Succeeded his father after 1599-1600, when Alexander’s Will is dated; a) (d 1636) m1. (mcrt 22.05.1594) Elizabeth Wood (dau of Sir Andrew Wood of Largo)
3. Elizabeth, Lady Durie
4. Janet, Lady Blackmont; b) m. (mcrt 07.05.1602) David Ramsay of Brackmonth

Alexander married second to Jonet Elphinstone. (b 10.03.1535, dau of Alexander, Lord Elphinstone, widow of Robert Leslie, 1st of Findressie)

Disputed family

Evidence needed to support Alexander Bruce of Earlshall as father of Elizabeth Butt

Most probable line of descent per 11/30/00 letter from Paul L.A. Veenhuijzen of Earlshall Castle, Leuchers by St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland.

Earlshall Castle is situated close to the Royal Air Force base at Leuchars in Fife on the north-east coast of Scotland. It is currently lived in and the museum section is open to the public. The origin of the name could date back to the Earls of Fife. Earlshall is slightly different from the standard L-plan tower house since it has an oval tower on one of the external angles and a stair tower in the re-entrant angle. Also wall and range form a courtyard with the main block.

Construction began in 1546 by Sir William Bruce and was completed by his great-grandson of the same name in 1617. However the castle fell into disrepair and was rescued in 1891 when Sir Robert Lorimer started the restoration. His work included the addition of a gatehouse and some unusual topiary gardens which include chessmen. Lorimer also restored the 16th-century painted ceiling in the Long Gallery which depicts subjects from heraldry, history and zoology.

Jamie Macnab ¦ Savills Country Houses Team ¦ +44 (0) 131 247 3738

ABOUT THIS 1546 EARLSHALL CASTLE FOR SALE IN FIFE SCOTLAND Earlshall takes its name from the hunting lodge of ‘The Erlishall’ owned by the Earls of Fife, relatives of King Robert de Bruce. Sir William Bruce began building the castle in 1546. The castle was built with large windows rather than narrow slit windows used for defence. Musket loops and smaller windows were provided in strategic places as an insurance against armed incursion.

Sir William Bruce received Mary Queen of Scots at Earlshall in 1561. Later James VI of Scotland who became James I of England also visited. Both monarchs would have ridden from the royal palace of Falkland to hunt at Earlshall.

Alexander Bruce had his marriage commemorated on the granite fireplace in the Great Hall. William, and Agnes Lindsay were responsible for the painted ceiling in the Long Gallery. Painted the full length of the 50 foot long roof are the coats of arms of European royalty, Scottish noble families and imaginary nobles. The Baron would sit directly beneath the royal coat of arms when holding his Courts of Barony – signifying that his powers of justice came directly from the King.

Sir Andrew the Bloody Bruce was the most notorious Baron of Earlshall. An officer of Claverhouse’s dragoons he won the Battle of Killecrackie and earned his name in his brutal putting down of the Covenanters. His footsteps are said to be heard on the spiral stairs of Earlshall to this day.

The line of Bruce’s died out in 1708. The castle was inherited by Henderson of Fordell. His family sold the castle in 1824. No maintenance was carried out and it gradually slipped into a state of dereliction.

Robert Mackenzie from Perth, purchased the castle in 1890 and employed a young Robert Lorimer to carry out its restoration. Lorimer was later considered Scotland’s greatest architect. Earlshall was one of his finest works.

Earlshall is closest to the ‘Z’ plan principle, having a central block with off-set towers and a romantic and pleasing aspect from the gardens. The castle was built in two parts with Dummy Daws forming a separate building. It is approached through the arched Gate House. There is a gateway to a Courtyard which gives entrance to the castle.

Scotland's Castles - Clan & Family Connections: Bruce family related buildings

Airth Castle

Annan Castle

Arkendeith Tower

Auchenbowrie House

Balcaskie House

Broomhall

Bruce's Castle

Cardross Castle

Carnock House

Clackmannan Tower

Culross Palace

Earlshall Castle

Fingask Castle

Loch Doon Castle

Lochmaben Castle

Muness Castle

Pittarthie Castle

Stenhouse Thomaston Castle

Tulliallan Castle

Turnberry Castle

References

• “Family Records Of The Bruces And The Cumyns, With An Historical Introduction And Appendix, Etc. [With Genealogical Tables.] : Bruce, Mary Elizabeth Cumming : Free Download, Borrow, And Streaming : Internet Archive". 2021. Internet Archive. Bruce of Earlshall, pps 332-3. < Archive.Org > According to this source, Alexander Bruce had two sons and two daughters, one named Elizabeth and one named Janet, neither of whom it says married a Butt.
• http://www.stirnet.com/genie/data/british/bb4fz/bruce10.php
  • Main source(s): (1) For upper section : 'Fife (P&H, vol 1, p349+)', 'The Bruces of Airth and their Cadets' by Major William Bruce Armstrong (printed for private circulation in Edinburgh, 1892), Douglas's 'Baronage of Scotland' (1798, Bruce of Earlshall), RedBookScot (Fife, Bruce of Earlshall) by GMcG (2) For lower section : RedBookScot (Perthshire, Bruce of Auchenbowie)