William Bruce of Earlshall

IV. Alexander Bruce m 1572, first, to Euphame, daughter of John Leslie of Parkhill. His heir:

V. Sir William Bruce, 4th of Earlshall (d 1636) m1 e) Elizabeth Wood, daughter of Sir Andrew Wood of Largo & m1. (before 1528) Alison Hume (sister of _ Hume of Unthank). m2. (21.06.1614, sp) Agnes Lindsay (b c1567, d 1635)

children:

• 1) Sir Andrew Bruce, 5th of Earlshall m Helen Gray (dau of Patrick Gray, 6th Lord
• 2) Robert (or 4) Robert Bruce (d 12.1668, minister of Ballingry) had issu m. (09.06.1642) Anna Seaton (dau of Michael Seaton of Burntisland, widow of Patrick Bonar) m2. (21.06.1614, sp) Agnes Lindsay (b c1567, d 1635) e
• 3) John Bruce of Straburne (dsp) m. (20.12.1644) Euphemia Aytoun (dau of John Aytoun of Kinnaldie)
• 4) Alexander, m Jean Kirkcaldy (or 2) Alexander Bruce of Wester Abden had issue
• 5) John, dsp
• 6) Mr. William, killed at Worcester, 1651
• 1) Elizabeth, m Sir Andrew Bruce of Pittarthie
• 2) Jean, m Mr. William Dundas of Magdalens

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Earlshall Castle, Leuchars, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 0DP, Scotland

10 beds ¦ 6 baths ¦ 8,398 sqft ¦ 53 acres

https://www.captivatinghouses.com/2021/01/05/1546-earlshall-castle-...

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.

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 >
• * http://www.stirnet.com/genie/data/british/bb4fz/bruce10.php

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WILLIAM BRUCE OF EARLSHALL

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

15 May 1584: Charter of Sale by Sir William Bruce of Erlishall knight granting to Alexander Bruce, his grandson, his heirs and assignees whomsoever, a toft and croft commonly called Lampland, lying within the barony of Luichers-Forbes and in the town of Luichers (Leuchars) on the south side thereof (betwixt the toft and croft of umquhile Norman Ramsay on the east and the land of the laird of Culluthy on the west) as also a toft and croft commonly called Philipscroft lying within the barony foresaid and sheriffdom of Fife and in the east part of the town of Bawbuichlie (Balbuichlie) (betwixt the lands of Erlishall on the east and the lands of the laird of Culluthy on the west). To be held a me of Arthur Forbes of Reres, superior thereof. Rendering therefor yearly two pennies blench, with three suits at three head courts of said barony. With precept of sasine addressed to David Narne of Sandefurde. At Erlishall, 15th May 1584. Witnesses James Ramsay of Rind, John Bruce elder, Roland Ameir, servant of John Leslie of Parkhill, Charles Watsoun, notary public. Signed Sr Welzem brous of erleshall knytht wytht my hand. On the fold is written Testibus Davide Gourlay de Southheld, Georgio Narne, Jhone Bruce, Jhone Lindesay. Probably they witnessed the sasine. National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2727

                    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

                   4

7 May 1602: Extract contract of marriage between David Ramsay of Brakmounth [Brackmont], with consent of William Sandeland [Sandilands] of St. Monance [St Monans] and John Hay of Sandefurde [St Fort], his curators, and Jonet Bruce, sister of William Bruce of Erlishall [Earlshall], with Robert Durie of that ilk and said William Bruce. [B. of C. & S. 8 September 1618]. National Records of Scotland, Makgill, Viscounts Oxfuird, reference GD82/107

Evidence from the Laing Charters

                   1

14 September 1603: Instrument narrating that William Bruce of Earlshall (by his procurator) resigned an annualrent of £10 Scots from the lands of Cletty, in the sheriffdom of Fife, into the hands of his superior, David Ramsay, liferenter of said lands, in favour of David Ramsay, lawful son to the late Patrick Ramsay in Sandfurd : To be held blench. Done on the lands, 14 September 1603. Witnesses, David and .Archibald Wilson, Andrew Anderson, and Henry Aithtmutte [Auchmuty]. Notary, James Andersoun. Laing Charters: 1450

                   2

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