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Robert I the Bruce, King of Scots
- Robert de Brus, 1st Lord of Annandale
- Robert II de Brus, 'the Cadet' (fl. 1138, died c. 1194) 2nd Lord of Annandale x Euphemia
- William de Brus, 3rd Lord of Annandale and Christina mac Uchtred
- Robert Bruce, 4th Lord of Annandale x Isobel of Huntingdon d/o Matilda of Chester(d/o Hugh de Kevelioc, 5th Earl of Chester) & David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon.
- Robert de Brus "the Competitor" 5th Lord of Annandale
- seventh Robert de Bruce (died 1304), resigned the title of earl of Carrick in favour of his son in 1292
- The eighth - King Robert de Bruce also called Robert I, (born July 11, 1274—died June 7, 1329, Cardross, Dumbartonshire, Scotland), king of Scotland (1306–29)
- King David II b 1324
From the Charters of Clackmannan
https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9494/94948513.23.pdf
In 1326, Sir Robert de Bruce, probably the Sir Robert above[below] mentioned, was a witness to a charter of King Robert the Bruce of lands in Nith to the Abbey of Melrose,
No. 1. 20th June, 1330 Roberto de Bruys pays in old Public accounts of the kingdom
No. 2 25th June 1330 is a further extract from the Public accounts " Compotum Reginaldi More reddit. apud Clackmannan 25th die Junii anno Gratia} 1330 des quarundam terraram infra Vice, de Strivelynde firmis quarundam terraram infra Vice, de Strivelyn.This account only relates to some feu duties payable from lands in Stirlingshire, but its being rendered "at Clackmannan" indicates that the King still occupied the Castle as a Royal residence.
No. 4 9th December, 1359, is the first charter yet known containing any grant of the Castle and Barony of Clackmannan. It was made by King David Bruce to and in favour of his beloved and faithful cousin, ("dilecto et fedeli consanguineo nostro,") Robert de Bruys of the Castle and Barony of Clackmannan, the lands of Grasmenston, Gartlove, Wester Kennet, Hillend, Carsehill, Greys, Park Meadow, Dry- field, Tullygarth, Pitfoulden, and others, within the Sheriffdom of Clackmannan (.It Is probable that he may have been the son of Sir Robert de Bruce mentioned in Nos. 1.[above] and 2,who was living between 1326 and 1330. Robert de Bruce, it will be observed, who obtains the lands of Clackmannan, is not called "Dominus," or Sir, in the first charter ; he therefore was probably very young at the time of his father's death, (which Chalmers, in his MS. notes to Douglas' Peerage of Scotland, fixes in 1332), and this may account for a period of 27 years before we again find among the present existing charters any notice of Clackmannan or the Bruces. On the authority of Johnston's MS., before quoted, this second Robert is stated to have married Isabel, daughter of Sir Robert Stewart of Rosyth Castle, a second cousin of King Robert II.
Edward de Brace, a son of this Robert of Clackmannan, is said to have married, about Jul /4/7/1440> the heiress of Sir William de Airth & acquired that estate.
No. 5 1363— From the Acts of Parliament of this date, vol. 1, p. 168, " Robert de Bruce "is then stated to be proprietor of the lands of Kennet.
No. 6 20 Oct. 1364.— A Crown Charter by King David Bruce to and in favour of " Robert de Brays," who is again styled " consanguineo nostri" of the lands of Grassmynston, Gartlove Carse, "La Park meadow," Crage Roy,Dryfield,and others, with the pertinents all lying within the Sheriffdom of Clackmannan.
No. 7 17th Jan. 1367.— A Crown Charter by King David II. to and in favour of Robert de Bruys who is again designed " consanguineo nostro," granting the lands and barony of Rate in the county of Perth to be holden of the King and his successors in fee and heritage, and in free barony for service of 3 suits at the King's Courts at Perth — granted at Restenneth on the above date.
No. 8,— 26 June 1376.— Is a Charter by the King to Sir Hugh de Eglinton Knt : of 40s annually, which it is stated " Robert de Bruce consanguineo nostri" had formerly resigned into the hands of the King. (Eglinton Charters, Vol. II, p. 16.)
No. 9 2 May 1389 Thomas obtains Kennet from his father, 2 May 1389.— Charter of Robert de Bruys of Clackmannan and Rate to and in favour of Thomas de Bruys, his son, where- by " for good services" he grants the said Thomas the lands of Wester Kennet and others for payment to his said father of a silver penny yearly. In the history of Noble British Families, part 3, p. 15, it is stated that Robert de Bruce died about this period, and the next Charters of resignation were probably made by the possessor of the estate on succeeding thereto.
No. 10 4th Oct., 1393— Crown Charter of Resignation by King Robert III., proceeding on the Rocuratory of Resignation of Robert de Bruys, whereby the King new grants the lands and Barony of Clackmannan, and all the pertinents, to Robert de Bruys, whom failing, to David Bruys, his eldest son, and the heirs male, procreated or to be procreated, of his body, whom failing, to Thomas Bruys, also his son, and the heirs male of his body, to be held of the King and his successors in fee and heritage.
By this Charter, Robert deBruys had gone through the ceremony of resigning or giving them back to the King during his life, and the King then made a new grant of them to him, and his two sons, and their heirs male.
No. 11 10th June, 1393— Charter by Robert de Bruys, Lord of Rate and Clackmannan, to his " beloved son, Thomas de Bruys," and his heirs, and assigns of an annualent of ten merks, payable furth off his lands of Tullygarth, lying in the county of Clackmannan, and that in con- sideration of a certain sum of money paid to him, the said Robert de Bruys, in his urgent necessity. To be holden of the said Robert de Bruys and his heirs redeemable on payment of the sum of 25 merks.
No. 12 18th February, 1399— Crown Charter of Resignation and Confirmation by King Robert III., ratifying and confirming the Charter No. 9, granted by Robert de Bruys to his son, Thomas, of the lands of Wester Kennet, Pitfoulden, and the Cruikitland, all lying in the county of Clackmannan. From this time the estate of Kennet continued separate from that of Clackmannan, and although the families continued on the most intimate terms, and the heiress of Kennet, in 1568, married one of the cadets of Clackmannan, the estates have never been united.
a1 Sir Robert Bruce, 2nd Baron Clackmannan & Rate; proprietor of lands of Kennet
x NN mistress
a1b1 Thomas Bruce, 1st of Wester Kennet, Pitfoulden and Cruicket. c1389
a1b1c Peter or Patrick de Bruys of Wester Kennet <1423
a1b1c1d1 Unknown parent dies before father?
a1b1c1d1e1 David Bruce, of Wester Kennet (snr) <1447- c1480-90 x Agnes Redheugh
a1b1c1d1e1f1 David Bruce, of Wester Kennet (jnr) fl 1490
a1b2 Sir Robert Bruce, 3rd Baron of Clackmannan <1389 - d<1406
x Annabelle Scrymgeoura1b2c2 Sir David Bruce, 4th Baron of Clackmannan >1389 - <1423 , who succeeded x Jean Stewart
a1b2c2d1 Sir John Bruce, 5th Baron of Clackmannan & Rait <1422 - c 1473-8 x Elizabeth Stewart
a1b2c2d1e1 Sir David Bruce, 6th Baron of Clackmannan & Rate -<1506 x Mariota Herries
a1b2c2d1e1f1 Sir David Bruce, 7th Baron Of Clackmannan <1497->1556 x Janet Blackadder
a1b2c3 Alexander of Stanehous and Airth
No. 14 24th Sept 1423 Instrument of Sasine in favour of Peter or Patrick de Bruys, in the lands of Wester Kennet, in the Barony of Graysmenstone and county of Clackmannan, proceeding on the precept contained in No. 13, to which Peter Bruys had acquired right as heir to his father, sasine given by John de Bruce, Lord of Clackmannan, in presence of Sir David Stuart of Durrisdeer, knight, Robert Merce.. Etc The Sir David Stewart of Durrisdeer,who appears as a witness, appears to have been of the Rossyth family, and was closely related to the Bruces.
No. 13 28th March, 1428— Charter of Confirmation of John Bruce of Rate and Clackmannan, ratifying and confirming the Charter No. 9, granted by his grandfather, Robert de Bruys, to his son Thomas de Bruys, of the lands of Wester Kennet, &c.
4 Jul 1440 Edward de Brace, a son of this Robert of Clackmannan, is said to have married, about /4/7/1440 the heiress of Sir William de Airth & acquired that estate.
No. 15 1442— Precept by Archibald, Earl of Douglas, directed to John Bruce of Clackmannan, Robert Mercer, and William Wallwood, to give sasine to David Stewart of Durrisdeer,knight, in the Barony of Shanbody lying in the county of Clackmannan.
The date is obliterated, but it appears from other documents to have been prior to 1442.The Barony of Shanbody now forming part of the estate of Kennet, as will be afterwards seen, came to the Bruces by purchase.
1447 — At this date James Bruce, son of Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, was elected Bishop of Glasgow. Prior to that date, King James, in a Royal Charter (1444), calls him " consanguineo ;" he was first Rector of Kilmeine, in Fife, and died Lord High Chancellorof Scotland. (See Keith's Scottish Bishops.)
No 16 22d Dec, 1447 — Discharged by John de Bruce of Clackmannan to his eldest cousin, David, the Bruce of the Kennet, of the sum of 50 merks money of Scotland, addebted to the said John the Bruce, by Peter the Bruce, grandfather of the above-mentioned David.
From Nos. 6 to 16, the history of the two families at Clackmannan and Kennet may be easily seen:
- In 1359, Sir Robert Bruce, 3rd Baron of Clackmannan, a cousin of King David, obtains a gift of the castle and Barony of Clackmannan.
- In 1389, he gives [Wester] Kennet, which is a part of that barony, to his son, Thomas Bruce, 1st of Wester Kennet, Pitfoulden and Cruicket.
- and, in 1393, King Robert III. confirms this gift, and with the consent of Robert Bruce, the father, settles Clackmannan on Sir David Bruce, 4th Baron of Clackmannan, the eldest son, and Kennet on Thomas Bruce, the second son.
- David is succeeded by his son, Sir John Bruce, 5th Baron of Clackmannan & Rait, sometime before 1423,
- while Thomas of Kennet is succeeded by his son, Peter Bruce, of Kennet, in or before 1423,
- and he again is succeeded by his grandson, David Bruce, of Wester Kennet (snr), in or before 1447.
No. 17.— 8th July, 1449— Charter by Allan de Kinnaird of that Ilk to Patrick Bruce, son of the deceased David Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, of the lands of Hayle, in the Barony of Kinnaird and county of Perth, and that in consideration of a certain sum of money paid to him by the said Patrick Bruce. To be holden of the said Allan de Kinnaird in fee and heritage for payment of a silver penny at the feast of Pentecost, yearly, in name of Blench form, if asked only.
No. 18.— 16th May, 1450— Crown Charter of Resignation and Confirmation by King James II., verbatim, ratifying and confirming the foregoing Charter, No. 17. This Patrick Bruce was probably a younger son of David Bruce of Clackmannan, and therefore a younger brother of John Bruce, who, as above mentioned, succeeded his father David in or before 1426, and who appears from the next writ (No. 19) to have been still living.
No. 21 23d July, 1460— Instrument bearing that David Bruce of Kennet, at the desire of David Bruce of Clackmannan, and James Schaw of Sauchie, cautioners for the said David Bruce of Kennet, to a discreet woman, Agnes Bonar, for the sum of 100 nierko, money of Scotland, given and delivered to the said Agnes by Arthur Cramond, her attorney and procurator, the sum of 4 merks,upon part payment of said sum, where- upon the said Arthur answered that if so it was that the said David Bruce at the day and place agreed upon between them was willing to deliver to him a further sum of 44 merks, and find security for the balance between and the feast of St Michel, the archangel, then next he should be fully satisfied thereof.
This David Bruce of Kennet is probably the one mentioned in No. 16.
No. 19.— 26th March 1473— Crown Charter of Resignation and Confirmation by King James III., to David Bruce, son, and apparent heir to John Bruce of Clackmannan, of the lands and Barony of Clackmannan and pertinents thereof, lying in the county of Clackmannan, and the lands and Barony of Rait lying in the county of Perth, proceeding on the Procuratory of Resig- nation, granted by the said John Bruce. To be holden by the above mentioned David Bruce, his heirs of the King, and his successors in fee and heritage for payment, and performance of services used and wont ; but reserving to the said John Bruce his liferent of the said Baronies, aud the third thereof to Elizabeth Stewart, his wife.
No. 20.— 20th March 1478— Charter by David Bruce of Clackmannan to Andrew Meffane and Margaret his spouse, of a tenement Yard and Croft with pasturage of a cow.
Nos. 19 and 20— bring down the history of the Clackmannan family another generation. By No. 19, John Bruce of Clackmannan, for the purpose of insuring the recognition of his son David as the next proprietor, resigns his right to the King, who bestows it on David under reservation of John Bruce's liferent. No. 20 shews that John Bruce died between 1473 and 1478, for David now exercises the full rights of a proprietor.
No. 22 28th August, 1485— Charter by David Bruce of Clackmannan to Robert Bruce, his son and apparent heir, and Elizabeth Lindsay, his wife, in liferent, and the heirs male, to be procreated between them, in fee of the six oxgates of land pertaining to the said David Bruce of his lands of Rate, on the east side of the burn, and lying in the Barony of Rate and county of Perth. To be holden by the said Robert Bruce and his heirs aforesaid, whom failing his heirs, whatsoever of the King and his successors, for payment of a penny on the ground of the said lands, in manner of blench, if asked. Witnesses : Robert Bruce of Culmaluindie and Thomas Bruce, and others.
No. 23 15th December, 1486— Charter by King James IV., verbatim, ratifying and confirming this Charter (No. 22).
No. 24 — 1490 — Instrument of Sasine in favour of David Bruce, as heir to David Bruce of Wester Kennet, his father, in the lands of Wester Kennet, lying in the county of Clackmannan,Ur given propriis manibis by David Bruce of Clackmannan, superior of said lands, the symbol of infeftment being a black ox.
This document is mutilated so as in many places to be illegible, but enough remains to show that the David Bruce of Kennet mentioned in Nos. 16 and 21 died somewhere between 1480 and 1490, and was succeeded by his son David. A David Bruce of Kennet is mentioned in a Retoun_of William Stirling of Cadder, in 1481,— see also No. 25.
No. 25 — 17th May, 1495 Inquest in virtue of precept from King James IV., holden at Kennet by Sir William Monteith, Sheriff of Clackmannan, at the complaint of Agnes Redheugh, spouse of the deceased David Bruce of Kennet, against Gilbert Brady, for troubling her in the peaceable possession of a head-rig of land, the grass of a ward, the grass of a forebank at the Cruiketland, and others. Whereupon the said Inquest found her entitled to possess the same, as she and her said deceased husband had done for fifty years past.
No. 26 — 14rh Septr., 1497— Crown Charter of Resignation by King James IV., to David Bruce, son of David Bruce of Clackmannan* of the lands and Barony of Clackmannan, lying in the County thereof, and lands of Rate, lying in the county of Perth, proceeding on the resignation of the said David Bruce, elder. To be holden by the King and his successors, under the burden of the liferent of the said David Bruce, elder, and Margeret Harries, his wife.
By Nos. 22 and 23, it appears that the eldest son of David of Clackmannan was, in 1485, " Robert Bruce," to whom apparently, on his marriage, old David Bruce granted part of the Barony of Rate ; but the proper explanation of this may be that given in " Douglas's History," which is referred to in the next Nos. (27 and 28).
No. 27.— 3d February, 1506— Crown Charter by King James IV., to David Bruce, grandson and heir of the said deceased David Bruce of Clackmannan, to be holden by the said David Bruce, younger, of the King and his successors, in fee and heritage, for rendering of services used and wont.
From this description it rather appears that Robert Bruce, the eldest son of old David Bruce of Clackmannan (see No. 22), had died before his father, leaving this son David, who must have been at this time very young, and who, in 1506, was probably about twenty-one years of age. In 1497 (see No. 26), this child's uncle, with the consent securingly of the child's grandfather, who was then in possession, got a Charter from King James IV., which was ratified in 1506. (See No. 28.)
a1 Sir John Bruce, 5th Baron of Clackmannan & Rait
x Elizabeth Stewart of Rossyth
b1 Sir David Bruce, 6th Baron of Clackmannan & Rate
x Janet Stirling, of Keirb1c1 Robert Bruce, of Rait d before November 29, 1491
x Elizabeth Lindsayb1c1d1 David Bruce of Rait (b c 1485 - about 21yrs in 1506)
xx Mariot "Marion" Herries
b1c2 Sir David Bruce, 7th Baron Of Clackmannan x Lady Janet Blackadder, Baroness of O'Lack
No. 28 5th February, 1506— Crown Charter by King James IV. to David Bruce, knight, son of the deceased David Bruce of Clackmannan, of the lands of Ilallhill over and nether and Barony of Clackmannan, and others, now erected into a Barony, to be called in all time coming the Barony of Clackmannan. To be holden by the said David Bruce and the heirs male, procreated between him and Janet Blackadder, his wife, whom failing, his nearest and lawful heirs whatsoever, bearing the name and arms of Bruce, whom all failing, to revert to the King and his successors, according to the ancient Charters of Taillie of the said Barony in favour of the said ancestors of the said David Bruce for services used and wont.
No. 29 3d February, 1506— Charter under the Great Seal, to David Bruce, nepoti, and heir of David Bruce of Clackmannan, of the lands of Rate, &c. (Reg. of Great Seal)
Douglas, in his history of the Bruces, says that David Bruce, son of Robert, mentioned in Nos. 22 and 23, and grandson and heir-male of old David Bruce of Clackmannan, who was alive in 1497, resigned all his right to Clackmannan in favour of his uncle David, brother of Robert Bruce, and younger son of old David Bruce. This statement is quite consistent with the Charters Nos. 26, 27, and 28, because David Bruce, the uncle, would not have any right to the estate as heir, so long as male-heirs of Robert existed, and the fact that the Charter No. 27 was granted to Robert's son David, as heir to his grandfather, on 3d February, 1506, shows that he was living when the King consented to grant this Charter, No. 28, to his uncle, and that he must have acquiesced in his uncle's obtaining the grant. Douglas adds, that the male line is extinct, but he gives no authority for this, and it is clear that if any descendants of David Bruce, the son of Robert, exist (probably in Perthshire), as suggested in the " History of the Bruces," (" History of Noble British Families, Part III.,") they are the representatives of the original Bruces of Clackmannan. The Barony of Rate, in Perthshire, does not appear to have been conveyed along with the Barony of Clackmannan, and David, the younger, may have settled there. (See No. 52.) But Rate soon afterwards was possessed by the Bruces of Clackmannan. (See No. 48.) In No. 48, this Barony is spoken of "as formerly united" to Clackmannan.
a1 Sir Robert Bruce, 2nd Baron Clackmannan & Rate; proprietor of lands of Kennet
x NN mistress
a1b1 Thomas Bruce, 1st of Wester Kennet, Pitfoulden and Cruicket. c1389
a1b1c Peter or Patrick de Bruys of Wester Kennet <1423
a1b1c1d1 Unknown parent dies before father?
a1b1c1d1e1 David Bruce, of Wester Kennet (snr) <1447- c1480-90 x Agnes Redheugh
a1b1c1d1e1f1 David Bruce, of Wester Kennet (jnr) fl 1490
a1b2 Sir Robert Bruce, 3rd Baron of Clackmannan <1389 - <1406 x Annabelle Scrymgeour
a1b2c1 Sir David Bruce, 4th Baron of Clackmannan >1389 - <1423 , who succeeded x Jean Stewart
a1b2c1d1 Sir John Bruce, 5th Baron of Clackmannan & Rait <1422 - c 1473-8 x Elizabeth Stewart
a1b2c1d1e1 Sir David Bruce, 6th Baron of Clackmannan & Rate -<1506 x Mariota Herries
a1b2c1d1e1f1 Sir David Bruce, 7th Baron Of Clackmannan <1497->1556 x Janet Blackadder
a1b2c1d1e1f2 Robert Bruce, of Rait d before November 29, 1491 x Elizabeth Lindsay
a1b2c1d1e1f2g1 David Bruce of Rait (b c 1485 - about 21yrs in 1506)
a1b1c3 Alexander of Stanehous and Airth
No. 30.— 9th, Jan., 1514— Instrument of Seisin propriis manibus in favour of David Bruce of Wester Kennet, by Gilbert Brady of Easter Kennet in, 10 riggs of Corlin, 12 riggs on the north side of Kennet Hill, and 7 riggs on the south side thereof. Witnesses : David Bruce, of Clackmannan, knight, James Blyth, James Coston, and John Burn.
No. 31 13th Oct. 1523 — Instrument bearing that Thomas Brown in consideration of a certain sum of money grants liberty to David Bruce to graze a cow in the eommonty of the town of Clackmannan for the space of 19 years from the feast of Pasehe then next. Witnesses : James Riddock, and James and Gilbert Blyth.
No. 32 .20th May, 1524 Instrument bearing that David Bruce of Kennet on the one part, and Gilbert Coston, Henry Younger, and Herbert Brown, inhabiters of Lord Erskines land in the Ferryton, on the other part, having gone forth to ascertain the limits of a dyke and ditch made by the said David Bruce, between the lands of Wester Kennet and the said lands of Ferryton, found the same to be entirely within and upon the said lands of Wester Kennet. Witnesses ; Friar William Dyke, Andrew Drys- dale, and John Porterfield.
No. 33.— 11th Aug., 1534— Instrument of Sasine in favour of John Brady of Easter Kennet, in 7£ riggs of land in the carse of Kennet, and 10 riggs in the dryfield of Kennet, given propriis manibus by David Bruce of Wester Kennnt, superior of said lands. Witnesses : James Riddock, in Clackmannan, Alexander Douglas, Andrew Heggie, and John Kynmound.
No. 34. 11th Aug., 1534— Instrument of Resignation by John Brady of Easter Kennet, into the hands of David Bruce of Wester Kennet, of the lands mentioned in Nos. 33 and 41. (Blackadder Charters, W.D.B.)
No. 35.— 6th Nov., 1536— Precept of Sasine by David Bruce of Clackmannan, to John Brydie of Easter Kennet, Robert Aitken, John Blair, and James Gardener, bearing that William Meffan, indweller in Clackmannan, had disponed to John Bruce a tenement of land on the north side of the King's highway in the town of Clackmannan, and a yard and two riggs of land called Leishman's riggs, lying on the half ox gang with the pasturage of a cow in the comnonity of Clackmannan, and had resigned the same in the hands of the said David Bruce — therefore ordaining the said John Brydie and others to give seisin to the said John Bruce. Witnesses : David Bruce of Green, John Bruce, jun., Sir David Pont, Henry Waddle, and John Smith, alias White.
This David Bruce of Green, was a younger son of David Bruce of Clackmannan, and had succeeded to the property of Green on the death of his elder brother. He had issue, Patrick of Green; Archibald of Kennet, David of Green, (who died about 1598) and others.
No. 36, — 7 Nov., 1536— Instrument of Sasine in favour of John Bruce, of the subjects mentioned in the foregoing Precept of Sasine, and and preceeding thereon.
No. 37.— 23d April, 1537— Charter by Robert Bradic of Easter Kennet, to Mr Edward Bruce, ,and his heirs and assigns, of three ports as his (the said John Brady's) lands of Easter Kennet, lying in the county of Clackmannan, also his croft lying in the territory and liberty of the town of Clackmannan, on the west side of the church thereof, and situate between the lands of David Bruce of Clackmannan on the east and west. Item two parts of a tenement of land called Baxter's land, croft of land called the crooked croft, bounded bythe High road on theeast, and the land of the aforesaid David Bruce on the west. Also two parts of the said crooked croft, and bounded as said is annual rent of 40 pence money of Scotland, payable from the lands of John Arkle, lying in the town of Clackmannan ; annual rent of 10s payable from the lands of Gilbert Coulson, lying on the north side of the town of Clackmannan ; and annual rent of 20s payable from the lands of John Smith, lying as said is, and, that in consideration of a certain sum of money paid to him by the aforesaid David Bruce in his urgent necessity. To be holden the aforesaid lands and annual rents with the right of pasturage in the county of Clackmannan, used and wont by the said Edward Bruce, his heirs and assigns of and under the King, and his successors, in fee and heritage for services used and wont, and services to the courts of Clackmannan.
No. 38,— 24th April, 1539— Charter of Resignation and Confirmation by James V., verbatim ratifying Confirming the forgoing charter, No. 37.
No. 39 1540— Charter by the Abbot of Culross to Mr Edward Bruce of the lands of Bargandy and two parts of Shiremills.
This Edward Bruce is supposed to be second son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan, and afterwards Commendator of Kinloss. See No. 69.
No. 40.— 14th February, 1542—Charter of Confirmatory, to Patrick Bruce, son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, and Margaret Falconer, his spouse, of the lands of Valleyfield. (Reg. of Great Seal.)
No. 41.— 24th April, 1543 —Instrument of Sasine in favour of Robert, son of David Bruce of Kennet, in seven riggs of land on the south side of Kennet hill lying in country of Clackmannan, given propriis manibus of the said David Bruce, in terms of the Charter thereof. To be holden blench of the said David Bruce and his heirs, for payment of twopence, money af Scotland, at the feast of Pentecost, yearly. Witnesses : John Dow alias Henderson, John Heyk, James Hogg, and Mr John Bruce, notary.
This Robort Bruce afterwards succeeded to the whole estate of Kennet. (See No. 53.)
1545 — Summons and charge of Alexander, Abbot of Cambuskenneth, against John Bruce, son and apparent-heir of David Bruce of Clackmannan, for violent intromission with the teinds shares, &c., of the lands of GrasmerstoD. (Black- adder Chartulary W.D.B.)
No. 42 "'2d May, 1547— Precept by Queen Mary, addressed to the Sheriff of Clackmannan, at the instance of Mr John Bruce of Wester Kennet, bearing that he was heritably infeft in the lands of Wester Kennet, lying in the Sheriffdom of Clackmannan ; nevertheless, Margaret Kinninmouth, relict of David Bruce of Wester Kennet, withholds from him his houses, fortalices, and manor place, of the said lands, and will not leave the same to him, void and redd ; as also, withholds his evidents, namely, Charters, Precepts of Sasine, and others, of the lands of Craighill, Hiltoun, cropt of 12 riggs, 10 riggs, and 7 nggs, lying in the Kennet hill, and Sheriffdom fore- said. Therefore, charging the said Margaret Kinninmouth to deliver up the said lands, evidents, and others, and that within six months after she shall be warned thereto.
No. 43.— 25th May, 1547— Precept by Queen Mary, addressed to David Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, for infefting Patrick Bruce, son and heir of the deceased David Bruce of Wester Kennet, in the lands of Wester Kennet, Pitfulden, and Cruiketland, lying in the Barony and county of Clackmannan.
No. 44.— 19th May, 1548 — Instrument of Resignation by Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan, to Alexander Douglas and Grizzel Cololoune, his spouse, relating to a tenement and croft lying on the south of the town of Clackmannan, between the ground of Edward Bruce, on the west.
No. 45.— 7th May, 1548— Instrument of Sasine in favour of Patrick Bruce, in the lands of Wester Kennet, and others mentioned in the foregoing precept (No. 43), and proceeding thereon. Witnesses : John Bruce of Hillend, David Bruce of Green, John Brady, James Malcolm, John Ranny, Thomas Biggon, Simon Mortise, office of the said land of Clackmannan, Thomas and Henry Bruce, brothers of the said Patrick, and Herbert White alias Smith.
This Patrick Bruce seems to have died without issue, and there is no other mention of him after this date.
The Charters, &c., (No. 24, 30, 32, 34, 39, and 42,) show that David Bruce of Kennet who succeeded in 1490, continued to be proprietor till his death, between 1543 and 1547. No. 43 shows that his eldest son was Patrick. The claim made by John Bruce (see No. 42) cannot refer to the whole estate of Kennet, but merely to the portions specially mentioned, to which John Bruce acquired right by some arrangement with his father. The designation "Wester Kennet" shows him to have been one of the family of Bruce of Kennet, and it would rather appear from subsequent writs (see Nos. 50, 53, and 54,) that he was the next eldest son to Patrick, and afterwards succeeded to the whole estate of Kennet, and dying without issue, was succeeded by the next son, Robert. .
No. 46.— January, 1550 Charter by David Bruce of Clackmannan to Robert Bruce, his grandson, and apparent heir [nepos et heres] and Janet Laringstone, his wife, of an annual rent of 40 merks money of Scotland, forth of the lands of Clackmannan, lying in the Barony of Clackmannan, to be holden by the said Robert Bruce and his wife and the heirs male, to be procreated between them, whom failing his heirs male contained in his Charter of Taillic, of the Queen and her successors in fee and heritage for payment of a penny yearly at the feast of Penticost, in name of blench duty, if asked ©a the ground of the said land. Witness : Robert Bruce of Binning, and others.
This Robert Bruce was the son of John Bruce, who died before his father, Sir David.
No. 47.— 11th February, 1550.— Charter by Queen Mary, verbatim ratifying and confirming the foregoing Charter, (No. 4(5!)
No 48.— February, l550 Charter by Queen Mary to Robert Bruce of Rate and " nepoti et heres" [grandchildren and heirs?] and apparent heir of David Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, and the heirs male, to be procreated of his body, whom failing in his nearest and lawful heirs male, whatsoever, bearing the name and arms of Bruce, according to the ancient Charters granted them of the lands and Barony of Clackmannan, comprehending the Niiues Castle, fortalice and town of Clackmannan, and mill lands and multures thereof, annual rents payable there-from, together with the commonty of Clackmannan, called Pilmure and/4ruys lands, Hallhill over and nether, lands of Hillend, Bfr.riskill, CSrtoguhy and others, lying in the Barony and town of Clackmannan, and lands and Barony of Rate, which were formerly united to the Barony of Clackmannan, and erecting the said lands and others into a Barony to be called the Barony of Clackmannan— proceeding on the resignation of the said David Bruce, knight. To be holden of the Queen and her successors for payment and services used and wont under burden of the liferent of the said David Bruce, knight.
As to the possibility of the elder branch left issue, see No. 52.
No. 49.— 10th September, 1551— Instrument of seisin in favour of Robert Bruce, brother-german of John Bruce of Wester Kennet, in a croft of land in the lands of Wester Kennet, called Byrecroft, lying in the Barony and county of Clackmannan — given propriis manibus- by the said John Bruce. Witnesses: David Bruce, Edward Riddoch, John Finlayson.
No. 50.— 7th March, 1552— Confirmation by John, Archbishop of St Andrews, of Margaret Kinninmont, the Lady of Wester Kennet, given up at Gartalie on the 3d of April, 1551, before Thomas Stuart of Gartalie, John Stuart, Ewan Mackindow, John Macniven, and Sir John Taltour, curator of the church of Gartalie, by which she had in the hands of Thomas Bruce, her son, £20: in the hands of Alexander Gaw of Maw, and the said Thomas, three years rents of the lands of Bothkennier, £904, &c. ; and in the hands of Robert Bruce, her son, £20 ; resting to Margaret Bruce, .£40; Robert Fleming of Mores, 40 merks ; James Bruce, 20 merks ; Henry Bruce, 10 merks ; Elizabeth Bruce, 32s ; and by which she bequeathed her soul to the omnipotent God, and the blessed Virgin Mary, and all Saints, and her body to be buried in the Parish Church of Gartalie ; 20 merks to Fleming of Mores ; and 41s to each of his lawful children ; .£40 to Margaret Bruce ; 10 merks to Henry Bruce ; and 10 merks to James Bruce ; and constitutes James Kinninmond, her brother, Robert Fleming of Mores, Sir David Christison, chaplain, and Alexander Gaw of Maw, her executors ; and Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan, knight ; and Henry Stuart of Rossyth ; to give up her testament. .
Nos. 50 and 51— Show that Patrick Bruce had died, that John Brace was now acting as laird of Wester Kennet, while his mother with whom he had a lawsuit referred to in No. 40, was now dead. It is not expressly stated that John was a brother of Patrick, but it is to be inferred, because Robert, who afterwards succeeded John as the next brother (No. 53) was the son of David Bruce and Margaret Kinninmouth, as Patrick also was.
No. 51.— 10th May, 1555— Charter by Queen Mary to William Bruce, grandson of James Bruce of Rate of 16 oxgates of land on the east, side of Rate, lying in the county of Perth.
Who this James was does not appear, but it is possible he may have been the son of the David Bruce mentioned in No. 27.
No. 52.— 28th May, 1556— Precept of Seizin by David Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, directed to Patrick Bruce of Green and John Brady, for infefting Robert Bruce, brother-german of the deceased Mr John Bruce of Wester Kennet, in the lands of Wester Kennet, with their pertinents, lying in the Barony and county of Clackmannan, in terms of Precept from Chancery Witnesses : William Templeton, John Brydone, Walter Bruce, David Bruce, and Thomas Gardener.
No. 53.—12th June, 1556—Precept of Seisin,by David Bruce of Clackmannan, directed to Patrick Bruce of Green and John Brady, infeffcing Robt. Bruce, brother-german of the deceased Patrick, Mr John Bruce, in the lands of Wester Kennet, Pitfoulden, and Cruikitlands, lying in the Barony and county of Clackmannan. Witnesses : William Templeton, James Malcolm, Walter Bruce, Robert Harrower, Gilbert Blyth,Thomas Gardner in Clackmannan, Thomas Bruce, John Home, and William Primrose.
From the circumstances of two infeftments being necessary to complete Robert Bruce's title as heir to his brother John, it would seem that the estate had been divided, and that the claim made in No. 42 was founded on a grant made by David Bruce of part of the estate of Wester Kennet to his second son John. Now that John had died without issue, Robert, as heir to him, and Patrick acquired right to both parts of the estate, and they were now again
united.
No. 54—13th June, 1556—Instrument of Seisin in favour of said Robert Bruce, in the lands of Wester Kennet, and others above-mentioned, proceeding on the two foregoing Precepts of Seisin. Witnesses : James Malcolm, Thos. Gardner, Thomas Bruce, David Duncan, JohnHome, and David Crail.
The Patrick Bruce of Green is said to be second son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan.
No. 55.—16th June, 1568—Contract of marriage between Robert Bruce of Kennet as taking burden for Margaret Bruce of Kennet, his daughter and apparent heir on the one part, and Archibald Bruce, son of the deceased David Bruce of Green, on the other part in contemplation of which the said Archibald Bruce obliges himself to infeft the said Margaret Bruce, his future spouse in liferent in the lands of WesterKennet, and in .the event of her surviving him in four houses on the south part of the principal place—viz., a cellar—three chambers above the same, and the entry to be at the tower door inthe close, and the garden on the west side of the place alternately, and in like manner the said Robert Bruce obliges himself to convey to them his lands, tenements and acres within the county and freedom of Clackmannan, under burden of his own liferent, and Elizabeth, his spouse's, and shall sustain the said Archibald and Margaret, together with a servant and nurse, when such occurs, during his (the said Robert) lifetime, and shall pay to the said Archibald £20 money of Scotland, £l 13s 4d sterling) yearly, to keep his purse and for the purpose of enabling the said Robert to redeem his said lands, the said Archibald to make payment to him of the sum of 2400 merks, money of Scotland at the terms therein mentioned.
This contract is somewhat decayed and insome places illegible. David Bruce of Green the father of Archibald, had succeeded to the property of Green on the death of his brother Patrick, mentioned in (Nos. 53 and 54.) The first " such that occurred" was a son, Robert,who afterwards succeeded to the estate of Kennet.
No. 56.—20th July, 1569—Letter of reversion by John Blackadder of Tulliallan, and Margaret Halkerstone, his spouse, to Robert Bruce of Wester Kennet, for redemption of the half lands of Wester Kennet, except an acre called the field land thereof, lying in the Sheriffdom of Clackmannan, wadset to them by said Robert Bruce, for to sums of 800 merks each, the place of redemption within the Parish kirk on a Sunday forenoon during the time of prayers, or at their dwelling-houses. Witnesses : John Couston, in Clackmannan ; William Blackadder, son of the said John Blackadder ; and James Gibson, his servant. Signed at Tulliallan the above date.
No. 57.— 19th September, 1569—Instrument of intimation by Archibald Bruce, son of the deceased David Bruce of the Green, and Margaret Bruce, his future spouse, daughter, and apparent heir of Robert Bruce of Wester Kennet, who compeared with a notary and witnesses at the place of Tulliallan, and made search for John Blackadder of Tulliallan, and Margaret Halkerstone, his spouse, but not finding them, made intimation to them to compear within Parish Kirk of Stirling, upon the 10th day of November, 1569, being Martinmas term, and receive the sum of 1600 merks, for redemption of the half lands of Wester Kennet, wadset to the said John Blackadder and spouse by the said Robert Bruce, for the said sum thereafter passed, to the place of Balgonie, the dwelling place of Robert Erskine, and in pre- sence of Christian Stirling, his mother, made intimation to them also as said is, and that in terms of assignation by the said Robert Bruce of letter of reversion, preceding to them.Witnesses : William Leslie, of Rothes ; JamesSpencer ; and David Bruce, brother of Eobert Bruce, Clackmannan. Taken at Tulliallan and Balgonie the above date.
Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan had by this time died, and been succeeded by his grandson, Robert, who was knighted in 1593 by King James VI., on
the baptism of Prince Henry.
No. 58.— 1570—Charter by Robert Brace of Clackmannan to Archibald Bruce, fiar of Wester Kennet, of a piece of land lying in the Pilmuier, in the Barony and county of Clackmannan, and that in consideration of a certain sum of money.
No. 59.—21st May, 1575 — Instrument of Seisin in favour of Margaret Bruce, as heir to Robert Bruce of Wester Kennet, her father, in10 riggs in the Porlyn, 12 riggs on the north side of the Kennet hill, and 7 riggs on the south side of Kennet hill, in the lands of Kennet and county of Clackmannan, proceeding on Precept of Clare Coustat, and given propriis manibus by Robert Bruce of Easter Kennet. Witnesses : William Thomson, servant to Archibald Bruce, husband of the said Margaret ; Walter Bruce, and Patrick Bruce, rector of Tulliallan.
Probably the Robert Bruce of Easter Kennet here mentioned was the son and heir of the Edward Bruce who acquired three-parts of Easter Kennet by the Charter No. 37. From the terms of the Instrument it appears that Robert Bruce of Wester Kennet, the father of Margaret, is now dead. The date of his death is fixed by No. 66.
No. 60.—25th November, 1577—Charter by Adam Blackadder, son of Culthbert Blackadder, of Blairhall, to Robert Bruce of Easter Kennet, of an annual rent of 40 merks, secured on the lands of Blairhall and Possells. (Blackadder Charters, W.D.B.)
See monument at Culross to this Robert Bruce of Easter Kennet.
No. 62.—6th February, 1580.—Retour of the funeral service of Robert Bruce as heir to Margaret Bruce, daughter of the deceased Robert Bruce of Kennet, his mother. The inqust being John Brown in Ferrytown, Gilbert Erskine of Glorat, David Bae in Tullibody, John Anderson there, David Bruce of Green,David Stein of Orchard, John Wilson, Arckilles Drysdale and David Drysdale in Drymen, Alexander Edward in Forest, Gilbert Blyth in Clackmannan, John Scotland in Dollarbeg, Andrew Burn in Tillicoultrie, John Drysdale there, and Henry Wright in Forest, and held at Clackmannan the above date.
From the retour it appears that Margaret Bruce, the heiress of Robert Bruce of Kennet, was now dead, her father, as has been it seen (No. 59) died before 1575, and she was now succeeded by her son, who could not be at this time more .than 11 years of age.
No. 63.—13th May, 1581.—Instrument bearing that Archibald Bruce, as tutor and administrator in law for Robert Bruce, son of him and Margaret Bruce, daughter and heir of the deceased Robert Bruce of Wester Kennet, having compeared within the Parish Kirk of Clackmannan and caused read an instrument of warning made to John Shaw, son and heir of the deceased Patrick Shaw in Tillicoultrie, to receive the sum of 280 merks for the redemption of certain lands mentioned in the said instrument of warning, and the said John Shaw not being personally present, the same sum was consigned by him in the lands of David Bruce of the Green. Witnesses :Bonald Masterton of Bord ; David Bruce ofBackeburn ; Gilbert Coustoun in Clackmannan : Alexander Coustoun in Aikess ; Andrew Stuart of Garthie ; and Gilbert Blyth.
No. 64.—20th May, 1583.—Charter by Sir Robert Pont of the lands of Blairhall, in favour of Robert Bruce of Easter Kennet. ?Blackadder Charters, W.D.B.)
No. 66.—11th June, 1583—Testament Dative and Inventory of Robert Bruce of Wester Kennet, given up by Archibald Bruce, of Wester Kennet, his son-in-law, in name and on behalf of Robert Bruce, lawful oye (grandson), to the defunct and executor dative. Issued from the Commissariat of Edinburgh of the above date.
In this writ Robert Bruce is said to have deceased on the 20th March, 1574, and from the way in which the executors proceeded to make up a title it appears that he left no will. Had there been a will, the writ would have been called Testament Testamentar. Patrick Blackadder, Andrew Gow, and Andrew
Bruce are all mentioned in this writ.
No. 67.— 11th June, 1583—Testament and Inventory of Margaret Bruce, sometime spouse to Archibald Bruce of Wester Kennet, within the Sheriffdom of Clackmannan, in the month of September, 1579, given up by Archibald Bruce, her spouse, as father and lawful administrator to Robert Bruce, their lawful son.
In this testament small bequests are made to Janet Bruce and Thomas Bruce in Clackmannan, but what connections they were to the family does not appear. George Bruce in Culross, James Bruce, and Patrick Blackadder of Tulliallan are also mentioned. They were all closely connected with the family of Clackmannan. This George, afterwards Sir George Bruce of Culross, was the third son of Mr Edward Bruce of Blairhill, Easter Kennet, &c, and grandson of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan. His monument is in the burial place at Culross. This writ also was issued from the Commissariat at Edinburgh of the above date. There is now no doubt that this Mr Edward Bruce was the son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan. The fact is proved by a Charter of Protection from King James V., dated 1533, off which the following is a copy :
By the death of his grandfather in 1574, and of his mother in 1579, as instructed by these two testaments or letters of administration, the
estate of Kennet was now vested in Robert Bruce, jun., a mere boy, subject to the rights of his father, Archibald Bruce, under the marriage contract of 1568 (No. 55). Archibald Bruce appears to have afterwards married Grissel Preston, and had issue by her Archibald and Norman, and two daughters—Agnes, wife of Jasper Smyth, and Marjory, married 1602 Patrick Blackadder of Melville.
No. 68.—6th June, 1684—David Bruce of Clackmannan is mentioned in an Instrument of seisin in favour of David Stewart of the lands of Shanbody. He was probably the same person mentioned in No. 58. as brother of Robert Biuce, the laird of Clackmannan.
No. 70.—1st October, 1593.—Renunciation and Discharge by Patrick Blackadder, Parson of Tulliallan, as assigner to Norman Blackadder, his brother, to Archibald Bruce of Wester Kennet, of the wood-bank, and 10 riggs of land adjacent thereto, lying within the heritage and lands of Wester Kennet, upon the south hill, and the sum of 100 merks, for which the same was wadset, and declaring the said lands to the lawful outquit and redeemed.
No. 70.—24th June, 1596—James Blackadder of Tulliannan and Elizabeth Bruce baptizing Jhone lawful son. Witnesses : George Bruce in Culross, Archibald Bruce, younger of Poufulis.
No. 71.—24th October, 1596—Charter from Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, to his loving cousin, Robert Bruce, miliar ot Lindmill, and Agnes Wright, his spouse, of the. houses and lands of Lindmill, which formerly belonged to the deceased Andrew Bruce, father of the said Robert, and were near the lands of David Bruce of Green, on the east side, and the said David Brace's brew-house on the west. (W.D.B.)
Robert Bruce, a son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan had a grant of the lands of Lindmill ; he was probably father of the above Andrew. Thomas Bruce was " laird of Lindmill," 1599-1603 ; he married Janet Mackie, and had a son Adam, born 1597. In 1604, he was served heir to his brother James. The
family continued to occupy the mills at Lindmill down to the beginning of the present century. Mr John Bruce, Sheriff of Clackmannan, who died 8th January, 1815, at the age of 85, was a son of a Mr Bruce, Lindmill.
No. 72.—February, 1594—Decree Dative and Inventory in favour of Robert Bruce, son of David Bruce of Green, in name and on behalf of self and sister Janet, sole executors dative in life of the said David Bruce (Commissariat of Edinburgh.) Among the " debts awin to the deid" is the following—" Item be Archibald Bruce therefor his farmers in and aforesaid."
This David Bruce was brother to the Archibald Bruce of Kennet, and the executors were therefore cousins-german of Robert Bruce now of Kennet. This David Bruce of Green, was the son of another David of Green, a son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan. He had issue Patrick of Green, Robert, &c., 1595 ; his widow, Margaret Brace, had a son called Andrew, baptized at Clackmannan, in presence of Geo. Bruce of Culross and David Reid of Aikenhead. Margaret afterwards married at Clackmannanin 1595 Walter Wedderburne.
No 73.—24th April, 1594—Precept of Sasine by Robert Bruce of Clackmannan to John Mackie, to a tenement between the lands of Thomas Bruce on the east boundary, and the lands ot David Bruce of Green on the south. (J.B.) 4th Sept., 1595—Norman Bruce, brother to the laird of Clackmannan, and Janet Norval in Stirling proclaimed to be married. (Ses. Rec.) No. 74.—2d April, 1596—Precept of Seisin by Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, directed to David Bruce of Beathieburn, for infefting Robert Bruce, son and heir of Archibald Bruce of Wester Kennet, and of Margaret Bruce, his former spouse, in the lands Wester Kennet, Craikitland, and Pitfoulden, lying in the Barony and county of Clackmannan, on the resignation of the said Archibald Bruce, who thereby reserves his own liferent of the said lands. Witnesses : the said David Bruce ; James Hepburn and Henry Murray, servants to the said Sir Robert Bruce ; Robert White in Clackmannan, David Davidson, and Mr Wm. Morrison, notary.
It is shewn by No. 70 that Archibald Bruce was in 1593 acting as proprietor of Wester Kennet, but No. 74 shows that in 1596 he formally installed his son Robert as the proprietor, reserving only a life interest, and this deed is a recognition of the arrangement by Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, the feudal superior. It will be noticed that this is the first deed in which Sir Robert is described as a knight. As already stated, he was knighted this year, 1596, on the occasion of Prince Henry's christening. It also appears from the terms of No 74, in which Margaret Bruce is designed as "the former wife of Archibald Bruce," that he was married again before 1596. From other writs it is shewn that his second wife was named Grisell Foster. His will is proved and recorded
in Edinburgh. On the 29th April, 1599, she had a son called Norman baptised at Clackmannan. See No. 80. No. 75.—2d April, 1596—Instrument of
Seisin in favour of Robert Bruce, son apparent heir of Archibald Bruce, in the land and others mentioned in the foregoing precept of Seisin, and proceeding thereon. Witnesses : Robert White in Clackmannan ; Archibald Malcolm there ; Thomas Coustoun, workman there ; and Alexander Robertson, gardener in Easter Kennet.
No. 75.—23d April, 1598- "Walter Wedderburne, servant to Sir Robert Bruce of Clack- mannan, knight : Marione Bruce, relecteof unqle David Bruce of Greene ; Archibald Bruce, in Jrismystone, cautioner for bayth the said parties, under paine of ten pounds." This is the marriage of the widow of the 2d David Bruce of Greene, who died Feb. 1594,and whose will is recorded 8th March, 1598.
No. 76.— 3d July, 1599—Contract of marriage between Archibald Bruce, liferenter of Wester Kennet, and Eobert Bruce, fiar thereof, his eldest son, on the one part, and Alexander G-aw of Maw, as taking burden on him for Elizabeth Gaw, his daughter, on the other part, whereby the said Bobert Bruce obKges himself to infeft the said Elizabeth Gaw, his future spouse, in liferent in half of the Tower and lands of AVester Kennet, with the half of the manse place, orchards, <fec, and the half of the coal thereof, lying in the Barony and County of Clackmannan, and the said lands to be equally parted and divided by four neutral men, equally chosen, and after such division, the said Archibald to have his choice, and reserving to himself the meikle barn with byre, and the two parts of the byre close ; and the said Alexander Gaw obliges himself to pay to the said Bobert Bruce the sum of 3500 merks of money, Scotland, in name of tocher at the terms therein mentioned. Witnesses : Sir Bobert Bruce of Clackmannan, knight ; John Commendator of Culross ; Mr Mathew Gaw, advocate ; and Walter Wedderburne, and Patrick Bruce, servants to the said Sir Bobert Bruce. Signed at Tullibeltone the above date. 12th August, 1599—Bobert Bruce, son and apparent heir to Archibald Bruce of Wester Kennet, in the parish of Clackmannan, and Elizabeth Gaw, daughter of Alex. Gaw of Maw, in the parish of Culross, desired to have their bands of marriage to be proclaimed in the parish of Clackmannan.
The family of Gaw held considerable pro- perty in the parish of Culross, and were related to the Prestons and other families of distinction in the district.
No. 77.—28th August, 1599— Charter by Bobert Bruce, fiar of Wester Kennet, with consent of Archibald Bruce, liferenter of the said lands, his father, and Sir Bobert Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, superior ofthesame, to Elizabeth Gaw, his future spouse, in liferent, in terms of the foregoing contract of marriage, thehalf of the lands of Wester Kennet, and half of the principal issuage orchards, and others thereof, lands "oTTitiolden and Cruikitlands. To be holden of the said Bobert Bruce of and under Sir Bobert Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, for payment yearly of a penny upon the said lands, to the said Sir Bobert Bruce, in name of Clauch farm if asked. Witnesses : Mr Bichard White, minister of Clackmannan; John Bruce, burgess of Stirling ; Mr Mathew
Gaw in Culross ; David Davidson in Barnhill; Bobert Henry, Bon of William Henry, burgess of Culross; and Bobert Brown in Wester Kennet.
No. 78.—28th August, 1599—Charter byEobert Bruce, fiar of Wester Kennet, to Eliza- beth Gaw, his future spouse, in terms of fore- going Charter. To be holden of himself for the payment yearly of the like sum. Witnesses : The same parties as in the foregoing Charter (No. 77.)
No. 79.—28th August, 1599—Instrument of Seisin in favour of Elizabeth Gaw, future spouse of Bobert Bruce, fiar of Wester Kennet, in the half of the lands of Wester Kennet, and others mentioned in the Charters (Nos. 78 and 88), and proceeding on precepts of Seisin therein contained. Witnesses : The same parties as in those Charters.
No. 79 2d Dec, 1599—Harrie Lindsey of Careston and Margaret Schaw, in the Court of the Queen's Majesty, and sister to Sir James Schaw of Sawkie, were married. William Schaw, her brother, was the cautioner.
The Schaws of Sawkie and Schaw Park were connected with the Braces by marriage, and were a family of considerable importance in the parish. This lady was one of the Ladies in Waiting to the Queen of James VI. of Scotland.
No. 80—18th June, 1600—Testament of 3 A*.Grisell Forest, spouse of Archibald Bruce °f JJcyimUm-Wester Kennet. (Edinburgh Commissary "Becords.) See No. 74
No. 81 — 8th February, 1602 — Contract between Archibald Brace of Wester Kennet, and Bobert Bruce, fiar thereof, his son, on the one part, and David Bruce of Beathieburn, Bobert Bruce, saddler, burgess of Stirling, with consent of Margaret Coustown, and Elizabeth Beattown, their respective spouses, on the other part, bearing that the said David Bruce was infeft in one acre of land, lying in Pitten- sheuc, within the Barony and Sheriffdom of Clackmannan, and holden of the said Archibald Bruce and his heirs in free Cleuch. for payment of a penny yearly—yet, nevertheless, the said David Bruce, and the said Eobert, his son, and apparent heir for the goodwill they have towards the house of Wester Kennet, and also in consideration of certain sums of money, they bind and oblige themselves to pay yearly the terms used and wont to Sir Eobert Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, of six firlots of bear, furth of the said acre of land, and all other duties, and to relieve the said Archibald and Bobert Bruce of the same, and they to pay to the said David and Eobert Bruce the sum of 100 merks money of Scotland. Witnesses : David Eeid of Aikenhead ; Alexander Gaw of Maw ; John Gaw, his son, and apparent heir ; William Coustown, Ferrytown ; and William Morrison, notary. . Mr Edward Bruce of Blairhall, <fcc, married Alison, daughter of John Beid of Aikenhead, and sister of Eeid, Bishop of Orkney. Aiken- head is in the parish of Clackmannan.
No. 41.—20th July, 1533—Charter of Protection, by King James V., to Mr Edward Bruce, son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan, knight, dated at Edinburgh as above. This Charter is so important that we give a copy : Jacobus dei gra. Rex. Scotorum Omnibus probis homibus. suis adquos pritcs Ire perueniunt salutem. Sciatas nos dilectu urm. ma.»rm Edward Bruce filio David Bruce de Clakman militis, Terras suas homines suos et univsas eorund possessiones ac omia bona suamobiliaet Immobilia sub firma pace et protectione nra juste, suscipisse. Quare firmiter Inhibemus ne quiseiis nialu molestiam Injuria seu grava men aliquod inferre presumat Iniuste super- mam plenaria forisfactuia putibus post a nu mi me valeturis. In cuins rei testimoniu has tras urassibi fieri fecimus paten. Apud Edinburgh vude- cimo die mess Julii Anno rejjni uri vicesimo. Protectis Jno. Magris E lwardo Bruce.
This Charter should have come in between Nos. 32 and 33. It proves that Mr Edward Bruce mentioned under Nos. 37, 38, and 39, was a son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan. The year in which this Charter was granted the Bishop of Aberdeen, the Abbot of Kinloss, Jas. Colville of Easter Wemyss, and Sir Andrew Otterburn, were despatched to the English Court to conclude a peace, which was to last during the lives of Henry and James V., and to continue a year after the death of him who was first deceased. Edward Bruce was probably also a member of this embassy. His son became Master of the Bolls in England, and Sir George of Culross, the second son, is ancestor of the Earl of Elgin. from this Charter, granting E. Bruce protection for all his lands and goods, it is clearly proven that he was a son of the house of Clack- mannan. The year previous, King James had granted his cousin, John Blackadder, a protection to himself and his tenants during his pilgrim- age beyond seas. By No. 37, he had a Charter of the lands of Easter Kennet from John Bradie. This Charter was confirmed by No. 38. By 39, he obtains the lands of Shiresmill and Bargandy. From a monument at Culross, it appears that "Mr Edward Bruce, formerly of Easter Kennet," died Dec. 1565, aged 60. From a Charter in Queen Mary's name, dated 6th September, 1564, recorded in the Blackadder Chartulary, some proceedings appear to have been raised the year previous to his death, " at the instance of Margaret Halkerston, spouse of Sir John Black- adder of Tulliallan, knight, and his heirs for his interest, against Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, and Patrick Bruce's father, brother to said Robert, to produce Robert Bruce, son and heir of Mr Edward Bruce of Easter Kennet, to the said Margaret Halkerston, as having the gift of the said Mr Robert Bruce of Easter Kennet, in marriage, that she might offer to him in marriage her lawful daughter Grissel Blackadder, asa match agreeable to him. This charge is execute 6th September, 1564." In 1572, in the same Record, is a charge by " John Blackadder of Tulliallan, &c, to Robert Bruce of Easter Kennet, &c, to observe and fulfil their decree arbitral." He was described of Easter Kennet in No. 59-60, and by No. 61 obtains a Charter of the lands of Blairhall from Sir Robert Pont. This Robert Bruce appears to have married Margaret Hamilton, daughter of John, Archbishop of St Andrews, and by her, who died at Culross 15th December, 1614, aged 60, had issue: The Right Hon. Sir Edward Bruce, knight (second son of the above Mr Edward Bruce of Easter Kennet, by his wife Alison, sister of Robert Reid Prior of Kinloss, and afterwards Bishop of Orkney), was first an advocate at the Scotch Bar Commissary of Edinburgh in 1584, 1587. Commendator of the Abbey of Kinloss 1584 to 1600. Commendator of Pluscardine, near Elgin. One of the Senators of the College of Justice 1597. Lord High Commissioner of the Church of Scotland 1594 and 1596. In April, 1594, Mr Edward Bruce and Sir James Colville were sent as Ambassadors to England. In 1598, he was appointed one of the Convention of nobility to meet at Holyrood House. Ambassador to England again in 1598. In Feb., 1601, the Earl of Mar and Lord Kinloss (Edward Bruce) appointed to proceed to England on a special Embassy to assist the King's rights to the Crown of England. These two noblemen left England with a train of forty persons, and arrived in London iii-f»«> . , U*. f March , 1601. In Feb.?5l6q#f created Baron '/«*»>^f /St/M*^,AmM§"I Kinloss. At this time, Mr Edward 1—ijL^L kr, JLt/s. Bruce succeeded, after much difficulty, in estab- ** "?\ lishing the right of King James VI., and during his Embassy prevailed upon Sir Robert Cecil and other members of the English Government, to sign an engagement to assist James in obtaining the English Crown ; indeed, it was ' owing to Mr Edward Bruce's skill, diplomacy, and correspondence with Sir Robert Cecil, that His Majesty's quiet succession to the throne was brought about on the death of Elizabeth. A number of the King's letters, and also Mr E. Bruce's, proving that fact, have lately been printed by the Camden Society. For their service, he was created by letter patent under the ,. ,.. , I great seal of England, Septemberjll603, Baron " fftit \rM>v\**f Bruce of Kinloss and Master of the Rolls in ' / JEngland, one of the highest positions in the Vital n^XutvUt^.English Court of Equity, and at that time rank- ii$£. fl*/,^/ing next to the Lord Chancellor. He was also lt . i </*/*1/H»JCtw/u*i4*. made a Privy Chancellor He died in London 1611. In the library at Auchinleck is a " particular inventore of the movabilis household stuff, plait, and pleneising" of Lord Kinloss's house at the time he left Scotland for England. It «
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BRUCE, EARLS OF ELGIN AND AILESBURY Balfour Paul, James, ed. (1906). The Scots Peerage, Vol. III. Edinburgh: David Douglas. pp. 467–468. ISBN 0-9711966-2-1.
Thomas de Bruys is the first of this family that can be distinctly proved to have been in possession of Clackmannan. He died before 1348, in which year the lands of Clackmannan were in possession of Marjorie Charteris, his widow, she having a third, the remainder being in the possession of his son and heir Robert de Bruys, during whose minority Sir Robert Erskine and John Menteith had a grant of his ward. The exchequer account audited March 1359-60, but extending over the whole period from Easter 1348, shows that in 1359-60 Thomas had been dead at least eleven years, that his widow was then alive, and his son and heir Robert was under age. It seems probable that Thomas de Bruys, one of the associates of Robert the Steward, Guardian of the realm, whom he joined with the gentry of Kyle, and whose important services in organising an armed resistance to the English in 1334, are adverted to by Fordun and others, was identical with this Thomas of Clackmannan. Such services as his could hardly have failed of recognition by the Crown, and the accounts already referred to show that he had at one time, not defined, been in possession of a large portion of the Crown lands in the county of Clackmannan.
By Marjorie Charteris he had issue a son and heir, Sir Robert de Bruys, who succeeded him. He must have been born ante 1348, and was still a minor under the guardianship of Sir Robert Erskine and John of Menteith in 1359-60. In pursuance of the revocation5 of all grants of Crown lands resolved on by Parliament in 1357, the Sheriff reported that he had assumed possession of these lands on behalf of the King, but a large proportion of the lands in question, Clackmannan included, were regranted by King David to Robert de Bruys, who had on 9 Decernber 1359' a Crown charter, dated at Perth, of the lands and barony of Clackmannan and others, in which he is styled ' dilectus consanguineus noster.' He had also a Crown charter of the lands of Kennet 20 October 1365, and on 17 January 1369-70 lhe had a Crown charter of the lands of Rait in Perthshire ; in these charters also he is termed ' con- sanguineus.' He died before or about 1389, as his son had then succeeded to Clackmannan, having married Isabel, daughter of Sir Robert Stewart of Durisdeer and Innermeath [some say of Rosyth], and sister of Sir Robert Stewart, who fell at Shrewsbury, and by her had issue two sons, viz. : —
1. Sir Robert, who succeeded.
2. James, was rector of Kilmany in Fife, and consecrated Bishop of Dunkeld in the Abbey of Dunfermline, 4 February 1441-42. On 30 March 1444, as one of the mandatories of the Pope, he confirmed an agreement between the Abbot of Dunfermline and the burgh of Perth. In this year he was made Chancellor of the Kingdom, and was styled 'con- sanguineus ' by King James II. in a royal charter 1444. On the death of Bishop Cameron of Glasgow he was translated to that see, but died in 1447 before his consecration.
Sir Robert de Brus, the elder son, succeeded his father ante 1389, as in that year he gave a charter to his natural son Thomas of the lands of Wester Kennet, which charter was confirmed by Robert in 1399. Sir Robert had upon his own resignation a charter " from Robert III of the lands of Rait in Perthshire to himself, in liferent, and to David, his eldest lawful son, and the heirs-male of his body in fee, whom failing, to his own nearest heirs whatsoever, date Linlithgow 12 August 1393. He had also a charter ' from the same King of the lands of Clackmannan, etc., to himself, in liferent, and to David his lawful son, and the heirs-male of his body, in fee, whom failing, to his son Thomas, and his heirs-male, whom failing, to return to the King, dated 24 October 1394. In both these charters he is styled ' consanguineus,' and his son David is so termed in the last. Sir Robert died before 1406. His wife is said to have been a daughter of Scrimgeour of Dudhope, Constable of Dundee, but there is no proof of this. He had issue : —
1 . David, who succeeded.
2. Alexander of Stanehous and Airth, who in an original birthbrief from Charles I., dated 23 July 1633, to Adam Bruce, ancestor of the Comtes de Bruce in France, is styled ' legitimate son of Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, Knight.' It is evident from the charter of 1394 to his father, Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, that at that date Alexander was not born, as the remainder was, after David his lawful son, to Thomas his [natural] son, there being no mention of Alexander. Alexander was the founder of the baronial house of Bruce of Airth, and was ancestor of the following cadet branches, viz. Earlshall, Kinnaird, Auchenbowie, Powfoullis, Leth- bertshiells, Waltoun, Comtes de Bruce in France, Kincavel, Bangour, Stenhouse, Newtoun, Benburb, and Downhill.Sir David Bruce, the elder son, succeeded his father about 1406. As David Bruce dominus de Clacmanan, miles, he made a renunciation of the tithes of the mills of Clack- mannan, on 6 October 1406, to the canons regular of Oambuskenneth.3 He married Jean, daughter of Sir John Stewart of Innermeath and Lorn, and by her had issue three sons, viz. : —
1. John, succeeded in Clackmannan.
2. Patrick had a charter from Alan de Kynnarde of the lands of Hill, 8 July 1449, confirmed 16 May 1450.
3. James, mentioned 1449.John Bruce, the eldest son, succeeded his father, before 23 May 1422, when he appears as a witness 3 to a notarial instrument executed at Dunfermline ; on 28 March 1428/ he ratified and confirmed the charter of 2 May 1389 granted by his grandfather Robert De Bruys to his son Thomas de Bruys of the lands of Wester Kennet, and on 24 September 1428 he gave sasine to Peter de Bruys of these lands to which he had acquired right as heir to his father. He resigned his estates of Clackmannan and Rait in favour of David Bruis, his son and heir, reserving his own liferent and a reasonable terce to Elizabeth Stewart, his wife, during her life- time, at Edinburgh, 26 March 1473, in which year he died, having married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir David Stewart of Rosyth, by whom he had issue two sons, viz. : —
1. Sir David, who succeeded.
2. Robert, ancestor of the Bruces of Cultmalundie in Perthshire, and of Muness in Zetland.Sir David Bruce, the elder son, succeeded his father in Clackmannan. He had a charter as above from King James in., proceeding upon his father's resignation of the lands of Clackmannan and Rait, etc. He was knighted by James IV., with whom he was in great favour. On 28 August 1481 he settled the estate of Rait in Perthshire on Robert Bruce, his eldest son and apparent heir, and Elizabeth Lindsay, his wife. This charter was confirmed by James IV 15 December 1488. He married, first, Janet, daughter of Sir William Stirling of Keir, by whom he had one son : —
1. Robert Bruce of Rait. For some unknown reason (probably the influence of his step-mother) he was passed over by his father in the succession to Clack- mannan, in favour of his half-brother David. Robert of Rait died vita patris before 1490,when his widow ' was wife of Alexander Scott, son of William Scott of Balwery, and in a charter from his father Sir David to the monastery of Scone, 29 November 1490, he is mentioned as 'quondam.' This charter was confirmed 2 7 May 1491. He married, about 1484, Elizabeth Lindsay, and by her had issue two sons, viz. : —(1) David, succeeded in Rait.
(2) Alexander,3 tutor to James, his brother's son, in 1522. This family of Rait and Fingask has been traced down to 1679 ; the estate of Fingask was sold in 1672 4 to the Threipland family. It is by no means certain that there are no male descendants of this branch ; if so, the eldest of them would undoubtedly be head of the whole family of Bruce.Sir David married, secondly, Mariota, daughter of John Herries of Terregles, and widow of Sir David Stewart of Rosyth. In a Grown charter of his estate of Clackmannan in favour of his son David, a life-rent is reserved to himself and Dame Mariota Herries, his spouse, of date 11 September 1497. He died about 1500, leaving issue by his second wife two sons and two daughters, viz. : —
2. Sir David, succeeded in Clackmannan.
3. Alexander, witnessed the charter of 29 November 1490 mentioned above.
4. Margaret, mentioned in a deed, 1477.
5. Christian, married to Sir James Shaw of Sauchie.
Sir David is said to have had two more sons by his second wife, ancestors respectively of the Bruces of Ham and Standstill, Caithness.Sir David Bruce, eldest son of the second marriage, succeeded his father in Clackmannan, to the exclusion of his elder half-brother Robert and his son David. On 11 September 1497 he had a Crown charter of Clackmannan, subject to his father's liferent and that of his mother Mariota Herries. On 3 February 1506-7 he had a Crown charter erecting Clackmannan, with other lands, into a barony, when he is styled ' David Bruis de Clackmannan miles, Alius quondam David Bruce de Clackmannan,' his nephew, David Bruce of Rait, having resigned any interest he might have in it. The estate must have been a very large one, from the enumeration of the lands incorporated in the barony. He had a licence to hold a fair at Clackmannan on the Feast of St. Bartholomew annually, 18 April 1517, which was confirmed 18 September 1542. Sir David was on an assize 1 December 1554, On 21 January 1550-51 he gave a charter to Robert Bruce, his grandson and apparent heir, and Janet Levingstone, his wife, of an annualrent of forty merks, and was alive 12 June 1556, when he gave a precept of sasine for infefting Robert Bruce, brother- german of the deceased Mr. John Bruce, in the lands of Wester Kennet. Sir David married Jean, daughter of Sir Patrick Blacadder of Tulliallan, by whom he had issue five sons and four daughters, viz. :
1.John, died vita patris before 14 February 1550-51, but carried on the line of the Clackmannan family, which became extinct in the male line on the death, 8 July 1772, of Henry Bruce, fifteenth and last Baron.
2. Edward, of Blairhall born 1505, had a charter of the lands of Easter Kennet, 1537, on the resignation of Robert Brady. This charter was confirmed11 by James v. 24 April 1537. He had also a charter 12 from the Abbot of Culross 7 June 1540, confirmed 15 February 1542-43, of the lands of Bergady and two parts of the Shire mills
3. David, of Green. He was ancestor of the Bruces of Kennet, Lords Balfour of Burleigh. (See vol. i. p. 547.)
4. Robert, of Lynmylne. The Swedish Bruces ennobled in 1668 were probably descended from him.
5. Patrick, of Valleyfield. He had a charter of Valley-field from the Commendator of Culross, 8 June 1540, to himself and Margaret Falconer, his wife, which was confirmed7 15 February 1542-43. In this confirmation charter he is called son of Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan, Knight. He is said to have resigned the lands and barony of Valleyfield to James Preston of Craigmillar, and to have died s. p., leaving the estate of Green to his brother David ; but, on the other hand, David appears as a witness to a charter under the designation 'of ' de Greyne,' 30 January 1536-37. He is also a witness to a precept of sasine 6 November 1536, and in an ancient MS. pedigree, endorsed 1640, Patrick is styled of Valleyfield,' and David is called ' of Greyne.' It would, on the whole, seem that Patrick never possessed Green, but only Valleyfield.
6. Elizabeth, married, first, to Alexander Dundas of Fingask ; they had a charter of Cottis, 8 August 1542. She was married, secondly, to Robert Oolless of Bonneymoon.
7. Marion, married, first to Robert Bruce of Airth ; and then to Magnus Sinclair of Kynninmonth, second son 7 of William, Lord Sinclair. She died July 1575; will dated at Dysart 18 June 1575, confirmed 11 August 1575.8
8. Agnes, married to John Elphinstone, parson of Invernochty, with issue.
9. Alison, married to Sir James Oolville of Ochiltree, circa 1530. They had a charter of East Wemyss 20 August 1533.
From the Charters in An Ancient History of Scotland
Index of Charters by King David II
No 43 - by Robert Bruce of Rate and Clackmannan, to Thomas Bruce his fon natural, of the lands of Weflerkennet, Con. by John Lauchlanfon of Niddifdale, Laird of Durydarach...
The Barony of Clackmannan
1334 – 1358 Thomas Bruce - 1st Baron of Clackmannan
Thomas Bruce became the Baron of Clackmannan and was granted the castle and lands of Grassmainston, Gartlove, Wester Kennet, Hillend, Carsehill, Greys, Park Meadow, Dryfield, Tullygarth, Pitfoulden and others within the Sherrifdom of Clackmannan from his cousin King David II as a reward for organising an uprising against English rule.
Barony passed from father to son
1358 – 1403 Sir Robert Bruce - 2nd Baron of Clackmannan
Sir Robert Bruce inherited the Barony after his father's death. As a minor when his father died, he was put under the care of "appropriate men" who were Sir Robert Erskine & Sir John de Menteith. He received his charter for the lands of Clackmannan from King David II in December 1359. He received a further charter for the lands of Rait, in Perthshire from King David II in January 1368. He received a third charter for the Lands of Kennet, Grassmainston, Pitfoulden, Carse & Gragory from King Robert II in October 1375. Sir Robert granted a charter for the lands of Kennet, Pitfoulden and Cruicket to his youngest son who became Thomas Bruce 1st of Wester Kennet, Pitfoulden and Cruicket.
Sir Robert Bruce was captured and killed on 23rd July 1403 at the Battle of Shrewsbury.
Barony passed from father to son
1403 – 1405 Sir Robert Bruce - 3rd Baron of Clackmannan
Sir Robert Bruce inherited the Barony of Clackmannan and its lands at the death of his father. He received the charter of the Lands of Rait from King Robert III in 1393. Died around 1405.
Barony passed from father to son
1405 – 1428 Sir David Bruce - 4th Baron of Clackmannan
Sir David Bruce renounced the rights to the mills of Clackmannan from the Canons of Cambuskenneth on October 6th, 1406. Died around 1428.
Barony passed from father to son
1428 – 1473 Sir John Bruce - 5th Baron of Clackmannan
Mentioned in a charter decree between himself and Luke Stirling of Ratherns in April 1435. In 1456 had Sasine for the lands of Rait in Perthshire.
Barony passed from father to son
1473 – 1497 Sir David Bruce - 6th Baron of Clackmannan
Received the charter for the lands of Clackmannan and Rait on the event of his father's death in 1473. Knighted by King James IV.
Gave eldest son Robert and his wife a charter for the lands of Rait in Perthshire in August 1481. Resigned the charter for Clackmannan in favour of his son David on 11th September 1497. Died around 1506.
Barony passed from father to son
1497 – 1550 Sir David Bruce - 7th Baron of Clackmannan
Received the charter for the Lands and Barony of Clackmannan when his father resigned from it in his favour in September 1497. On 1st February 1507 resigned the lands of Rait to his nephew
David, who in turned resigned his rights to the lands of Clackmannan in favour of his Uncle David Bruce and his family. Sir David's eldest son John died before his father therefore the Barony of Clackmannan passed to John's son.
Barony passed from grandfather to grandson
1550 -1609 Sir Robert Bruce - 8th Baron of Clackmannan
Due to his father John dying before his grandfather, the Barony passed on to Robert Bruce. His son Norman served as a Colonel in the Army. His son Walter was a servant to Robert Stewart, Commendator of Holyrood and Earl of Orkney and is believed to have taken part in a confrontation at the Kirk of Kirkwall after which they were charged with the "treasonable taking of the Kirk of Kirkwall".
Barony passed from father to son
1609 – 1642 Sir Robert Bruce - 9th Baron of Clackmannan
Inherited the Barony of Clackmannan after the death of his father. Died around 1642.
Barony passed from father to son
1642 – 1663 Sir Robert Bruce - 10th Baron of Clackmannan
Received a charter for Easter Kennet and other lands in June 1642. His son George Bruce served as a Major in the Army. His son William Bruce served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army & married Elizabeth the daughter of Robert Bruce of Wester Kennet (another branch of the family tree). His daughter Helen Bruce married into another branch of the family tree when she married Alexander Bruce 4th of Kinnard, who lived at Gaskenhall, Perthshire.
Below is an account of him and an issue he had with a payment of custom. "On the high ground which skirts the Carse of Gowrie to the north, near the village of Rait, once stood a fortified house called Gaskenhall. Only a bit of broken garden-wall and a few trees now indicate the site. Here lived, at the end of the sixteenth century, Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, chief of the family which had given Scotland a king three centuries before and described in the grave pages of Douglas's Baronage as a most respectable person, 'in high favour with King James VI., who conferred on him the honour of knighthood at the baptism of his son Prince Henry.' Let us see, from the actual doings of this knight, what sort of person he was. In August 1592, some goods belonging to Bruce, having to pass through Perth, were subjected to payment of custom by the magistrates, who, on payment being refused, seized them. Clackmannan sent a letter of remonstrance, threatening, if his goods were not restored, to make the Perth citizens suffer for it when they chanced to pass his house. This not being attended to, he attacked a party of citizens on their way from Dundee and despoiled them of their weapons; for in those days a party of quiet burghers passing through twenty miles of even this central and comparatively civilised district of Scotland, could not go unarmed. The only reply the laird got to a message offering the weapons back in exchange for his goods, was a visit from a company of Perth citizens, who destroyed a good deal of his growing corn with their horses. He came out to remonstrate, and an altercation ensuing, he was provoked to strike one of the aggressors with a pistol. He then seized the two chief men of the party, William Inglis and John Balsillie, and took them as prisoners into his house of Gaskenhall. That same night, a large party of the citizens of Perth, headed by the bailies and council, came out in arms to Gaskenhall, where, upon the morrow, before daylight, they sounded their drum, besieged the laird in his house, and discharged hagbuts and pistols in at the doors and windows, whereby a servant of his was wounded. At last setting fire to the house, they entered at the roof, set free their friends, and seized the laird, whom they 'transportit away with them ane certain space, barefooted and bare-legged, not suffering him to put on his awn claithes.' They likewise 'spulyit and took away with them his hail silver-wark, bedding, claithes, and all the plenishing of his house.'— P. C. B. This affair came before the king, who seems to have taken no step in the case beyond declaring both parties in the wrong and ordering the laird and the magistrates into divers prisons, there to lie at their own respective costs, until they should be subjected to an assize. A Perth chronicler states: 'They were thereafter agreed upon the town's large charges.' The agreement, however, does not seem to have been effectual, for, on the 28th of April 1593, as John Wilson and John Niven, with other citizens of Perth, were passing the Coble of Rhynd on their way to the market of St Andrews, they were beset by the laird, accompanied with nine horsemen and footmen, all well-armed. 'The said John Wilson and John Niven, being baith hurt and wounded in divers parts of their bodies, to the effusion of their blood in great quantity, the said laird and his accomplices maist shamefully tirrit them baith naked, and in maist barbarous and shameful manner scourgit them with horse bridles through the town of Abernethy, as if they had been thieves or heinous malefactors; [then] left the said John Niven lying there for dead, and took the said John Wilson, naked, as captive and prisoner away with them.' On the complaint of the magistrates of Perth, among whom was the afterwards famous Earl of Gowrie, acting as provost, the Laird of Clackmannan was charged to appear before the king, on pain of being denounced as a rebel in case of failure "
The account was found on the Clan MacFarlane Genealogy Website.
Barony passed from father to son
1663 – 1674 Sir Henry Bruce - 11th Baron of Clackmannan
Inherited the Barony of Clackmannan after his father's death. In August 1668 he was issued a charter by King Charles II of the office of Sherrifdom & Forrestry of Clackmannan.
In December 1669 an Act of Parliament was made in the favour of Henry Bruce confirming the Lands & Barony of Clackmannan as well as the Land & Barony of Sauchie, the Lands of Gairdinkeir, twice weekly markets to be held in Clackmannan on Wednesdays and Saturday's, all tolls from the markets and mills of Clackmannan.
Also included in the Act were the Lands of Hallhill, Kairshill, Carloquhie, Grasmainston, Garthalow, Burkhill, Lindmill and Millands, Tullygarth, Pillarskeine, Morlemersyde, Craigorie, Kemling, East Park, Wester Kennet, Easter Kennet, Baxter's lands, Craighill, Hiltoun, Greivsaiker, with the right to hold a fair yearly in the said burgh on the 15th of June.
Further, the office of Sheriff and Forester of the Sheriffdom of Clackmannan, and all dues from the fair of St Bartholmew, to be held at Clackmannan in August yearly and all castles, towers, and manor houses.
Barony passed from father to son
1674 – 1712 Sir David Bruce - 12th Baron of Clackmannan
Inherited the Barony on the death of his father. It is believed David Bruce and his wife had three children who all died young. Sir David died in 1712 and he had no heirs. The Barony of Clackmannan was passed on to his brother John.
Barony passed from brother to brother
1712 – 1724 Sir John Bruce - 13th Baron of Clackmannan
Inherited the Barony when his heirless brother David died. He was father to one daughter only, therefore the Barony passed to his brother when Sir John died in 1724.
Barony passed from brother to brother
1724 – 1742 Colonel Sir Henry Bruce - 14th Baron of Clackmannan
Inherited the Barony of Clackmannan after the death of his elder brother in 1724. Served as a Colonel in the Army. On his death the Barony of Clackmannan passed to his son.
Barony passed from father to son
See also:https://www.clackmannanshire.scot/index.php/history/barony-of-clack...
Genetic Research
Expert says toe bone undergoing DNA testing may not actually belong to Robert the Bruce
By Stephen Gallacher in The Sunday Post July 28, 2019
Last week it was revealed geneticists were DNA testing a toe bone belonging to Robert the Bruce, taken from his remains at Dunfermline Abbey. They hope to confirm the lineage of Robert the Bruce, and even discover how he died. However one of Scotland’s foremost archaeologists, Dr Murray Cook, says the toe might not belong to the Bruce at all. “A very elaborate tomb was discovered at Dunfermline Abbey in the early 1800s, and it was assumed to relate to Robert the Bruce because he was the most famous king buried there,” explained Dr Cook.“However, there are a number of medieval kings buried at that location, including David I, who converted the site to an abbey and gave it an upgrade and additional funding.“The location of Robert the Bruce’s grave is where we might assume the founder, David I, was buried.” Eight kings are buried at Dunfermline Abbey and, without markers indicating who is interred, we can never be sure of the identity of each of the remains, according to Dr Cook.
“All we know for sure is we’ve got a body, and we’ve got an elaborate tomb which was destroyed in the Reformation,” he said.“It could be Robert the Bruce, it could be David I, it could be Malcolm III. “We’re just assuming the tomb belonged to Robert the Bruce – but we don’t actually know. Everybody knows that we don’t know for sure – it just never gets pointed out. “There’s a good chance the individual in the tomb is him. But there’s never been a good case put forward that it is definitely Robert the Bruce.”
Genetic marker discovered for descendants of Bruce clan
By Univerity of Strathclyde, Glasgow -1 February 2022
A distinct genetic marker, carried by descendants of Robert the Bruce’s close relatives, has been identified by researchers at the University of Strathclyde.The genealogy researchers have found the marker in male line descendants of the Bruces of Clackmannan, who were related to Robert the Bruce, King of Scots from 1306 to 1329. It is in the Y chromosome DNA of two different lines of descent from Robert Bruce, 2nd Baron of Clackmannan, who lived in the second half of the 14th century. One of the descendants who has taken a test is Rollo Bruce, a retired textile research editor from Oxfordshire.
Although there are varying theories about the exact relationship between the Bruces of Clackmannan and King Robert the Bruce, there is a consensus that it was very close. In the Register of the Great Seal for 1365, a charter of King David II confirms a grant of lands in Clackmannan to Robert Bruce, who is described in Latin as “dilecto et fideli nostro consanguineo” (our beloved and faithful kinsman). This Robert is first mentioned in 1360 as the young heir of his father, Thomas Bruce.
The genetic marker has been given the name FTB15831.Graham Holton is Principal Tutor on Strathclyde’s Genealogical Studies Postgraduate Programme, based in the University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning. He said: “Y chromosome DNA tests taken by male line descendants of two of Robert of Clackmannan’s sons, Robert and Edward, show that they both carry the marker FTB15831. This means it may also have been carried by their close relative, King Robert. “This discovery means that anyone living today who tests positive for the marker is descended from the same family as the famous King.
“Although the test takers from both lines carry FTB15831, one of them also has an additional genetic marker, indicating his descent from Robert Bruce, 3rd Baron of Clackmannan, who died around 1405. Further research may reveal more markers for specific branches of the Bruce family. https://www.strath.ac.uk/whystrathclyde/news/2022/geneticmarkerdiscoveredfordescendantsofbruceclan/''
Discussions:
References
- https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9494/94948513.23.pdf
- https://archive.org/stream/collectionstowar1868clac/collectionstowa...
- https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03paul/page/466/mode/1u...
- https://www.scotsman.com/news/national/robert-the-bruce-dna-breakth...
- https://www.strath.ac.uk/whystrathclyde/news/2022/geneticmarkerdisc...