Coat-of-arms of King Robert The Bruce

House of Bruce

It is possible to trace the descendancy of this famous clan to Normandy, France in the 11th century. Robert de Brus followed William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy to England in 1066. One of his relatives, Robert de Brus, became a companion-in-arms to Prince David in his visit to the court of Henry I of England, afterwards David I of Scotland, following him north as he went to reclaim his kingdom in 1124.

At an important battle in the English Civil War, the Battle of the Standards in 1138, Scottish forces were defeated. de Brus captured his own second son, Robert, who did not share his father's allegiance to the English forces resisting the invading Scottish forces led by David. Robert ultimately returned to the lands of Annandale, and as a symbol of his defiance, abandoned his father's arms of a red lion on a silver field, to adopt the famous red saltire. .... more

Robert The Bruce defeats the English at Bannockburn

King Robert The Bruce

• A1. Robert de Bruges, Castellan of Bruges, lvd:1046/1051, m. Emma of Brittany;  ==>  Franks (Carolingians)
  • B1. Robert de Brusse, lvd:1066, m. Agnes de St. Clair;
    • C1. Adam de Brusse, Lord of Cleveland, d:778/834, m. Emma de Ramsey;
      • D1. Robert de Brus, Lord of Skelton and Annandale, d:1141, m. Agnes de Paganell ;
        • E1. Robert, 2nd Lord of Annandale, lvd:1194;
          • F1. William, 3rd Lord of Annandale, lvd:1215;
            • G1. Robert, 4th Lord of Annandale, lvd:1245, m. Isabel Dunkeld;  ==>  House of Dunkeld
              <========
      • H1. Robert, 5th Lord of Annandale, lvd:1210/1295, m. Isabel de Clare;  ==>  de Clare family
        • I1. Robert, Earl of Carrick, lvd:1243/1304, p. N., m. Marjorie, Countess of Carrick;
          • J1. [p]: Isobel Bruce, m. Sir Thomas Randolph;  <==  Randolph
          • J2. [m]: Mary Bruce, d:1323, m. Sir William Fraser;  <==  Clan Fraser
          • J3. [m]: Matilda, m. Sir Hugh Ross;  <==  Clan Ross
          • J4. [m]: Christina Bruce, d:1357, m1. Earl Gartney of Mar,  <==  Earls of Mar
                                      m2. Sir Christopher de Seton;  <==  Clan Seton
                                      m3. Sir Andrew Moray;  <==  Clan Moray
          • J5. [m]: Robert 'The Bruce', KING OF SCOTS, lvd:1274/1339, m1. Isobel of Mar,  ==>  Earls of Mar              m2. Elisabeth de Burgh;  ==>   de Burgh family
            
            • K1. [m1]: Marjorie de Bruce, m. Walter Stewart;  <==  House of Stewart
            • K2. [m2]: Elisabeth de Bruce, lvd:1288/1370, m. Sir Walter Oliphant;  <==  Clan Oliphant
            • K3. [m2]: Matilda de Bruce, m. Thomas Isaac;
              • L1. Joan Isaac, m. Ewen MacDougall;  <==  Lords of the Isles
        • I2. Sir John de Bruce;
          • J1. Sir Robert de Bruce, d:1332, m. Helena Vipont;
            • K1. Sir Thomas Bruce of Clackmannan, m. Marjory Charteris;
              • L1. Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan, m. Isabel Stewart;  ==>  Clan Stewart
                • M1. Sir Edward Bruce of Airth, m. Agnes Airth;
                  • N1. Sir Robert Bruce of Airth, d:1450, m. Janet Livingston;  ==>  Clan Livingston
                    • O1. Isabella Bruce, m. James Elphinstone;  <==  Clan Elphinstone

With the full might of England's army gathered before the besieged Stirling Castle, Edward II Plantagenat, is confident of victory. To the west of Bannockburn, Robert Bruce, King of Scots, kneels to pray with his men and commends his soul to God. Patiently awaiting the coming onslaught in tightly packed schiltroms, his spearmen and archers are well prepared for battle.