The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.

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Title
The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.
Author
Douglas, Robert, Sir, 1694-1770.
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Edinburgh :: printed by R. Fleming, and sold by him, and the other booksellers in Edinburgh; and at London by A. Miller, R. Baldwin, D. Wilson, and T. Durham,
1764.
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"The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;." In the digital collection Eighteenth Century Collections Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/004896980.0001.000. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 5, 2025.

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BRUCE Earl of ELGIN.

THE origin, grandeur, and antiquity of the great and illustrious name of BRUCE being fully set ••••rth under the title of Bruce lord of Annandale and earl of Carrick, to that we shall refer our readers. All the families of that firname now in Scotland are descended of the Bruces of Clackmannan, (of which this is the chief and principal branch.) Their imme∣diate ancestor, according to some historians, was,

JOHN de BRUCE, third son of Robert fifth lord of Annandale, competitor for the crown, grand-father of the immortal king Robert, and great grand-father of sir Robert of Clackmannan, who flourished in the reign of king David Bruce. From him, therefore, we deduce the descent of this noble family, by authentic documents.

I. Sir ROBERT BRUCE of Clackmannan,* 1.1 got a charter from king David II. dilecto et sideli consanguineo nostro, Roberto Bruis,

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"of the castle and manor of Clackmannan, Gyrmanston, Garclew, Wester Kennault, Pitoluden,"
with a great many other lands; all lying within the sheriffdom of lackman∣nan, dated 9th December 1359 before these witnesse, William bishop of St. Andrews, Patrick bishop of Brechin, chancellor, Robert lord high steward of Scotland, earl of Strath∣e••••, the king's nephew, William earl of Dou∣glas, Willim Keith, great marishal of Scot∣land, Archibald de Douglas, Walter de Haly∣burton, and John Harper, knights &c.

He got also a charter under the great seal from the same prince, of the lands of Gyr∣manston, Kennet,* 1.2 and several others in the shire of Clackmannan, contained in the pre∣ceeding charter, to him, and the lawful heir-male of his body, dated 20th October 1365.

And another charter, under the great seal, of the lands of Rait in Perthshire, to the same sir Robert, and the lawful heirs-male of his body,* 1.3 dated 17th January 1369; in both which charters he is designed the king's be∣loved cousin, &c. And certain it is▪ there was no family of the name of Bruce then in Scotland, so nearly related to the royal fami∣ly by blood as that of Clackmannan.

This family of old carried the arms of the Bruces, lord of Annandale, iz. or, a chief and saltire, gules, with a star or mullet on the chief,* 1.4 to denote their descent from a younger son of that family; but afterwards they laid aside the mullet, and have continu∣ed to carry the arms of the Bruces lords of Annandale simply, as being the head or chief of the Bruces now subsisting in Scotland, who undoubtedly are all sprung from that illust∣ous house.

This sir Robert married dame Isabel Stew∣art, daughter of sir Robert Stewart,* 1.5 ancestor of the family of Rosythe, by whom he had issue, five sons and one daughter.

1. Sir Robert, his heir.

2. Edward, ancestor of the Bruces of Airth, of whom the Bruces of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kinloch, Bunzion, &c. are descended.

3. Alexander, ancestor of the Bruces of Garbot, &c.

4.—, ancestor of the Bruces of Munas, &c.

5. James, who was bred to the church, of which he became a great ornament for pi∣ety and learning.* 1.6 He was bishop of Dun∣keld, anno 1441, chancellor of Scotland, anno 1444, and archbishop of Glasgow, anno 1447, in which last year he died.

His daughter Helen, married David Ross of Balnagowan, representative of the ancient earls of Ross.

He died before the year 1393, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

II. Sir ROBERT BRUCE of Clackmannan, who, upon his own resignation, got a charter from king Robert III. of the lands of Rait in Perth-shire,* 1.7 to himself in liferent, and to Da∣vid his eldest lawful son, and the heirs-male of his body in fee; which failing, to his own nearest heirs whatsomever; dated at Linlith∣gow, 12th August 1393.

And another charter of the same prince, of the lands of Clackmannan, &c. to himself in liferent,* 1.8 and to the said David his lawful son, and the heirs-male of his body, in fee; which failing, to his son Thomas, and his heirs-male; which failing, to return to the king, &c. dated 24th October 1394; in both which charters, this sir Robert is design∣ed the king's beloved cousin, and his son Da∣vid is so designed in the last.

He married a daughter of sir John Scrym∣geour of Dudhope,* 1.9 ancestor of the earl of Dundee, by whom he had one son,

David, his heir.

His son Thomas Bruce, mentioned in the above charter,* 1.10 obtained from his father the lands of Wester-Kenneth, which is confirmed by a charter from king Robert III. anno 1399.

Sir Robert of Clackmannan died anno 1405, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

III. Sir DAVID BRUCE of Clackmannan, who made a renunciation of the tythes of the mills of Clackmannan,* 1.11 to the canons regular of Cambuskenneth, dated 6th October 1406, and is then designed David de Bruce, dominus de Clackmannan.

He married Jean,* 1.12 daughter of sir John Stewart of Innermeath and Lorn, by whom he had issue two sons.

1. John, his heir.

2. Patrick Bruce, who got a charter, un∣der the great seal,* 1.13 of the lands of Hill, dated anno 1449.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

IV. JOHN BRUCE of Clackmannan, of whom there are many documents,* 1.14 viz. a de∣creet of inquest, of certain lands that were in dispute, betwixt John Bruce, dominus de Clack∣mannan, and Lucas de S••••iviline, ancester to the family of Keir, &c. dated 17th April 1425.

There is also an instrument taken by John Bruce of Clackmannan, upon a charge given by James Kennedy bishop of St. Andrews,* 1.15 to the inhabitants of Alloa, &c. to contribute towards the reparation of the kirk of Clack∣mannan,

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under pain of excommunication, dat∣ed 8th September, 1458.

He made a resignation of his estates of Clackmannan and Rait, in favours of David Bruis his son and heir,* 1.16 reserving his own life∣rent, and a reasonable teirce to Elizabeth Stewart his wife, during her lifetime, dated at Edinburgh, 26th March 1473, in which year he died. He married Elizabeth, daugh∣ter of David Stewart of Rosyth, by whom he had issue two sons.

1. David.

2. Robert, ancestor of the Bruces of Cult∣malindie in Perth-shire.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

V. Sir DAVID BRUCE of Clackmannan, who got a charter from king James III. upon his father's resignation, of the lands of Clack∣mannan, Rait, &c. wherein he is designed filius et h••••res quondam Johannis Bruis de Clack∣mannan,* 1.17 dated anno 1473.

He had the honour of knighthood confer∣ed on him by king James IV.* 1.18 with whom he was in great favour.

He married first Janet, daughter of sir Wil∣liam Stirling of Keir, by whom he had one son,

Robert his apparent heir, to whom he gave the lands of Rait in Perthshire; but he died before his father, leaving issue, by Elizabeth Lindsay his wife, a son, David Bruce, who resigned all right he had to the estate of Clack∣mannan,* 1.19 in favours of his uncle David, by his renunciation, dated 1st February 1506. His male line is now extinct.

Sir David married, 2dly, Marian, daugh∣ter of sir Robert Herries of Terreagles, by whom he had a son,

David,—and a daughter,

Christian, married to sir James Schaw of Sauchie.

He made a resignation of his estate of Clack∣mannan, in favours of his son David,* 1.20 reserv∣ing a liferent to himself and dame Marian Herries his spouse, dated anno 1497.

He died before 1506, and was succeeded in his estate of Clackmannan by his son,

VI. Sir DAVID BRUCE of Clackmannan, who got a charter under the great seal, pro∣ceeding upon his father's resignation, and his nephew's renunciation, of the lands and ba∣rony of Clackmannan, in which he is designed David Bruis de Clackmannan,* 1.21 miles, filius quon∣dam domini David Bruis de Clackmannan, mili∣tis, &c. dated 3d February 1506.

He was a man of fine parts,* 1.22 and possessed of an immense estate, which appears by his char∣ter under the great seal, inter 1530 et 1540.

He married Jane, daughter of sir Patrick Blackadder of Tulliallan, by whom he had three sons and four daughters.

1. John, who carried on the line of the family of Clackmannan. Vide title Clack∣mannan, in the second volume of this work.

2. Sir Edward Bruce, progenitor of the earls of Elgin, Kincardin, and Aylesbury.

3. Robert Bruce, designed of Lynmiln.

1st daughter, Alison, married to sir James Colville of Easter-Wemyss.

2. Elizabeth, married to Alexander Dun∣dass of Fingask.

3. Marian, married, first, to Robert Bruce of Airth; and secondly, to Maius Sinclair of Carberry.

5. Agnes, married to sir James Cunning∣ham of Polmais.

VII. Sir EDWARD BRUCE, second son of sir David Bruce of Clackmannan,* 1.23 got a char∣ter under the great seal, of the lands of Bar∣gady, Shiresmyln, &c. anno 1541.

He afterwards acquired the estate of Blair∣hall, which became the place of his residence, and title of his family.

He married Alison, daughter of William Reid of Aikenhead, Esq in vicecomitatu de Clackmannan, and sister of Robert Reid bishop of Orkney. By this marriage he had issue three sons.

1. Robert, who succeeded his father in the estate of Blairhall, whose male line is now extinct.

2. Edward, lord Kinloss, predecessor of the earls of Elgin and Aylesbury.

3. Sir George Bruce of Carnock, of whom the present earl of Elgin is lineally descended, as will be shown under the title of Elgin and Kincardin.

As Charles, now earl of Elgin, is the un∣doubted male representative of all these three brothers, and as the male line of the eldest is extinct sometime ago, we shall here deduce the line of the other two brothers at large, beginning with the second son.

VIII. EDWARD, afterwards lord Kinloss, second son of sir Edward Bruce of Blairhall, a man of great abilities, learning and integrity, was bred to the law, in which he acquired vast knowledge, and was highly esteemed by king James VI. who sent him ambassador to queen Elizabeth of England, together with the earl of Mar, to congratulate her majesty upon her success, in repressing that audacious attempt of the earl of Essex,* 1.24 anno 1601. He then settled such a correspondence with sir Ro∣bert Cecil, principal secretary of state, that he was eminently instrumental in the peace∣able

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accession of king James to the crown of England.

Soon after his return to Scotland, king James made him a grant of the dissolved ab∣bey of Kinloss in Murray,* 1.25 and erected it into a temporal lordship, to him and his heirs for ever, by patent dated at Holyroodhouse, 22d February 1603.

He accompanied his majesty into England, and in recompence of his many good and faith∣ful services,* 1.26 was made master of the rolls for life, by letters patent dated 8th July 1604, and was one of the lords of the privy council for both kingdoms.

He married Magdalen, daughter of Alex∣ander Clerk of Balbirnie, Esq in vicecom. de Fyfe, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

1. Edward, lord Kinloss.

2. Thomas, who succeeded his brother.

1st daughter, Janet, married to Thomas Dalziel of Binns,* 1.27 in vicecomitatu de Linlith∣gow, Esq; and was mother to general Tho∣mas Dalziel of Binns, of whom sir Robert Dalziel, now of Binns, is the representative.

2. Christian, married to William Caven∣dish, earl of Devonshire in England,* 1.28 of whom the present duke of Devonshire is lineally de∣scended.

He died at London in January 1610, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

IX. EDWARD, second lord Bruce of Kin∣loss, who was one of the lords of the bed∣chamber to the king,* 1.29 and was made one of the knights of the bath, at the creation of Hen∣ry prince of Wales, anno 1610.

This young lord had a fatal quarrel with sir Edward Sackville, afterwards earl of Dor∣set, to decide which they both went over to Flanders,* 1.30 and sought under the walls of Antwerp, where lord Bruce was killed, an∣no 1613, and having no issue, his estate and honours devolved upon his brother,

IX. THOMAS, third lord Bruce of Kinloss,* 1.31 who was served and retoured heir to his bro∣ther, anno 1613.

This lord was in great favour with king Charles I. attended him into Scotland at the solemnity of his coronation, where his Maje∣sty was graciously pleased further to dignify him by the title of earl of Elgin, &c. by letters patent dated at Holyrood-house,* 1.32 21st June 1633, the honours being limited, haere∣dibus suis masculis in perpetuum.

He also created him a peer of England, where he had a considerable estate,* 1.33 by the title of lord Bruce of Whorlton, in the coun∣ty of York, 1st August 1642.

He married, 1st, Anne, daughter of sir Ro∣bert Chichester of Raleigh, Knt. by whom he had one son,

Robert, his heir.

He married, 2dly, Diana, one of the daugh∣ters and co-heiresses of William lord Burleigh,* 1.34 son and heir of Thomas earl of Exeter, by whom he had no issue.

And dying, anno 1663, was succeeded by his only son,

X. ROBERT, second earl of Elgin, who having given proofs of his loyalty to king Charles I. in his troubles, and been instru∣mental in the happy restoration of his son king Charles II.* 1.35 was with Thomas Wentworth earl of Cleveland, constituted jointly or separate∣ly lords lieutenants of the county of Bedford, 26th July 1660.

On the 18th March 1665, he was created baron Bruce of Skelton, in the county of York, viscount Bruce of Ampthill in com. de Bedford, and earl of Aylesbury, in com. de Bucks. And on the 29th March 1667, was constituted sole lord lieutenant of the county of Bedford.

In the same year, he was appointed one of the commissioners for taking in the accompts of such monies as had been raised and assigned to his majesty,* 1.36 during the late war with the Dutch. And he was one of the six peers, who, with twelve of the house of commons, were commissioned for that enquiry.

On the 18th October, 1678, he was sworn of the privy-council to his majesty, was one of the gentlemen of the royal bed-chamber, and in commission for executing the office of earl marishal of England, as deputy to Hen∣ry duke of Norfolk.

On the accession of king James to the throne, he was one of the lords that bore part of the regalia at his coronation,* 1.37 and on the death of the earl of Arlington; he had the white staff delivered to him by the king, as lord cham∣berlain of the houshold, on 28th July, 1685.

He married Diana, daughter of Henry Gray, earl of Stamford, by whom he had is∣sue, eight sons, and nine daughters.

1. Edward.

2. Robert.

3. Charles.

4. Henry.

5. Bernard.

The above five, all died young.

6. Thomas, his heir.

7. Robert.

8. James.

These last two survived their father.

1st daughter, lady Diana, married first to sir Seymour Shirly of Stanton-Harold, in comi∣tatu

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Leicester, Bart. and secondly, to John duke of Rutland.

2. Lady Anne, married to sir William Rich of Sunning, in com. Berks, Bart.

3. Lady Christian, married, Ist, to John Rolte, eldest son of sir John Rolte of Stephen∣stoun, in com. Devon, knight of the bath; 2dly, to sir Robert Gayer of Stokepoges, in com. Bucks, knight of the bath.

4. Lady Mary, married to sir William Walters of Sarisden, in com. Oxon. Bart.

5. Lady Arabella, died unmarried.

6. Lady Anne-Charlotte, married to Ni∣cholas Bagenal of Newry, in the kingdom of Ireland.

7. Lady Henrietta, married to Thomas Ogle, Esq; only son of sir Thomas Ogle, go∣vernor of Chelsea college.

8. Lady Christian.

9. Lady Elizabeth.

These two last died unmarried.

He died in October 1685, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest surviving son,

XI. THOMAS, third earl of Elgin, and second earl of Ailesbury, who, on 30th Octo∣ber 1676, married lady Elizabeth, only sur∣viving daughter of Henry lord Beauchamp, son of William marquis of Hereford,* 1.38 sister, and at length sole heiress to William duke of So∣merset, who was grandson to Catharine coun∣tess of Hereford, daughter, and at length sole heir to Henry Gray duke of Suffolk and Ma∣ry, queen dowager of France, his wife, young∣est daughter to king Henry VII. of England.

By this lady he had issue four sons, and two daughters.

1. Robert, who died young.

2. Charles, lord Bruce.

3. Thomas.

4. Henry.

The two last died young.

1st daughter, lady Elizabeth, married to George earl of Cardigan.

2. Lady Mary, born in 1697, (of whom her mother died in child-bed) died in the year 1698.

This noble earl appears to have been great∣ly attached to the interest of the Stuart fami∣ly, and never took the oaths to the govern∣ment after the revolution. In the year 1698, after his lady's death, he retired to Brussels, where he married to his second wife, Charlotte, countess of Sannu, of the antient and noble house of Argenteau, in the dutchy of Bra∣bant, by whom he had an only daughter, Charlotte-Maria, married to count Horne, one of the princes of the empire, to whom she had a numerous issue.

The earl died at Brussels in November 1741, in the 86th year of his age, and was succeeded by his only surviving son,

XII. CHARLES, fourth earl of Elgin, and third of Ailesbury, who was summoned by a writ to the house of peers, by the title of lord Bruce of Worleton, the 31st December 1711, in the 10th year of queen Anne.

And his late majesty George II. by letters patent,* 1.39 dated the 17th of April, the 19th year of his reign, was pleased to create him lord Bruce of Tottenham, in Wiltshire; to him and his heirs male, with limitation of that honour to his nephew, the honourable Tho∣mas Bruce-Brudenel, youngest son of George late earl of Cardigan and the lady Elizabeth Bruce his wife, sister to the said Charles earl of Ailesbury.

He married, lst, lady Anne Saville, eldest daughter and one of the co-heiresses of Wil∣liam marquis of Halifax, by whom he had two sons, and two daughters.

1. George, who died young.

2. Robert, who married Frances, daugh∣ter of sir William Blacket of Newcastle upon Tyne, Bart. but died before his father with∣out issue.

1st daughter, lady Mary, married to Henry Bridges, marquis of Carnarvon, now duke of Chandos.

2. Lady Elizabeth, married to the ho∣nourable Benjamin Bathurst, Esq; son and heir apparent to Alan lord Bathurst.

He married, 2dly, lady Juliana Boyle, daughter of Charles earl of Burlington, by whom he had no issue.

He married, 3dly, Caroline, only daughter of John Campbell, Esq; major-general of his majesty's forces, by whom he had issue only one daughter,

Lady Mary, married to the duke of Rich∣mond.

And dying without male issue in February 1747, in him ended the male line of Edward lord Bruce of Kinloss, second son of sir Ed∣ward Bruce of Blairhall, whereby the title of Ailesbury became extinct,* 1.40 and the honours of lord Bruce of Tottenham in Wiltshire went to the honourable Thomas Bruce-Bru∣denel, youngest son of George earl of Cardi∣gan, according to the entail in the last men∣tioned patent to Charles earl of Ailesbury, &c.

But the title of earl of Elgin, in virtue of that patent, devolved upon Charles, now earl of Elgin and Kincardin, his undoubted heir-male.

Notes

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