History of Scotland during the Reign of Robert I. surnamed the Bruce

Front matter

HISTORY OF ROBERT THE BRUCE, KING OF SCOTS. VOL. FIRST. Fr0m.e2.C0in intfu, fojigsion o/ John ■ Wilson EsaT of Tf-exney HISTORY OF SCOTLAND DURING THE REIGN OF ROBERT I. SIRNAMED THE BRUCE. By ROBERT KERR, F. R. S. & F. A. S. Ed. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME FIRST. EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOE WILLIAM CREECH, A. CONSTABLE & CO W. BLACKWOOD, J. ANDERSON, AND BROWN & CROMB1E, EDINBURGH; AND FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, & BROWN, AND J. MURRAVT, LONDON. Alex. Smcllie, Printer. 1811. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM, EARL OF ANCRAM, BARON OF JEDBURGH, LORD NEWBOTTLE, SsC. fye. SsC THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY HIS LORDSHIPS MOST OBEDIENT VERY HUlttBLE SERVANT, ■' ROBERT KERR. EDINBURGH, "1 14th May 1811. J a

Preface

. The reign of ROBERT I. of Scotland, sirnamed THE BRUCE, may justly be ac counted the heroic age in Scots History ; more especially if we include that short pe riod before bis accession, during which the renowned Wallace so gloriously reclaimed the oppressed liberties of his country, then pusillanimously abandoned by its degraded king, John Baliol, and despaired of by all the nobles of the land. To introduce the commencement of the important reign which forms the peculiar object of the present historical attempt, it appeared requisite to deduce the connexion of events from the fatal era in 1286, wlien a

PREFACE.

. ttie premature death of Alexandfr III. by interrupting the regular series of descent in the Scots royal family, threatened to have put a a close for ever to the History of Scotland. That preliminary period includes the once highly important controversies, respecting the comperition for the vacant throne of the Scots, and the pretended feudal supremacy of the English crown over the kingdom of Scotland, assuredly more ancient than the usurping paramount : But, as forming no portion of the reign ot Robj-.rt, this introductory part of the work has been as much condensed as seemed consistent witn its object. Previous to that preliminary deduction, it has likewise been deemed useful and proper to give a short, yet clear, genealogical view of the descent of the Bruce tamiiy, from its earliest appearance in Britain at the Norman conquest of England, down to the patriot king and hero whose reign is attempted to be commemorated in the present work.

Greatly assisted, throughout the whole series ot the narrative, by the excellent Annals of Scotland ot the late celebrated Sir David Dalky MPLii, Bart. Lord Hailes of the Court of S-ssion, as every author must necessarily be who wines on the affairs of Scotland within

PREFACE.

. IX the period which he has so ably illustrated ; it has unavoidably happened that the arrangement of facts and observations, in the present work, frequently remains with little alteration from those in that masterly performance, the first and best of its kind in any language. Yet that highly judicious and skilful work is in some measure an epitome or text book of Scots history, comprising an extensive period, from the accession of Malcolm III. in 1057, to the demise of David II. in 1371, extend ing to 315 years ; while the present historical attempt confines its direct researches to the reign of Robert I. a short, but eventful period of 23 years, 2 months, and 11 days; and, with the utmost care to avoid prolixity, nearly equals the magnitude of the Annals. In composing the narrative of the reign of Robert I. the immediate and peculiar object of attention, the whole original materials em ployed by the great master of Scots history, Lord Hailes, and every other authentic source of information which could be procured, have been diligently studied ; from all which every circumstance, incident, or explanation that merited attention, has been carefully added to the selection of events contained in the Annals. Several very important materials

PREFACE.

. X have been employed with which Lord Hailes was not acquainted ; more particularly those which relate to the definitive treaty of peace in 1328, usually called the treaty of Northampton; and likewise respecting several interesting circumstances connected with the latter days of the illustrious Robert. For the communication of these documents, the author has very gratefully to acknowledge his high obligations to Thomas Thomson, Esq. Depute Clerk Register for Scotland, who liberally favoured him with the perusal of some curious and valuable original records, now in progress towards publication. In the course of this attempt, much assist ance has likewise been derived from a recent work intitled Caledonia, which will remain a rare monument of deep research and luminous illustration of Scots antiquities, so long as the History and Topography of Scotland posseses any interest among the learned.

To George Chalmers, Esq. ; the author of that excellent work, the writer of what is now offered to the publichas to acknowledge, with the utmostgra titude, many important obligations ; especially in having revised, corrected, and greatly im proved the interesting sketch of the genealo gical deduction of the Bruce family : And preface. XI the author feels infinite satisfaction in making this public avowal of his indelible sense of the important aid he has received on all occa sions of difficulty from that gentleman. It will be noticed that many references are made, in the history of the reign of Rt-BEitT I. to the Metrical Life and Acts of Robert B)uce by Barbour: And it may be proper to remark, that these references apply to the edition by Pinkerton, in three volumes crown octavo, London 1790.

The quotations, occasionally interspersed as specimens of the language of Scotland in that age, have been rendered greatly more correct than in the edition of Pinkerton, by means of the Etymolof/itd Dictionary of the Scots Language ; Dr Jamieson, the learned and indefatigable author of that excellent work, having care fully collated the M. S. copy of Barbour in the Advocates Library at Edinburgh, by which he has corrected innumerable errors in the transcript which was made from that manu script for Mr Pinkerton Johv Barbour, or Barbar, was an eminent Scots poet, historian, and divine, and appears to have been born at Aberdeen abour (he year 1326, or li>30*. Having received a * Nicolson, So Hist- Lib. 145. preface. XII learned education, he entered into holy orders5 and in 1356 was promoted to the Archdeaconry of Aberdeen *.

In 1 357, he received a passport from Edward III. to continue in force for one year, allowing him to proceed to Oxford with three scholars in his company, and to prosecute his studies in that ancient seminary f. He appears, however, to have remained there only a short time, as in the same year he was one of the commissioners appointed by the bishop of Aberdeen to treat at Edinburgh for the ransom of David II J. In 136.5, he had a passport from Edward III. to travel through England with six knights in his company, perhaps only horsemen,, on his way to St Denis in France, near Paris §. He enjoyed a considerable pension from David II. which he procured to be settled upon an hospital in his native city of Aberdeen ||. According to his own account, his metrical history of Robert I. was finished in 1375 * * He died in 1396 f t. at which time he must have attained the age of 66 ox 70. Henry, Hist, of Brit. VIII. 249- | Foed. Angl. VI. 31. { Id. ib. § Id. VI. 478. y Tanner, 73- * * Bruce XIII. 700. 1 1 Chart. Aberd.

PREFACE.

. XIII Born about the close of the reign of the great and good king whose actions he has recorded in vernacular poetry, Barbour may be considered in the light of a contemporary historian ; as, in his early manhood, he must have seen and conversed with many persons who were witnesses of and actors in the great national events which he relates. Had he attended to the chronology of these events, his work would have been invaluable ; and such as it is, it certainly is the best and fullest record of the times we now possess. Both Fordun in his Scotichronicon, and Wynton in his Original Chronicle of Scotland, the former in Latin prose, the latter in Scots metre, honestly acknowledge that they decline entering largely into the history of Robert I. because that portion of Scots history had been already so ably executed by Archdeacon Barbour.

The references in the following work to the Chronique de Froissart are to the Paris edition, in four volumes folio bound in two, edited by Sauvage the Royal Historiographer of France. Those references which apply to the Annals of Scotland are to the edition of Edinburgh, 1797, in three volumes octavo. It does not seem necessary to particularize the editions

PREFACE.

. of other works which have been consulted and are referred to, as that might appear a needless and boastful display of industry and research. The Historical Libraries of Bishop Nicolson have been diligently consulted for indications of authorities; and the public lib raries of Edinburgh, more especially the mag nificent library of the Faculty of Advocates, and the national Record Office, have amply supplied every document and authority that were required. Upon all subjects of taste, there must necessarily be considerable differences of opinion, especially ill regard to the arrange ment and mode of execution, in works similar to the present. In digesting the plan of this work, it has appeared most advisable to place every circumstance, quotation, illustration, and reflexion in the text, that could admit of this arrangement, that the attention of readers might, experience the smallest possible interruption.

Several of the most celebrated modern historians, with whom the author of the present work makes no pretensions of con-petition, have chosen to follow a very different system, by placing quotations, illus trations, and discussions in notes, or in de tached dissertations. Far from presuming

PREFACE.

. XV to criticise, or even to vie with the opinions and modes of writing of these deservedly admired authors, it may surely be permitted to every candidate for public favour, to chuse the plan of arrangement, and the mode of execution, which best accord with his own sentiments; whether as influenced by the estimate he may have formed of his own powers, by his opinion of the subject on which he is engaged, or by his judgment and taste respecting the conduct of the work he has undertaken. With regard to the execution of this work, it becomes not the author to presume on hazarding any remark. In forming and ar ranging the collection of materials, the leisure and solace of many anxious years have been employed ; and in endeavouring to convey a clear, consistent, and well authenticated nar ration of a highly important and most interesting portion of the history of his country, in plain and unadorned language, he has exerted his utmost diligence, entirely unbias sed by any preconceived theory, and altogether uninfluenced by party spirit: And he now finally, almost with reluctance, consigns his labours to the judgment of the public, with much deference, yet not without hope. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF BOTH VOLUMES. VOLUME FIRST. Page/ Preface. xvi. Genealogical Sketch of the Bruce Family. xix

Introduction

. Retrospective view of the History of Scotland, from the Demise of Alexander III. in 1286"; to the accession of Robert I. in 1306. y Sect. I. From the Demise of Alexander III. lsith March 1286 ; to that of his Grandaughter and Successor Margaret, commonly caltd the Maiden of Norway, in September; 1290. ity II. From the Demise of Margaret Queen of Scots, in September 1290, to the Coronation of John Baliol, 30th November 1202, includ- Voi. r. b CONTENTS. XVIII Vol. I. Page. ing a succinct account of the competition for the Crown. 21 Sect. IIL From tbe Coronation of John Baliol, 30th November 1292,' to his Deposition, in July 1296. 46 IV. From the Deposition of John Baliol, 2d July 129o, to the entire Expulsion of the English trom Scotland, by Wallace in Ortober 1797 - 6l V. l-'rom the Expulsion of the English from Scotland by Wallace, in October 1297, to his Retreat from Public Affairs, in July 12QS. • 78 VI.

From the retirement of Wallace from Public Affairs, in July 1298, to ihe Second Reduction ot Scotland by Edward I. in September 1305. 94, VII. Degression respecting the Metrical Acts and Deeds of Sir William Wallace, by Blind Harry, with notices of some still subsisting Tr.-litions concerning the Champion 01 Scotland. HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF ROBERT I. From his Accession, 27th March 1 306, To his Demise, 7th June 1329. Vol. I. Page. CHAP. I. Introductory Reflections on the pretensions of Robert Bruce to the throne of Scotland, at the close of 1305, 335 II. Slaughter of JohnCumyn of Badenoch at Dumfries, 10th February 1306; and immediately consequent revolt of Robert Bruce. 158 III. From the revolt of Robert Bruce, 10th February 1506, to his coronation as King of Scots, 27th March of that year. 188 IV.

From the coronation of Robert I. 27th March 1306, to his discomfen .re at Melhven, 19th June of that year. 210 V. From the discomferture of the Scots Patriots at Methven, 19th June 1306, to th« b CONTENTS. XX Vot. I. Page. retreat of Robert I. to the Isle of Rachrin, in the close .f that year. 224 CHAP. VI. Transactions in Scotland, from the retreat of Robert I. in winter J 306, to his return in spring 1307. 237* VII. From th* return of Robert I. to Scotland from the Isle of Rachrin, in spring 1307, to the Demise of Edward I. 7th July of the same year. 272 VIII. From the Demise of Edward I, 7th July 1307, to the establishment of the first truce between Robert I. and Edward II. in March 1309. 31 S IX. From the establishment of the first truce, between Robert I. and Edward II. in March 1309, to the first invasion of England by the King of Scots in 13 1 1. 362 X. From the first invasion of England, by Robert I. in 13 i 1, to the Siege of Stirling Castle, by Edward Bruce in 1313. 397 XI.

From the Siege of Stirling Castle by EdwardBruce in 1313, to the Battle of Bannockburn, 24th June 1314 428 XII. The Battle of Bannockburn, 24th June 1314. 466 XIII. From the Battle of Bannockburn, 24th June 1314, to the invasion of Ireland, under Edward Bruce, 23d May 1315. CONTENTS. XXI VOLUME SECOND. Page. CHAP* XIV. From the invasion of Ireland by Edward Bruce, 23H Mav 1315, to his assumption of Supreme Power in Ulster, in February 1316. 1 XV- Reduction of the Hebrides, or Western Isles of Scotland, by the King of Scots ; birth of his grandson, afterwards Robert II. and death of the Princess Marjory : all in 1316. 42 XVI. From the assumption of supreme power in Ulster, by Edward Bruce, in February 13l6, to the return to Scotland of Robert I. from an expedition into Ireland in aid of his brother in 1317- 62 XVII.

Transactions in Scotland in 1317, during the absence of King Robert on his Irish expedition. 103 XVIII. From the return of Robert horn Ireland, in 1317. to the recovery of Berwick from the English in 1318. 120 XIX. The n duetion of Berwick by the Scots in the year 1318. 139 XX. Transactions subsequent to tbe capture of Berwick in 1318, including the deteat and death of I'.dw.ird Biuee in Ireland; and own to the commencement ot the Siege o. Birwick by the Englsh in ' 9. 157 XXI. Siege ol Beiwick by the English m 1,119, b CONTENTS. XXII Vol. II. Page. and transactions connected with that event. 201 CHAP. XXII. From the abandonment of the Siege of Berwick in 1319, to the detection of a conspiracy against Robert in 1320- 232 XXIII. From the detection of a conspiracy against the King of Scots, in August 1320, to the concert between the Scots and the Earl of Lancaster in 1321, including the overthrow of the Lancastrian party in March 1322. 249 XXIV.

From the overthrow of the Lancastrian party in March 1322, to the retreat of Edward from an ineffectual invasion of Scotland, in August of the same year. 268 XXV. Invasion of England by the King of Scots in September 1322, and treasonable compact of Hartcla with the Scots, in the beginning of 1323. 280 XXVI. Negociations for Peace, and conclusion of a Jong truce between Scotland and England, in 1322. 295 XXVII. Negociations of Robert with the Papal and French courts, in the years 1323, 1324, 1325, and 1326, with other transactions during the period of truce between Scotland and England. 320 XXVIII. Revolution in England, infraction of the long truce and invasion of England in 1327. CONTENTS. XXIII Vol. II. Page. CHAP- XXIX. Journal of the campaign of Edward III. against the Scots invaders, in 1327- 373 XXX.

Fresh invasion of England, and Siege of Norham Castle, by Robert I. in 1327; and conclusion of Peace between Scotland and England in \pril 1328. 433 XXXI. Marriage of David Prince of Scotland to the Princess Johanna of E-yhnd, 12th July 1328 ; and demistot Robert I. 7th July 1329. 467 XXXII. Postscript: Containing the a.lventures of Sir James Douglas, after the demise of Robert 1. having charge ot the Kings heart, to his death in battle against the Moors in Spain, 25th August 1330. 499

Appendix

. No. I. Treaty of Cor'oeil, between Robert I. Kin^ of Scots, and Charles IV". King of France and Navarre, April 1326. No. II. Warrant by Edward III. to ratify the P ace between England and Scotland. • Dated York, 1st March 1328. N Tra, tatui Pads Firmata. O- 7 rcaty of Peace between Rooei. I. -- Euward III. concluded at b CONTENTS. Edinburgh, 17th March 1328, ratified by Edward at Northampton, 4th May, 1328. No. IV. Engagement by Robert I. to contract a marriage between Prince David, his son and heir, and the Princess Johanna of England. Edinburgh, 17th March 1328. No. V* Singular Proclamation by Edward III. A. D. 1327. GENEALOGICAL VIEW OF THE ORIGIN AND DESCENT OF THE BRUCE FAMILY. J.T is a singular circumstance in the genealogy of this family that, of nine generations in the direct descent, from its original ances tor who first settled in Britain, to the illustrious restorer of Scots independance, both in cluded, eight should have borne the name of Robert.

Hence genealogical writers have frequently confounded several of these sue- CEVEALOGV OF THE ccssive individuals with each other, and have egregiously mistaken the true line of filiation; which appears to have been first carefully and satisfactorily investigated by the author of Caledonia, a recent work of singularly meritorious and profound research, and con taining a vast and valuable fund of accurate antl interesting information. In old writings and provincial nomencla ture, Brus, Bruse, Brwyse, Bruyce, Brutz, Braowse, Brois, and perhaps Bryce and Brice, appear to have been all one name differently spelled. Modern France still has Bruyce, Broix, and Breux ; which may have the same origin, as the ancestor of our royal Bruce family certainly came from that country in the eleventh century; and the name was probably derived from the appellation of their original residence or possession in France In modern provincial dialect, especially on the borders of England and Scotland, the name has been corrupted, at least orally, into Browis, and Brewis.

In the Fotdera Anguae, the name of the great and good king Robert is uniform ly de Brus, and the Brwyse in die M S. < >i>y of Baib.ur in the L :,u,y ot u.e Advue*. < s at Edinburgh. Bruce is the mr-dem for a of the m.mt. The ancient nubie or territorial A. D 1066, prefix de, of, often in old Scots the, and some times o\ is now omitted in Britain, except in a few rare instances ; though still preserved in several of the continental states of Europe in various forms, as de, le, de la, von, van, and van-der, all signifying of. I. Among the Norman and French barons and knights, who followed the standard of William Duke of Normandy in hjs conquest of England, in 1066, Robert de Bins appears to have been a distinguished character, and to have liberally shared in the favour and mu nificence of that conqueror, from whom lie obtained very extensive estates in remunera tion of his services ; insomuch that, at the epoch of the demise of William, this great baron was possessed of no fewer than Jorty tJiree manors in the east and west ridings of Yorkshire, and J\fy-ow in the. north riding; one ot which, named Skelton, appears to have long' been the principal English residence of his descendants, while the Abbey of Gys burn in Cleveland was the burial place of the family*. • Kelhams Domesday. — Caledonia, I. 569. — Dugd.

Baron. I. 447- GENEALOGY OF THE A. D 1066. There is reason to conclude that more than one person of this name carried arms in the Norman conquest of England; as, in the Collectanea of Leland the antiquary, there is a list of part of the leaders who came over with William, in which is the following: — " Li sires de Breaus e due sens des homez" * In this passage li sires is obviously in the plural, and probably signifies the lords, or knights rather, of Bruce. Their contingent of men is said to have amounted to two hun dred ; and it singularly happens that no other contingent is specified in the ancient docu ment recorded by Leland. However this may have been, we only know of Robert de Brus having acquired an establishment in England, as already particularized. The same person is most erroneously sup posed by some writers to have acquired the lordship of Annandale, and other estates in Scotland f ; confounding, from identity of names, the father with the son, as will distinctly appear in the next step of this deduc tion. 2.

Robert, his son, having resided at the court of Henry I. of England, where earl • Leland, Collectanea, I. 202. t Mart. Atchiev. II. 276. A. D. 1066. 1124. 1128. David, afterwards king of Scots, long dwelt, a close intimacy appears to have been formed between them, both nearly of an age; and soon after his accession to the throne in 1 1 24, David made a grant of the lordship of Annan dale to his friend Robert de Brus *. This second Robert de Brus, the son and successor of the founder of the family in Britain, married Agnes the daughter of Fulk Paynel, with whom he obtained the manor of Carleton, and by whom he had two sons : — 1. Adam, the progenitor of the Bruces of Skelton in England, and, 2. Robert, the an cestor of the Bruces of Annandale in Scotland. He had likewise a daughter Agatha, who was married to Ralph the son of Ribald de Middleham in Yorkshire, receiving from her father, in free marriage, the manor of Dilwick in Hertness.

In 1 128, this second Robert Bruce founded a monastery of Canons regular at Gysburn, which he endowed with extensive estates and ample grants, Agnes his wife, and Adam his eldest son, giving their assent to the endow ments. He gave also the church of Middle- * Caledonia, I 569. quoting Chart. Antiqu. Bibl. Had. t Dugd. Monast. II. 147. 148. At B. J 128. 1138 burgh and some lands to the monks ot Whitby in Yorkshire, for the purpose of establishing a cell of the abbey of Gysburn at Whitby *'. He likewise granted his manors of Appleton and Hornby, with other lands, to the monks of St Mary at York f- Immediately before the battle of the standard, in 1138, this Robert Bruce, then described as an aged, wise, eloquent, and opulent baron, renounced his allegiance for Annandale to king David I. because he was unable to prevail upon his old friend and be nefactor to make peace with England J. As already mentioned, historians have con founded these two last heads of the Bruce family with each other; not considering that lie who carried arms at the conquest, in 1066, even if then in very early manhood, must at the least have nearly reached an hundred years of age at the memorable battle of the standard in 1138, seventy-two years after wards.

In full proof that this Robert Bruce could not possibly have been the same person with the Robert of Domesday-book, he de scribes himself as having grown up from * Dugd. Monast.1.413. f Id. 1.388—391. X An. of Scot. i. 86. A. D 1138. youth to old age in the most intimate habits of friendship with David I. against whom he now appeared in arms*. A singular concurrence of circumstances occurred on occasion of the battle of the Standard. Robert de Bruce and Bernard de Baliol, both of them English barons of considerable eminence, and both of them under allegiance to David I. for estates which they had received from his bounty in the kingdom of Scotland, were jointly deputed by the leaders of the English army, previous to the battle, to endeavour to make peace with the Scots king ; and, being unsuccessful in their mission, both of them renounced the allegiance which they had sworn to him for their Scots possessions, yet these descended to the po^terit}' of both -j-.

These Anglo-Norman- Scots barons certainly were the direct progenitors of the two rival families of Bruce and- Baliol, who contended for the throne of Scot land an hundred and fifty-two years after wards. After the bnttle of the Standard, this second Robert Bruce seems to have entirely confined himself to his paternal estate of Gysburu in * An. ofSc.1.86. t Id. ib. A.B, 1141. 1161 Yorkshire, where he died soon afterwards, in 1 141 *. From the second Robert Bruce, as has been already mentioned, two great families were descended ; one in England, and the other in Scotland. Previously to continuing the gene alogical view of the second, or Scots branch of Annandale, it may be proper to give a concise account of the elder, or English branch of Skelton. This has been ascertained by a variety of English records and authorities, which were examined by Sir William Dug dale, and are quoted by him in his two valuable works, the Monasticon Angliae, and the Baronage of England ; all of which reci procally confirm and are confirmed by the deductions in Caledonia's; and distinctly shew that Abercromby has been egregiously mistaken in his endeavours to elucidate this subject J, Adam, the eldest son of the second Robert Bruce, as already mentioned, succeeded to the extensive estates of his father in York shire, and became the progenitor of the English family of Bruce of Skelton.

He married Juletta, the daughter of William de * Caledon. I. 569. t Id. ib. J Mait- Atcb. II. 276. A. D 1141. 1162. liS: 121s, 1222 Arches, and widow of R. de Hamvill. He founded the priory of Hoton in Yorkshire, and gave some lands to the knights templars. He died in 1162, and was buried at Gysburn. This Adam Bruce of Skelton was succeed ed by his son and heir, the second Adam Bruce, who died in 118.5, leaving a son and heir, Peter, and a daughter Isabel, who mar ried Henry de Percy. Peter Bruce, the son and heir of the second Adam, was twice married. The name of his first wife was Joan, by whom he had no male issue. After her death, he married Agnes, the sister of William le Gros, earl of Albe marle, and widow of William de Roinara, earl of Lincoln ; by whom he had a son and heir, Peter.

This first Peter, the son of Adam, died in January 1212, and was buried at Gysburn. The second Peter Bruce of Skelton Was one of the barons who took up arms against king John. He married Helewise, one of the sisters and coheiresses of William de Lancaster, baron of Kendal, by whom he had a son and heir, likewise Peter ; and died in or before 1222. The third Peter Bruce married, in 1237, Hilaria, the daughter of Peter de Mauley, and Vol. I. c GENEALOGY OF THE A D 1241. 1269. 1271 died in 1 24 1 ; when he was succeeded by his son and heir, the fourth Peter Bruce, who in 1269 was constable of Scarborough castle, and died in 1271 without issue. His estates were shared among his four sisters: Agnes, the wife of Walter de Fauconberg; Lucia, the wife of Marmaduke de Tweng ; Margaret, the wife of Robert de Ros : and Laderina, the wife of John de Bellew.

Having thus taken a rapid view of the elder English, or Skelton branch of the Bruce family, for the particulars of which we are entirely indebted to the author of Caledonia, we return to the deduction of the younger, or Scots branch ofAunandale, as descended from the younger son of the second Robert. 3. Robert Bruce, younger son of the second Robert and called le Meschin, or the cadet, from that circumstance, enjoyed the Scots estate from the surrender of his father, and carried on the male line of the family in Scot land as Lord of Annandale *. It is said that he received the transfer of Annandale from his father immediately before the battle of the Standard f . And it is alleged that he fought in the battle against the English, and became * Caledonia, I. 569. f An. of Scotl. I. 156. a r>. 113S. 1171. xfcxv.

Bruce family. prisoner to his own father *. This third Robert Bruce flourished long in Scotland, during the reigns of David I. Malcolm IV. and William the Lion. The name of his wife is said to have been Euphemia; but of what family does not appears. He is mentioned as having paid at one time an hundred shillings to the Eng lish Exchequer, as escuage for the manor of Hert, and the territory of Hertness, in the bishopric of Durham J. Some genealogists have ignorantly confounded this third Robert with his father and son, and have never been conscious of his existence, though records still extant point him out distinctly during at least thirty years possession of Annandale; in which period he is found compounding a dispute with the bishop of Glasgow respecting the right of patronage to some churches in Annandale, and conferring gifts on the monks of Holmcultram, which were after wards confirmed by his son, the fourth Roberts 4.