Robert the Bruce was born - On this day in history

Robert the Bruce was born on 11 July 1274 to Robert de Brus, the sixth Lord of Annandale and his wife Marjorie, the Countess of Carrick. Bruce had French/Scottish roots, with Normandy ancestors on his father's side, whilst his mother's family were of French-Gaelic origin.

QUICK LINK: Robert the Bruce's connections with Dumfries

Although evidence for Bruce's early years is sketchy, he appears to have been brought up with both French and Gaelic influences and may have been fostered out to a local family, as was the custom of the time in noble families.

Bruce's mother died when he was eighteen years old and on her death, he inherited the Earldom of Carrick. According to legend, Marjorie, Countess of Carrick was a strong character who had imprisoned Bruce's father until he'd agreed to marry her.

Further reading

Robert the Bruce: King of Scots by Ronald McNair Scott