Bruce Clan Crest
CREST: A lion statant Azure armed and langued Gules MOTTO: Fuimus TRANSLATION: We have been VARIATIONS: N/A |
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The history of Clan Bruce is a fascinating story of a family that rose to prominence in Scotland during the Middle Ages and went on to play a significant role in the country’s history for centuries to come.The earliest known member of the Bruce family was Adam de Brus, who built a castle in Normandy in the eleventh century. His descendants later followed William the Conqueror to England in 1066 and acquired significant lands in Surrey and Dorset. | |
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However, it was Robert de Brus, a later member of the family, who would leave the greatest mark on history. He became a loyal supporter of Prince David, who would later become David I of Scotland, and followed him to Scotland. Robert was granted the lands of Annandale and became a powerful figure in the kingdom. The Bruce family’s fortunes would rise and fall over the centuries, but they remained a prominent family in Scotland. In the thirteenth century, the family became embroiled in a power struggle for the Scottish throne. Robert the Bruce, the grandson of Robert de Brus, was a leading contender for the crown, but his claim was challenged by John Balliol. The two rivals engaged in a series of conflicts, and Robert the Bruce ultimately emerged victorious, becoming king of Scotland in 1306. He is perhaps best known for his victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, which secured Scotland’s independence. The Bruce family continued to play an important role in Scottish history in the centuries that followed. Members of the family held positions of power, served as diplomats, and fought in numerous conflicts. One of the most famous members of the family was the seventh Earl of Elgin, who is best known for rescuing the Elgin marbles from Greece. The marbles were a collection of classical Greek sculptures that had been taken from the Parthenon by the Ottomans and were in danger of being lost forever. The Earl purchased them and brought them back to Scotland, where they are now housed in the British Museum. Today, the Bruce family continues to be an important part of Scottish history and culture. The present chief of the clan is the eleventh Earl of Elgin and fifteenth of Kincardine, who is actively involved in Scottish public affairs and serves as convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. In conclusion, the history of Clan Bruce is a story of a family that rose to prominence in Scotland and left an indelible mark on the country’s history. From their early days in Normandy to their struggles for the Scottish throne and their contributions to art and culture, the Bruce family’s legacy is one that continues to be celebrated to this day. |
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