 The Ruins of Turnberry Castle |
Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, lived from about 1245 to 1292. She was a noblewoman and the mother of Robert the Bruce. The wider picture in Scotland at the time is set out in our Historical Timeline.
Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, was the daughter and heiress of Niall, Earl of Carrick and Margaret Stewart. She was, by all accounts, a formidable woman. Her first husband was Adam de Kilconquhar, who died during the Eighth Crusade in 1270. Marjorie learned of her husband's death when one of his companions-in-arms, the handsome young Robert Bruce, 6th Lord of Annandale arrived at her home at Turnberry Castle to tell her of her loss. Marjorie immediately fell for Robert and, according to the traditional story, held him prisoner at Turnberry Castle until he agreed to marry her. The wedding duly took place in 1271, and Robert became Earl of Carrick de jure uxoris (in right of his wife).
They went on to have twelve children together, of whom 10 survived childhood. The oldest son, Robert, was born in 1274 and went on to become King Robert the Bruce. One of his older sisters, Lady Christian Bruce, also played an active role in the wars of independence against England. Another, Isabel, married King Eric II and became Queen of Norway. One of the younger sons, Edward Bruce, was crowned High King of Ireland in 1316, and killed in battle in 1318. Three other sons were captured and executed by the English during the wars of independence.
Marjorie herself died in 1292. It has sometimes been suggested that in addition to the many children from her second marriage, she also had a son by her first husband, who became Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray. It is unclear whether or not this is true.
