Isabella of Mar

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Isabella and Robert I of Scotland as depicted in the 1562 Forman Armorial.
Isabella and Robert I of Scotland as depicted in the 1562 Forman Armorial.

Isabella of Mar (c. 1277 – 1296) was the first wife of Robert Bruce. She was the daughter of Domhnall I, Earl of Mar and a woman named Helen (or Ellen) b. 1246 d. 1295, who had previously been the wife of Maol Choluim II, Earl of Fife. Isabella was a wealthy young woman at the time of her arranged marriage to the Earl of Carrick, Robert Bruce. Her father was one of the seven guardians of Scotland who believed Robert Bruce to be the rightful King of Scotland. Despite the risks, he could see the advantage of the two families joining in marriage and bearing an heir to the throne. Mar was the first to sign over the estates of his family to the Bruce.

Isabella was married to Robert at the age of 18 and legend has it that they were much in love. Shortly after their marriage Isabella became pregnant. She had a healthy pregnancy but she died soon after giving birth to a daughter, Marjorie Bruce in 1296. Robert married his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, 6 years later. Isabella's daughter Princess Marjorie (d. 1316) married Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, and their son became Robert II of Scotland. From him descend the monarchs of the House of Stuart and the later royal families of Scotland and England.

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