Marjorie, Countess of Carrick

See also Marjorie Bruce, her granddaughter.

Marjorie of Carrick (also Margaret) (c. 1253 or 1256 – soon bef. 9 November 1292) was countess of Carrick, Scotland, from 1256 to 1292, and is notable as the mother of Robert the Bruce.

Marriages

She was the daughter and heiress of Niall, Earl of Carrick and Margaret Stewart, and Countess of Carrick in her own right. Her first husband was Adam of Kilconquhar, who died during the Eighth Crusade in 1271. Then, as the story goes, a handsome young man arrived one day to tell her of her husband's death in the Holy Land. He was Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale, and he had been a companion-in-arms of Adam of Kilconquhar. Marjorie was so taken with him that she had him held captive until he agreed to marry her at Turnberry Castle in 1271. He became Earl of Carrick jure uxoris (in right of his wife). Their children were:

1. Christina Bruce, married Gartnait, Earl of Mar.
2. Robert the Bruce.
3. Isabel Bruce (1275–1358), married King Eric II of Norway.
4. Niall or Nigel Bruce, executed 1306 in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England.
5. Edward Bruce.
6. Thomas Bruce, executed 1307.
7. Alexander Bruce, executed 1307.
8. Mary Bruce, married
   1. Sir Niall Campbell
   2. Sir Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie.
9. Elizabeth Bruce, married Sir William Dishington
10. Margaret Bruce, married Sir William de Carlyle.
11. Matilda Bruce, married Aodh, Earl of Ross

Marjorie died in 1292, at which time her husband transferred Carrick to their eldest son, Robert.

There is a traditional story that Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray was the son of Marjorie's daughter from her first marriage with Adam. However this is probably not true; it was probably put forward as an explanation of why Thomas Randolph was described as a nephew of Robert the Bruce.

Sources

• Scott, Ronald McNair. Robert the Bruce: King of Scots