King Robert the Bruce at 750

Born on 11^th July 1274 at Turnberry Castle on the coast of Ayrshire, Robert Bruce took the crown of Scotland in 1306 and reigned until his death 1329. Recovering his kingdom from Plantagenet subjugation, his accomplishment as a military strategist was clearly demonstrated at the Battle of Bannockburn on 24^th June 1314, one of the great military turning points in the history of the British Isles. His legitimacy as a king  – ruling with the consensus of his people  – was acclaimed in the celebrated Declaration of Arbroath, sent as a letter to Pope John XXII in 1320.

Seal of King Robert the Bruce (1274-1329)

As a special tribute to the 750 birthday year of King Robert the Bruce, over 60 members of the Family of Bruce International travelled from all over North America to gather at Broomhall as guests of Lord Elgin, 37^th Chief of the Name of Bruce. Also travelling to Scotland was Sam Caldwell, the celebrated Texas State Artist, whose portrait of Robert the Bruce – the man behind the king – is the image we have chosen to depict King Robert on his 750^th birthday.

King Robert the Bruce (Sam Caldwell, 2024)

The Bruce Family acknowledges the support given by the Strathleven Artizans who have diligently maintained the honour and reputation of King Robert and his court at Cardross in the Vale of Leven. Alongside the King’s reconstructed throne, they converted the dining room at Broomhall into a medieval wappenschaw  – with armour, swords, axes, spears and pikes typical of the weapons carried by the king and his knights  – to the huge delight of the assembled Bruces. No better tribute could have been offered to King Robert in his special birthday year.

Strathleven Artizans at Broomhall House, June 2024