Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

266 SONS OF ROBERT DE BRUS, EARLS OF CARRICK.
caster and Hereford — King Robert having left his queen and her ladies there
under the protection of a garrison commanded by Sir Niel and the Earl of
Athol. The queen, affrighted by the approach of the English, fled to the
Sanctuary of St Duthac in Ross, but Sir Niel and the Earl of Athol held out
bravely, until a fire, kindled by treachery (it is believed) in the granary of the
castle, obliged them to surrender.
Sir Nigel was taken to Berwick, where he was tried by special commission,
condemned, hanged, and beheaded !
The Earl of Athol (John, tenth earl), the husband of the Lady Isabel de Brus,
and the cousin of Edward I., attempted to escape by sea, but was driven back
by a storm, taken prisoner to London, and executed there.
" Oure King Robert had alswa
Systers, and the first of tha'
Was wedyt with the Erie of Gratney
That Erie of Marr wes, in his day."
— WyntOUn's Chronicle.
The Lady Christian, Countess of Marr, may have been the first in rank and
power among the sisters of the Bruce, but in age all other authorities place her
as the third. Her son, the young Earl of Marr, was an infant when taken pri-
soner to England in 1306, whilst Randolph the son of Lady Isabel was already
the associate of his uncle.
In the partition of the' family estates, the Garrioch, with the Castle of Kil-
drummie, became the portion of the Countess of Marr.
1st. The Lady Isabel married, first, Sir Thomas Randolph of Stathdon, Great
Chamberlain of Scotland to Alexander III. from 1273-1296, when he died.
Her son by this marriage, Sir Thomas Randolph, the associate of his uncle
in 1306, deserted his cause, and swore fealty to Edward after Bruce's defeat at
Methven.
1308. He was taken prisoner by a party of King Robert's forces, and after a time
was again received into favour, and proved the most zealous and attached of his
adherents.
After the battle of Bannockburn, where he greatly distinguished himself, and
contributed in no small degree to the victory, the lordship of Annandale and
the Isle of Man, &c. &c, were conferred upon him, and soon after the then vast
territory, called " The Earldom of Moray." Of its former earls we know little.
Fordun tells us that "Angus Earl of Moray was killed at Stricathro, A.D. 1 131."
And Selsden, that William the Lion promised the earldom to Morgand the
son of Gillocherons, Earl of Marr.
Malcolm Earl of Fife was appointed, by the same king, Custos of Moray ;