Grampian Club > Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland > Volume 1

4?-3
PARISH OF EENFREW.
On the farm of Knock an octagonal column ten feet in height,
resting on a pedestal six feet in diameter, is, on very doubtful
authority, alleged to denote the death- scene of Marjory Bruce,
daughter of Eobert the Bruce, and wife of "Walter the High
Steward. It was known as " Queen Blearie's Stane."* Accord-
ing to tradition, the princess had been hunting, and her horse
having stumbled in a marsh, she was thrown from her saddle.
Being far advanced in pregnancy, premature labour supervened,
and the child was separated from her by a surgical operation
at the cost of her life. The absurdity of the popular notion
that her child was brought into the world by the Caesarian
operation. Lord Hailes has been at pains to refute. Marjory's
child became Eobert II., and a peculiar delicacy of eyesight, which
he inherited from his grandfather. King Eobert, led to his being
styled Blearie, an appellation also attached to his royal mother.
Marjory Bruce was by her husband committed to his family bury-
ing-place in Paisley Abbey.
In the old parish church are two sculptured figures, believed to
represent Sir John Eoss of Hawkhead, and his wife Marjory Mure.
Sir Jolm attained distinction by overcoming, in smgle combat, an
English champion, sent by his sovereign to challenge all Scotland.
The Englishman was of gigantic stature, while Eoss was under
the middle height. To compensate for his inequality of size he
clothed himself in a dress of skin, the smooth side out, which he
rendered slippery with oil. The stratagem succeeded. In strug-
gling with him the Englishman was unable to retain his grasp,
while Eoss at length contrived to throw both his antagonist's arms
out of joint. The statues now occupy a place in the aisle ; they
originally stood under an arch, which was surrounded by the
following inscription, still legible : —
* The monument was removed in 1781, and the materials used in construeting a
farm steading in the neighbourhood.
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