Christina Bruce

Christian (or Christina) de Brus (c. 1278 – 1356/1357) was the daughter of Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, and her husband, Robert de Brus, jure uxoris Earl of Carrick, and a sister of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots. It is presumed that she and her siblings were born at Turnberry Castle in Carrick. Christina is thought to have married Gartnait, son of Donald, Earl of Mar (died 1305), but recently scholars have debated the truth of the claim, because Christina is never described as a countess of Mar, or even described as 'of Mar.'

Life

After defeat at the Battle of Methven on 19 June 1306, Robert Bruce headed west to the mountains. He sent his second wife, Elisabeth, his daughter Marjory, his sisters Christina and Mary Bruce, and Countess Isobel to Kildrummy Castle in the north, where his brother Neil could protect them.

When Kildrummy was besieged, the women were forced to flee. Neil Bruce was captured and He was taken to Berwick to be hanged, drawn and beheaded. The women made it as far as the sanctuary of St Duthac at Tain in Easter Ross. There they were captured by a Balliol supporter, Earl William of Ross, who handed them over to Edward I’s men.