12 Facts About Edward Bruce

Edward Bruce, Earl of Carrick, was a younger brother of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots.

Robert the Bruce was the eldest; in the past there was some dispute over whether Edward was second, or third behind Nigel, but one recent account has him fourth behind Nigel and Alexander.

Edward Bruce's date of birth is unknown, but it was probably not very long after Robert was born in 1274; he was old enough to be fighting in 1307 and to be given an independent command not long after.

Edward Bruce fought alongside Robert throughout his struggle for the Scottish throne, including his desperate period on the run and as a guerrilla.

Robert then commanded Edward Bruce to lay waste to the Earldom of Buchan, from end to end, including all the castles and strongholds, principally Slains Castle, Rattray Castle and Dundarg Castle as well as the castles that were in English hands such as Fyvie Castle and Aberdeen Castle.

Edward de Bruce proceeded for several months to harry Buchan and kill those who resisted King Robert's rule, homesteads destroyed, livestock slaughtered, stores of grain destroyed, and reducing the castles.

Edward Bruce then played an important role in capturing and slighting English-held castles in southwest Scotland, including Rutherglen Castle which he successfully recaptured from the English in 1313.

Some time between 1309 and 1313, Edward Bruce was created Earl of Carrick, a title previously held by his maternal grandfather Niall of Carrick, his mother and his elder brother.

Edward Bruce did have an illegitimate son, Alexander Bruce, who would later inherit his father's earldom.

Edward Bruce did directly or indirectly rule much of eastern and mid-Ulster.

However, by the beginning of 1317 famine had stricken most of the country making it difficult for Edward Bruce to provide food to most of his men.

Edward Bruce was killed, his body being quartered and the parts sent to various towns in Ireland, and his head being delivered to King Edward Bruce II.