Isabel Bruce

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Isabel Bruce
Bruce
FatherRobert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale
MotherMarjorie, Countess of Carrick

Isabel Bruce (Isabella de Brus or Isobail a Brus, or Isabella Robertsdotter Brus) (c. 1272–1358) was

Queen of Norway as the wife of King Eric II.[1]

Background

Arms

Isabel was born in Carrick, Scotland. Her parents were Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick. Her brothers included Robert the Bruce, future King of Scots, and Edward Bruce who would be High King of Ireland briefly. In 1293 at the age of 21, she traveled to Norway with her father and was married at Bergen to King Eric. Her dowry for the marriage was recorded at the time by Norwegian nobleman Audun Hugleiksson who noted she brought: precious clothes, 2 golden boiler, 24 silver plate, 4 silver salt cellars and 12 two-handled soup bowls (scyphus) to the marriage. [2] [3]

Isabel was king Erik's second wife, he having previously been married to the daughter of King Alexander III of Scotland, Margaret of Scotland, who died in childbirth in 1283. Upon the death of King Alexander three years later, his granddaughter, Eric's daughter Margaret, Maid of Norway became heir to the throne of Scotland. King Eric arranged the marriage of his daughter to the English King Edward I's son Edward, which became moot upon the child's death in 1290. The death of Queen Margaret left Scotland without a monarch, and at the mercy of Edward I of England. [4]

Soon,

G.W.S. Barrow observed that King Eric's renewed contacts with Scotland "increased the ties of friendship which bound him to the English king."[5]

Activity

Isabel was widowed, at age 26, at the death of King Eric in 1299. Erik was succeeded by his brother, King

, in 1312. Isabel herself arranged both engagements.

She did not return to Scotland, but lived in

Bergen, Norway, the rest of her life, and died there. As a queen consort, there is little information about her life, but her life as a queen dowager is better documented. Queen Isabel participated in many official events and ceremonies and did not lack influence. She was present with the royal couple at the inauguration in 1305 of Bishop Arne Sigurdssön, the new Bishop of Bergen. She had a good relationship with the clerical powers in Bergen, made donations and in 1324, received several houses from the church. It has been suggested, that she participated as a mediator in the negotiations between Norway and Scotland regarding Orkney and Shetland during 1312 under which the Treaty of Perth was reaffirmed. In 1339, the king pardoned a prisoner at her request. She exchanged letters with her sister Christina Bruce and sent soldiers in her support. In 1357, she was one of the heirs of her daughter Ingebjorg, Duchess of Uppland, Öland and Finland.[6]
[7]

References

  1. ^ "Isabella Bruce". • Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  2. ^ Narve Bjørgo. "Eirik 2 Magnusson, Konge". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  3. ^ Knut Helle. "Audun Hugleiksson "Hestakorn"". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  4. ^ Narve Bjørgo. "Margrete Eiriksdotter, Prinsesse og Dronning". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  5. ^ Anna Elisa Tryti. "Arne Sigurdsson, Biskop". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  6. ^ Randi Wærdahl. "Isabella Bruce, Dronning". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 29 October 2015.

Other sources

Preceded by
Margaret of Scotland
Queen consort of Norway

1293–1299
Succeeded by
Eufemia of Rügen