In search of Robert Bruce, part II: reassessing the Dunfermline tomb investigations of 1818–19

MacGregor, M. and Wilkinson, C. (2019) In search of Robert Bruce, part II: reassessing the Dunfermline tomb investigations of 1818–19. Scottish Historical Review, 98(2), pp. 159-182. (doi: 10.3366/shr.2019.0399)

Abstract

Building work undertaken at Dunfermline abbey in 1818 unearthed a burial vault which included a skeleton. The skull has been widely examined and has been believed to be that of King Robert I (Bruce). The present article re-examines the archaeological evidence and brings to bear the medieval historical sources on the discovery. The ailments of the king and of the body discovered in Dunfermline are discussed, as is the separate heart burial which may have been carried out upon this individual interred. A summary follows, setting the evidence for the location of the tomb uncovered in 1818 against the available historical and architectural evidence for royal burial at Dunfermline in the medieval era. The sex, age, physique, disease, heart burial, tomb location and manner of death of the body discovered are analysed to draw conclusions about the identity of the incumbent of the Dunfermline tomb.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacGregor, Dr Martin
• Authors: MacGregor, M., and Wilkinson, C.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Journal Name: Scottish Historical Review
• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• ISSN: 0036-9241
• ISSN (Online): 1750-0222
• Published Online: 20 September 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Scottish Historical Review Trust
• First Published: First published in Scottish Historical Review 98(2): 159-182
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy