Elizabeth de Burgh

Elizabeth de Burgh was born around 1289, likely in County Down or County Antrim in Ulster, Ireland. She was the daughter of Richard Óg de Burgh, the 2nd Earl of Ulster, and Margarite de Burgh. Elizabeth married Robert the Bruce in 1302 at Writtle, Essex, when she was about 13 years old. Her husband, Robert, was a widower with a young daughter from his first marriage.

On 27 March 1306, Elizabeth and Robert were crowned as King and Queen of Scots at Scone. This coronation was in defiance of English claims over Scotland. Following the Battle of Methven, Elizabeth was sent to Kildrummy Castle for safety but was eventually captured by the English. She was held under severe conditions of house arrest in England for eight years.

Elizabeth was moved between several locations during her imprisonment, including Burstwick-in-Holderness, Bisham Manor, Windsor Castle, Shaftesbury Abbey, Barking Abbey, and Rochester Castle. She was released in 1315 as part of a prisoner exchange following the Battle of Bannockburn. Elizabeth and Robert had three children who reached adulthood: Matilda, Margaret, and David, the future King David II of Scotland.

Elizabeth de Burgh died on 27 October 1327 at approximately 38 years old after falling from her horse in Cullen, Banffshire. She was buried at Dunfermline Abbey, and her husband, Robert the Bruce, was laid to rest beside her 18 months later.