George Bruce of Carnock: Difference between revisions

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Between 1597 and 1611,<ref name="bbc"/> Bruce built a [[mansion]] house in [[Culross]], using materials from his foreign trading. This building has subsequently become known as [[Culross Palace]]. He lavishly decorated the palace and the [[Scottish Renaissance painted ceilings|stunning painted ceilings]] with [[emblem]]s, other ornate features and panelling can still be seen. Culross Palace is now under the care of the [[National Trust for Scotland]] and has been restored and conserved in its 17th-century splendour.<ref>{{cite web |title =Property Details for Culross |publisher =National Trust for Scotland |url =http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/22/ |accessdate =17 October 2008 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110927092637/http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/22/ |archive-date =27 September 2011 |url-status =dead }}</ref> The palace building, which had faded to a white wash has been restored to its original yellow-orange [[limewash|harled]] exterior. The courtyard path and the garden have also been remodelled, with the garden now full of vegetables, herbs and plants, growing as they would have done in the 17th century.<ref name="statlist">{{cite web|title =Listed Building Report |date=12 January 1972|publisher=Historic Scotland| url =http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=23983 | accessdate = 17 October 2008 }}</ref>
Between 1597 and 1611,<ref name="bbc"/> Bruce built a [[mansion]] house in [[Culross]], using materials from his foreign trading. This building has subsequently become known as [[Culross Palace]]. He lavishly decorated the palace and the [[Scottish Renaissance painted ceilings|stunning painted ceilings]] with [[emblem]]s, other ornate features and panelling can still be seen. Culross Palace is now under the care of the [[National Trust for Scotland]] and has been restored and conserved in its 17th-century splendour.<ref>{{cite web |title =Property Details for Culross |publisher =National Trust for Scotland |url =http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/22/ |accessdate =17 October 2008 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110927092637/http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/22/ |archive-date =27 September 2011 |url-status =dead }}</ref> The palace building, which had faded to a white wash has been restored to its original yellow-orange [[limewash|harled]] exterior. The courtyard path and the garden have also been remodelled, with the garden now full of vegetables, herbs and plants, growing as they would have done in the 17th century.<ref name="statlist">{{cite web|title =Listed Building Report |date=12 January 1972|publisher=Historic Scotland| url =http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=23983 | accessdate = 17 October 2008 }}</ref>


George Bruce also acquired the Fife estate of [[Carnock]]. In 1602 he repaired the church there. Bruce helped the minister of Carnock [[John Row]] by supplying coal to [[John Spottiswoode|Archbishop Spottiswoode]].<ref>John Row, ''History of the Kirk of Scotland'' (Edinburgh, 1842, pp. xii-xiv, 476.</ref>
George Bruce also acquired the Fife estate of [[Carnock]]. In 1602 he repaired the church there. Bruce helped the minister of Carnock [[John Row]] by supplying coal to [[John Spottiswoode|Archbishop Spottiswoode]].<ref>John Row, ''History of the Kirk of Scotland'' (Edinburgh, 1842), pp. xii-xiv, 476.</ref>


==Death==
==Death==

Revision as of 22:33, 29 September 2021

Portrait of George Bruce junior by George Jamesone

Sir George Bruce of Carnock (c. 1550 – 1625) was a Scottish merchant, ship-owner, and mining engineer.

Family

George Bruce was a son of Edward Bruce of Blairhall and Alison Reid, a sister of Robert Reid, Bishop of Orkney.[1] His eldest brother Edward Bruce (1548-1610), was created Lord Bruce of Kinloss in 1602.[2] Edward Bruce built the large mansion known as Culross House or Abbey House (now reduced in size) and George built Culross Palace.[3]

Coal, salt, and silver

The memorial to Sir George Bruce of Carnock

Bruce was an innovator in coal mining techniques, introducing undersea mining into the Upper Hirst seam with use of new drainage technology.[4] These innovations attracted much interest, including a visit from King James VI in 1617. Sir George Bruce invited him to visit one of his mines which tunnelled down beneath the sea bed. James ventured into the tunnel which went far out into the Firth of Forth and found himself at a shaft point where the coal was loaded onto the ships. Alarmed to find himself surrounded by water at the top of the shaft, James accused Sir George of an attempt on his life and declared that the whole affair was an act of treason. It was only when George Bruce pointed out the rowing boat and explained that one could either use that or return by the tunnel from whence they came that James relaxed again - and took the option of the boat journey.[5]

John Taylor, an English writer known as the "Water Poet" came to Culross in 1618, and described the visit in his Pennilesse Pilgrimage. Three of Bruce's workmen gave the poet a tour of the mine. Taylor described how the mine had an entrance on land and another entrance through a waterproof tower built on a sandbank with bituminous cement. Taylor was impressed and wrote that he told George Bruce that the Gunpowder plotters might have learnt from him, or such underground works would be a suitable wine cellar for a London tavern. He also noted a horse drawn pump draining the mine with buckets, and the extensive salt works. Salt was exported to England and Germany.[6]

George Bruce bought several existing salt pans around Culross, where sea-water was evaporated to make salt for seasoning and for preserving meat. The library of the University of Edinburgh has several charters detailing these acquisitions from 1586 onwards. The equipment of one pan included "buckets, pots, stands, scaffolds, and troughs".[7]

In 1608 and 1609 Bruce was treasurer of the royal silver-mine at Hilderston near Bathgate. He had a lodging at the works, with furniture from Culross, though day to day supervision was undertaken by his deputy.[8]

Shipping and fishing

Bruce was a financier, and offered credit to an English diplomat William Asheby in July 1588.[9] Bruce's factor at Helsingør in Denmark was Frederick Lyall, or Leyell, who managed his exports of salt.[10] Lyall was involved in buying a jewel given by the Earl Marischal to Anne of Denmark at her proxy marriage to James VI.[11]

Spanish wine and the case of the Bruce

George Bruce imported Spanish wine. In 1598 George Bruce was involved in a legal case heard in London involving one of his ships. The incident had occurred in August 1593. His ship, the Bruce, captained by William Stewart of Dundee, went to Ferrol for a cargo of wine, figs, and raisins.[12] Captain Stewart encountered some English merchant ships, the Julian of London and a ship of Southampton, with two pinnaces they had captured.[13] The Julian was a privateer, captained by John Clarke, and cruised the Spanish coast to capture prize cargoes of sugar and Brazilwood dye, at a time when England was at war with Spain.[14]

The Julian shot at the Scottish ship to bring it to. The English ships were overloaded with men captured from Spanish ships. Clerk and Captain Petefer forced Stewart to take 52 men onto the Bruce. These were Portuguese sailors and possibly enslaved African men. The Bruce then sailed to Portugal, intending to put these new passengers ashore.[15]

A week later an English Man-of-war, the Fortunatus took the Bruce as a prize of war. The master of the English ship, Captain Thomas Busbrig, thought the Bruce was a Spanish ship because of the number of captives on board. As George Bruce himself wrote in 1598, Busbrig took the Bruce to be Spanish, "by reason of so manye Portingalls and negars quhich wer in hir".[16] It was not unusual for ships to pretend to be Scottish, to take advantage of their neutrality in the war.[17]

The Bruce was taken to Portsmouth. Captain Stewart complained to the Vice-Admiral of Portsmouth. Busbrig became angry and struck Stewart with his sword, wounding his elbow. Back in Scotland, Stewart sought redress by requesting that James VI confiscate an English ship at Prestonpans which was the same size as the Bruce.[18] Captain Stewart of Dundee was well known to James VI, he was skipper of one of the ships that took him to Norway in 1589, and James had given him a present of 20 dalers from his dowry.[19]

Although the Bruce was restored to George Bruce, his original cargo of Spanish wine was lost, drunk by the Portuguese captives or spoilt. When the ship returned to Leith the Provost of Edinburgh, Alexander Home of North Berwick, and the English diplomat Robert Bowes took witness statements from the crew.[20]

Bruce claimed in the London Admiralty Court for the value of the wine from John Clerk, captain of the Julian.[21] Bruce's brother, Edward Bruce, then ambassador in London urged the lawyer Julius Caesar to help, but he thought the details of the case were unclear and not yet fit for hearing on 21 April 1598 because the other English captain involved, John Newton of the Spanish Company, a trader with the Barbary Coast and owner of the Julian,[22] had not been questioned.[23] John Byrd, a brother of the composer William Byrd owned a half share in the Julian.[24] Byrd and Newton had made voyages to Benin in 1588 and 1590.[25]

The case was discussed by the Privy Council of England. In September 1598, James VI instructed the diplomat David Foulis to discuss the case with Queen Elizabeth and Sir Robert Cecil. An English diplomat in Scotland, George Nicholson wrote to Sir Robert Cecil urging that George Bruce should "find favourable justice" because his brother Edward Bruce counselled James VI in favour of amity with England. The fate of the Portuguese and Africans aboard the Bruce was not recorded.[26]

Iceland waters

In 1599 James VI wrote to Christian IV of Denmark seeking permission for Bruce to fish in Iceland waters, with boats crewed with English sailors for the next ten years, after Christian IV had forbidden English fleets to fish in his territories, following Niels Krag's diplomatic mission to England. Christian had declared an eight-mile or two-league broad closed-sea or mare clausum around Iceland.[27][28]

Forth navigation

In 1621 King James asked the Privy Council of Scotland to provide warning beacons, lights and bonfires, on the hidden rocks and shallows of the Forth to improve navigation. George Bruce, after some shipwrecks in the Forth, devised a scheme for the beacons, to be financed by a fraction of custom duty. This prompted the owners of coal mines in the Forth valley to make voluntary contributions for the beacons instead, instead of finding the money by taxing foreign ship-owners.[29]

Culross Palace

George Bruce's residence at Culross Palace
Effigies of George Bruce and Margaret Primrose in Culross Abbey

Between 1597 and 1611,[5] Bruce built a mansion house in Culross, using materials from his foreign trading. This building has subsequently become known as Culross Palace. He lavishly decorated the palace and the stunning painted ceilings with emblems, other ornate features and panelling can still be seen. Culross Palace is now under the care of the National Trust for Scotland and has been restored and conserved in its 17th-century splendour.[30] The palace building, which had faded to a white wash has been restored to its original yellow-orange harled exterior. The courtyard path and the garden have also been remodelled, with the garden now full of vegetables, herbs and plants, growing as they would have done in the 17th century.[31]

George Bruce also acquired the Fife estate of Carnock. In 1602 he repaired the church there. Bruce helped the minister of Carnock John Row by supplying coal to Archbishop Spottiswoode.[32]

Death

Bruce died on 6 May 1625 and was buried in Culross Abbey, now used as the parish church of Culross and Torryburn.

His outstanding memorial (in the north chapel) by the mason John Mercer, shows him lying with his wife whilst his eight children, three sons and five daughters, pray, facing outward at the base as half-size figures. A plank on the ground at the base recorded the deaths of the children.[33]

Marriages and family

George married Margaret Primrose, only daughter of Archibald Primrose, 1st Laird of Burnbrae (a property of Culross Abbey), Writer, whose son, James Primrose, was Principal Clerk to the Privy Council. His second wife was Euphame Primrose, a daughter of David Primrose who lived in Culross.[34] His children included:

  • George Bruce, 2nd of Carnock (d. 1643), who married Mary Preston, daughter of John Preston of Valleyfield, and was the father of the Earl of Kincardine
  • Robert Bruce of Broomhall (d. 1652), who married Helen Skene, a granddaughter of the diplomat John Skene
  • Anne Bruce, who married James Arnot of Fernie
  • Christian Bruce, who married (1) Robert Colville, Master of Colville, son of James Colville of Easter Wemyss and Isobel Ruthven, and (2) Laurence Mercer of Aldie
  • Magdalene Bruce, who married John Erskine of Balgownie
  • Nicholas Bruce (d. 1670), who married (1) John Morrison of Dairsie, and (2) John Dick of Braid, son of William Dick of Braid
  • Margaret Bruce (d. 1652), who married Francis Nicholls, an English lawyer

Legacy

In 2015 he was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame.[35]

References

  1. ^ The Complete Peerage by G.E.Cockayne, edited by the Hon. Vicary Gibbs, vol. 2 ( London, 1912), p. 250.
  2. ^ Peerage of Scotland (Peter Brown, Edinburgh, 1834), p. 120.
  3. ^ David MacGibbon & Thomas Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1892), p. 206.
  4. ^ "Papers on Mining in Scotland, 18th and 19th centuries". Archives Hub. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  5. ^ a b "Culross". BBC. Retrieved 17 October 2008., Robert Chambers, Domestic Annals of Scotland, vol. i, (1858), 481, citing Forsyth's Beauties of Scotland.
  6. ^ John Taylor, All the Workes of John Taylor, the Water Poet (London, 1630), pp. 132-3.
  7. ^ John Anderson, Calendar of Laing Charters (Edinburgh, 1899), p. 277 no. 1119.
  8. ^ Robert William Cochran-Patrick, Early Records Relating to Mining in Scotland (Edinburgh, 1878), p. 143.
  9. ^ William Boyd, Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1586-1588, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1915), p. 582 no. 473.
  10. ^ Marguerite Wood, Extracts from the Burgh Records of Edinburgh: 1589-1603, vol. 6 (Edinburgh, 1927), p. 9.
  11. ^ Miles Kerr-Peterson & Michael Pearce, 'James VI's English Subsidy and Danish Dowry Accounts', Scottish History Society Miscellany XVI (Woodbridge, 2020), p. 26.
  12. ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, 13:1 (Edinburgh, 1969), pp. 345-7, TNA SP 52/63/68.
  13. ^ Annie Cameron, Calendar State Papers Scotland, 1593-1595, vol. 11 (Edinburgh, 1936), pp 196, TNA SP 52/51 f.41, Petition of William Stewart, see also BL Cotton Calig., D II f.154.
  14. ^ Gertrude Hamilton & Elinor Aubrey, Southampton Record Society: Books of Examinations and Depositions, 1570-1594 (Southampton, 1914), pp. 120-5
  15. ^ John Duncan Mackie, Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1597-1603, vol. 13 (Edinburgh, 1969), pp. 309, 345.
  16. ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, 13:1 (Edinburgh, 1969), p. 346, TNA SP 52/63/68.
  17. ^ Pauline Croft, 'Trading with the Enemy, 1585-1604', Historical Journal, 32:2 (June 1989), p. 288.
  18. ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, 1593-1595, vol. 11, p. 196.
  19. ^ Miles Kerr-Peterson & Michael Pearce, 'James VI's English Subsidy and Danish Dowry Accounts, 1588-1596', Scottish History Society Miscellany XVI (Woodbridge, 2020) p. 50.
  20. ^ John Duncan Mackie, Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1597-1603, vol. 13 (Edinburgh, 1969), p. 309.
  21. ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1597-1603, vol. 13 (Edinburgh, 1969), pp. 186-7.
  22. ^ Mary Doreen Wainwright & James Douglas Pearson, Guide to Manuscripts and Documents in the British Isles Relating to the Middle East and North Africa (Oxford, 1980), p. 396.
  23. ^ John Duncan Mackie, Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1597-1603, vol. 13 (Edinburgh, 1969), pp. 194-5.
  24. ^ John Harley, 'Merchants and Privateers: A Window on the World of William Byrd', The Musical Times, 147:1896 (Autumn 2006), p. 58, as the Gilliam.
  25. ^ Imtiaz Habib, Black Lives in the English Archives, 1500–1677: Imprints of the Invisible (Ashgate, 2008): Edmund Gouldsmid, Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of the English Nation, collected by Richard Hakluyt: Africa, vol. 11 (Edinburgh, 1889), pp. 312-326.
  26. ^ John Duncan Mackie, Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1597-1603, vol. 13 (Edinburgh, 1969), pp. 297, 309, 343, 345-7: See further papers in British Library Add MS 12503.
  27. ^ William Dunn Macray, Appendix to the 47th Report of the Deputy Keeper of Public Records (London, 1886), p. 40
  28. ^ Thomas Rymer,Foedera, vol. 16 (London, 1715), pp. 350-35: HMC Salisbury Hatfield, vol. 14 (London, 1923), pp. 84-5.
  29. ^ Melros Papers, vol. 2 (London, 1837), pp. 400-1.
  30. ^ "Property Details for Culross". National Trust for Scotland. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  31. ^ "Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. 12 January 1972. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  32. ^ John Row, History of the Kirk of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1842), pp. xii-xiv, 476.
  33. ^ David MacGibbon & Thomas Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1892), pp. 206-8.
  34. ^ Alexander Nisbet, A System of Heraldry, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1722), p. 372.
  35. ^ http://engineeringhalloffame.org/ Retrieved 4 October 2015

External links

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