Page:Dictionary of National Biography. Sup. Vol I (1901).djvu/388

  book of the Roman Wall' (4th edit. ; also in Arch. Æl., 1892, xv. 364).

Bruce married in 1833 Charlotte, daughter of T. Gainsford of Gerrard's Cross, Buckinghamshire, and had two sons and two daughters. The eldest son. Sir Gainsford Bruce, is now one of the judges of the high court of justice.

Bruce was a frequent contributor to the 'Archæologia Æliana' and to similar periodicals. Among his separately published works may be mentioned: 1. 'The Handbook of English History,' 1848, 12mo; 3rd edit. 1857. 2. 'The Roman Wall,' Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1851, 4to; 2nd edit., enlarged, 1853; 3rd edit. 1867. 3. 'The Bayeux Tapestry,' 1856. 4. 'The Wallet Book of the Roman Wall,' 1863, 8vo ; 4th edit, (the 'Handbook'), 1895.



BRUCE, ROBERT (d. 1602), political agent and spy, was the son of Ninian Bruce, brother of the laird of Binnie. He was first heard of in February 1579, when, on account of some demonstration of catholic zeal, he was summoned, with two other gentlemen, by the privy council of Scotland to answer to the charges brought against him. For neglecting to appear he was proclaimed a rebel and put to the horn (Reg. of Privy Council, iii. 102, 106). He was then described as ‘servant and secretary to James, sometime archbishop of Glasgow,’ and from his own account it seems that he was employed at the time on some affairs of Mary Stuart. Archbishop Beaton was then in Paris, acting as Mary's ambassador at the court of France; and Bruce, retiring to the continent, entered in 1581 the newly erected Scots college at Pont-à-Mousson, sent thither probably by his patron, the archbishop, to complete his studies. Here he remained for over four years. In January 1585 Thomas Morgan (1543–1606?) [q. v.] wrote to Mary Stuart, specially recommending Bruce for her service in Scotland, and enclosing a letter from Bruce himself (, State Papers, pp. 458–63), who, referring to his former services, states that after devoting himself meanwhile to philosophy and divinity, he had now left Pont-à-Mousson for Paris, to be employed in the projects of the Duke of Guise. Bruce was accordingly sent into Scotland in the summer of that year, accompanied by two jesuits, Edmund Hay and John Dury, disguised as his servants (, Narratives, p. 204), and was put into communication with the catholic earls, Huntly and Morton (Maxwell), and Lord Claude Hamilton. These noblemen sent him back to the Duke of Guise with blank letters bearing their signatures. The letters were filled up in Paris at the duke's dictation, and carried to Philip of Spain, to whom they were addressed, by Bruce, who was commended to the king as ‘a nobleman of proved trust and a good catholic.’ The catholic lords asked for their purpose from Philip six thousand troops and 150,000 crowns. Bruce's departure to Spain on this mission was hastened, so Mendoza reported, by orders for his arrest in France, on account of some strong declarations made by him in favour of the jesuits. In September he had an audience of the king, who seemed favourably impressed by him, and sent him back ‘with fair words’ to Mendoza at Paris, and thence to the Prince of Parma. With Parma Bruce remained for some time, completely gaining his confidence and that of all concerned in the Scoto-Spanish intrigues.

Meanwhile the execution of Mary Stuart in 1587 changed the aspect of Scottish affairs, and Philip decided to accede to the request of the catholic lords, so far at least as to promise to give them the 150,000 crowns three or four months after they should take up arms. Bruce was accordingly sent into Scotland, May 1587, with a message from Philip to King James, in the hope of inducing the king to throw in his lot with the catholics and to avenge his mother's death. He carried with him letters from Guise and Parma, with ten thousand crowns in gold, which he was to spend apparently at his discretion for the good of the cause. He went resolved ‘to speak very plainly to the king, and to point out to him the error in which he was living;’ and Mendoza, after despatching him on his mission, spoke highly to Philip of his envoy's piety and zeal, inasmuch as he had ‘given his all in Scotland to the jesuits, there to aid them in their task.’ Bruce had several interviews with James, but without the success he had hoped for. In August 1588 he wrote to Parma that the only course now open to him was ‘to bridle the King of Scots’ and to rely on the catholic lords; and even as late as 4 Nov. of that year he reports that the Spanish king has now the best opportunity ever presented of making himself ‘ruler of this island;’ that the principal catholics have resolved that ‘it is expedient for the public weal that we submit to the crown of Spain;’ and that Huntly, whose letter he encloses, had authorised him to make this statement on their behalf.

Bruce was now an important personage.