Isabel Macduff, Countess of Buchan

[Kimberly]

I have been reading about this fascinating woman and wondered if anyone out there had any information to share about her. She was a great patriot and "crowned" Robert the Bruce at Scone. Captured by the English along with Robert's Queen (Elizabeth de Burgh),she was suspended in a cage from the battlements of Berwick Castle (or not, according to Wikipedia) for several years. What happened to her afterwards.? Anybody know? (come on Bell, you must have some info)

[bell_the_cat]

I've some bad news about the Countess of Buchan I'm afraid, Kim. She was the lady who was suspended in a cage in Berwick for four years (something that anyone who has ever spent an afternoon in Berwick will sympathise with her for). Her crime was to have placed the Crown on the head of Robert the Bruce during his coronation, thus incurring the displeasure of King Edward of England.

After four years in the cage, she was sent to a convent, like others including the Bruce's sister, wife, and daughter. However when these women were released after the Scottish victory at Bannockburn (1314), the Countess of Buchan was not among them - so we can only assume she had died in the meantime.

 

[Kimberly]

Hoorah, a response at last Yep Berwick...the armpit of the Northeast. What a sadistic way to treat someone. I understand that Marjorie, Robert Bruce's daughter was held in a cage in the Tower of London for a short while and that his sister Mary was caged at Roxborough Castle.

[bell_the_cat]

 Yes, Marjorie (and Mary) were released after Bannockburn. Marjorie was then married to Walter Stewart, and died in childbirth the following spring, thereby founding the  Stewart dynasty.

I can't believe that the Countess was in the cage hung from the battlements for four whole years - maybe just on special occasions. Still in can't have been very nice. 

[Kimberly]

Especially if she could see her beloved Scotland in the distance

[ish_lane]

Bell,
What is your source for the convent?  I can't find verification on that anywhere! 
Thanks!
Ish

[bell_the_cat]

Hi Ish Lane,

I looked at all the books I could find on Robert the Bruce in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow - that was all I could come up with! I'm not in Glasgow any more, otherwise I would go and look it up for you!

The convent seems to be the most likely option (as this is what happened to the other Bruce ladies), but there doesn't seem to be a record of her fate.

Are you a fan of the countess?

[Mari]

1306 "Enthroner" Lady Isabel Macduff in Scotland (United Kingdom)

She exercised the right of her house, and brought the sanction of ancient usage to the ceremony, by leading King Robert the Bruce to the place of coronation. Her brother, Duncan, Earl of Fife, was an allie of the English and was married to Mary de Monthermer, niece of Edward I. of England. She was later captured by the English and placed in a cage on the walls of Berwick, while her brother and his wife were captured by Bruce and imprisoned in the castle of Kildrummie in Aberdeenshire, where the Earl died in 1336. Isabel was married to John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, was an ardent Scottish patriot. After four years she was rescued by Bruce's forces.

http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/womeninpower/United_Kingdom.htm

link includes painting of about #27