Little Britain and the Origins of the Bruce Family
Chart #33 begins with the Kings of Brittany from where we left off with King Arthur (Chart #20, who was descended from the earlier Kings of Brittany. As the Anglo-Saxons moved into Britain (5th-7th centuries), earlier Britons moved westward and also fled to the continent. On the Armorica peninsula they settled an area they renamed as Brittany ("little Britain"). Conan Meriadoc is the legendary leader credited with founding Brittany. His ancestry goes back to Beli Mawr the ancestor of many early British and Welsh rulers, as can be seen in Chart #20 and then #16.
Not shown in the Chart is Conan Meriadoc's wife, who was Saint Darerca, a sister to St. Patrick, the famous patron saint of Ireland. In addition, Conan's son, Gradlonus was married to Saint Tigridia who is also thought to be another sister to St. Patrick. This second is less certain. If true, this would mean that Gradlonus married his mother's sister. I have seen stranger things in old genealogies, some which I believe are correct.
Not shown in the Chart is Conan Meriadoc's wife, who was Saint Darerca, a sister to St. Patrick, the famous patron saint of Ireland. In addition, Conan's son, Gradlonus was married to Saint Tigridia who is also thought to be another sister to St. Patrick. This second is less certain. If true, this would mean that Gradlonus married his mother's sister. I have seen stranger things in old genealogies, some which I believe are correct.
The historical Kingdom of Brittany starts in 851 with Erispoé of Vannes, Duke of Brittany claiming kingship.
This chart shows how Conan I "la Tort", Duke of Brittany, a descendant of the Kings of Brittany married Ermangarde, who was a descendant of Bustanai (Mustanai) ben Haninai, Exilarch at Babylon, who we left way back in Chart #6, and Charlemagne through his son Pepin I Carloman, the King of Italy. Since Charlemagne had been crowned the Holy Roman Emperor, Italy also fell under his control, so although there were Kings of Italy for some centuries, they were actually ruled over by the Holy Roman Emperors.
Near the bottom right of Chart #33 you will see Robert I de Bruis, who was one of the most powerful Lords in Britain. His grandfather Bruse Sigurdsson is the first we see of the Bruse/Brusi/Bruce name which became a famous family name when Robert the Bruce became the King of Scotland. Yet, Bruse Sigurdssun was a Gaelic-Norse Viking whose grandson moved to Normandy.
In the beginning, the first Robert Bruce listed by the historians (1025-1066) arrives in Normandy and becomes Lord of Brix. Together with his son Adelm (1050-1094), he follows William the Bastard to conquer England and takes part in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Having won the battle, William the Bastard (William the Conqueror) sends him to the north of England. Robert is then one of the most powerful lords of his country. As for Adelm, he becomes Lord of Brix and Lord of Skelton. [Bruce Castle website: http://www.bruce-castle.com/histoire.php?lg=eng]
So the famous Bruce family were of Nordic descent by way of Orkney's and then Normandy. Robert or Adelm mentioned above must have built the Castle of Bruce in Normandy, which at times has served as shelter for Richard the Lionhearted and John Lackland. We will discuss the Orkneys in a later blog, as well as the genealogy of Robert the Bruce who is descended from Adlem (or Adam), a brother to Roger de Pitres, Sheriff of Gloucester, shown in Chart #33.
- Conan Meriadoc, King of Brittany
- Erispoé of Vannes, Duke of Brittany
- Conan I "la Tort" "the Crooked", Duke of Brittany
- Bustanai (Mustanai) ben Haninai, Exilarch at Babylon
- Pepin I Carloman, King of Italy
- Robert I de Bruis, Lord of Cleveland
Here are some links to help you learn more:
- Conan Meriadoc, founder of Brittany: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_Meriadoc
- Salomon, King of Brittany: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salomon,_King_of_Brittany
- History of Brittany: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Brittany
- Kingdom of Brittany: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Brittany
- Roger de Pitres: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_de_Pitres
- Walter of Gloucester: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_of_Gloucester
- Bruce Castle, Brix, France: www.bruce-castle.com
Here are some useful books to read pertaining to the subjects in this blog:
Cumberland Family Software: www.cft-win.com
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