The Scotsman

Dunfermlin­e celebrates the discovery of Robert the Bruce’s remains 200 years ago

● Special events to be held to honour the ‘Warrior King’

- By SHÂN ROSS sross@scotsman.com

He was Scotland’s greatest “Warrior King” and the discovery of his skeleton by workmen in a vault in the grounds of Dunfermlin­e Abbey – the former capital of Scotland and the resting place of many kings and queens – created a sensation around the world.

Now 200 years on from that remarkable day when the remains of King Robert the Bruce were found covered in lead and wrapped in a golden shroud on 17 February 1818, the event is to be celebrated with a special event allowing people to visit his tomb behind the pulpit of Abbey Church this Saturday.

Visitors can usually only see the tomb from March to October each year.

The Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, will preach at a special service this Sunday marking the occasion.

This will be followed by a special lunch at the town’s Glen Pavilion where a new appeal will be launched to help refugees as well as support the restoratio­n fund of the Abbey Church which has a legacy as a place of sanctuary and refuge.

David Bradwell, refugee coordinato­r for Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, will deliver an address entitled When I Needed A Neighbour.

Robert the Bruce (12741329) took the Scottish throne in 1306, but a year later was deposed by Edward I and forced to flee.

His enduring legacy is his victory over the English under Edward II at the Battle of Bannockbur­n in June 1314 – reestablis­hing the Scottish monarchy – and his fight for Scottish independen­ce leading to the Declaratio­n of Arbroath.

In 1819, the remains were examined by James Gregory and Alexander Munro, professor of anatomy at Edinburgh University, who found the sternum has been sawn open to remove the King’s heart.

Measuremen­ts showed Robert the Bruce would have been around 6ft 1 in, unusual in medieval times. His remains were re-interred in the Abbey on 5 November, 1819.

The Rev Maryann Rennie, minister at Dunfermlin­e Abbey, said: “This is the first of a series of significan­t anniversar­ies in the life of the historic Abbey church, a constant presence in the life of Dunfermlin­e and Scotland for over a thousand years.

“We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to mark this important and historic anniversar­y in the life of not just Dunfermlin­e, but Scotland.” Dr Martin Macgregor, a senior lecturer in Scottish history at the University of Glasgow, who in 2016 led a project to carry out the facial reconstruc­tion of Robert the Bruce’s face from a cast of a human skull found at the King’s burial site, said: “Robert the Bruce was a giant figure in Scottish history. That is never going to change. He’s one of the Scots who has achieved global status because of his achievemen­ts. He was the outstandin­g medieval monarch of Scotland, the greatest incumbent of the Scottish throne. He seized it in a coup d’état when much of the country was against him. He fought to make good his family’s claim on the throne and rescue it from English overlordsh­ip.

“He was very inclusive in the style of monarchy he practiced and was possessed of a significan­t amount of humanity and compassion. I believe he would have approached the refugee issue from that style of monarchy.”

COMMENT “Robert the Bruce wasa giantfigur­e in Scottish history. That is never going to change...he was the outstandin­g medieval monarch of Scotland”

DR MARTIN MACGREGOR

 ?? PICTURES: KEITH RENNIE ?? 2 The final burial place of Robert the Bruce beneath the pulpit in Dunfermlin­e Abbey, above. Workmen discovered the body in a vault in the abbey grounds, right, 200 years ago
PICTURES: KEITH RENNIE 2 The final burial place of Robert the Bruce beneath the pulpit in Dunfermlin­e Abbey, above. Workmen discovered the body in a vault in the abbey grounds, right, 200 years ago
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