BattlefieldsSkirmish at Tain — Bruce Women Captured 1306
Medieval

Skirmish at Tain — Bruce Women Captured 1306

1306
Ross-shire, Scotland
Also known as: Capture of Bruces women at Tain 1306 · Earl of Ross violates St Duthac sanctuary 1306
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Ross-shire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Bruce family)
Forces
Bruces small escort and women
VS
Victor
England / Earl of Ross (William of Ross)
Forces
Earl of Ross with armed retinue
Outcome
The Earl of Ross violated the sanctuary of St Duthac at Tain to capture Bruces queen Elizabeth, daughter Marjorie, and sisters; all handed to Edward I
The Battle

History & Significance

Bruce sent his female family members north to the shrine of St Duthac at Tain — traditionally a place of inviolable sanctuary — after his defeats at Methven and Dalrigh. The Earl of Ross — then aligned with England — violated the sanctuary and captured the entire Bruce family. Elizabeth was imprisoned in a cage in England; twelve-year-old Marjorie was similarly treated; Bruces sisters were sent to English nunneries. Bruce would not see his wife and daughter again for eight years. The violation of sanctuary was condemned even by English sources and created lasting enmity between Bruce and the Earl of Ross.

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