ROBERT DE BRIX.

Robert de Brix

The name Bruis, or Brus, comes from the castle of Brus, or Bruis (now Brix), near Cherbourg, where the remains of an extensive fortress built in the 11th century still exists. The family is mentioned by Wace (l. 13643) as "cels de Bruis" while the manuscript in the British museum reads "cil de Bruis." The castle of Brix belonged to the ducal desmesne in 1026, when it formed part of the dowry granted to Adele, consort of duke Richard III. Robert de Brutz, or Brusce, was counsellor to duke Robert the Magnificent, and his son Robert de Brus, accompanied by his two sons William and Adam, attended the conquest of England. The latter, Robert, died shortly after, when William received the castle of Bramber in Sussex, whose descendants for several generations were barons of the realm. Adam, or Adelm de Brus, the younger brother of William, came to England in 1050, attending queen Emma. Shortly after which he went to Scotland, but joined his father and brother later at the conquest. He was rewarded with ninety-four lordships in Yorkshire, and died in 1079, in consequence of which his son Robert received these possessions and is entered in Domesday. The latter built the castle of Skelton and founded the priory of Guisborough in 1119; was at the battle of the Standard 1135 and died in 1141. He had issue, 1, Adam; 2, Robert, who was the grandfather of Robert de Bruce, lord of Annandale, who married the heiress of David, brother and heir of William, king of Scotland, and whose great-grandson was Robert the Bruce of Bannockburn fame, the most illustrious monarch of Scotland. Hence also the earls Elgin, barons Burleigh, baronets Bruce, etc. This family has frequently been confused with that of de Briouse near Argentan, Normandy. --(This name appears on the Falaise Roll).