Where is the Body of Robert the Bruce Buried? The surprising story of the Scottish hero's corpse.

#robertthebruce #scottishhistory #royalfuneral

On his death bed Robert the Bruce, King Robert I of Scotland had an unusual request - that his heart should be removed from his body and taken on a journey. This video explores the story of that journey and the eventual burial place of various parts of Bruce's body in different locations. It looks at the opening of his tomb in the 19th century and the possible form of his tomb.

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[dbvc]

As someone who is from and lives in Dunfermline (I can see the Abbey from my bedroom window!) this was a fascinating video. I’d known bits of the story of Robert the Bruce’s body, but never the full story. Great video!

[orwellboy]

People today all too often place today's values on yesterday's actions.

[brookskelley]

In researching an ancestor who was killed during our Civil War, we visited his grave and the location of his death in Georgia. It was a remarkable visit. I was surprised to find out that after his death, he was buried in a temporary grave and later removed to his final location to Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia along with many of those who also were killed during that time. In all likelihood, I was told, when it came time to remove him, little remained but his bones and maybe his clothes. I think our modern view here in the states of how the dead were to be treated was greatly changed during the Civil War where so many perished and had to be interred quickly in sometimes frightfully hot summers.

[debbiew.]

Having had certain family customs for burial, I found that we have all had to sadly rethink things since the world was hit with Covid. My Mother, whose entire family had traditional earth burials had already purchased a plot. She did not die of Covid, but they diagnosed her with it along with her primary cause of death. We could not prepare her body the normal way. The funeral home did not embalm her, so we were not even able to say final goodbyes. (Advised seeing her in that condition would be very hard.)We had to choose cremation for her. I was appalled at first, I felt I was betraying her. Then I realized so many others had it worse. It was indeed her earthly shell. We were able to have her ashes buried in her original plot. By the way we are related to Bruce a long ways back on my Father's side. I greatly enjoyed this journey of discovery. Thank you and Love from Utah, USA!

[TerryC]

Hi Allan! Watching the earlier part of the video, I had determined to ask you why the choir is considered the holiest place within the complex, but you do a beautiful job explaining that later. Your analysis, regarding the authenticity of the remains at Dunfermline, as well as the conclusion of the final resting place of the heart, have the ring of truth and I find it compelling. Cheers!

[OkieJammer]

Oh, excellent. Love your videos and so well-researched! New subscriber and magazine purchase, and I am having so much fun binging your articles and videos - such knowledge. Thanks and greetings from Oklahoma! 🇺🇸

[amymahers]

Very interesting video. I sincerely appreciate the obvious time and efforts you have put into these videos. I love history and each account gives me more to feed my interest.

[THINKincessantly]

This channel is rich in content——story, narration, medieval items, photos & illustrations.

[Kiwiklassic]

My eldest brother has written a book for our family called Who Do You Think You Are, he has worked on the book for over 10 years (yet unfinished) and with countless hours spent, requested documents etc from all over the world, it has been revealed that King Robert The Bruce (on my mother's side who was born in Scotland) that Robert the Bruce is in fact my 21-times great grandfather, a huge important part of history and such a brave man and a valuable find for our family tree. Thank you for your documentary really enjoyed it.

[charityrochford]

I so very much enjoy your videos. You provide education not only of historical architecture, Royals, and other notable figures, but also of religious terms that I was I a familiar with. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[robertthebruce-geniusofban]

Excellent video presentation. Thank you!

[margott]

Thank you very much for, your research and overview into 19th century antiquarian studies and the typology of high medieval elite mortuary archaeology.Looking forward to the next one.

[Mattipedersen]

The story regarding Robert the Bruce's Heart going on Pilgrimage or Crusade, is why it is believed by some historians, that he is the true "Braveheart" (as opposed to William Wallace).
Great Video as always!

[davidd]

Wonderful video as usual Allan! Keep up the great work!

[glorialange]

Wonderful history as always, along with great visuals.

[dennisthompson]

I visited Melrose Abbey about Four years ago as part of holiday on the borders.The abbey and its grounds were well worth the visit. It struck me as a little odd that the Bruce’s heart should have been buried in such a spot. I assumed, wrongly, that there was some identification with the heart.
Thank you for the clarification

[cyndiroberts]

Once again you have made my Sunday morning with wonderful stories.

[GlasgowCeltic]

It was only 100 years ago Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon opened King Tutankhamun's sarcophagus and studied the boy king... and, no doubt, if we ever discover Queen Nefertiti's tomb we'll do the same with her too.
Not forgetting the Victorian perchance for grave robbing and then selling the freshly deceased to Anatomy schools.
"Requiescat in Pace" has meant different things through the ages and, to the next Generation, the previous' ways of honouring/looking after the dead must've been seen as abhorrent.

[karenandersen]

My son is related to Robert the Bruce through his fathers side of the family, I was amazed recently how far up the tree it goes to the first king of Scotland. Maybe we might visit Scotland some day to look for the graves.

[lorrainedrake]

Such an interesting video and very well explained and I agree with you on the outcome on his body 👍