Elizabeth de Burgh

Elizabeth de Burgh
Queen consort of Scotland
Robert the Bruce and Elizabeth de Burgh, from the Seton Armorial.
Tenure	1306–1327
Coronation	27 March 1306
Born	c. 1284 County Down or County Antrim
Died	27 October 1327 Cullen, Banffshire
Burial	Dunfermline Abbey
Spouse	Robert I of Scotland
Issue	Matilda Margaret David II of Scotland John of Scotland
House	de Burgh
Father	Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster
Mother	Margarite de Burgh

Elizabeth de Burgh (c. 1284 – 27 October 1327) was the second wife and the only queen consort of King Robert the Bruce. Elizabeth was born sometime around 1284, probably in Down or Antrim in Ireland. She was the daughter of one of the most powerful Irish nobles of the period, Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, who was a close friend and ally of Edward I of England. Not much is known about Elizabeth, despite her husband's status as one of the most famous Scottish kings and warriors. As is the case with most medieval women, records of Elizabeth are scarce, however it is clear that she was caught up in the political turmoil that unfolded between the Scottish and the English during the reign of her husband King Robert, having to move several times to keep safe and eventually being seized as a prisoner.

She was born in Ireland (c.1284), the daughter of the powerful Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster and his wife Margarite de Burgh (died 1304). Her father was a close friend of King Edward I of England.

Elizabeth probably met Robert the Bruce, then Earl of Carrick, at the English court, and they married in 1302 at Writtle, near Chelmsford, Essex, England. Elizabeth would have been about eighteen years old, and Robert twenty eight.

On 27 March 1306, Robert and Elizabeth were crowned as King and Queen of Scots at Scone. The coronation took place in defiance of the English claims of suzerainty over Scotland after the execution of Sir William Wallace. After his coronation, she is quoted as having said,

as though anticipating a defeat by Edward I.

After the defeat of the Scots at the Battle of Methven on 19 June 1306, the king sent Elizabeth, his daughter Marjorie by his first marriage, his sisters Mary and Christina to Kildrummy Castle, under the protection of his brother Niall (also known as Nigel).