Which figure from the Declaration of Arbroath are you most closely connected to?

Question

Our featured connections this week are associated with the Declaration of Arbroath, the independence declaration Scotland made on 6 April 1320. Which historical figure are you most closely connected to? Is it King Robert the Bruce of Scotland? Or, is it King Edward Longshanks of England?

Here are more of those connected to the declaration to check your connection to:

• Sir Roger de Mowbray
• Sir James Douglas
• Alexander Fraser
• Sir Edward Keith
• Sir Andrew Leslie VI
• Lord David Lindsay
• Countess Joan Monteith
• Countess Agnes Randolph
• Earl William Ross
• Sir Henry Sinclair II

Which of these is closest to you on our single family tree? If you're one of the 32.6 million of us who are connected to each other on our big tree, you can check with the Connection Finder. On any WikiTree profile, you can select "Connection to Me" from the pull-down menu.

MyConnections can find your relationships to any of our Featured Connections and in any category on WikiTree such as Declaration of Arbroath, Battle of Bannockburn, and Magna Carta. Click the green button you'll see in the upper right hand corner of the category page if you are logged in.

Let us know how you're related below. If you want to share your connection on social media with cousins and friends, click the "get shareable image" button below your connection path. (Please refrain from sharing your connection on the featured profiles. It can clutter important conversations on research and collaboration. Thanks!)

P.S. Play this week's Connection Combat game! Are you closer to King Robert the Bruce or King Edward Longshanks? Can your connection be verified with reliable sources?

P.P.S. Help us find and improve the profiles for next week's feature: Astronomers.

Comments

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Answer 1

24 degrees from Robert Bruce King Robert Ist of Scots,
26 degrees from Edward I Plantagenet,
27 degrees from Roger of Methven,
24 degrees from James Douglas,
25 degrees from Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie,
22 degrees from Edward Keith Marischal of Scotland,
24 degrees from Andrew Leslie VI of Leslie,
23 degrees from David Lord of Crawford and Byres,
24 degrees from Joan Countess of Strathearn,
22 degrees from Agnes Randolph Countess of Dunbar and March,
24 degrees from William Third Earl of Ross
and 26 degrees from Henry Sinclair IInd of Roslin

Comments

Fascinating! I am connected to Robert the Bruce King of Scotland. Also Edward Plantagenat. I also seem to be connected to most of the signatories of the Arbroath Declaration. Did all of their descendants move to Australia? :)

Also which castle do I get to choose?

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https://www.deviantart.com/jjvaneck/art/Piquetberg-3-1039389684

Answer 2

My closet ancestors are Sir Andrew Leslie VI and Sir Edward Keith, who are my 17^th great-grandfathers and Countess Joan Monteith, who is my 17^th great-grandmother. In fact, I am related to all the individuals this week, which is a first for me. These three along with Countess Agnes Randolph and King Robert the Bruce of Scotland are my closet connections at 19 degrees.

Ancestors and Cousins

• 19 degrees from Countess Joan Monteith – 17^th great-grandmother.
• 19 degrees from Sir Andrew Leslie VI – 17^th great-grandfather.
• 19 degrees from Sir Edward Keith – 17^th great-grandfather.
• 19 degrees from Countess Agnes Randolph – 17^th great-grandaunt.
• 19 degrees from King Robert the Bruce of Scotland – 18^th great-grandfather.
• 20 degrees from Sir Henry Sinclair II – 18^th great-grandfather.
• 20 degrees from Lord David Lindsay – 18^th great-grandfather.
• 20 degrees from Sir James Douglas – 18^th great-grandfather.
• 20 degrees from Earl William Ross – 19^th great-grandfather.
• 20 degrees from King Edward Longshanks of England – 19^th great-grandfather.
• 21 degrees from Alexander Fraser – 19^th great-grandfather.
• 21 degrees from Sir Roger de Mowbray – 1^st cousin, 19x removed.

Connections

None

 

Comments

Robert the Bruce - 19th great grandfather

Edward I Plantagenet - 1st cousin 23x removed

Answer 3

Robert Bruce King Robert Ist of Scots  6th cousin
Edward I Plantagenet, Your 21st GRANDFATHER...SWEET!

Sir Roger de Mowbray  6th cousin 

Sir James Douglas 5th cousin

Alexander Fraser

Sir Edward Keith  3rd cousin

Sir Andrew Leslie VI

Lord David Lindsay 5th cousin 

Countess Joan Monteith 5th cousin 

Countess Agnes Randolph  6th cousin

Earl William Ross 4th cousin 

Sir Henry Sinclair II  2nd cousin    Oh yeah, baby!

Since I'm royalty around here, Do I win? Anythng? Throw me a bone!

Comments

Sorry David, you're way off the pace, just get in the queue!

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Ah, man...that's a bummer!

Answer 4

19 degrees from Edward Keith. 3rd cousin 22 times removed. MRCA Walter de Berkeley (abt 1136 - abt 1190).

20 degrees from James Douglas. 21st great granduncle.

20 degrees from David Lindsay. 21st great granduncle.

20 degrees from Joan Monteith. 2nd cousin 23 times removed. MRCA Bethoc (Angus) Stewart (b abt 1174).

21 degrees from Robert the Bruce. 22nd great grandfather.

21 degrees from Alexander Fraser.

21 degrees from Andrew Leslie.

21 degrees from Agnes Randolph. 1st cousin 22 times removed. MRCA Margaret (Bonklyn) Brechin (d abt 1304)

21 degrees from Henry Sinclair. 2nd cousin 23 times removed. MRCA Robert de Dreux (1154 - 1218).

22 degrees from Edward I Plantagenet. 20th great grandfather.

22 degrees from William Ross. 1st cousin 23 times removed. MRCA William Comyn (d  1233).

23 degrees from Roger de Mowbray. 1st cousin 22 times removed. MRCA John Comyn (abt 1215 - bef 1278).

Answer 5

Ancestors and Cousins

• 21 Degrees - Joan Countess of Strathearn (5C 22xR)
• 22 Degrees - Edward Keith Marischal of Scotland (2C 23xR) Uncertain
• 22 Degrees - David Lord of Crawford and Byres (4C 21xR)
• 23 Degrees - Edward I Plantagenet (21st Great Grandfather)
• 23 Degrees - Robert Bruce Ist King of Scots (2C 22xR)
• 23 Degrees - James Douglas (5C 22xR)
• 24 Degrees - Henry Sinclair IInd of Roslin (4C 22xR)
• 24 Degrees - Agnes Randolph Countess (6C 21xR)
• 25 Degrees - Roger of Methven (1C 22xR) Uncertain
• 25 Degrees - William Third Earl of Ross (1C 24xR)

Connections

• 23 Degrees - Alexander Fraser
• 23 Degrees - Andrew Leslie VI of Leslie

Comments

I am very similar to you in that I have a direct line connection to everyone but Alexander Fraser and Agnes Randolph, and with very similar degrees of separation.

Answer 6

Robert Bruce King Robert Ist of Scots is 22 Degrees
Edward I Plantagenet is 23 Degrees
Roger of Methven is 24 Degrees
James Douglas is 22 Degrees
Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie is 24 Degrees
Edward Keith Marischal of Scotland is 21 Degrees
Andrew Leslie VI of Leslie is 23 Degrees
David Lord of Crawford and Byres is 22 Degrees
Joan Countess of Strathearn is 22 Degrees
Agnes Randolph Countess of Dunbar and is 23 Degrees
William Third Earl of Ross is 23 Degrees
Henry Sinclair IInd of Roslin is 24 Degrees

Answer 7

22 degrees Agnes Randolph Countess of Dunbar and March, 4c, 21r, mrca Angus-1355, Loudin-11

22 degrees Joan Countess of Stratearn, 3c, 22r, mrca Angus-1355, Loudin-11

22 degrees David Lord of Crawford and Byres, 4c, 19r, mrca Lancaster-105, FitzReinfrid-9

22 degrees Edward Keith Marischal of Scotland, 2c, 21r, mrca Buchan-15, Comyn-4

22 degrees James Douglas, 3c, 22r, mrca Angus-1355, Loudin-11

22 degrees Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie

23 degrees Henry Sinclair lind of Roslin, 2c, 25r, mrca Coucy-27, Dreux-31

23 degrees Edward I Plantagenet, Plantagenet-2, 21st great grandfather, one branch (24), his daughter, Joan Plantagenet, Plantagenet-181

23 degrees Robert the Bruce, Bruce-129, one branch (25), his father, Robert Bruce-3176

23 degrees Andrew Leslie VI of Leslie

24 degrees William Third Earl of Ross, 1c, 22r, mrca Comyn-4

24 degrees Roger of Methven, 3c, 20r, mrca Comyn-4

Answer 8

My closest connection and blood relationship is to one of the wives and daughters of a signer, Joan Countess of Strathearn who is 19 degrees and my 17th great grandmother. I have a blood relationship with every connection this week! 

Ancestors:

19 degrees - Joan Countess of Strathearn - (17th great grandmother)
20 degrees - James Douglas - (18th great grandfather)
21 degrees - Edward Keith Marischal of Scotland - (19th great grandfather)
21 degrees - Andrew Leslie VI of Leslie - (19th great grandfather)
21 degrees - David Lord of Crawford and Byres - (19th great grandfather)
21 degrees - Robert Bruce King Robert Ist of Scots - (20th great grandfather)
22 degrees - Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie - (20th great grandfather)
22 degrees - William Third Earl of Ross - (20th great grandfather)
22 degrees - Henry Sinclair IInd of Roslin - (20th great grandfather)
23 degrees - Edward I Plantagenet - (21st great grandfather)

Cousins:

22 degrees - Agnes Randolph Countess of Dunbar and March - (19th great grandaunt)
23 degrees - Roger of Methven -  (1C, 21xR)

Connections: 

None

Answer 9

This one seems interesting statistically.  You might guess that these people, all in significant positions at the same place and time would be connected to a given person along similar paths.  I was surprised to find that the connections run through an uncle's wife, my maternal grandmother, maternal grandfather, and paternal grandmother.  No one path dominates, but my wife's side is never included, which it has been for some notables.

There's no much to choose from as far as "closest connection"  4 are at 21 degrees and none are more than 24.  Six are uncertain direct ancestors and the rest except for one are some sort of cousin or uncle.

Answer 10

Ancestors (Other Connection)
Edward I Plantagenet - 23GGF - (25 degrees)

Cousins (Other Connection)
James Douglas - 1C25R - (24 degrees)
William Third Earl of Ross - 1C25R - (27 degrees)
Robert Bruce King Robert Ist of Scots - 2C23R - (26 degrees)
Edward Keith Marischal of Scotland - 2C24R - (25 degrees)
Agnes Randolph Countess of Dunbar and March - 2C24R- (26 degrees)
Joan Countess of Strathearn - 2C25R - (24 degrees)
Henry Sinclair IInd of Roslin - 2C26R - (26 degrees)
Roger of Methven - 3C23R - (27 degrees)
David Lord of Crawford and Byres - 4C23R - (25 degrees)

Connections
Andrew Leslie VI of Leslie - 25 degrees
Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie - 27 degrees

Answer 11

It's old home week with the connection finder this week.

Great grandparents:

Robert the Bruce -- 22 ggf with some uncertainty at Janet MacDougal (1363-1400)

Edward Plantagenet - 20th ggf

Uncles:

James Douglas - 21st great grand uncle

David Lindsay - 20th ggu

First Cousins:

Roger de Mowbray - 1c23x

Countess Randoph - 1c22x

Earl Ross - 1c22x

Other Cousins:

Edward Keith - 2c21x

Countess Montieth - 2c22x

Henry Sinclair - 2c22x

Answer 12

21 degrees from James Douglas (19th ggf)
21 degrees from Edward Keith Marischal of Scotland (20th ggf)
21 degrees from Joan Countess of Strathearn (19th ggm)
22 degrees from Robert Bruce King Robert Ist of Scots (20th ggf)
22 degrees from Andrew Leslie VI of Leslie (20th ggf)
22 degrees from David Lord of Crawford and Byres (20th ggf)
22 degrees from Agnes Randolph Countess of Dunbar and March (19th ggaunt)
23 degrees from Edward I Plantagenet (21st ggf)
23 degrees from Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie (21st ggf)
23 degrees from William Third Earl of Ross (21st ggf)
23 degrees from Henry Sinclair IInd of Roslin (21st ggf)
24 degrees from Roger of Methven (1st cousin, 21x removed)

Answer 13

Robert the Bruce- 21st great granddaughter

Edward Longshanks *eww*- 22nd great granddaughter

Sir Roger de Mowbray- 1st cousins 22 times removed

Sir James Douglas- 20th great granddaughter

Alexander Fraser- 22nd great granddaughter

Sir Edward Keith- 20th great granddaughter

Sir Andrew Leslie VI- 21st great granddaughter

Lord David Lindsay- 21st great granddaughter

Countess Joan Monteith- 20th great granddaughter

Countess Agnes Randolph- 20th great grand niece

Earl William Ross- 22nd great granddaughter

Sir Henry Sinclair II- 22nd great granddaughter

All bow to me.

Answer 14

These are my closest connections...

King Robert the Bruce of Scotland is my 20th G/Grandfather.

King Edward Longshanks of England is my 22nd G/Grandfather.

Sir Roger de Mowbray is my 1st cousin 21 times removed.

Sir James Douglas is my 1st cousin 20 times removed.

Sir Edward Keith is my 1st cousin 19 times removed.

Lord David Lindsay is my 4th cousin 20 times removed.

Countess Joan Monteith is my 18th G/Grandaunt.

Countess Agnes Randolph is my 17th G/Grandaunt.

Earl William Ross is my 1st cousin 20 times removed.

Sir William Sinclair ll is my 3rd cousin 22 times removed.

Alexander Fraser - 21 degrees

Sir Andrew Leslie Vl - 21 degrees

Answer 15

de Mowbray 23* 1c20r

 James Douglas 22* 22 grandson

Alexander Fraser 23* 21 grandson

Edward Keith 22* 20 grandson

Robert The Bruce 22 grandson

Longshanks 20 grandson

 Andrew Leslie 22* 22 grandson

David Lindsay 22* 20 grandson   

Joan Menteith 20 grand nephew

Agnes Randolph 21* 21 grandson

William Ross 24* 23 great grandson

 Henry Sinclair 23* 23 grandson

Answer 16

Cousins

• 23 degrees - Sir Edward Keith 
  • 6C24R -- MRCA - Cospatric Dunbar (1062 - 1138)
• 23 degrees - Countess Agnes Randolph 
  • 7C23R -- MRCA - Cospatric Dunbar (1062 - 1138)
• 24 degrees - James Douglas
  • 6C24R -- MRCA - Cospatric Dunbar (1062 - 1138)
• 24 degrees - Lord David Lindsay
  • 7C21R -- MRCA - Erneburge Fitzbaldric (abt. 1075 - abt. 1140), Robert de Stuteville II (abt. 1084 - aft. 1138)
• 24 degrees - Countess Joan Monteith
  • 6C24R -- MRCA - Cospatric Dunbar (1062 - 1138)
• 25 degrees - Earl William Ross
  • 4C28R -- MRCA - Waltheof (Huntington) of Northumberland (1046 - abt. 1076), Judith of Lens (abt. 1054 - abt. 1090)
• 25 degrees - Robert the Bruce
  • 4C24R -- MRCA - Maud St Hilary (1132 - 1193), Roger de Clare (1116 - 1173)
• 26 degrees - Sir Henry Sinclair II
  • 5C26R -- MRCA - Baudoin de Hainault (1088 - 1120), Yolande (Wassenberg) van Gelre (1087 - 1137)
• 26 degrees - Edward Longshanks
  • 2C29R -- MRCA - King Henry II
• 27 degrees - Sir Roger de Mowbray
  • 6C26R -- MRCA - Waltheof (Huntington) of Northumberland (1046 - abt. 1076), Judith of Lens (abt. 1054 - abt. 1090)

Connections

• 25 degrees - Sir Andrew Leslie VI
• 26 degrees - Alexander Fraser

Answer 17

I am 23 degrees from James Douglas (8 cousins 19 times removed)

23 degrees from Joan Countess of Strathearn (14th cousins 18 times removed)

24 degrees from Robert Bruce King Robert lof Scots (7th cousins 19 times removed)

24 degrees from Edward Keith Marischal of Scotland (10th cousins 19 times removed)

24 degrees from Andrew Leslie Vl of Leslie

24 degrees from David Lord of Crawford and Byres  (10 th cousins 17 times removed)

24 degrees from Agnes Randolph Countess of Dubar and March (9th cousins 18 times removed)

25 degrees from William Third Earl of Ross (9th cousins 20 times removed)

25 degrees from from Henry Sinclair Lind and Roslin (6th cousins 19 times removed)

25 degrees from l Plantagenet-2 (6th cousins 19 times removed)

25 degrees from Alex Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie.

26 degrees from Roger of Methven (11th cousins 18 times removed)

Answer 18

I am most closely connected to Countess Joan Monteith at 22 degrees.

Answer 19

Bruce 25 Edward 27 in my case - this is not really too surprising as about half my ancestors were from Scotland and the other half from England. It's ironic that Bruce was from England - as if he was declaring independence from himself 

Comments

Robert the Bruce was thought to have been born in Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland.

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Hi Matt, that would suggest that there is a potential issue with the wikitree profile of Robert the Bruce which gives his birth date and location as '11 Jul 1274 in Writtle Essex England' although to be fair it does state 'uncertain'. Presumably there isn't a citable source for the Turnberry Castle suggestion ?

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Possibly, I have found a few errors over time. There are numerous references to Turnberry Castle being the location. People assume Essex because of Robert's dad attending the coronation of Edward (Longshanks) on Aug 19 1274 and there is an assumption that Robert's pregnant mother, Marjorie went along for the ride. (Being Pregnant and traveling 400 miles or so on a wooden wheeled cart or horseback seems a little crazy). There seems to only be one historian (Dr Fiona Watson) who believes the Robert was from Writtle, but this is still contested and most do not buy her theory (Although the property in Writtle did belong to Robert's family at some point in time).

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Calling the Declaration of Arbroath a "Declaration of Independence" is somewhat problematic, since the whole point of Arbroath was to reiterate that Scotland had long been a separate sovereign kingdom and the English crown had no right to attempt to annex Scotland and attempt to reduce it to a mere province as they'd done to Wales. The attempted English invasion and conquest of Scotland being illegal, Scotland didn't declare itself independent of England as if it had ever been a part of England, but independent in the sense of never having been a fief of the English crown.

And of course I'm a descendant of both the Bruce and Longshanks. Think I'll go invade myself and then declare independence from myself! Ha!

Answer 20

Robert Bruce 19th great granddaughter (Uncertain)

Edward I Plantagenet 20th great granddaughter (Uncertain) 

Alexander Fraser 23rd great granddaughter (Uncertain)    

Edward Keith Marischal 19th great granddaughter (Uncertain)

Andrew Leslie 22 Degrees from K Malady 

David Lord of Crawford and Byres 20th great granddaughter (Uncertain)

Joan Countess of Strathearn K is Joan's 20th great grand niece

Agnes Randolph Countess of Dunbar K is Agnes's 19th great grand niece

William Third Earl of Ross 21st great granddaughter (Uncertain)

Henry Sinclair 20th great granddaughter (Uncertain)