Dunfermline Abbey and Palace: Burial Place of Kings
Contents
For centuries Dunfermline was one of the great royal centres of Scotland. Malcolm III married Margaret, an Anglo-Saxon princess later made a saint, here around 1070, and she founded a priory that their son David I raised to an abbey in 1128. Kings and queens were buried in it, including Robert the Bruce, whose name is carved in giant letters around the top of the abbey church tower. The royal palace beside the abbey was the birthplace of Charles I. This card tells the story of Dunfermline's abbey and palace.
TL;DR
- established Malcolm III and Margaret married at Dunfermline around 1070. Margaret founded a Benedictine priory there, and David I raised it to an abbey in 1128.
- established Dunfermline replaced Iona as the main burial place of Scottish monarchs. Margaret (canonised in 1250), Malcolm III, David I and Robert the Bruce were among those buried there.
- established In 1818, during building work for a new parish church, a skeleton wrapped in lead and cloth of gold was found and identified as Robert the Bruce. It was reburied beneath the pulpit, and the tower bears the words "KING ROBERT THE BRUCE".
- established The royal palace, developed from the abbey guest house, was a favourite residence of James VI and Anne of Denmark, and Charles I was born there in 1600.
- established The Romanesque nave of the abbey church survives, with massive decorated pillars, alongside the nineteenth-century parish church.
Key Facts
- Royal marriage
- Malcolm III and Margaret, c.1070
- Priory
- Founded by Margaret
- Abbey
- Raised by David I, 1128
- Burials
- Margaret, Malcolm III, David I, Robert the Bruce and others
- Bruce's remains
- Found 1818; reburied beneath the pulpit
- Palace
- Birthplace of Charles I, 1600
- Surviving
- Romanesque nave; palace ruins
- Care
- Historic Environment Scotland (nave and palace)
A Note on Claims and Evidence
Each major claim carries one of three labels. established means supported by primary records, official bodies or several independent reliable sources. shared means the core fact is sound but sources disagree on details, dates or interpretation. traditional means widely repeated but not traceable to a primary or independent source.
The identification of the 1818 skeleton as Robert the Bruce rests on its location, its burial in lead and cloth of gold, and the cutting of the breastbone (consistent with removal of his heart). It is widely accepted but not proven by DNA.
Timeline
Malcolm III marries Margaret at Dunfermline.
Margaret dies.
David I raises the priory to an abbey.
Margaret canonised.
Robert the Bruce buried at Dunfermline.
The Reformation.
Charles I born at Dunfermline Palace.
Bruce's remains found.
New parish church completed.
Details
Malcolm and Margaret
established Around 1070 King Malcolm III married Margaret, a member of the Anglo-Saxon royal family who had fled England after the Norman Conquest. Margaret was devout and introduced church reforms. She founded a Benedictine priory at Dunfermline with monks from Canterbury. She died in 1093 and was canonised in 1250.
The abbey
established Their son David I raised the priory to an abbey in 1128 and built a great Romanesque church, whose nave, with its massive pillars decorated with chevron and spiral patterns, survives today. Dunfermline became the main burial place of Scottish kings, replacing Iona.
Robert the Bruce
established Robert the Bruce was buried at Dunfermline in 1329, though his heart was taken on crusade by Sir James Douglas and later buried at Melrose Abbey. In 1818, during work on a new parish church, a skeleton wrapped in lead and cloth of gold was found in the site of the choir, its breastbone sawn through. It was identified as Bruce's and reburied under the pulpit. The tower of the new church, completed in 1821, bears the words "KING ROBERT THE BRUCE" in its stone balustrade.
The palace
established The abbey's guest house was developed into a royal palace. James VI gave it to his wife, Anne of Denmark, and their son Charles, later Charles I, was born there on 19 November 1600. He was the last British monarch born in Scotland. The palace fell into ruin after the Union of the Crowns.
Today
established Dunfermline Abbey remains a working parish church. The medieval nave and palace ruins are cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. Dunfermline became a city in 2022. It is also the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie, who funded the town's park and library.
Did You Know?
- Malcolm III and Margaret married in Dunfermline.
- Robert the Bruce is buried in Dunfermline Abbey.
- His name is carved around the top of the church tower.
- Charles I was born at Dunfermline Palace.
- Dunfermline became a city in 2022.
FAQ
1Who is buried at Dunfermline Abbey?
Queen Margaret, Malcolm III, David I, Robert the Bruce and other monarchs.
2Where is Bruce's heart?
At Melrose Abbey.
3Who was born at Dunfermline Palace?
Charles I, in 1600.
4What survives?
The Romanesque nave and palace ruins.
5Is the abbey still a church?
Yes, the parish church is in use.
Sources and Further Reading
Primary/Institutional
- Historic Environment Scotland, Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Scholarly/Critical
- Richard Fawcett (ed.), Royal Dunfermline (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 2005)
Caveats: Myths and Disputed Claims
- Disputed: the 1818 identification of Bruce's remains. It has not been proven by DNA.
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