BRUCE, Robert, Lord Bruce (1626-85), of Houghton Park, Ampthill, Beds.

Family and Education

bap. 19 Mar. 1626, o.s. of Thomas, 1st Earl of Elgin [S] and 1st Baron Bruce of Whorleton, by 1st w. Anne, da. and h. of Sir Robert Chichester of Raleigh, Devon. educ. travelled abroad (Italy, Switzerland, France) 1642-6; m. 16 Feb. 1646, Lady Diana Grey (d. 8 Apr. 1689), da. of Henry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamford, 8s. (6 d.v.p.) 9da. suc. fa. as 2nd Earl of Elgin 21 Dec. 1663; cr. Earl of Ailesbury 18 Mar. 1664.E. A. Webb, Recs. of St. Bartholomew Smithfield, ii. 279; N. and Q. cc. 193; Evelyn Diary, ii. 480, 530.

Offices Held

J.p. Dorset 1647 – 49, Beds. Mar. 1660 – d.; commr. for militia and c.-in-c. Beds. Mar. 1660, col. of militia horse, Beds. Apr. 1660; ld. lt. Beds. (jt.) July 1660–7, (sole) 1667–d. , Hunts. 1681–d., Cambs. 1685 – d.; commr. for assessment, Beds. Aug. 1660–3, Bedford and Yorks. (N. Riding) 1661 – 63; freeman, Bedford 1661; commr. for loyal and indigent officers, Beds. London, Westminster and Yorks. 1662; constable, Tutbury Castle 1663 – 67; steward, honour of Leicester 1667 – d., Ampthill 1670 – d.; custos rot. Beds. and Hunts. 1681 – d.; recorder, Bedford and Godmanchester 1684 – d.; high steward, Kingston-upon-Thames Aug. 1685–d.Cal. Cl. SP, iv. 629; Merc. Pub. 12 Apr. 1660; Beds. Hist. Rec. Soc. xxvi. 147; Sir Robert Somerville, Duchy of Lancaster Official Lists, 170, 179; HMC 8th Rep. pt. 1, p. 439; CSP Dom. 1671, pp. 131–2; SP44/335/100, 389; Manning and Bray, Surr. i. 342.