#elizabeth burgess

[handeaux]

Lizzie Manley Lived A Long And Prosperous Life Of Sin Despite A Wayward Husband And A Greedy Spiritualist

What could Lizzie Manley possibly see in George Burgess, alias George Crittenden?

He was a bounder, a cad, a lowlife reprobate of the first water. She was a worldly-wise madam of a very prosperous brothel on Cincinnati’s notorious Longworth Street. Yet Lizzie fell hard for this scoundrel and carried her passion into the spirit realm.

Lizzie and George were married on 2 May 1884. She was 45 years old and he might have been a year younger. Lizzie, despite a string of often abusive paramours, had never married. George had abandoned a wife and three children. Perhaps to keep their nuptials out of the newspaper, Lizzie employed an alias for the marriage license and entered into matrimony as “Elizabeth Brown.”

There was trouble from the get-go. Lizzie’s “resort” kept her in Cincinnati, while George ran a saloon in Williamstown, Kentucky, half-way to Lexington. Although George was out of sight, he was not out of Lizzie’s thoughts and, according to the Cincinnati Post [29 October 1884], she visited Williamstown to check on her husband.

“He went to Williamsburg [sic], Ky., a few days ago, and she, mistrusting he had gone to visit a female, followed, and yesterday cornered him with her little revolver on the streets of Williamsburg, marched him to the hotel, bit a piece out of his arm and ear, and after bringing him to a full realization of the fact that she was boss, led him meekly back home to this city.”

Whatever lesson George might have learned, it didn’t take. Just a few months later, the Enquirer [11 March 1885] reported that Lizzie had once again tracked George to Williamstown and to the arms of another woman, a certain Mrs. Crook. Lizzie barreled into Mrs. Crook’s house, demolished anything in reach and “abused her husband in the most obscene and unbecoming language,” knocking him down and sitting on him until both were arrested. Lizzie appeared in court the next day and paid a $50 fine. George apparently got the worst of the donnybrook:

“George being indisposed from the effects of the encounter, was not able to answer the charges against him. Just how long the quiet and peaceable citizens of Williamstown are going to tolerate such conduct remains to be seen. This is the second time she has waged war in this manner, and our peace-loving citizens are becoming very indignant.”

Five years later, the citizens of Williamstown reached the limits of patience with George Burgess. Once again, he was involved with a woman. Her name was Alice McKinley. She lived a couple of blocks from George’s saloon and, according to the Enquirer [4 December 1890], they had been on “very intimate terms for many months past.” One night, Alice’s neighbors heard a woman’s screams, then a gunshot, and saw a bareheaded man apparently under the influence of liquor, running from her house. A doctor who lived across the street rushed to the McKinley house and found Alice bleeding from a bullet wound, entering just below the left breast and emerging from her back.

Alice’s brothers vowed vengeance and armed themselves, but the doctor advised them to awaken a judge and get a warrant for George’s arrest. They did so, and soon a posse tracked George to his saloon, which the pursuers found locked, bolted and barricaded. A deputy used a beer keg as a battering ram and forced open the back door. In the hallway was George Burgess, unloading his pistol on the lawmen.

“The officers were not idle and were not to be deterred from making the arrest. When Burgess opened fire they immediately followed suit and with terrible execution. Burgess was shot four times in the body before dropping his pistol, having emptied every chamber. He staggered out at the door, and sank to the ground unconscious.”

Distraught at the news, Lizzie immediately hired a Cincinnati hackman to drive her immediately to Williamstown, but George had been declared dead long before she arrived. Lizzie never recovered. According to the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette [11 October 1891]:

“She began to talk strange and incoherently, and avowed that Burgess . . . came to her in visions every night. Somebody suggested spiritualism, and Liz rushed to a medium. She found out all she wanted to know, and a great deal more. She became infatuated with the belief, and is now an ardent worker in the cause.”

Twice a week, Lizzie visited a spirit medium named Mary Englert on Marshall Avenue in Camp Washington. Mrs. Englert facilitated conversations between Lizzie and George and assisted Lizzie as she found solace communicating with an ever-growing household of spirits.

“Troops of angels visit her every day and advise her about her mundane affairs. Last Saturday as she was sitting quiet and all alone in the darkened parlor a spirit sat on the piano for hours and minutely explained the process by which the soul of the dead becomes transfigured. According to Manley, the soul is composed of a mass of minute silken threads, which are constantly in motion, and which are, after the decease of the earthly tenement, woven by angels into a new candidate for eternal glory.”

The Commercial Gazette said Lizzie had become so enraptured by her new beliefs that she forced all the women working out of her brothel to attend seances in the parlor. Although the newspaper predicted that Lizzie would soon be committed to a mental hospital, that was not the fate that awaited her.

Instead, Lizzie spent a decade in court undoing the scams perpetrated by her spiritualist mentor. Taking advantage of Lizie’s infatuation with the spirit realm, Mrs. Englert had Lizzie transfer much of her earthly property – even her brothel at 312 Longworth Street – into Mrs. Englert’s possession. The clairvoyant claimed she needed resources to construct a National Hall for Spiritualists. Lizzie wholly supported the project but, when not a brick was laid, sued to recover her property. In the course of the lawsuit, Mrs. Englert died, which only lengthened the proceedings because the medium was unable or unwilling to provide testimony from the beyond.

Lizzie Manley lived to the ripe old age of 78 when diabetes and severe bronchitis did her in. She owned and operated her “house of ill fame” until her death in 1917. Lizzie was quite the survivor in a cutthroat profession. Court records, newspaper accounts and U.S. Censuses attest that she ran her brothel for at least 50 years, from the end of the Civil War to the eve of World War I.

Born in Ireland, Lizzie emigrated to America when she was around 14 years old. Both her parents died when she was quite young, and she was brought up by relatives in the rough and sordid Gas Alley neighborhood along the river in Cincinnati’s far West End. Although it was a Protestant minister who solemnized her marriage to that rascal George Burgess, and although she devoted decades to Spiritualist causes, Lizzie was, at heart, a staunch Catholic colleen and her earthly remains may be found in the New St. Joseph Cemetery in Price Hill.

The whereabouts of her rewoven soul have not been revealed.

[thequietesthing]

they officially cancelled My Lady Jane after only one season because it apparently “didn’t find a broad enough audience”. i’m disappointed but not surprised, unfortunately it’s just one more name in the very long list of too-soon cancelled shows with incredible potential.

[foryouwereinmysong]

Paul will stay by John's side - a composition

»The original story about this was, I was reading about ›Death of John Lennon‹ in a newspaper. And one of the accounts was that the cop who took him to hospital after he’d been shot said ›Do you know who you are?‹ 'cause apparently that’s what they say to try and, you know, ›I'm Sally Burgess.‹ - ›Oh she’s not too badly off then.‹ But you know in John’s case it was particularly crazy 'cause, you know, it’s like a fan almost ›Do you know who you are?‹ ... and it always - oh my god - strangest remark that to me. I told Carl about this. So we, that's what the nurse now says to the girl in bed as if - in the same way - ›Do you know who you are?‹ That's what she says.«

Tired of the hollow, the base, the untrue, Mother, O mother, my heart calls for you! Many a summer the grass has grown green, Blossomed and faded, our faces between: Yet, with strong yearning and passionate pain, Long I tonight for your presence again. Come from the silence so long and so deep;—    Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep! - the third stanza of Rock Me To Sleep by Elizabeth Akers Allen

[thelastofthebookworms]

Poll 1/2

Other polls

[geekcavepodcast]

Spellbound Teaser Trailer

Princess Ellian goes on a quest to save her parents and the kingdom after a spell transforms her parents into monsters.

Spellbound stars the voice talents of Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman. The film is directed by Vicky Jenson from a screenplay by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin and contains an original score from composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.

Skydance's Spellbound hits Netflix on November 22, 2024.

[ecoamerica]

Apply or nominate: https://ecoamerica.org/american-climate-leadership-awards-2025/

Calling all organizations, individuals, and small businesses successfully engaging Americans on climate! Showcase your creativity and climate solutions by applying for @ecoamerica’s 2025 American Climate Leadership Awards. You can win $1K - $50K by submitting your efforts for consideration by a stellar line-up of judges and individuals leading on climate. It’s quick and easy to submit your application or nominate inspirational climate leaders. Apply or nominate today!

[poppletonink]

Books For Lana Del Rey Fans

Valley Of The Dolls by Jacqueline Susann

Tragedy Queens by Leza Cantoral

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

Lolita by Vladimir Nobokov

The Collected Poems by Sylvia Plath

Black Swans by Eve Babitz

Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass by Lana Del Rey

[spiritundaunted]

King George VI with his family, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret at Royal Lodge in 1943.

© Royal Collection Trust/ His Majesty King Charles III

This previously unreleased photo is part of the new exhibit at the King's Gallery, Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography .

Dying to see it!!

I've always read that Bertie kept the miniature of Elizabeth that was given to him on his wedding day from Elizabeth's parents on his desk at Royal Lodge so it's very cool to see it there! Only, I always thought is was much smaller - since it's referred to as a "miniature". I guess I was thinking of the miniature portraits on the Royal Orders given to royal ladies by the sovereign. This one is much larger! So sweet he kept it there always.

The miniature of Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon given to the Duke of York on his wedding day from the Strathmores. Bertie's "own little darling angel E".

The Queen mother's desk at the Castle of Mey. Sweet that the photo on the right is signed "Bertie". 💘 But I have to say, I really love the profile photo on the left where he is a little older. I feel like that is how she wanted to remember him; a more recent version of him, and still so very handsome.

"She didn’t really have what I would term best friends in the conventional sense and she had been widowed for over forty years when I joined her, so it would be a fair assumption to think she could have been lonely at Clarence House. But if she were lonely, she hid it very well. She never really talked about the King, though there were lots of portraits and paintings of him on the walls of her London home, so he couldn’t have been far from her thoughts." -- from Behind Palace Doors - My Service as the Queen Mother's Equerry, by Major Colin Burgess

😢💔 Her pain on losing him is so palpable. She kept a lot of her feelings to herself.

Adding a photo of my own desk to the mix, just for fun and giggles. No, I'm not obsessed. What are you talking about? 😉

[timeguardians]

Updated muse page: By category

and yes I am, for the time being, bringing five of my other blogs onto this one. At least until I get out of being critically ill)

----Historical & Period Drama:----

-----Turn ----

Philomena Cheer (with modern actress verses, Bridgerton, Titanic verses)

Elsie Marion ( Swamp Fox's/Francis Marion's Daughter-- many AUs available)

Samatha Tallmadge

Eliza Smith (Mary Woodhull's sister)

Peggy Shippen (request only)

Abigail (request only)

Samuel Tallmadge (Private& request only)

Colonel William Bradford (Private & request only)

----Titanic----

Rose Dewitt Bukater (Titanic with Turn & Bridgerton verses)

----Bridgerton ----- Kate Sharma (Bridgerton)

----Downton Abbey----

Sybil Crawley (Downton Abbey, Turn Verses, Titanic & possible Bridgerton Verse)

Mary Crawley(Downton Abbey, Bridgerton verses)

_____________________________________________

----Young Sheldon & BBT ----

Missy Cooper (With Turn & A-team Influences)

-----Dc, Marvel, Hero:----

Peggy Carter

Captain Stephanie "Stevie" Rogers- Fem Captain Rogers

Sergeant Jamie "Bucky" Buchanan Barnes

Diana Prince

Brianna Wayne

Jamie Michaela Rogers (Oc daughter of Peggy Carter & Steve Rogers)

Yovela Edina Jarvis (Oc daughter of Edwin & Ana Jarvis) fc: young brooke shields alternate tbd

----Disney & Movie ----

Elizabeth Swann -Turner

Melody

Ariel

Mulan

Anastasia Romanov

Belle

Susan Pevensie

Lucy Pevensie

Mia Thermopolis

Anna of Arendelle

----Star Wars----

Rey

Qi'ra (Low activity/request only)

female! Poe Dameron (Low activity/request only)

----First Responders & detectives:----

----One Chicago----

Gabby Dawson

Lizzie Novak

Kim Burgess

Vanessa Rojas

---- Law and Order SVU----

Oliva Benson

Juliet Higgins (request only)

Nancy Drew (1960s heavily influenced with smatterings of book canon)

Avery Morgan (Doctor Odyssey)

____The Rookie____

Lucy Chen

Talia Bishop

Baily Nune

-----Villain Muses ----

Kat

-----60s-the80s muses----

Cherry Valance (request only)

Bonnie barstow

Ricki Tubbs

Justice Crockett

Jake Crockett (private muse with Smeagol)

Judy Hoffs

Amy Amanda Allen

John Hannibal Smith

HM Murdock (Shipped only with Avictimofthejazz's Kelley)

Pete Malloy- Adam-12

Dominic Luca 1975

[loveisalwaystheanswer]

10 characters, 10 fandoms

tagged by @lordjohnwgrey ❤️

Aragorn // lotr

Chandler Bing (or Phoebe Buffay. it's a tough call) // friends

Grace Burgess // peaky blinders

Pam Beesley // the office

Bruce Wayne (portrayed by Christian Bale) // DC

Dumbledore (the book version) // harry potter

Mulan // disney

Elizabeth Bennet // the jane austen universe

Howl Jenkins Pendragon // studio ghibli

Sherlock himself // sherlock holmes

tagging (no pressure of course): @i-just-look-at-pictures @tommygrace @justins-foley @mary-fantg @bellaaldamas and anyone who wants to.

[storiesofsvu]

Hey besties.

So thanks to an influx of new followers and from different fandoms and interesting requests I’ve been getting I figured it was needed to repost this.

Things I WILL NOT write for:

-Non con or even CNC

-Age gaps. (Realistic ones are fine. But i refuse to do 18 year old super genius yn who graduated Harvard already and 40+ year old character falls in love with them).

-Basically YN under the age of 30. I’m in my mid 30’s and most people in the industries that my fics involve would be in that age rage, or even older. if you’re looking under, go elsewhere.

-Underage yn’s. If you want a fic where yn is the chlld this is NOT the place.

-stories involving losing virginities. While i may write someones first experience with the the same sex, or a specific style, i do not write virgin characters

-pregnant y/n’s. It’s very rare I will accept requests involving pregnancy

-Male yn’s. Nothing against it but as a female, esp when it comes to smut I’m uncomfortable writing it.

-Same goes for medical conditions. There are certain that I am familiar with or are easier to research or I have close friends who can give insight to, otherwise i feel like I’m not doing it justice and also dont want to offend. Dm or send an ask if you have specific questions.

WHO I Write For:

(just because there is someone on my masterlist does not mean i still write for them. i only write this list.)

Law and Order(SVU/OC/ OG)

-Rita Calhoun, Casey Novak, Elizabeth Donnelly, Alex Cabot, Olivia Benson, Grace Muncy, Tonie Churlish, Melinda Warner, Pippa Cox, Sonya Paxton, Amanda Rollins, Peter Stone, Mike Dodds, Joe Velasco, Sonny Carisi, Rafael Barba, Terry Bruno.

-Ayanna Bell, Samantha Maroun

-Calex, Barhoun, Calvak, Novelly, Benhoun.

Criminal Minds:

Emily Prentiss, Derek Morgan, Alex Blake, Tara Lewis, Aaron Hotchner

House of Cards:

Heather Dunbar, Jackie Sharp

-Duckie (heather x jackie)

Homeland:

Elizabeth Keane

Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice:

-Addison Montgomery, Amelia Shepherd, Charlotte King

NCIS:

Abigail Borin, Anthony Dinozzo

Chicago PD:

Hailey Upton, Kim Burgess, Erin Lindsay, Kevin Atwater

DM/Ask box for taglists!

[evita-shelby]

I vaguely remember trying to put all my moodboards on a list but i can't find it , so imma just do it again

Not in order i am afraid

Peaky Blinders

Sophisticated (Grace, Tatiana, May, Diana and Gina)

Miss Shelby

Something in the Orange (Tommy x Lizzie)

Odette (Lizzie Stark/Shelby)

Odile (Grace Burgess/Shelby)

Victor (Jack Nelson hunger games au)

The Black Hand (Luca Changretta hunger games au)

The Peaky Blinder( tommy hunger games au)

Eva x Tommy

Arsonist's Lullaby (Jack Nelson)

Brilliant (Brilliant Chang Hunger Games au)

A Shelby Christmas

Prosperina

Pluto

Nothing left to say

Paloma Negra

The Pearl Anniversary

Perro Fiel

The Shelby Children

Charles Absalom Shelby

Diane Elizabeth Shelby

Luca Changretta x Eva

That Yacht Life

Incantatrice

Chiaroscuro (ft @call-sign-shark Heaven and Arthur)

Faith, love and family.

Mayores

Till Death

Jack Nelson x Eva

Christmas in Paradise

Magic

Birds of a Feather (ft. @call-sign-shark Heaven Lavey)

Soulmates

The Nelsons of Beals Street

Sun to me (hunger games au)

Always (reincarnation moodboard and blurb)

Violent Delights (knight au)

September's Shrine (modern!wedding)

My OCs

Eva Smith

Mrs Rosenberg (Frida 'Florence' Solomons)

Like Fine Wine (WWII!Eva)

Apex Predator (Eva ft mean girls, Apex Predator and pink)

They did not know we were seeds (hunger games district 10 au)

Modern!Eva/Evacore

Katie Nelson

Isabel

The Secretary and the Spy (Lizzie Stark x Santiago Rosales)

Others OCs

Wonderland (Eva ft. Heaven Lavey @call-sign-shark )

Solomons and Shelby (Diane ft @raincoffeeandfandoms Allie Solomons)

Juliusz (@rysko Juliusz Ferenz)

Devil’s Sacrament (Eva Nelson ft @emotionalcadaver Lucy Winters)

Inception

Love's a State of Mind

The Fischer Affair

World on Fire

Kasia x Lois

Robina Chase

Tom Bennett x Diane Shelby

How sweet it is

Let me wrap my teeth around the world

Ewan Mitchell

Pretty Boy

Black Panther:Wakanda Forever

Of Gods and Witches

Eva x Namor

[geekcavepodcast]

Spellbound Trailer

Princess Ellian goes on a quest to save her mom and dad and their kingdom after a spell transforms her parents into monsters.

Spellbound stars the voice talents of Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman. The film is directed by Vicky Jenson from a screenplay by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda and contains an original score from composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.

Skydance Animation's Spellbound hits Netflix on November 22, 2024.

[princesscatherinemiddleton]

The Princess of Wales' Year in Review: September

September 2nd - It was confirmed The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would be writing a foreword for a new GCHQ puzzle book September 3rd - Catherine was seen driving around Windsor, where the family recently moved September 7th - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined their children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis - for a 'settling in' day at their new school, Lambrook School September 8th - Catherine was seen driving in Windsor, shortly after it was announced HM The Queen had fallen ill and members of the Royal Family, including The Duke of Cambridge, would be travelling to Balmoral to be with her. At 3:10pm, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral Spetember 9th - Catherine was once again seen driving in the Windsor area. During a speech from King Charles III that evening, William and Catherine became the new Prince and Princess of Wales September 10th - The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, undertook a walkabout outside of Windsor Castle to meet with members of the public who had gathered to pay their respects to the late Queen September 13th - The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen arriving at Buckingham Palace, where they joined other members of the royal family to meet the Queen's coffin on its return 'home' September 14th - The Prince and Princess of Wales joined other members of the royal family at Westminster Hall, where the Queen's coffin was received to begin lying-in-state. The attending family members remained at Westminster Hall for a service for the Reception of the Coffin conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dean of Westminster September 15th - The Prince and Princess of Wales undertook a walkabout in Sandringham to meet with members of the public who had gathered to pay their respects to the late Queen September 16th - The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Army Training Centre Pirbright to meet Defence Force personnel from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, who were participating in the events surrounding Operation London Bridge September 17th - The Prince and Princess of Wales attended a luncheon given by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace for Governors-General September 18th - The Princess of Wales received Olena Zelenska, the wife of the President of Ukraine. Later, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended a reception given by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace for Heads of State and Official Overseas Guests September 19th - The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte joined members of the royal family, foreign royals, Heads of State, official overseas guests and other family and friends attended the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey. The family and gathered guests then travelled to Windsor for the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II, which took place in St George’s Chapel September 22nd - The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Windsor Guildhall to meet personnel involved in the arrangements for the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II September 27th - The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first visit to Wales since becoming the Prince and Princess. They first visited the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which was the site of their first ever joint visit as an engaged couple and a return to the place where they first lived as husband and wife. Afterwards, the couple met local residents at Holyhead Marina Café and Bar. Finally, the Prince and Princess visited St Thomas Church, in Swansea September 28th - The Princess of Wales, Patron of the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, received Amanda Berry September 29th - The Princess of Wales received Commander Philip Burgess and members of the crew of HMS GLASGOW at Windsor Castle. She later, in her role as Patron of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, held an Early Years Meeting

[scotianostra]

June 7th 1329 saw the death of our most famous King, Robert I, "The Bruce".

Much has been said about King Robert and his prowess in battle, I'll try and highlight some of his other traits and how it was he who was first given the no de plume Braveheart.

The Bruce is said to have spoken several languages, Scots, Gaelic, Latin, and Norman French, and was an avid reader who loved studying the lives of previous monarchs. According to a parliamentary brief from around 1364, Robert the Bruce "used continually to read, or have read in his presence, the histories of ancient kings and princes, and how they conducted themselves in their times, both in wartime and in peacetime.” In his free time, he would recite tales from history, with the likes of Charlemagne and Hannibal being two of his favourite subjects he shared.

Robert the Bruce’s physician, Maino de Maineri, criticized the king’s penchant for devouring eels. “I am certain that this fish should not be eaten because I have seen it during the time I was with the king of the Scots, Robert Bruce, who risked many dangers by eating [moray eels], which are by nature like lampreys," de Maineri wrote "It is true that these [morays] were caught in muddy and corrupt waters.” (Notably, overeating eels was considered the cause of King Henry I England’s death.)

Treasure hunters speculate that in the 14th century, the Knights Templar fled to Scotland with a trove of valuables because they received support and protection from King Robert the Bruce. Thanks to his help, they say, the Knights were able to hide gold and holy relics—from ancient Gospel scrolls to the Holy Grail—in secret spots across the country, including in Rosslyn Chapel and it's not just through the Da Vinci Code, I remember my mum talking about the Holy Grail possibly being hidden within the Apprentice Pillar.

After the death of his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, Robert the Bruce decreed to give the Auld Kirk in Cullen, Scotland—now the Cullen and Deskford Parish—a total of five Scots pounds every year. That's because, in 1327, Elizabeth had died after falling off a horse, and the local congregation generously took care of her remains. Robert was so touched by the gesture that he promised to donate money “for all eternity.” To this day, his bequest is still paid to the kirk.

The Kirk was not the only thing to benefit from The Bruce. He moved about Scotland he was a frequent visitor to Aberdeen , his first arrival being in 1306.

In the month of September 1319, King Robert, had again visited the city, where he stayed for some time, lodging in William the Lion's Palace in the Green.

The citizens of Aberdeen , many of whom were his former comrades-in-arms, gave Bruce a tremendous welcome. The King went south well pleased with the reception he had received, and at a Parliament in Berwick on 10th December 1319 , made his most generous benefaction to Aberdeen . He gave the burgesses in perpetual feu, and for a nominal payment of £213:6/8d, the whole of the Stocket Forest . From this remarkable gift the city's ‘Common Good Fund' may be said to have originated. The fund has accumulated over the years and has assets worth millions of pounds; the cities citizens still enjoy the benefits to this very day.

The Bruce died just a month before his 55th birthday, about the same age I am just now. The cause of his death has been a source of much discussion, and disagreement, but most modern scholars believe that he succumbed to leprosy. His funeral was a rather elaborate affair that required nearly 7000 pounds of candle wax just for the funerary candles. Following the fashion for royalty, he was buried in multiple places. His chest was sawed open and his heart and internal organs removed: The guts were buried near his death-place at the Manor of Cardross, near Dumbarton; his corpse interred in Dunfermline Abbey; and his heart placed inside a metal urn to be worn around the neck of Sir James Douglas, who promised to take it to the Holy Lord. The reason his guts were taken and buried first was to stop the rest of the corpse did not rot before it's "spiritual" burial at the Abbey in Dunfermline.

Unfortunately, Sir Douglas never made it to the Holy Land: He got sidetracked and took a detour to fight the Moors in Spain, where he was killed. Before his attackers reached him, Douglas reportedly threw the urn containing the king’s heart and yelled “Lead on brave heart, I’ll follow thee.” The heart was later returned to Scotland and it was not until 1921 it was rediscovered on an archaeological dig at Melrose Abbey. The Casket was opened to find the mummified heart, it was photographed at the time, but I can't find these pics online, however it was unearthed again in 1996.

After the casket had been fully examined, several different ideas were put forward about what should happen to it next. There were some suggestions of sending the casket to the National Museum of Scotland, or creating a new museum for the heart at Melrose Abbey.

In the end, in accordance with Scots Law and respect for the dead, the casket was enclosed inside a time capsule, and reburied in a private ceremony.

Although this heart hasn't 100% been proven to be that of King Robert it doesn't really matter. The casket and the heart are symbols of the man himself and shall always remain so.