HIGGINS, John

John married in 1271 in Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland.¹

  Marriage Notes:

"The next year, 1271, the widowed Countess happening to meet Robert Bruce, son of Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale and Cleveland, hunting in her domains, she became enamoured of his personal charms, and with some violence led him to her castle of Turnberry, where they were married in a few days, without the knowledge of their relations, or the requisite consent of the King. Alexander III. instantly seized her castle and estates, but she afterwards atoned for her delinquency by a fine. Robert Bruce was then recognised as Earl of Carrick in right of liis wife." (pages 426 and 427)

"Robert Bruce, eldest son of ' the Competitor,' married, as her second husband, Marjorle, eldest daughter and heiress of her father Neil, Earl of Carrick, and so became Earl of Carrick jure uxoris. Their meeting has been differently related by various authors, but the main features of the story are always the same. On Bruce's arrival at Turnberry to convey to the lady the news that her husband, Adam de Kilconquhar, had been slain at Acre, he met the child widow hawking with her attendants. Having delivered his message he was preparing to take leave, when she ordered her retainers to take him a prisoner to her castle, where, after an honourable captivity of a few days, they were married...... (page 432)

He (Robert) had married as a second wife Alianora. . . who is mentioned as his widow in 1305, and she married, in 1306, Richard de Waleys." (page 433)

from Scots Peerage (vol 2) ¹