Biography of Robert Thomas Brudenell-Bruce 1845-1912

On 25th November 1834 [his father] Ernest Brudenell-Bruce 3rd Marquess Ailesbury (age 23) and [his mother] Louisa Elizabeth Horsley Beresford Marchioness Ailesbury (age 20) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Charles Brudenell 1st Marquess Ailesbury (age 61) and [his grandmother] Henrietta Maria Hill.

On 25th January 1845 Robert Thomas Brudenell-Bruce was born to [his father] Ernest Brudenell-Bruce 3rd Marquess Ailesbury (age 34) and [his mother] Louisa Elizabeth Horsley Beresford Marchioness Ailesbury (age 30).

Adeline Horsey Recollections. The estates were heavily mortgaged, and since Cardigan's death I have paid off £365,000 of the mortgages, which by the terms of the will was not compulsory for me to do. I have also spent £200,000 on the estate, and the many modern improvements now at Deene [Map] (which in past years was more gorgeous than comfortable) are entirely due to me.

After the will had been read. [his father] Lord Ernest Bruce (age 47) and my brother, Colonel de Horsey (age 33), went for a stroll in the park. They were discussing the contents of the will, and Lord Ernest said cheerfully, "Well, it's a good thing for Robert (age 13), as Lady Cardigan won't last long ". "Look here, my Lord", replied my brother in an icy tone, "you seem to forget you are talking about my sister".

I looked delicate in those days, and my death would have been "a good thing for Robert", but forty years have passed, and he is still waiting for his inheritance!

On 31st August 1865 [his brother-in-law] William Hare 3rd Earl of Listowel (age 32) and [his sister] Ernestine Mary Brudenell-Bruce Countess Listowell (age 18) were married. She by marriage Countess Listowel in County Kerry. She the daughter of [his father] Ernest Brudenell-Bruce 3rd Marquess Ailesbury (age 54) and [his mother] Louisa Elizabeth Horsley Beresford Marchioness Ailesbury (age 51). He the son of William Hare 2nd Earl Listowel and Maria Augusta Windham Countess Listowel (age 60).

Adeline Horsey Recollections. I remember a very amusing incident which happened on one of the many cruises of the Sea Horse, when I had invited a small party, including Miss Hill, Robert Bruce (age 23), Count Lindemann and the Vicar of Deene, my dear old friend the late Mr. Sylvester.

[his father] Lord Ernest Bruce (age 57) came to see us safely on board, for leave-takings were the joy of his life. He always loved to speed the parting guest, and invariably went through the same ceremony whenever he said good-bye. This consisted of kissing everybody with much solemnity, and then with a great show of generosity he would present the porter with sixpence!

Robert Bruce was an amusing person in those days, and when old Lord Ernest was preparing to say good-bye to us, he called out: "Now, father, kiss the porter and give me the sixpence!"greatly to Lord Ernest's annoyance.

On 6th January 1878 [his uncle] George William Frederick Brudenell 2nd Marquess Ailesbury (age 73) died at Lockeridge House Savernake, Wiltshire. His brother [his father] Ernest (age 66) succeeded 3rd Marquess Ailesbury, 9th Earl Cardigan, 4th Earl Ailesbury, 3rd Earl Bruce of Whorlton in Yorkshire, 3rd Viscount Savernake of Savernake Forest in Wiltshire, 9th Baron Brudenell of Stonton in Leicestershire. [his mother] Louisa Elizabeth Horsley Beresford Marchioness Ailesbury (age 63) by marriage Marchioness Ailesbury.

On 18th October 1886 [his father] Ernest Brudenell-Bruce 3rd Marquess Ailesbury (age 75) died. His grandson George (age 23) succeeded 4th Marquess Ailesbury, 10th Earl Cardigan, 5th Earl Ailesbury, 4th Earl Bruce of Whorlton in Yorkshire, 4th Viscount Savernake of Savernake Forest in Wiltshire, 10th Baron Brudenell of Stonton in Leicestershire, 5th Baron Bruce of Tottenham in Wiltshire. Dorothy Julia "Dolly Tester" Haseley Marchioness Ailesbury (age 25) by marriage Marchioness Ailesbury. Robert Thomas Brudenell-Bruce (age 41) inherited Deene Park, Northamptonshire [Map].

On 14th October 1891 [his mother] Louisa Elizabeth Horsley Beresford Marchioness Ailesbury (age 77) died.

On 10th April 1894 George William Thomas Brudenell 4th Marquess Ailesbury (age 30) died without issue. His uncle [his brother] Henry (age 51) succeeded 5th Marquess Ailesbury, 11th Earl Cardigan, 6th Earl Ailesbury, 5th Earl Bruce of Whorlton in Yorkshire, 5th Viscount Savernake of Savernake Forest in Wiltshire, 11th Baron Brudenell of Stonton in Leicestershire, 6th Baron Bruce of Tottenham in Wiltshire.

On 10th March 1911 [his brother] Henry Brudenell-Bruce 5th Marquess of Ailesbury (age 68) died. His son [his nephew] George (age 37) succeeded 6th Marquess Ailesbury, 12th Earl Cardigan, 7th Earl Ailesbury, 6th Earl Bruce of Whorlton in Yorkshire, 6th Viscount Savernake of Savernake Forest in Wiltshire, 12th Baron Brudenell of Stonton in Leicestershire, 7th Baron Bruce of Tottenham in Wiltshire.

On 15th February 1912 Robert Thomas Brudenell-Bruce (age 67) died.