Biography of Robert Thomas Brudenell-Bruce 1845-1912

On 25 Nov 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 25 Jan 1845 Robert Thomas Brudenell-Bruce was born to Ernest Brudenell-Bruce 3rd Marquess Ailesbury (age 34) and 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!

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 18 Oct 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 14 Oct 1891 [his mother] Louisa Elizabeth Horsley Beresford Marchioness Ailesbury (age 77) died.

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