Profile view of the skull of Robert the Bruce

Study of the supposed skull of King Robert 1 of Scotland, side view.

Plate 3 from the monograph King Robert the Bruce, 1274-1329: his skull and portraiture, by Karl Pearson (W. Lewis at the University Press, Cambridge, 1924). Reprinted from Biometrika v.16. Inscribed above: 'Plate III'. Inscribed below: 'The Skull of Robert Bruce. Norma lateralis (Left Profile) (circa 4/5 linear).'

According to the accompanying text, the grave of Robert the Bruce at the Abbey Church of Dunfermline, was opened in 1818 and again in 1819 in the presence of Sir Henry Jardine, Dr Alexander Munro tertius and Dr James Gregory. A cast of the skull was taken by William Scoular (d.1854) and several copies made, including one now in the Royal Collections, Palace of Hollyroodhouse.