Walter Bruce (c.1605–1673) was a Scottish minister who served as 'Constant Moderator' of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1662 until 1673, a unique role in the history of the

Church of Scotland The Church of Scotland ( sco, The Kirk o Scotland; gd, Eaglais na h-Alba) is the national church in Scotland. The Church of Scotland was principally shaped by John Knox, in the Scottish Reformation, Reformation of 1560, when it split from t ...

Life

He was born the fourth son of Sir John Bruce of Kincavil (d.1607) and his wife Jean Drummond. He studied

Divinity Divinity or the divine are things that are either related to, devoted to, or proceeding from a deity.divine

at the

University of St Andrews (Aien aristeuein) , motto_lang = grc , mottoeng = Ever to ExcelorEver to be the Best , established = , type = Public research university Ancient university , endowment ...

, graduating MA in 1628. In 1641 he succeeded the late Robert Roche as minister of

Inverkeithing Inverkeithing ( ; gd, Inbhir Chèitinn) is a port town and parish, in Fife, Scotland, on the Firth of Forth. A town of ancient origin, Inverkeithing was given royal burgh status during the reign of Malcolm IV in the 12th century. It was an impo ...

, his patron being King Charles I. Inverkeithing at that time was one of the more important church positions. In 1649 he was suspended when it was discovered that he was part owner of a ship, a practice not permitted by church rules. Bruce played a pivotal role in initiating the so-called

Great Scottish witch hunt of 1649-50 Great may refer to: Descriptions or measurements * Great, a relative measurement in physical space, see Size * Greatness, being divine, majestic, superior, majestic, or transcendent People * List of people known as "the Great" *Artel Great (born ...

, during which he was the person responsible for "

pricking During the height of the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, common belief held that a witch could be discovered through the process of pricking their skin with needles, pins and bodkins – daggerlike instruments for drawing rib ...

the witch" to decide her guilt. On 14 October 1662 he was elected 'Constant Moderator'. This was during a period within which there was no

General Assembly of the Church of Scotland The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the sovereign and highest court of the Church of Scotland, and is thus the Church's governing body.''An Introduction to Practice and Procedure in the Church of Scotland'' by A. Gordon McGillivray ...

. There was no such role before or since. However, this unique role means he was the longest serving leader of the Church of Scotland. He died in Inverkeithing in February or March of 1673.

Family

In May 1654 he was married to Jean Menzies (d.1691) daughter of Alexander Menzies of Rotwell and widow of Rev John Liddell of Scone. Although she had children by her previous marriage (whom they raised) they had no children of their own. His younger brother Rev Robert Bruce (c.1607-1667) was minister of

Aberdour Aberdour (; Scots: , gd, Obar Dobhair) is a scenic and historic village on the south coast of Fife, Scotland. It is on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, looking south to the island of Inchcolm and its Abbey, and to Leith and Edinburgh beyo ...

Parish Church.Fasti Ecclesiastae Scoticana vol.5 p.2

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bruce, Walter 1673 deaths Alumni of the University of St Andrews 17th-century Ministers of the Church of Scotland Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Witch trials in Scotland Year of birth uncertain