| He succeeded his father before 8 March 1552, as at that date he was enfefted as son of the deceased Robert Brus of Erth, in the lands of Erth held of Holyrood. On 1 July 1547, Sir Alexander had a charter from Queen Mary, with consent of the Regent Arran, on his father's resignation of part of Erth, reserving his liferent and a reasonable tierce to Marion Bruce of Clackmanan, should she survive him: on 14 May 1548, Sir Alexander had another charter in the same terms of the Mill of Airth, he is mentioned in a great number of transactions, and in October 1577, Alexander Brus of Airth is licensed to remain at home and absent himself from the army summoned to meet the Regent at Dumfries. In 1595 a dreadful feud fell out with the Earl of Marr on one side and the Lords Livingston, Elphinstone, and Bruce of Airth on the other, for a detailed account of which see Appendix. Previous to 19 May 1593, Sir Alexander Bruce had entered into an alliance offensive and defensive with Alexander, lord Livingston, and others.12 |
| He appears to have been unwisely liberal to his relations, brothers, nephews, sons, and grandsons, from which may be traced the decline in the fortunes of the House of Airth, he having during his long life alienated so much property from the principal estate of the family.13 |