During the fourteenth century the abbey is much associated with the history of the Bruces. The romantic marriage of the father of King Robert to the Countess of Carrick established the family in the earldom. The countess and her husband were benefactors of the abbey, and their neighbouring Castle of Turnberry became a protection to the monks. During Edward’s invasion, in 1296, Henry de Percy was appointed Sheriff of Ayr. In 1306 he held Turnberry Castle, and a letter, dated by him from Crosraguel, asking for two engines of war to be sent to him, shows that siege operations were in contemplation. During this disturbed period of Scottish history it seems probable that this abbey, like many other similar institutions throughout the country, suffered from the effects of war. The buildings show that the original structure of the monastery has been demolished, and that new edifices were erected in the fifteenth century; and it is supposed that this reconstruction was rendered necessary by the damage caused during the English invasion. When the kingdom became settled, after the War of Independence, King Robert granted a charter to the abbey, confirming the endowments of Earl Duncan; and in 1329-30, gifts from the royal purse, for the repair of the monastery, are noted in the Exchequer Rolls. The king was lavish in benefactions to the abbey. In 1324 he presented it with lands, and, as a mark of special favour, he erected the domains of the abbey into a barony. Shortly after the accession of David II. the abbot received the king’s penny for three years (amounting to £100, 1s. 10d.) to assist him in the repair of the buildings. Under the Stewart kings Crosraguel still continued to receive the royal favour. In 1374 Robert II. confirmed the Crown charters of Robert I.; and in 1404 the great Crosraguel charter was granted by Robert III. confirming all the abbey lands and property to be held for ever in free regality. By this charter the abbot was raised into the position of an absolute sovereign over all the abbey possessions, which comprised nearly the whole of the southern division of Ayrshire. The abbey continued to occupy a high position during the fifteenth century. The abbot was in favour at Court, and was employed on special missions and diplomatic services. In 1460 the Abbot Colin, a man of some eminence, was elected. He devoted much care to the church and buildings, which he found in a dilapidated condition, and is believed to have built the existing chapter house. He died in 1491. Abbot David obtained a confirmation of the special rights of the abbey from the Archbishop of Glasgow, and, in 1515, procured a special dispensation from inspection by the Archbishop of St. Andrews, who was delegated by the Pope to visit every monastery in Scotland, and to punish the “excess and enormity of the brethren dwelling therein.”