Mormaer Of Moray
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The title Earl of Moray, or Mormaer of Moray (pronounced "Murry"), was originally held by the rulers of the
Province of Moray Moray (; ; ) was a province within the area of modern-day Scotland, that may at times up to the 12th century have operated as an independent kingdom or as a power base for competing claimants to the Kingdom of Alba. It covered a much larger terr ...
, which existed from the 10th century with varying degrees of independence from the
Kingdom of Alba The Kingdom of Alba (; ) was the Kingdom of Scotland between the deaths of Donald II in 900 and of Alexander III in 1286. The latter's death led indirectly to an invasion of Scotland by Edward I of England in 1296 and the First War of Scotti ...
to the south. Until 1130 the status of Moray's rulers was ambiguous and they were described in some sources as "''
mormaer In early medieval Scotland, a mormaer was the Gaelic name for a regional or provincial ruler, theoretically second only to the King of Scots, and the senior of a '' Toísech'' (chieftain). Mormaers were equivalent to English earls or Continenta ...
s''" (the Gaelic term for "Earl"), in others as "Kings of Moray", and in others as " Kings of Alba". The position was suppressed by
David I of Scotland David I or Dauíd mac Maíl Choluim (Scottish Gaelic, Modern Gaelic: ''Daibhidh I mac haoilChaluim''; – 24 May 1153) was a 12th century ruler and saint who was David I as Prince of the Cumbrians, Prince of the Cumbrians from 1113 to 112 ...
some time after his defeat of Óengus of Moray at the Battle of Stracathro in 1130, but was recreated as a
feudal Feudalism, also known as the feudal system, was a combination of legal, economic, military, cultural, and political customs that flourished in Middle Ages, medieval Europe from the 9th to 15th centuries. Broadly defined, it was a way of struc ...
earldom by
Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (), was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329. Robert led Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against Kingdom of Eng ...
and granted to Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray in 1312. The title has subsequently been created several times in the
Peerage of Scotland The Peerage of Scotland (; ) is one of the five divisions of peerages in the United Kingdom and for those peers created by the King of Scots before 1707. Following that year's Treaty of Union 1707, Treaty of Union, the Kingdom of Scots and the ...
. It has been held by
Clan Stewart Clan Stewart (Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic: ''Stiùbhart'') is a Scottish Highlands, Scottish Highland and Scottish Lowlands, Lowland Scottish clan, clan. The clan is recognised by Court of the Lord Lyon; however, it does not have a Scottish clan chi ...
since the 16th century, when
James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military aviator. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morali ...
, illegitimate son of
James V James V (10 April 1512 – 14 December 1542) was List of Scottish monarchs, King of Scotland from 9 September 1513 until his death in 1542. He was crowned on 21 September 1513 at the age of seventeen months. James was the son of King James IV a ...
, was granted the title.


History of the Earldom of Moray

The province of Moray's importance as part of the kingdom of Scotland was demonstrated during the years of major warfare between 1296 and 1340. The province was relatively untouched by direct fighting and Royal-led English armies penetrated Moray on only three occasions in 1296, 1303 and 1335, and significant English occupation occurred only in 1296–97. This security meant that it was a vital refuge and recruitment ground for the Scottish guardians between 1297 and 1303, and provided
Robert I of Scotland Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (), was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329. Robert led Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against Kingdom of Eng ...
with a base and allies during his northern campaign against the Comyns and their allies in 1307–08. The province was forced to submit to
Edward I of England Edward I (17/18 June 1239 â€“ 7 July 1307), also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots (Latin: Malleus Scotorum), was King of England from 1272 to 1307. Concurrently, he was Lord of Ireland, and from 1254 ...
in 1303 and Robert I of Scotland therefore clearly recognized the significance of Moray for the security of his realm. In 1312 Robert I re-established the Earldom of Moray for his nephew, Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray. The new earldom included all of the old province and the crown lands of the ''Laich'' or coastal area of Moray.''Oxford Companion to Scottish History''. Edited by Michael Lynch. Oxford University Press. pp. 428–430. . Thomas's son John Randolph was killed in 1346, leaving no heir and the other noble families including the Comyns, Strathbogies and Morays had all disappeared from or left the province by between 1300 and 1350. With the absence of noble leaders, power fell to lesser figures who functioned in kin-based groups such as the Clan Donnachaidh of Atholl and the Chattan Confederation which centred on Badenoch. This drew in lords and men from outside of the province, from further south such as the Dunbars and Stewarts who staked their claims. In 1372, the Earldom of Moray was divided between them with John Dunbar receiving the coastal districts and Alexander Stewart, favourite son of
Robert II of Scotland Robert II (2 March 1316 – 19 April 1390) was List of Scottish monarchs, King of Scots from 1371 to his death in 1390. The son of Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, and Marjorie Bruce, Marjorie, daughter of King Robert the Bruce, h ...
being made lord of Badenoch in the uplands. The division of Moray led to local conflict which was exacerbated by the activities of local kindreds and the eastward spread of the Gaelic superpower, the
Lord of the Isles Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( or ; ) is a title of nobility in the Baronage of Scotland with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title was ...
. The activities of the islesmen and kindreds in the service of Alexander Stewart made Moray the area of greatest conflict between the revived power of Gaelic Scotland and the structured society under the crown established during the previous centuries. Churchmen and burgesses made repeated complaints about the attacks of raiding caterans, the most notable being the burning of Elgin Cathedral by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, also known as the ''Wolf of Badenoch'', in a dispute with the Bishop of Moray. Scotland's rulers were slow to react to the problems in the earldom of Moray. Their response was largely indirect and the governor, Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, campaigned in the region in 1405 and 1411.
James I of Scotland James I (late July 1394 – 21 February 1437) was List of Scottish monarchs, King of Scots from 1406 until his assassination in 1437. The youngest of three sons, he was born in Dunfermline Abbey to King Robert III of Scotland, Robert III and ...
did the same in 1428 and 1429. They preferred to rely on a Lieutenant, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, the son of the Wolf of Badenoch. When the
Earl of Mar There are currently two earldoms of Mar in the Peerage of Scotland, and the title has been created seven times. The first creation of the earldom is currently held by Margaret of Mar, 31st Countess of Mar, who is also clan chief of Clan Mar. Th ...
died in 1435, a power vacuum allowed the Lords of the Isles to dominate Moray from the 1430s to the 1450s. The crown's earldom was restricted to the coastal areas of Moray and was held by lords whose resources lay elsewhere. The last of these once-loyal lords were the Clan Douglas,
Earls of Douglas This page is concerned with the holders of the forfeit title Earl of Douglas and the preceding Scottish feudal barony, feudal barons of Douglas, South Lanarkshire. The title was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1358 for William Douglas, 1 ...
who were forfeited in 1455, after the Battle of Arkinholm against the king and a new power emerged in the province. The
Clan Gordon Clan Gordon is a Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan, historically one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The Gordon lands once spanned a large territory across the Highlands. Presently, Gordon is seated at Aboyne Castle, Aberdeenshire ...
, Earls of Huntly secured Badenoch in 1452 and occupied Moray three years later. The crown refused to allow the Gordons the provincial dominance of the Randolphs, but they remained chief lords of the area from the 15th century onwards, but under the possession of the crown royal line. The earldom eventually descended to Elizabeth Stewart, 7th Countess of Moray, whose husband was also recognised as earl. However, when her husband, James, was killed in battle against the
Sovereign ''Sovereign'' is a title that can be applied to the highest leader in various categories. The word is borrowed from Old French , which is ultimately derived from the Latin">-4; we might wonder whether there's a point at which it's appropriate to ...
in 1455, his title was attainted. The next grant was made to
James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military aviator. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morali ...
, the son of King James IV. He, however, died without children, and the title became extinct. The title was next given to
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly (151428 October 1562) was a Scottish nobleman. Life He was the son of John Gordon, Lord Gordon, and Margaret Stewart, daughter of James IV and Margaret Drummond. George Gordon inherited his earldom and esta ...
. Gordon fell out of royal favour, and in 1462, he was killed and his title forfeited. The most recent creation was in favour of another
James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military aviator. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morali ...
, the illegitimate son of King James V. Other Scottish titles associated with this creation are: Lord Abernethy and Strathearn (created 1562), Lord Doune (1581) and Lord St Colme (1611). Furthermore, Lord Moray holds the title Baron Stuart (1796), of Castle Stuart in the County of Inverness; since it is in the
Peerage of Great Britain The Peerage of Great Britain comprises all extant peerages created in the Kingdom of Great Britain between the Acts of Union 1707 and the Acts of Union 1800. It replaced the Peerage of England and the Peerage of Scotland, but was itself repla ...
, it entitled the Earls of Moray to sit in the
House of Lords The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the lower house, the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England. One of the oldest ext ...
before the passage of the
Peerage Act 1963 The Peerage Act 1963 (c. 48) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that permits female hereditary peers and all Scottish hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords and allows newly inherited hereditary peerages to be disclaimed. ...
. Perhaps the most well-known Earl of Moray was
James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray James Stewart, 2nd Lord Doune, ''jure uxoris'' 2nd Earl of Moray (c. 1565 – 7 February 1592), was a Scottish nobleman. He was murdered by George Gordon, Earl of Huntly as the culmination of a vendetta. Known as the Bonnie Earl for his good ...
, the husband of Elizabeth Stewart, 2nd Countess of Moray, who held the earldom ''jure uxoris'' (by right of his wife), as he was the subject of a famous ballad, " The Bonny Earl O'Moray". He was also a direct male-line descendant of King Robert II. The family seats are Doune Lodge, near Doune,
Stirling Stirling (; ; ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city in Central Belt, central Scotland, northeast of Glasgow and north-west of Edinburgh. The market town#Scotland, market town, surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the roya ...
and Darnaway Castle, near
Forres Forres (; ) is a town and former royal burgh in the north of Scotland on the County of Moray, Moray coast, approximately northeast of Inverness and west of Elgin, Moray, Elgin. Forres has been a winner of the Scotland in Bloom award on several ...
,
Moray Moray ( ; or ) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with a coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland. Its council is based in Elgin, the area' ...
.


Mormaers of Moray

* Findláech mac Ruaidrí (''before'' 1014–1020) * Máel Coluim mac Maíl Brigti (1020–1029) * Gille Coemgáin mac Maíl Brigti (1029–1032) * Mac Bethad mac Findláich, (Macbeth,
King of Scotland The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers regulated by the British cons ...
) (1032–1057) * Lulach mac Gille Coemgáin (1057–1058) * Máel Snechtai mac Lulaich (1058–1078/1085) * ? * Óengus (?–1130) * ? William fitz Duncan (1130s–1147) ** To Scottish Crown


Earls of Moray, first creation (1312)

* Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray (d. 1332) * Thomas Randolph, 2nd Earl of Moray (d. 1332) * John Randolph, 3rd Earl of Moray (d. 1346)


Earls of Moray, second creation (1372)

* John Dunbar, 1st Earl of Moray (d. 1391) * Thomas Dunbar, 2nd Earl of Moray (d. 1422?), son of 1st Earl * Thomas Dunbar, 3rd Earl of Moray (d. ?), son of 2nd Earl * James Dunbar, 4th Earl of Moray (d. 1429), cousin of 3rd Earl * Elizabeth Dunbar, Countess of Moray (d. 1485) (forfeit 1455), daughter of 4th Earl ** Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray (d. 1455), brother of the 8th and 9th
Earls of Douglas This page is concerned with the holders of the forfeit title Earl of Douglas and the preceding Scottish feudal barony, feudal barons of Douglas, South Lanarkshire. The title was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1358 for William Douglas, 1 ...
(acceded 145?), husband of Elizabeth Dunbar ** James Crichton, 2nd Lord Crichton and Earl of Moray (d. 1454) (acceded 1452), the husband of Janet Dunbar (sister of Elizabeth Dunbar)


Earls of Moray, third creation (1501)

*
James Stewart, Earl of Moray James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray (c. 1531 – 23 January 1570) was a member of the House of Stewart as the illegitimate son of King James V of Scotland. At times a supporter of his half-sister Mary, Queen of Scots, he was the regent of Scotl ...
(c. 1499–1544)


Earls of Moray, fourth creation (1549)

* George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, Earl of Moray (1514–1562), title forfeited


Earls of Moray, fifth creation (1562)

*
James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray (c. 1531 – 23 January 1570) was a member of the House of Stewart as the illegitimate son of King James V of Scotland. At times a supporter of his half-sister Mary, Queen of Scots, he was the regent of Scotl ...
(c. 1531–1570) * Elizabeth Stuart, 2nd Countess of Moray (d. 1591) * James Stewart, ''jure uxoris'' 2nd Earl of Moray (d. 1592) * James Stuart, 3rd Earl of Moray (d. 1638) *
James Stuart, 4th Earl of Moray James Stuart, 4th Earl of Moray (c. 1611 – 4 March 1653) was a Scottish nobleman and landowner. He was the son of James Stuart, 3rd Earl of Moray and Lady Anne Gordon, a daughter of George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly and Henrietta Stewa ...
(d. 1653) * Alexander Stuart, 5th Earl of Moray (d. 1701) * Charles Stuart, 6th Earl of Moray (d. 1735) * Francis Stuart, 7th Earl of Moray (d. 1739) * James Stuart, 8th Earl of Moray (1708–1767) * Francis Stuart, 9th Earl of Moray (1737–1810) * Francis Stuart, 10th Earl of Moray (1771–1848) * Francis Stuart, 11th Earl of Moray (1795–1859) * John Stuart, 12th Earl of Moray (1797–1867) * Archibald George Stuart, 13th Earl of Moray (1810–1872) * George Philip Stuart, 14th Earl of Moray (1816–1895) * Edmund Archibald Stuart, 15th Earl of Moray (1840–1901) * Francis James Stuart, 16th Earl of Moray (1842–1909) * Morton Gray Stuart, 17th Earl of Moray (1855–1930) * Francis Douglas Stuart, 18th Earl of Moray (1892–1943) * Archibald John Morton Stuart, 19th Earl of Moray (1894–1974) * Douglas John Moray Stuart, 20th Earl of Moray (1928–2011) * John Douglas Stuart, 21st Earl of Moray (b. 1966)


Present peer

John Douglas Stuart, 21st Earl of Moray (born 29 August 1966) is the only son of the 20th Earl of Moray and Lady Malvina Dorothea Murray, elder daughter of Mungo Murray, 7th Earl of Mansfield. Known as Lord Doune between 1974 and 2011, he was educated at
Loretto School Loretto School, founded in 1827, is an independent school (UK), independent boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. The campus occupies in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland. History The school was founded by the Reverend Th ...
and
University College London University College London (Trade name, branded as UCL) is a Public university, public research university in London, England. It is a Member institutions of the University of London, member institution of the Federal university, federal Uni ...
, graduating BA in History of Art. In 2003 he lived at Doune Park,
Perthshire Perthshire (Scottish English, locally: ; ), officially the County of Perth, is a Shires of Scotland, historic county and registration county in central Scotland. Geographically it extends from Strathmore, Angus and Perth & Kinross, Strathmore ...
. On 23 September 2011 he succeeded to the peerages of his father. On 1 July 2000, he married Catherine Jane Lawson, daughter of Professor Wilfred Alan Lawson, of Cloncallow,
County Wicklow County Wicklow ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The last of the traditional 32 counties, having been formed as late as 1606 in Ireland, 1606, it is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and the Provinces ...
, and they have three sons.''
Burke's Peerage Burke's Peerage Limited is a British genealogical publisher, considered an authority on the order of precedence of noble families and information on the lesser nobility of the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1826, when the Anglo-Irish genea ...
'', volume 2 (2003), p. 2762


See also

* Viscount Stuart of Findhorn *
Clan Stewart Clan Stewart (Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic: ''Stiùbhart'') is a Scottish Highlands, Scottish Highland and Scottish Lowlands, Lowland Scottish clan, clan. The clan is recognised by Court of the Lord Lyon; however, it does not have a Scottish clan chi ...
* Doune Castle * Castle Stuart * Mondegreen


References


External links


Moray Estates Development Company
which manages the family properties {{DEFAULTSORT:Moray Earldoms in the Peerage of Scotland Extinct earldoms in the Peerage of Scotland History of Moray People associated with Moray Forfeited earldoms in the Peerage of Scotland Noble titles created in 1312 Noble titles created in 1372 Noble titles created in 1501 Noble titles created in 1549 Noble titles created in 1562 Clan Stewart