Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland

January 30, 2014 — 5 Comments

Alexander Stewart

tartan

The Stewart Stewards of Scotland were powerful.  Alexander took over as Steward from his father.  Although there is some question about the parentage of his wife, there is no doubt about his children:

ALEXANDER Stewart, son of WALTER FitzAlan High Steward of Scotland & his wife — (-1283). The Liber Pluscardensisnames “dominus Alexander Stevart de Dundonald, pronepos primi Walteri Stewart”[1101]. The Visitation of Cambridge 1575 names “Alexander Stuart secundo genitus Gualt, Senescalli Scotie”[1102]. He succeeded his father as High Steward of Scotland. “Alexander filius Walteri Scotie senescallus” donated flour from “firma mea de Inchynnan” to Paisley monastery by charter dated Jan 1286 (presumably misdated)[1103]. The seal of “Alexandri filii Walterii senescalli regis Scotie” is appended to a charter under which “Alexander Stuart” donated lands at Machline and Carentabel to Melrose by charter dated to [1226] (presumably misdated)[1104]. John of Fordun´s Scotichronicon (Continuator) records the death in 1281 of “Alexander senescallus Scotiæ, avus…Walteri generi domini Roberti Bruce regis”[1105].

m JEAN, daughter of —. Balfour Paul names Jean of Bute heiress of the Isles of Bute and Arran, daughter of James Lord of Bute and Arran & his wife —, and records her marriage to Alexander Stewart, but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1106]. Andrew McEwen suggests that there is no evidence to indicate that the wife of Alexander Stewart was the daughter of James Lord of Bute[1107]. He adds that what evidence there is “suggests a double marriage alliance…about 1240 between Sir Walter fitz Alan II and Richard Comyn by which the Steward´s son and heir Alexander married Comyn´s daughter Joanna, while Comyn´s son and heir John married Sir Walter´s daughter Eva”, but he does not cite the nature of the evidence in question[1108].

Alexander Stewart & his wife had [six] children:

1. [JAMES Stewart (-young). The Visitation of Cambridge 1575 names “Jacobus Styward” as eldest son of “Alexander Stuart secundo genitus Gualt, Senescalli Scotie”, adding that he died young[1109].

2. JAMES Stewart ([1243]-16 Jul 1309). The Visitation of Cambridge 1575 names “Johannes Steward” as second son of “Alexander Stuart secundo genitus Gualt, Senescalli Scotie”, adding that he was killed in battle “ad variu´ Sacella”[1110]. He succeeded his father as High Steward of Scotland. He was appointed one of the six guardians of the kingdom on the death of King Alexander III in 1286[1111]. King Edward I confirmed the grant of “castro de Roo” made by “Ricardus de Burgo comes Ultoniæ et dominus Connactensis” to “Jacobo Senescallo Scotiæ et Egidiæ sorori ipsius comitis” by charter dated 10 Oct 1296[1112]. John of Fordun´s Scotichronicon (Continuator) records the death “XVII Kal Aug” in 1309 of “dominus Jacobus senescallus Scotie, pater…Walteri, generi regis Roberti Bruce”[1113]. [m firstly CECILIA de Dunbar, daughter of PATRICK Earl of Dunbar & his wife Cecilia —. Symson records that James Stewart married “Cecilia daughter to Patrick Earl of Dunbar…the first of that family who quitted that title and assumed that of March”, adding that Cecilia was the mother of James´s children. without citing the corresponding primary source[1114]. Andrew McEwen indicates that “no documentary evidence has been found” to support this statement, but adds that “though hardly free from error, Symson´s work is always deserving of respect”, and highlights that “it is highly unlikely that Muriel of Strathearn, whom he married in 1278, was James´s first wife”[1115].] [m secondly (before Jan 1279, [divorced before 1291]) as her second husband, MURIEL of Strathearn, widow of WILLIAM Earl of Mar, daughter of MALISE Earl of Strathearn & his first wife Marjory de Muschamp of Wooler ([1244]-[16 May/12 Nov] 1291). The evidence for this possible second marriage is indicated by an assize roll dated “7 Edw I” [Nov 1278/Nov 1279] which records a claim relating to the barony of Muschamp brought by “Jacobus filius Alexandri et Muriella uxor eius” and “Maria uxor Nicholai de Grame”, both represented by “Stephanum de Muschaump vel Thomam de Hagarston”, against “Thomam de Rok”[1116]. Pleas taken at Newcastle 20 Jan 1279 (N.S.) include a jury finding that “the heirs of Muschampe hold their barony by service of four knights, and making suit to the county of Newcastle”[1117]. Andrew MacEwen indicates that “Muriella…Maria” were the two daughters of Malise Earl of Strathearn by his first wife Marjory de Muschamp, and identifies “Jacobus filius Alexandri”, the husband of Muriel, as James Stewart the future High Steward of Scotland, although he cites no primary source which confirms that the latter identification is correct[1118]. The absence of any reference to Muriel´s husband “James” in the document dated 16 May 1291, which records the homage sworn to King Edward by “Muriellæ quæ fuit uxor Willelmi quondam comitis de Mar, filiæ et heredis Margeriæ filiæ Roberti de Muschaumps defunctæ” for the lands of “Margeria mater sua”[1119], suggests that her second marriage to “James” must have terminated before that date by divorce or annulment.] m [thirdly] EGIDIA de Burgh, daughter of WALTER de Burgh Earl of Ulster & his wife Aveline FitzJohn ([1260/70]-). King Edward I confirmed the grant of “castro de Roo” made by “Ricardus de Burgo comes Ultoniæ et dominus Connactensis” to “Jacobo Senescallo Scotiæ et Egidiæ sorori ipsius comitis” by charter dated 10 Oct 1296[1120]. The Visitation of Cambridge 1575 records that “Johannes Steward”, second son of “Alexander Stuart secundo genitus Gualt, Senescalli Scotie”, married “heredem de Bouthill”[1121]. According to Burke, James Stewart married “Cecilia, daughter of Patrick de Dunbar 7th Earl of Dunbar & March” by whom he fathered Walter Stewart[1122]. James Stewart & his [third] wife had [five] children:

a) ANDREW Stewart ([after 1290]-after 25 Aug 1306). The fact that Andrew was his father´s oldest [surviving] son is confirmed by a notarial confirmation dated 9 Aug 1306 which attested the verity of various documents, including one indicating that William Bishop of St Andrews had delivered “Andrew son and heir of Sir James the Steward of Scotland” to Robert de Brus[1123]. Malise Earl of Strathearn and John de Inchmartyn were ordered to produce “Andrew son of the Steward of Scotland and John son of John Earl of Athol” by charter dated 25 Aug 1306[1124]. These two documents presumably indicate that Andrew was still a minor in 1306, which confirms that he must have been from his father´s marriage to Egidia de Burgh.

b) WALTER Stewart ([1292]-9 Apr [1326/29]). The Liber Pluscardensis names “dominus Alexander Stevart de Dundonald, pronepos primi Walteri Stewart” as “proavus…nobilis Walteri Stevart qui filiam Roberti de Broys desponsavit”[1125]. He succeeded his father as High Steward of Scotland.

c) EGIDIA Stewart . Her parentage and marriage are confirmed by the charter under which “Alexandro de Meyners militi et Egidie Senescalli sponse sue” renounced “totam baroniam de Dorsidere” {Durrisdeir} in favour of her brother James, dated to [1315/21][1126]. m ALEXANDER de Meyners, son of —.

d) [JOHN Stewart (-killed in battle Dundalk 1318). “…Johe Senescallo…” witnessed a charter dated 9 Jul 1316 under which “Thomas Ranulphi comes Morauie et dns Mannie” confirmed a donation to Newbattle abbey[1127]. Andrew McEwen states that “if there was such a son [John], he must have been illegitimate”, but he does not explain his reasoning for this statement[1128].]

e) JAMES Stewart of Durisdeer (-after Nov 1330). “…Domino Malcolmo Flemyng, domino Jacobo senescallo fratre quondam domini Walteri quondam senescalli Scotie, domino Alano Senescallo…” subscribed the charter dated Nov 1330 under which “Malcolmus comes de Levenax” donated “ecclesiam de Kylpatrick” to Paisley monastery[1129].

3. ELIZABETH Stewart . The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified. Balfour Paul records her parentage and marriage without citing a precise source[1130]. The marriage is suggested by Barbour´s The Brus which records that “Walter Steward” and “Douglas” were “cosynis in ner degre”[1131]. m as his first wife, Sir WILLIAM Douglas “the Hardy” of that Ilk, son of Sir WILLIAM Douglas of Douglas & his wife — (-London in prison 1298).

4. [ANDREW Stewart (-after 1350). m — Beith, daughter of JAMES Beith & his wife —. The Visitation of Cambridge 1575 records the marriage of “Andreas Stuard iunior filius” (of Alexander Stuart secundo genitus Gualt, Senescalli Scotie) and “filiam Jacobi Bethe”, adding that he was decorated with a military swordbelt by “Johanne Francor´ Rege” and naming “Alexander Styward unicus filius Andree” who was awarded military honours by “Carolus rex Francor” (together with eight generations of Alexander´s alleged descendants in East Anglia)[1132]. The chronology of this entry is extremely shaky and it is unlikely that Andrew was the son of Alexander.]

5. Sir JOHN Stewart of Bonkyl (-killed in battle Falkirk 1298). A charter dated 15 May 1296 records the submission of “Johan le Seneschal frere Mons James Seneschal d Escoce” to Edward I King of England[1133]. m as her first husband, MARGARET Bonkyl, daughter and heiress of Sir ALEXANDER Bonkyl of that Ilk & his wife —. She married secondly as his first wife, David de Brechin. Sir John & his wife had six children:

a) Sir ALEXANDER Stewart of Bonkyl (-1317). m —. The name of Sir Alexander’s wife is not known. Sir Alexander & his wife had one child:

i) JOHN Stewart (-9 Dec 1331). He succeeded his father in 1319 at Bonkyl, co. Berwick. He was created Earl of Angus before 15 Jun 1329, when he is styled as such in a charter[1134].

Alexander 4th High Steward Stewart (1214 – 1298)

Alexander Stewart (c.1214-c.1283) was the hereditary High Steward of Scotland from c.1241 until his death. He was a member of the House of Stewart (later known as Stuart). Alexander was a son of Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland and his wife Bethóc of Angus. Bethóc was daughter of Gille Críst, Earl of Angus.
Alexander Stewart was instrumental in the Battle of Largs on October 2, 1263.
Marriage and Issue
The Stewart married Jean, daughter of James, Lord of Bute. They were parents to at least three children:
James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland (c. 1243 – 1309).
Sir John Stewart, Lord of Bonkyl (before 1269 – 1298). Killed while fighting in the Battle of Falkirk.
Elizabeth Stewart.(d. before 1288) Married Sir William Douglas the Hardy, mother of the Good Sir James Douglas
Through their eldest son James, Alexander and Jean were the great-grandparents of King Robert II, the first Stewart to be King of Scots, and thus an ancestor of all subsequent Scottish monarchs and the later and current monarchs of Great Britain.
Alexander and Jean were also the direct male-line ancestors, through their second son, of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.