Alexander, Earl of Menteith facts for kids

Alexander of Menteith (died before 1306) was an important Scottish nobleman from the famous Stewart family. He held the title of Earl of Menteith, which meant he was a powerful leader in his area.

Alexander of Menteith: A Scottish Leader

Alexander of Menteith was a powerful person in Scotland during a very difficult time. This period is known as the Wars of Scottish Independence, when Scotland fought to remain free from England. Alexander was part of the noble Stewart family, which later became the royal family of Scotland.

His Early Life and Family

Alexander was the oldest son of Walter Bailloch Stewart and Mary I, Countess of Menteith. He became the Mormaer or Earl of Menteith because his mother, Mary, was the rightful Countess.

We first hear about Alexander in history books with his brother, John de Menteith, in an agreement made on 20 September 1286. This meeting happened at Turnberry and included important families like the Bruce and the Stewarts. Alexander and John are also mentioned in a gift their father gave to Kilwinning Abbey.

In 1286, Alexander and his father gave the church of Kippen to Cambuskenneth Abbey. This abbey was in their earldom and was used as a burial place for their family. In 1288, Alexander got an important job: Sheriff of Dumbarton. This meant he was in charge of keeping law and order in that area.

His Role in Scotland's History

Before he officially became Earl, Alexander was at Norham in 1291. At this time, many Scottish nobles were asked to promise loyalty to King Edward I of England. Alexander was one of those who did.

The Battle of Dunbar

A big event in Alexander's life was the Battle of Dunbar on 27 April 1296. He fought in this battle with his brother John. After the Scottish army lost, Alexander ran to Dunbar Castle. But he and many others were captured there. Alexander was then sent to the Tower of London as a prisoner.

Luckily, he wasn't held for long. He was set free after he promised to serve the English King. He met King Edward I at Elgin on 27 July 1296 to confirm his promise. A month later, on 28 August, he repeated his promise of loyalty at Berwick. He signed as Alexander Comes Meneteth, which means "Alexander, Earl of Menteith." To show he was serious, Alexander gave two of his sons, Alan and Peter, as hostages to the English King. This meant his sons would be held by the king to ensure Alexander kept his word.

After these events, Alexander seemed to step away from public life. He focused more on his family. He passed away sometime before the year 1306.

Alexander's Family

Alexander married a lady named Matilda (also called Maud). She was a daughter of Robert, Earl of Strathearn. They had several children:

His Children

• Alan: He became the next Earl of Menteith after his father.
• Peter: In 1296, he was held as a hostage in England with his brother Alan. Peter later traveled with King Edward I to Flanders and might have died during a military campaign in 1297.
• Murdach: He also became an Earl of Menteith later on.
• Alexander: He is mentioned as Murdach's brother in a historical document.
• Malise: He received land called Ballygillachy from King Robert I. Malise married Margaret Mar and had children.
• Margaret: She became the wife of Alexander de Abernethy.
• Ellen: Historians believe she was the wife of William Ferrers, 1st Baron Ferrers of Groby.

See Also

• Earl of Menteith
• Wars of Scottish Independence
• Stewart family

Further Reading

• Brown, Michael, The Wars of Scotland, 1214-1371, (Edinburgh, 2004)
• J. Ravilious, The Earls of Menteith: Alexander, Earl of Menteith and Sir Alexander de Abernethy, The Scottish Genealogist (September 2010), Vol. LVII, No. 3, pp. 130–139.
• J. Ravilious, The Earls of Menteith: Murdoch, Earl of Menteith and the Ferrers family of Groby, The Scottish Genealogist (March 2013), Vol. LX, No. 1, pp. 12–25.