Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland facts for kids
Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland (who died in 1594) was an important Scottish noble and landowner. He was a leader in the north of Scotland during a time of many conflicts between powerful families.
Early Life of Alexander Gordon
Alexander was the son of John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland and his second wife, Lady Helen Stewart. When Alexander was about fifteen years old in 1567, a sad event happened. His father and stepmother died at Helmsdale Castle. They were poisoned by Isobel Sinclair. Isobel Sinclair's own son also died, but young Alexander Gordon was unharmed.
After this, Alexander was forced to marry Barbara Sinclair. She was the daughter of George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness and was much older than Alexander. This marriage was part of the power struggles between the families.
Rivalry with the Earls of Caithness
In 1569, Alexander managed to escape from the Sinclair family and went to Huntly Castle. He then began the process to end his marriage to Barbara Sinclair. She died in 1573. After her death, Alexander married Jean Gordon. She had also been living at Huntly Castle.
A big fight happened in 1570, known as the Battle of Torran-Roy. This battle was between the forces of George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness, and Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland. At first, the Earl of Caithness was defeated by Sutherland's allies, the Murrays of Aberscross. But the Earl of Caithness returned and attacked the Murrays at Dornoch. Sadly, several Murrays were killed.
Later, in 1585, a meeting took place in Elgin, Scotland. Important leaders like George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly, Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland, George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness, and Huistean Du Mackay, 13th of Strathnaver were there. The goal was to fix problems between the Earl of Sutherland, the Earl of Caithness, and Hugh Mackay. These problems were caused by actions of the Clan Gunn and Hugh Mackay in Assynt.
At the meeting, it was decided that the Clan Gunn should be dealt with. They were seen as the main cause of the troubles. However, both Hugh Mackay and the Earl of Caithness did not want to attack their old allies, the Clan Gunn. So, they left the meeting.
Because of this, in 1586, George Gordon, Marquess of Huntly, came north to Sutherland. He sent a message to Hugh Mackay and the Earl of Caithness to meet him at Dunrobin Castle, which was Sutherland's home. The Earl of Caithness met with the Gordons, but Hugh Mackay did not. He was then declared a rebel. However, some historians say Hugh Mackay did attend but still refused to destroy the Gunns. The Earl of Caithness did agree with the Gordons to attack the Gunns.
The Earl of Caithness sent his men to attack the Gunns. In the battle that followed, called the Battle of Allt Camhna, the Gunns were joined by the Mackays. Together, they defeated the Sinclairs. Their leader, Henry Sinclair, who was a cousin of the Earl of Caithness, was killed.
In 1590, the rivalry between George, 5th Earl of Caithness, and Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland, continued. The Earl of Caithness invaded Sutherland. But he was defeated at the Battle of Clynetradwell.
Later Life
Alexander Gordon and his wife, Jean Gordon, lived at Dunrobin Castle. Jean Gordon was very good at managing things. She took charge of the Sutherland estates, handling the money and making sure rents were paid. She and her husband also checked the accounts of their chamberlain, Alexander Ewinson.
Alexander Gordon was not in good health. In 1580, he decided to give control of the Sutherland earldom to his young son and heir, John. This meant his son would take over the family's lands and title.
Alexander Gordon died in 1594.
In 1599, his widow, Jean Gordon, married Alexander Ogilvie of Boyne.
Family
Alexander Gordon and Barbara Sinclair did not have any children.
Alexander Gordon and Jean Gordon had several children:
- Jane Gordon, who married Huistean Du MacKay of Strathnaver and Farr in December 1589.
- John Gordon, 13th Earl of Sutherland (1575-1615), who married Agnes Elphinstone in Edinburgh on February 5, 1600. Her sister, Jean Elphinstone, married Arthur, Master of Forbes, in a double wedding. As wedding gifts, King James VI gave the brides beautiful gold and pearl jewelry.
- Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun (1580-1654), who married Louise Lucie Gordon in 1613.
- Mary Gordon (1582-1605), who married David Ross of Balnagowan in 1598.
- Alexander Gordon of Navisdale
