Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly facts for kids

Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly (died 1524) was an important Scottish nobleman. He was a member of the Scottish Parliament. He also served on the King's special advisory group, called the Privy Council. Alexander Gordon helped rule Scotland as a regent and was a top official, known as the King's Lieutenant.

Alexander Gordon's Life

Alexander Gordon was the son of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly. His mother was Princess Annabella of Scotland. She was the youngest daughter of King James I of Scotland.

Alexander was a favorite of King James IV of Scotland. Because of this, he received many large land grants. In 1500, he became the permanent sheriff of Inverness. This gave him great power in northern Scotland. A year later, in June 1501, he became the 3rd Earl of Huntly after his father's death.

He was present at the marriage agreement of King James IV in 1503. He also helped stop problems in the Scottish Isles in 1505. In 1509, he was given the title of Lord of Lochaber. This was a very important position.

Alexander fought in the Battle of Flodden on September 9, 1513. He led the Scottish left side of the army. He was one of the few Scottish noblemen who survived this battle.

In 1517, he joined the council that ruled Scotland. This was during the time King James V of Scotland was too young to rule. He was also made the King's Lieutenant for almost all of Scotland from 1517 to 1518. He supported the Duke of Albany in his disagreements with the Earl of Angus.

Alexander died on January 21, 1524, in Perth. He was buried in the church of the Blackfriars monastery. His grandson, George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, became the next Earl that same year.

His Family and Children

Alexander Gordon married Lady Jean Stewart on October 20, 1474. This was an arranged marriage. Jean was the daughter of John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl. Alexander and Jean had several children:

• Hon. John Gordon, Lord Gordon (died 1517). He was the father of George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly.
• Hon. Alexander Gordon of Strathavon. He married Janet Grant and had children.
• Hon. William Gordon, Bishop of Aberdeen.
• Lady Jean (or Janet) Gordon. She married Colin Campbell, 3rd Earl of Argyll. She also married Duncan Stewart.
• Lady Christian Gordon. She married Sir Robert de Menzies.
• Lady Marjory Gordon. She married Thomas Lumsden. He died at the Battle of Flodden.

After his first wife died, Alexander Gordon married Elizabeth Gray. She was the daughter of Andrew Gray, 2nd Lord Gray. This marriage happened after July 27, 1511. Elizabeth built a house for herself in Perth. This house later became known as Gowrie House. It was taken down in 1807.