Alexander Leslie, Earl of Ross facts for kids
Alexander Leslie, Earl of Ross (died 1402) was an important Scottish nobleman. He was born sometime between 1367 and 1382. His parents were Walter Leslie, Lord of Ross and Euphemia I, Countess of Ross. Around 1394, he became the Earl of Ross. Before 1398, he married Isabel Stewart, who was the daughter of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. They had one child, a daughter named Euphemia. Alexander Leslie passed away in Dingwall, Scotland, on May 8, 1402.
Early Life
Alexander Leslie was the son of Euphemia I, Countess of Ross and her husband, Walter Leslie, Lord of Ross. His father was known for his travels. We don't know Alexander's exact birth date. He was born between 1367 (the year after his parents married) and 1382 (the year his father died). When his father died in 1382, Alexander would have been a teenager.
The "Wolf of Badenoch"
Later in 1382, Alexander's mother, Euphemia, who was now a wealthy widow, married again. She married Alexander Stewart, who was also known as the "Wolf of Badenoch." He was a son of King Robert II of Scotland. This marriage made it much harder for young Alexander to inherit his family's lands and titles.
With the King's support, the marriage meant that control of the earldom of Ross and other important lands went from Euphemia to Alexander Stewart. Stewart was then made Earl of Buchan by the King. This meant that Alexander Stewart would control the earldom of Ross for his lifetime. Any children from his marriage to Euphemia would inherit other valuable lands, like the Isles of Skye and Lewis, and areas like Dingwall.
This situation meant that even if Alexander Leslie eventually became Earl, a large part of the earldom's most important lands might be gone. This upset the powerful Leslie-Lindsay family, who were relatives of Alexander. They had been important friends of King David II of Scotland.
The Leslie-Lindsay family wanted to protect Alexander Leslie's rights to Ross. This was hard because Alexander Stewart, the "Wolf of Badenoch," was very powerful in the north. However, Alexander Leslie's mother, Euphemia, also joined the Leslie-Lindsay group. In 1389, Countess Euphemia complained to the Pope that her marriage to Alexander Stewart was not real, as he spent more time with another woman. In 1392, the Pope officially ended the marriage. He also ordered that Euphemia's lands be given back to her.
With strong support from a powerful relative, Euphemia and her son Alexander were able to get their power back in Ross. By 1394, Alexander Stewart's power in Ross had disappeared. Countess Euphemia was once again in charge, making official grants from Dingwall Castle.
Becoming Earl of Ross
Alexander became the Earl of Ross after his mother died. This happened sometime between late 1394 and 1398. We don't know the exact date his mother passed away. In November 1398, Alexander gave some lands to his relative, George Leslie of Rothes. He did this to get 200 merks (a type of money) which he needed to officially take control of the earldom from the King. He also controlled another area called Fitkill in Fife until 1399. He then gave this land to Rothes as well, through King Robert III of Scotland. We don't know much else about what he did as Earl.
Family and Heir
Alexander married Isabel, who was the daughter of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. They married sometime before 1398. They had only one child, a daughter named Euphemia. Later, Euphemia gave her large estates not to her father's sister, but to her mother's half-brother, John. John was Albany's second son, and his father made him Earl of Buchan in 1408. This might have been planned by Albany, who wanted to control Ross.
Death
According to an old record called the Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross, Alexander Leslie, Earl of Ross, died in Dingwall on May 8, 1402. His wife, Isabel, later married Sir Walter de Haliburton.
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