Alexander Stewart, 1st Earl of Galloway facts for kids
Alexander Stewart, 1st Earl of Galloway (born around 1580, died 9 October 1649), was an important Scottish nobleman. He served the king and owned a lot of land. He was known for being very talented, loyal, and honest.
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Alexander was the son of Sir Alexander Stewart, the 6th Laird of Garlies, and Christian Douglas. His family lived near Garlies Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. His father was knighted in 1590 by Anne of Denmark, the Queen.
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Serving King James VI
Alexander Stewart worked for King James VI of Scotland. He was a trusted person in the king's court.
Helping Solve Conflicts
In July 1602, Alexander Stewart, then known as Garlies, joined a special group. This group of "4 Stewarts" helped solve a big disagreement between two powerful families: the Marquess of Huntly and the Earl of Moray. They tried to find peaceful ways to end the feud, like suggesting marriages between the families. The Queen, Anne of Denmark, also offered ideas to help bring peace.
Becoming a Lord and Sheriff
On 19 July 1607, Alexander Stewart was given the title of Lord Garlies. This made him a nobleman. He also became the Sheriff of Galloway. A sheriff was an important official who helped keep law and order in the area.
As Sheriff of Galloway, Lord Garlies sometimes dealt with unusual situations. He would report these to the Privy Council of Scotland, which was like a high court, and the king's lawyer.
Becoming the Earl of Galloway
Alexander Stewart received an even higher honor on 19 September 1623. He was made the Earl of Galloway. This was a very important title in Scotland. The title would pass down to his male family members who had the name Stewart.
He passed away on 9 October 1649. He had two sons and one daughter.
Family
Alexander Stewart married Grisel Gordon in 1600. She was the daughter of Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar and Kenmure.
Their children included:
- James Stewart: He became a Baronet of Nova Scotia during his father's lifetime.
- Alexander Stewart: He married Anne Howard in 1627. She was the daughter of Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham and Margaret Stewart.
