Alexander de Abernethy facts for kids

Alexander de Abernethy (born after 1271 – died around 1315) was an important Scottish noble. He was the son of Hugh de Abernethy and Maria de Ergadia. His family had a long history, tracing back to the abbots of Abernethy. His great-grandfather, Laurence de Abernethy, was the first to be called a "Lord" of Abernethy. Alexander's daughter, Margaret, later married John Stewart, who became the new Earl of Angus.

Alexander's Life and Role

Alexander swore loyalty to King Edward I in 1291. This likely happened after his father, Hugh, passed away.

Serving the King

Between 1301 and 1303, Alexander was made a "warden" of Scotland. This meant he was a protector or governor for the area between the Forth River and the Mounth mountains. In 1303, he joined a trip to Strathearn to stop rebellions. The next year, in 1304, he went to Menteith for the same reason.

In 1305, he lost his role as warden. However, he continued to support the Balliol family's claim to the Scottish throne. This was against the claim of the Bruce family.

Later Responsibilities

Alexander was ordered to join John of Brittany to defend Galloway. This was to protect the area from Robert Bruce. Because of this, Alexander was not at King Robert's first parliament in 1309.

In June 1308, Alexander became a warden again. He was in charge of Scotland between the Forth and Orkney, working with Edward Hastings. In July 1310, he was made warden for the area between the Forth and the mountains. He also agreed to serve in Berwick and Perthshire under Sir John de Segrave.

Final Years

In 1310, King Edward II gave Alexander the area of Clackmannan in Stirlingshire. By mid-1311, he was the "Constable" (in charge) of Dundee. In 1312, he led the defense of Dundee against Edward Bruce, but they were not successful.

In 1314, Alexander's lands were "forfeited." This means he lost them, and they were given to the Earl of Angus. Alexander then went to England and passed away by the end of 1315. He also held important positions as Sheriff in Kincardine, Forfar, and Perth.

Family Life

Alexander married Margaret de Menteith. She was the daughter of Alexander, Earl of Menteith. Lady Margaret de Abernethy was a lady-in-waiting at the court of Isabella of France, who was the Queen of England around 1311-1312.

Margaret stayed in England until at least January 1325. At that time, she was given permission to visit Scotland. She wanted to talk with her family there about getting back her "hereditary lands." These were lands passed down through her family.

Alexander and Margaret had two daughters:

• Margaret de Abernethy, who married John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus.
• Mary de Abernethy, who first married Sir Andrew de Leslie, and later married Sir David de Lindsay.

Sources

• Joseph Bain (ed.) Calendar of documents relating to Scotland, volume 3;
• C. A. McGladdery, ‘Abernethy family (per. c.1260–c.1465)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, OUP (2004);
• Cal. Patent Rolls, 18 Edw. II. p. 2, p. 87, m. 32.
• Bain, Cal. Docs. Scotland III:157, no. 860.
• Charles J. Leslie, Historical Records of the Family of Leslie (Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas, 1869), p. 37.
• 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.