Andrew Murray (soldier) facts for kids

Sir Andrew Murray (born 1298, died 1338) was a brave Scottish leader. He was also known as Sir Andrew Moray. He helped King David II of Scotland during the Second War of Scottish Independence. This was a big fight against Edward Balliol and King Edward III of England.

Andrew Murray owned important lands in Scotland. These included Avoch and Petty in the north. He also held Bothwell in west-central Scotland. In 1326, he married Christina Bruce. She was the sister of the famous King Robert I of Scotland. Murray was chosen twice to be the Guardian of Scotland. This was like being the country's main leader. He served as Guardian until he died in 1338.

Early Life and Family

A Difficult Childhood

Andrew Murray was born in 1298. His father, also named Andrew Moray, was a hero. He fought alongside William Wallace at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. Sadly, Murray's father was badly hurt in that battle. He died before Andrew was born. We do not know who Andrew Murray's mother was.

When Andrew was only five years old, he was taken. King Edward I of England made him a hostage. This meant Andrew was held captive by the English. He stayed in England for eleven years. He finally returned to Scotland in 1314. This happened after the Battle of Bannockburn, when prisoners were exchanged.

His Family Life

In July 1326, Andrew Murray got married. The wedding was at Cambuskenneth Abbey. He married Christina Bruce. She was King Robert I's sister. Christina had been married before.

Andrew Murray had two known sons:

• Sir John Murray (died 1351). He married Margaret Graham. They did not have children.
• Sir Thomas Murray (died 1361). He married Joanna. They also did not have children.

Military and Political Leadership

Bothwell Castle, an important place for Andrew Murray in Lanarkshire.

Returning to Scotland

After being held captive, Andrew Murray came back to Scotland. In 1315, he went to the Scottish Parliament. This meeting decided who would be the next king.

Murray took over his family's lands. He became the lord of Avoch, Boharm, and Petty. He also gained the lordship of Bothwell in Lanarkshire.

In 1328, a peace treaty was signed. It was called the Treaty of Northampton. Andrew Murray was there with other Scottish nobles. This peace between Scotland and England lasted only four years.

Becoming Guardian of Scotland

King Robert I died in 1329. He left his nephew, Thomas Randolph, as Guardian for the young King David. But Randolph died suddenly in 1332. This caused a lot of trouble for Scotland.

Another leader, Domhnall, Earl of Mar, was chosen as Regent. But he was killed just nine days later. This happened at the Battle of Dupplin Moor. Soon after, Edward Balliol became king.

In 1332, the Scots who supported King David II of Scotland chose Murray as their leader. He was called a warden or regent. He tried to fight Balliol at Roxburgh. During this fight, he was captured. He was taken to Durham in England in 1333.

Fighting for Freedom

Murray was set free in 1334. He immediately started fighting the English again. He joined Alexander de Mowbray. They marched into Buchan and attacked Henry de Beaumont. They surrounded his Dundarg Castle from August to November. Murray cut off the castle's water supply. This forced Beaumont to give up. Murray allowed him to return to England.

In 1335, Murray did not join a peace treaty with England. Instead, he went into hiding. He was with the Earl of March and William Douglas.

Later, David of Strathbogie attacked Kildrummy Castle. Murray's wife was inside the castle. Murray quickly gathered an army of 1,100 men. He marched north to help. They surprised Strathbogie in the forest. They killed him in the Battle of Culblean.

Leading the Country

A monument marking the site of the Battle of Culblean.

Guardian Again

After his victory, Murray called a parliament at Dunfermline. He was chosen as Guardian of Scotland again. King Edward III of England marched into Scotland. He tried to make Murray fight a big battle. But Murray avoided it.

During the winter of 1335-1336, Murray kept his army active. He attacked castles like Cupar Castle and Lochindorb Castle. He had to leave Lochindorb when Edward's army came close.

As soon as Edward went back to England, Murray attacked again. He captured Dunottar Castle, Lauriston Castle, and Kinclaven Castle. He also damaged lands in Kincardine and Angus.

More Victories

In early 1337, Murray gained more support. He was joined by the Earls of March and Fife, and William Douglas. They marched through Fife. They destroyed the tower of Falkland. They took Leuchars Castle. After a three-week siege, they captured St Andrews Castle on February 28.

In March, Murray took back Bothwell Castle. The English were using it as a base. Even though it was his own castle, Murray damaged it. He destroyed the main tower. This stopped the English from using it again. It also showed his strong loyalty to the Bruce family.

Murray led his troops towards Carlisle. Then he turned to Edinburgh. He began to surround Edinburgh Castle. English soldiers rushed to help. They met the Scots at Crichton. Douglas was hurt in the fight. Murray claimed victory, but he decided to stop the siege.

Murray was also in charge of Berwick Castle in 1337. There is not much more information about him until his death in 1338.

Death

Andrew Murray became ill in early 1338. He was at the siege of Edinburgh Castle. He returned to Ormond Castle. He died there around Lent in 1338.

He was first buried in Rosemarkie. Later, his body was moved to Dunfermline Abbey.

See also

• Bothwell Castle
• Clan Murray
• Kildrummy Castle

Sources

• Bower, Walter, Scotichronicon, ed. D. E. R. Watt, 1987–1993.
• Campbell, T., England, Scotland and the Hundred Years War, in Europe in the Late Middle Ages, ed. J. Hale et al., 1970.
• Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland, Four Volumes, ed. J. Bain, 1881–1888;
• Douglas-Simpson, W., Campaign and Battle of Culblean, in Proceedings of the Society of Antiquarians in Scotland, vol 64 1929–30.
• Fordun, John of, Chronicles of the Scottish Nation, ed. W. F. Skene, 1872.
• Gray, Thomas, Scalicronica, ed H. Maxwell, 1913.
• The Lanercost Chronicle, ed. H. Maxwell, 1913.
• Hailes, Lord (david Dalrymple, The Annals of Scotland, 1776.
• Nicholson, R., Edward III and the Scots, 1965.
• Reid, R. C. Edward de Balliol, in Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Antiquarian and Natural History Society, vol. 35 1956–7.
• Traquair, Peter Freedom's Sword 1998
• Webster, B., Scotland without a King, 1329-1341, in Medieval Scotland: Crown, Lordship and Community., ed. A. Grant and K. J. Stringer 1993.
• Wyntoun, Andrew, The Original Chronicle of Scotland, ed. F. J. Amours, 1907.