Earl of Atholl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Earldom of Atholl
The Arms of the Realm and Ancient Local Principalities of Scotland
Creation date	12th century
Peerage	Peerage of Scotland
First holder	Dubdon of Atholl (Mormaerdom)
Present holder	Bruce Murray, 12th Duke of Atholl
Status	Extant as subsidiary title of Duke of Atholl
Former seat(s)	Blair Castle

The Earl of Atholl was an important title in medieval Scotland. An Earl was a powerful leader, similar to a count, who ruled over a large area. The Earldom of Atholl covered a region called Atholl, located in the Scottish Highlands. Today, this area is part of northern Perthshire.

Atholl was a very special place. Ancient records show that a King of Atholl existed even during the time of the Picts, an old Scottish people. This makes Atholl one of the few Pictish kingdoms known from that period.

In the 11th century, a famous person named Crínán of Dunkeld might have been an early leader of Atholl. Later, the title stayed connected to the royal family. Máel Muire, an Earl of Atholl, was the son of King Duncan I and the younger brother of King Malcolm III of Scotland.

One of the most well-known Earls was Matad, Earl of Atholl. His son, Harald Maddadsson, became a famous rebel against the Scottish King. Harald was also possibly the first Gael (a person from the Scottish Highlands or Ireland) to rule Orkney as its Earl.

The direct family line of Máel Muire and Crínán eventually ended. This happened when Forbhlaith, the daughter of Mormaer Henry, married a man named David de Hastings.

Their daughter, Ada, married into the Strathbogie family. This family had some Norman (French) roots but also Scottish connections. The Strathbogies held the title until the Scottish Wars of Independence. During these wars, the Campbells took over the Earldom. Finally, the title passed to the Stewarts, who later became the royal family of Scotland.

Early Leaders of Atholl

The title of Earl of Atholl was held by many important figures throughout history. Here are some of the earliest known leaders:

• Dubdon (around the 960s)
• Crínán (died 1045)
• Máel Muire, Earl of Atholl (around the 1130s), son of King Duncan I of Scotland
• Matad, Earl of Atholl (died between 1151 and 1161), son of Máel Muire
• Máel Coluim, Earl of Atholl (died in the 1190s), son of Matad
• Henry, Earl of Atholl (died 1211), son of Máel Coluim
• Isabella, Countess of Atholl
  • She married Thomas of Galloway (died 1232)
• Padraig, Earl of Atholl (died 1241)
• Forbhlaith, Countess of Atholl
  • She married David de Hastings
• Ada, Countess of Atholl (died 1264) who married John de Strathbogie
• David de Strathbogie, 8th Earl of Atholl (died 1270)
• John de Strathbogie, 9th Earl of Atholl (died 1306)
• David II Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl (died 1326) - his title was taken away.

After David II, some others claimed the title, but they didn't actually rule Atholl:

• David III Strathbogie, titular Earl of Atholl (died 1335)
• David IV Strathbogie, titular Earl of Atholl (died 1369)

Later Earls of Atholl

The Earldom of Atholl was created several times over the centuries. This means the title was given to new families or new branches of existing families.

Second Creation (1320)

• John Campbell, 1st Earl of Atholl (died 1333) received the lands that were taken from David II Strathbogie. He did not have any children, so the title ended with him.

Third Creation (1341)

• William Douglas, 1st Earl of Atholl (died 1353) gave up his earldom soon after it was created.

Fourth Creation (1342)

• Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl (1316–1390) was the grandson of King Robert I of Scotland. He stopped being Earl of Atholl in 1367 and later became King Robert II in 1371.
• John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Atholl had the title given to him by his father in 1367. John later became King Robert III of Scotland in 1390.

Fifth Creation (1398)

• David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay, 1st Earl of Atholl (died 1402) was the grandson of King Robert II. He died without children, so his title ended.

Sixth Creation (1403)

• Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, 1st Earl of Atholl (1340–1420) was the third son of King Robert II. He was made Earl of Atholl only for the lifetime of his brother, King Robert III. When his brother died in 1406, Robert lost the earldom.

Seventh Creation (1404)

• Walter Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl (died 1437) was the youngest son of King Robert II. He was involved in the death of King James I, so he lost his titles and was executed.

Eighth Creation (1457)

Arms of the Stewart Earls of Atholl, in stained glass at Stirling Castle

• John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl (1440–1512) was a half-brother of King James II.
• John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Atholl (died 1521) was the only son of the 1st Earl.
• John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Atholl (1507–1542) was the only son of the 2nd Earl.
• John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl (died 1579) was the only son of the 3rd Earl.
• John Stewart, 5th Earl of Atholl (1563–1595) was the only son of the 4th Earl. He died without any sons.

Ninth Creation (1596)

• John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl (1566–1603) was the only son of the 5th Lord Innermeath.
• James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Atholl (died 1625) was the only son of the 1st Earl. He died without children, and so both his titles ended.

Tenth Creation (1629)

• John Murray, 1st Earl of Atholl (died 1642) was the son of William Murray, 2nd Earl of Tullibardine. His mother was the daughter of the 5th Earl of Atholl.
• John Murray, 3rd Earl of Tullibardine, 2nd Earl of Atholl (1631–1703) was the older son of the 1st Earl. He became the 2nd Earl of Atholl in 1642. Later, he was made Marquess of Atholl in 1676.
• John Murray, 2nd Marquess of Atholl (1660–1724) was the oldest son of the 1st Marquess. He was given the title of Duke of Atholl in 1703.

See also

• Clan Murray
• Atholl