Earl of Lennox facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Earldom of Lennox
Arms of Lennox: Argent, a saltire between four roses gules
Creation date	12th century
Peerage	Peerage of Scotland
First holder	David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon (first known)
Former seat(s)	Balloch Castle

The Earl or Mormaer of Lennox was an important leader in the Lennox region of western Scotland. This title was like being a powerful ruler or a very important noble. It was first created in the 12th century. One of the earliest known people to hold this title was David of Scotland. Later, the title was held by the Stewart family, who became very famous in Scottish history.

Who Were the Ancient Earls of Lennox?

Loch Lomond, a beautiful lake in the heart of the Lennox region.

A map showing the Lennox area in Scotland.

The first earl we know about was Ailin I, sometimes called 'Alwin'. People used to say he became Earl of Lennox in 1154, but this might be too early. Some think the title was first given by King William the Lion to his brother David. When David received a higher title, he passed the Lennox earldom to Ailin.

We don't know much about Ailin's family before he became earl. His family line continued to hold the title until Earl Duncan in the 1400s. Duncan's daughter, Isabella, married Murdoch. This marriage was meant to help their family, but it led to big problems.

At that time, there was a lot of political trouble in Scotland. King James became king and took strong action against powerful families he saw as a threat. Sadly, Earl Duncan and many of his family members were executed, even though Duncan had not done anything wrong himself.

Isabella was held prisoner in Tantallon Castle. She survived, and became the Countess of Lennox after her father. All four of her sons died during her lifetime. Two died because of the king's actions, and two from illness. She had some grandsons, but none were considered legitimate heirs. So, the earldom ended with her around 1457.

The Stewart Earls of Lennox

The family crest of the Stewart of Darnley family, who became Earls of Lennox.

In 1473, the earldom was given to Sir John Stewart of Darnley. He was the grandson of Elizabeth Lennox, who was Earl Duncan's daughter and Isabella's sister. Later, in 1565, Sir John's great-great-great-grandson, Henry, Lord Darnley, married Mary, Queen of Scots.

Henry, Lord Darnley, died in 1567. When his father, Earl Matthew, passed away, the Lennox earldom went to James. James was the son of Henry and Mary. A few months later, James became King of Scots. This meant the title of Earl of Lennox joined the Crown, becoming part of the king's own titles.

The earldom was given out again in 1572 to King James's uncle, Charles. He was Earl for only four years, dying at age twenty-one. Next, the title went to the king's great-uncle, Robert, in 1578. Robert was persuaded to trade the Lennox title for another one, the Earldom of March. This allowed the king to give the Lennox title to his close friend and cousin, Esmé.

In 1581, Esmé's earldom was made into an even higher title: a dukedom. His family continued as Dukes of Lennox. The last in this line was his great-grandson, Charles, who died without children in 1672.

In 1675, the Dukedom of Lennox was given to Charles. He was the son of King Charles II. He also received the English Dukedom of Richmond and other titles. However, he later sold his lands in the Lennox region. This meant he was Duke of Lennox in name only, without owning the land. This family line still exists today. They use "Lennox" as their surname, which changed to "Gordon-Lennox" in the 1800s.

List of Earls and Dukes of Lennox

Earls of Lennox (First Creation: 12th Century)

• David, Earl of Huntingdon (died 1219)
• Ailin I, Earl of Lennox (died around 1200)
• Ailin II, Earl of Lennox (died 1217)
• Maldouen, Earl of Lennox (died 1250)
• Malcolm I, Earl of Lennox (died 1303)
• Malcolm II, Earl of Lennox (died 1333)
• Donald, Earl of Lennox (died 1365)
• Margaret, Countess of Lennox (gave up the title in 1385)

  She married Walter of Faslane.

• Duncan, Earl of Lennox (died 1425)
• Isabella, Countess of Lennox (died 1458)

  She married Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany.

The title ended around 1459 because Isabella's sons died without legitimate children.

Earls of Lennox (Second Creation: 1488)

The family crest of Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox.

• John Stewart, 1st Earl of Lennox (died 1495)
• Matthew Stewart, 2nd Earl of Lennox (1488–1513), who died in the Battle of Flodden.
• John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Lennox (died 1526)
• Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox (1516–1571)
  • Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley (1545–1567), was the oldest son but died before his father. He married Mary, Queen of Scots. Their son, King James VI of Scotland and I of England, inherited the earldom when his grandfather died. The title then merged with the Crown.

Earls of Lennox (Third Creation: around 1571)

• Charles Stewart, Earl of Lennox (1555–1576), the second son of the 4th Earl from the second creation.

Earls of Lennox (Fourth Creation: 1578)

• Robert Stewart, Earl of Lennox, who traded the title for the Earldom of March in 1580. He was the second son of the third Earl from the second creation.

Earls of Lennox (Fifth Creation: 1580)

• Esmé Stewart, Earl of Lennox (1542–1583), a grandson of the third Earl from the second creation.

Dukes of Lennox (First Creation: 1581)

• Esmé Stewart, Duke of Lennox (1542–1583)
• Ludovic Stewart, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1574–1623)
• Esmé Stewart, Duke of Lennox (1579–1624)
• James Stewart, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1612–1655)
• Esmé Stewart, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1649–1660)
• Charles Stewart, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1639–1672) (the title ended here)

Dukes of Lennox (Second Creation: 1675)

• Charles Lennox, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1672–1723)
• Charles Lennox, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1701–1750)
• Charles Lennox, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1736–1806)
• Charles Lennox, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1764–1819)
• Charles Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Lennox and Richmond (1791–1860)
• Charles Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Lennox, Richmond and Gordon (1818–1903)
• Charles Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Lennox, Richmond and Gordon (1845–1928)
• Charles Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Lennox, Richmond and Gordon (1870–1935)
• Frederick Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Lennox, Richmond and Gordon (1904–1989)
• Charles Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Lennox, Richmond and Gordon (1929–2017)
• Charles Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Lennox, Richmond and Gordon (born 1955)

Important Stewart Family Members

The family crest of the Stewart Dukes of Richmond and Lennox.

The Château d'Aubigny-sur-Nère in France, a historic home of the Stewart family.

Ludovic Stewart, 1st Duke of Richmond, 2nd Duke of Lennox

Ludovic Stewart (1574–1624) was the oldest son of Esmé Stewart. Esmé was a French nobleman with Scottish roots. When he moved to Scotland at 37, he became a favorite of the young King James VI. Esmé was created Earl of Lennox in 1579/80 and Duke of Lennox in 1581.

The French branch of the Stewart family started with Sir John Stewart of Darnley (around 1380–1429). He was a brave warrior who led the Scottish army in France. He helped the French King Charles VII against the English during the Hundred Years War. The French king gave him many honors and lands. He even allowed him to combine the French royal arms with his own family crest. The Stewart family's home in France was the Château d'Aubigny.

King James I cared deeply for Esmé's family. He asked his son, King Charles I, to always treat them well. Charles did this, and the Lennox family became very influential in the Scottish and English Courts. Ludovic Stewart received many titles and lands. He died in 1624 at age 50 without any legitimate children. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox

Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox (1579–1624) was Ludovic's younger brother. He inherited the French title of Seigneur d'Aubigny. He died just five months after his older brother, in 1624, from spotted fever. He married Katherine Clifton. He was also buried in Westminster Abbey.

James Stewart, 1st Duke of Richmond, 4th Duke of Lennox

James Stewart (1612–1655) was the son of Esmé, the 3rd Duke. He was a cousin of King Charles I. In 1624, King James I made the 12-year-old James Stewart the Duke of Richmond. He later gained control of Cobham Hall, which became his main home. James was a key supporter of the Royalist side in the English Civil War. He married Mary Villiers.

Esmé Stuart, 2nd Duke of Richmond, 5th Duke of Lennox

Esmé Stuart (1649–1660) was the young son of the 1st Duke. After his father died, he and his mother went to live in France. He died at age 10 from smallpox in 1660. His titles then passed to his cousin, Charles Stewart. Esmé was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Charles Stewart, 3rd Duke of Richmond, 6th Duke of Lennox

Charles Stewart (1639–1672) was the only son of George Stewart. George was a younger brother of the 1st and 4th Duke. Charles was given important roles in Kent. After the Civil War, he rebuilt part of Cobham Hall. His "Gilt Hall" was considered one of the finest rooms in England. He married three times but died without children.

Family Tree

See also

• Duke of Lennox
• Seigneur d'Aubigny
• Earl of Richmond