Earl of Menteith facts for kids

Arms of the earls, from left to right: arms of Muireadhach I, Earl of Menteith (d. 1213), the Earl at the start of the age of heraldry (c.1200-1215); Walter Comyn (jure uxoris Earl): Azure, three garbs or; Stewart of Menteith

Arms of Muireadhach I, Earl of Menteith (d. 1213), the Earl at the start of the age of heraldry (c.1200-1215): Barry wavy of six or and gules

Arms of Stewart of Menteith: Or, a fess chequy azure and argent, over all a label of five points gules in chief

The Mormaer or Earl of Menteith was a very important leader in the region of Menteith in Scotland during the Middle Ages. A mormaer was a powerful ruler, similar to an earl or count in other parts of Europe. The first known mormaer was Gille Críst, who lived a long time ago.

The title of Earl of Menteith was passed down through different families. It stayed in a continuous line from Gille Críst all the way to Muireadhach IV. However, sometimes the title passed to a daughter when there were no sons. Later, a new version of the earldom was given to Malise Graham, 1st Earl of Menteith. This happened after another earl, the Duke of Albany, lost his title.

Who Were the Earls of Menteith?

The Earls of Menteith belonged to several different families over the centuries. Each family played a part in the history of this important Scottish region. Let's look at the main lines of these powerful leaders.

The First Family of Earls

Effigy of Mary Menteith and Walter Bailloch Stewart. Their family symbols are shown.

The earliest known Earls of Menteith were:

• Gille Críst, Earl of Menteith (died 1189)
• Muireadhach I, Earl of Menteith (died 1213)
• Muireadhach II, Earl of Menteith (died 1234)

After Muireadhach II, his daughter, Isabella, Countess of Menteith, inherited the title. Her husband, Walter Comyn, became Earl through her. This means he held the title "by right of his wife."

Later, Isabella's sister, Mary I, Countess of Menteith, became Countess. Her husband, Walter "Bailloch" Stewart, also became Earl because he married her. This was how the title passed to the Stewart family.

The Stewart Family of Menteith

The Stewart family then held the title of Earl of Menteith for several generations. They were:

• Alexander, Earl of Menteith
• Alan, Earl of Menteith
• Alan II, Earl of Menteith
• Muireadhach III, Earl of Menteith (died 1332)

After Muireadhach III, his daughter, Mary Menteith, Countess of Menteith, became Countess. Her husband, Sir John Graham, became Earl.

The title then passed to Margaret, Countess of Menteith. She married Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, a very important Scottish noble. Their son, Muireadhach IV Stewart, became Earl of Menteith. However, he lost his titles in 1425. This meant the earldom was taken away from his family.

The Graham Family of Menteith

After the Stewart family lost the title, it was given to the Graham family. This new line of Earls of Menteith included:

• Malise Graham, 1st Earl of Menteith (1406–1490)
• Alexander Graham, 2nd Earl of Menteith (around 1475–around 1537)
• William Graham, 3rd Earl of Menteith (around 1500–around 1543)
• John Graham, 4th Earl of Menteith (around 1529–around 1565)
• William Graham, 5th Earl of Menteith (around 1555–around 1578)
• John Graham, 6th Earl of Menteith (around 1571–around 1598)
• William Graham, 7th Earl of Menteith (around 1591–1661). He also became the Earl of Airth in 1633.
• William Graham, 8th Earl of Menteith (around 1634–1694). After his death in 1694, the title either ended or became inactive.