Gartnait, Earl of Mar facts for kids

Gartnait of Mar, also known as Gartnait mac Domhnall, was the 8th Mormaer (or Earl) of Mar in Scotland. He was an important Scottish leader during the first War of Scottish Independence, which lasted from 1296 to 1328. His name is sometimes spelled Gartney or Gratney. Gartnait was the son of Domhnall I, Earl of Mar and Elen ferch Llywelyn. He passed away around the year 1305.

Gartnait and Scotland's Fight for Freedom

During Scotland's fight against King Edward I of England, a Scottish leader named Andrew Moray started an uprising in the Scottish Highlands in 1297. Moray tried to capture Urquhart Castle near Inverness, which was controlled by an English officer. He didn't succeed there but moved on to other areas.

King Edward I sent three Scottish nobles he thought were on his side to stop Moray. These were Henry le Chen, Bishop of Aberdeen; John Comyn, Earl of Buchan; and Gartnait of Mar. Gartnait's father had just been released from the Tower of London and had promised to support King Edward.

These three leaders, along with Euphemia, Countess of Ross, met Moray near the River Spey. Instead of capturing him, they let him get away. They wrote a letter to King Edward on July 25, explaining that Moray's group had gone into a "very great stronghold of bog and wood where no horseman could be of service." However, the English treasurer, Hugh de Cressingham, didn't believe their story. He told King Edward that the letter was "false in many points." Cressingham was right, as Moray soon joined forces with Sir William Wallace to continue fighting the English king.

Becoming the Earl of Mar

Gartnait's father, the 7th Earl of Mar, died at Kildrummy Castle on July 25, 1297. This was the same day that the letter to King Edward was written. We don't know the exact date Gartnait became the Earl of Mar. Some historians believe it happened soon after his mission against Moray in the north. No documents from his lifetime call him Earl of Mar, but later writings do.

Gartnait's Family

People used to think Gartnait of Mar married Christina Bruce, who was the sister of Robert the Bruce. However, it is now believed that he married an older sister of Robert the Bruce instead.

Gartnait and his wife had three children:

• Margaret of Mar (born around 1270, died 1326), who married Malise Stewart.
• Helen of Mar, who married Sir John Menteith, Lord of Arran, and later Sir James Garioch.
• Domhnhall, 9th Earl of Mar (died August 12, 1332).

When Gartnait Died

The exact date of Gartnait's death is not known for sure. We do know that Robert the Bruce, who was then the Earl of Carrick, was in charge of Kildrummy Castle in 1305. Because of this, it is thought that Gartnait died before 1305. At that time, Robert the Bruce was likely looking after Gartnait's young son, who was the next Earl.