Isabella, Countess of Menteith facts for kids

Isabella, Countess of Menteith (born 1217 – died 1272) was an important noblewoman in medieval Scotland. She was the oldest daughter of Muireadhach II, who was the leader, or Mormaer, of Menteith. When her father passed away in 1233 without a son to take his place, Isabella became the ruler of the Menteith region.

Isabella's First Marriage

Isabella first married Walter Comyn. He was known as the Lord of Badenoch. Through this marriage, the leadership of Menteith temporarily came under the control of the powerful Comyn family. This was a common way for noble families to gain land and influence in those times.

A Change in Power

Walter Comyn died in 1258. After his death, Isabella married again. Her second husband was an English knight named John Russell. This marriage did not give her the strong support she needed to keep her high position.

Losing Control of Menteith

Soon after her second marriage, in 1259, another powerful person, Walter Stewart, started to claim the Menteith region. He claimed it for his wife, who was Isabella's sister, Mary. By 1261, Isabella lost her role as ruler of the province.

Isabella's Family

Isabella and Walter Comyn may have had a son named Henry. This Henry is mentioned in an old document from Maol Domhnaich, who was the Mormaer of Lennox. However, if Henry was their son, he did not live long enough to become the next ruler after his parents.