Learmonth (noble family) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Learmonth
The Arms of Prior George Learmonth, Pluscarded Abbey of Benedictines, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland
Country	Kingdom of Scotland

The Learmonth family is an old and respected noble family from Fife in Scotland. Their name first appeared in Scottish records a very long time ago. The name "Leirmont" was mentioned in a famous history book in 1527. This book said they came from England with knights who helped King Malcolm III win back his throne. Around the year 1400, a Learmont was known as the Laird (or lord) of Earlston in Scotland.

The Learmonth Family History

The Learmonths were a very old and respected noble family in Scotland. By the 1500s, they had become a powerful group in eastern Scotland. They were especially strong in the area of Fife.

James Learmonth: A King's Helper

James Learmonth of Dairsie was the Master of Household for King James V. This meant he was in charge of the king's home and staff. He helped arrest an important person named James Hamilton in 1540.

King James V also sent Learmonth to England in 1542 as an ambassador. An ambassador is someone who represents their country to another country. Learmonth was also involved in a treaty (an agreement) called the Treaty of Greenwich in 1543. Sadly, he was killed in a big battle called the battle of Pinkie in 1547.

Learmonths Serving Abroad: Russia and Sweden

Many members of the Learmonth family served in armies outside of Scotland. In the 1500s and 1600s, some Learmonths fought for countries like Sweden, Poland–Lithuania, and Russia.

One important person was James Spens, whose mother was a Learmonth. He worked hard to hire his relatives, including other Learmonths, to serve in the Swedish army. Michael Learmonth was one of the first Scots to try and recruit Scottish soldiers for Sweden in the mid-1500s. It's not surprising then that several Learmonths became officers under James Spens in the Swedish army.

Peter Learmonth's Adventures

Peter Learmonth was a relative of George Learmonth. He joined the Swedish army in 1603 as a young officer. He quickly moved up in rank in James Spens's army. In 1610, Peter Learmonth was a captain in the Swedish army. This army was invited by the Russian Tsar (king) to help fight against Polish soldiers.

However, at the Battle of Klushino in June 1610, the Swedish and Russian armies lost badly to a smaller Polish army. After the battle, many foreign soldiers, including Peter Learmonth, decided to switch sides and join the King of Poland–Lithuania. In 1619, King Sigismund III rewarded Peter Learmonth with land because he was a "noble" and "brave" Scot.

Learmonths in the Russian Army

In 1632, a new cavalry (horseback soldiers) regiment was formed in Russia. It had about 2,000 Russian noblemen and gentry. Lieutenant Iurii Lermont was chosen to help train this new group of soldiers. He was promoted to captain and given a very high salary. Two of his relatives, John and Thomas Learmonth, also joined this new cavalry regiment.

Captain Iurii Lermont was put in charge of a company of 200 cavalrymen. Most of these soldiers were Russian nobles, but some were foreigners who had recently become Russian Orthodox Christians.

Notable Learmonth Family Members

• George-Yuri Andreevich Learmonth (born in the 1590s – died 1633) was a Scottish soldier who served in the Russian army. He is an ancestor of the famous Lermontov family in Russia.