Malcolm Fleming, Earl of Wigtown facts for kids
Malcolm Fleming, who died around 1363, was an important Scottish noble. He was the son of Robert Fleming. Malcolm was like a guardian or "foster-father" to King David II of Scotland when David was young. Malcolm was also the very first person to be called the Earl of Wigtown.
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Early Life and Lands
Malcolm Fleming received land from King Robert I of Scotland. This land included the area of Kirkintilloch. It had been taken from a family called the Comyns during the First War of Scottish Independence. Malcolm also gained other lands in places like Lennox and Wigtownshire. He later became the Sheriff of Dumbarton and was in charge of Dumbarton Castle.
Supporting King David II
Malcolm Fleming was on the side of King David II's family (the Bruce family) during a big battle called the Battle of Halidon Hill in July 1333. His side lost the battle, but Malcolm managed to escape. He quickly returned to Dumbarton.
He helped send the young King David II, who was King Robert's son, to safety in France. This was done to protect the king during a dangerous time.
When King David II came back to Scotland in 1341, he rewarded Malcolm Fleming. David gave Malcolm a lot of land in western Galloway (which included Wigtownshire) and the town of Wigtown. King David also created a brand new title just for Malcolm: "Earl of Wigtown". This was a very special honor because it was the first new earldom created in Scotland in over a hundred years. The king likely wanted to make his family's power strong again in that area.
Capture and Later Life
On October 17, 1346, Malcolm Fleming was captured during another battle called the Battle of Neville's Cross. He was held prisoner in England. However, he managed to escape the next year and returned to Scotland.
Malcolm remained a favorite of King David II. He married a woman named Marjorie, who became a nurse to King David II. Malcolm had four known children: one son and three daughters. He passed away around 1363. His grandson, Thomas, took over the title of Earl of Wigtown.
The End of the Earldom
Malcolm's grandson, Thomas, who became the next Earl of Wigtown, faced many money problems. He lost some special rights that his grandfather had been given.
Later, a new important title was created for Archibald the Grim, called the Lord of Galloway. This new lordship covered much of the same land as the earldom of Wigtown. Because of his financial troubles and the new lordship, Thomas found it difficult to keep the earldom. In 1372, he sold the earldom to Archibald the Grim.
