Malise I, Earl of Strathearn facts for kids

Malise (Gaelic: Maol Íosa) was an important leader in central Scotland. He lived around the years 1099 to 1141. Malise was the first known earl, or mormaer, of a region called Strathearn. An earl was a powerful ruler of a specific area, similar to a duke or count in other countries.

Malise and King David

In 1138, Malise joined King David of Scotland in an invasion of England. He was a brave fighter and led the very front part of the Scottish army. This was during a big battle known as the Battle of the Standard.

Even though he was a powerful earl, Malise did not often appear in the official records of the king's government. These records were called "charters." Charters were important documents that showed who owned land or what decisions the king made. This suggests that Malise might not have been deeply involved in the daily running of the royal government.

However, Malise did witness one important charter around 1128. This document confirmed gifts and grants made to Dunfermline Abbey, a very old and important church.

Different Groups at Court

A writer named Aelred of Rievaulx described Malise as a key leader for the native Scottish people. At the king's court, there were often different groups with different ideas. Malise represented the Scottish group. They were sometimes opposed to another powerful group, the Normans. The Norman group was led by a man named Robert de Brus. This shows that Malise was an important figure in the politics of his time.

Family Life

Malise was married to a woman named Rosabella Forteith. They had one son together, who was named Ferquhard. Ferquhard later became the Earl of Strathearn after his father.