Malise IV, Earl of Strathearn facts for kids
Malise IV of Strathearn was an important Scottish leader. He lived a long time ago, around the 1300s. His Gaelic name was Maol Íosa. He was the seventh known ruler of a place called Strathearn in Scotland. Malise IV was a strong supporter of King Robert the Bruce, who was fighting for Scotland's freedom. This was different from his father, Malise III, who supported the King of England, Edward I of England.
Contents
A Family Divided
Malise IV first appears in history records in 1306. At that time, he and his mother asked King Edward to free his father. His father had been put in prison by mistake. Even though King Edward gave Malise IV gifts like money and wine in 1309, Malise chose to join King Robert the Bruce.
The Battle of Perth Castle
In 1312, Malise IV fought alongside King Robert at the siege of Perth Castle. A siege is when an army surrounds a castle to try and capture it. What's interesting is that Malise's own father was inside the castle, fighting for the English! When Perth Castle was finally captured, Malise IV's father was taken prisoner by his own son. After this, Malise IV took control of the area of Strathearn.
Later Life and Important Actions
We don't know a lot more about Malise IV's life because his name doesn't show up often in old records. However, we do know about one very important thing he did.
Signing the Declaration of Arbroath
In 1320, Malise IV was one of the important Scottish leaders, called earls, who signed the Declaration of Arbroath. This was a famous letter sent to the Pope. It declared that Scotland was an independent country and that Robert the Bruce was its rightful king.
His Family
Malise IV was married at least two times. We don't know the name of his first wife. But they had a son, also named Malise, who became the next Earl of Strathearn. They also had a daughter named Mary, who married a man named John de Moray. Around 1323, Malise IV married his second wife, Jean or Joanna. She was the daughter of Sir John Menteith. They did not have any children together. Malise IV died around 1329. After he passed away, his second wife, Jean, married three more times.
