Malise V, Earl of Strathearn facts for kids

Malise V (also known as Scottish Gaelic: Maol Íosa) was an important Scottish nobleman who lived a long time ago. He was known as the Earl of Strathearn and Caithness, and also the Jarl of Orkney. He was the last of the original Gaelic leaders in Strathearn. He passed away around 1357.

Life as an Earl

Becoming an Earl and Jarl

Malise V became the Earl of Strathearn in 1329 after his father, Malise IV, Earl of Strathearn, passed away.

He also became the Jarl of Orkney and Caithness. He got this title because of his great-great-grandfather, Gilbert, Earl of Orkney. A "Jarl" in Norway was a very high-ranking leader, almost as powerful as the king himself. This was different from a Scottish "Earl," though both were important noble titles.

Challenges with King Edward III

In 1330, Edward III of England asked David II of Scotland to give back lands to some Scottish noblemen who had lost them. King David and his advisors, including Malise, did not agree to this.

Because of this, Edward III allowed Edward Balliol to invade Scotland. Malise V strongly opposed Balliol and his forces. He even led a part of the Scottish army at the Battle of Halidon Hill. King Edward III called Malise a "notorious rebel" because of his actions.

Losing and Trying to Regain Strathearn

Edward Balliol took away Malise's Earldom of Strathearn. Balliol then gave it to John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey. Malise tried very hard to get his earldom back, but he was not successful. He then went to live on his lands in Caithness.

By 1340, Balliol and Edward III had less power in Scotland. However, Malise still did not get his earldom back. While King David was away in France, Malise was accused of treason. They said he had given up his earldom willingly because of a deal with the Earl of Surrey.

A jury found Malise innocent of the charge. But the earldom stayed with King David. In 1344, King David gave the Earldom of Strathearn to Malise's nephew, Maurice de Moravia, Earl of Strathearn.

Later in 1344, Malise was called before the King and Parliament for the same accusation. He did not go himself, but his brother-in-law, William III, Earl of Ross, represented him. Parliament agreed that he was innocent of the charge. However, they decided that the King should continue to hold the earldom.

After this, Malise V is not mentioned much in history. We do not know the exact date when he passed away.

Family Life

Marriages and Daughters

It is believed that Malise V was married twice. His first wife might have been a daughter of the Earl of Menteith, but there is no clear proof of this.

His second wife was Marjory. She was the daughter of Hugh, Earl of Ross. They likely got married between 1325 and 1328. Malise and Marjory had four daughters:

• Matilda: She married a man named Wayland de l'Ard. Their son, Alexander de l'Ard, was made Captain of Orkney in 1375 by the Norwegian king. He was supposed to become Jarl the next year, but he wasn't interested in the job and was soon replaced. Alexander sold his lands in Caithness to Robert II of Scotland.
• Isabella/Isabel: She married Sir William Sinclair, 8th of Roslin. Their only son, Henry, became the Jarl of Orkney in 1379.
• Agneta: She married Erengisle Suneson, who was briefly the Jarl of Orkney.
• An unknown daughter: She married Guttorm Sperra.