Mariota, Countess of Ross facts for kids

Mariota, Countess of Ross (also known as Mairead, Mary, or Margaret) was an important Scottish noblewoman who lived in the 1400s. She was the daughter of Euphemia I, Countess of Ross and Walter Leslie, Lord of Ross. Mariota had a strong claim to the Earldom of Ross, a large and powerful area in northern Scotland.

When her brother, Alexander Leslie, Earl of Ross, passed away, Mariota became the next in line to inherit the earldom after her young niece, Euphemia II, Countess of Ross. Mariota's husband, Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles, strongly believed that Mariota should be the Countess of Ross. He worked hard to make her claim a reality.

Fighting for Ross

Donald, Mariota's husband, wanted to take control of the Earldom of Ross. This was a very important area. Sometime between 1405 and 1411, Donald successfully captured Dingwall Castle. This castle was a key stronghold in the earldom.

In 1407, Donald sent messengers to England. They met with James Stewart, who was the heir to the Scottish throne but was being held captive there. The English King, Henry IV of England, then sent his own messengers. They wanted to discuss an alliance against Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany. Albany was a powerful Scottish leader who was controlling Euphemia II and the Earldom of Ross.

The Battle of Harlaw

By 1411, Donald felt strong enough to make a big move. He controlled Dingwall Castle and had support from the Scottish heir in England. He decided to march his army against Albany's main ally in the north, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar.

This led to a major battle known as the Battle of Harlaw. Donald's forces won the battle, though people from the Lowlands of Scotland often claimed otherwise. After the fight, Donald and his army returned to their lands in the Isles and the Western Highlands.

After the Battle

Even though Donald won the battle, the political situation was still complicated. The people of Ross welcomed Donald as their new lord. In 1420, a special permission from the Pope for a marriage even called Donald "Lord of the Isles and of Ross."

However, the Duke of Albany was still powerful. He managed to take back Dingwall Castle and regain control of Easter Ross. In 1415, Albany convinced Euphemia II to give up the earldom to his own son, John Stewart. Donald of Islay continued to challenge this decision. He kept fighting for his wife Mariota's right to the earldom.

A Royal Recognition

Donald of Islay passed away in 1423. But Mariota still had strong support from her son, Alexander. Alexander took over his parents' claim to the earldom.

When King James I returned to Scotland, he worked to reduce the power of the Albany family. He even had Albany's son, Murdoch Stewart, executed. In 1437, King James I officially recognized Mariota's son, Alexander, as the Earl of Ross. The King even called Donald Macdonald the "first Lord of Ross of his name."

Mariota herself passed away in 1440. She had five children: Alexander, another daughter named Mariota (who married Alexander Sutherland), Agnes, Angus (who became a bishop), and Marjory.