Mormaer of Mearns facts for kids
The Mormaerdom of Mearns was a region in medieval Scotland ruled by a powerful leader called a Mormaer. Think of a Mormaer as a bit like a duke or an earl in other parts of Europe. The Mormaerdom of Mearns is quite mysterious because we don't have many records about it. It's one of the least known of these ancient Scottish regions.
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What Was the Mormaerdom of Mearns?
The Mormaerdom of Mearns was a territory located in what is now Kincardineshire in eastern Scotland. In medieval times, Scotland was divided into several of these Mormaerdoms. Each one was led by a Mormaer, who was a very important person in their area.
Who Were the Mormaers?
The word "Mormaer" means "Great Steward." A steward was someone who managed land and people for a king. So, a Mormaer was a very high-ranking official, almost like a local king, but still loyal to the main King of Scotland. They had a lot of power and helped govern different parts of the country.
The Mystery of Mearns
Unlike many other Mormaerdoms, the Mormaerdom of Mearns is hardly mentioned in historical records. This makes it very unique and a bit of a puzzle for historians. We only know about it from one main old document. This document suggests that Mearns was indeed a real Mormaerdom, even if it didn't last as long or wasn't as famous as others.
Clues from History: Proving Mearns Existed
Even though Mearns is mysterious, there are good reasons to believe it was a real Mormaerdom. Historians look for clues in old writings to piece together what happened in the past.
The Story of Máel Petair
The most important clue comes from a historical record that mentions a person named Máel Petair. This record calls him the "Mormaer of Mearns." It also says that Máel Petair was involved in the killing of Donnchad II, who was a King of Scotland. This mention of a "Mormaer of Mearns" is a strong sign that such a region and title existed.
The Ancient Text: De Situ Albanie
Another important clue comes from an old document written in the early 1200s, called de Situ Albanie. This text lists Mearns as one of 13 important regions in Scotland. These regions were believed to have once been part of the seven ancient kingdoms of the Picts. The Picts were an ancient people who lived in Scotland a very long time ago. Most of the other regions on this list are known to have been Mormaerdoms. This makes it very likely that Mearns was one too.
Why Did Mearns Disappear?
It's believed that by the time more detailed records of Mormaers started appearing (around 1150 to 1250), the Mormaerdom of Mearns had already been "absorbed by the crown." This means it became part of the land directly controlled by the King of Scotland. When this happened, the king likely didn't appoint a new Mormaer for Mearns, which is why it faded from historical records.
