Richard de Moravia facts for kids

Coat of Arms of the Murray of Culbin family recorded as Sable, three stars argent.

Richard de Moravia, also known as Richard de Moray, was a Scottish nobleman. He was famous for a big victory against the Vikings in 1245. This important battle happened in a place called Embo, in Sutherland, Scotland. Richard was the Lord of Culbin and Skelbo.

Who Was Richard de Moravia?

Richard de Moravia came from an important Scottish family. His father was named Murdac. His grandfather was Alexander de Moravia. We know this from old documents.

Richard was also related to Hugh Freskin. Hugh was the first Lord of Sutherland. Richard's brother was Gilbert de Moravia. Gilbert became a Bishop, a high-ranking church leader, in Caithness. Gilbert also had two other brothers, John and Simon.

Richard's Homes and Lands

Richard received many lands from his older brother, Gilbert. These lands had first been given to Gilbert by Hugh Freskin. King Alexander II of Scotland approved these gifts.

In 1235, Richard was also given Skelbo Castle by his brother Gilbert. He owned other lands too, like Kincorth, Kintessoch, and Assynt. His wife, Marjorie, brought lands at Naughton into their family when they married.

The Battle of Embo

The sarcophagus effigy of Richard de Moravia in Dornoch Cathedral

In 1245, a group of Danes, who were Vikings, landed in Sutherland. William, the Earl of Sutherland, asked Richard de Moravia to fight them. Richard's job was to hold them off until the Earl could arrive with more soldiers.

Richard did his part, and the plan worked. When the Earl arrived, the Danes were defeated. However, Richard was killed during the battle. The Earl made sure Richard was buried in Dornoch Cathedral. You can still see his damaged stone coffin there today. This event is known as the Battle of Embo.

Richard's Family and Descendants

Richard de Moravia married Marjorie Lascelles. She was the daughter of Alan de Lascelles. Richard and Marjorie had four sons: Sir Alexander, William, Sir Malcolm, and Sir Patrick.

Richard's family line continued for many generations. His great-grandson was named Alan. Alan's son was Reginald, and Reginald's son was Gilbert. Gilbert married Eustachia, who was the daughter of Kenneth de Moravia, 4th Earl of Sutherland.

Gilbert and Eustachia had a son named Walter. Walter's daughter was Egidia de Moravia. She carried the family estates of Cubyn (Culbin) and Skelbol (Skelbo) into the Kinnaird family when she married.

Many other Murray families are thought to be related to Richard de Moravia. The name "de Moravia" means "of Moray" or "of Murray." The Murray of Culbin family has a special coat of arms. It is described as Sable, three stars argent, which means three silver stars on a black shield.

See also

• Earl of Sutherland