Thomas of Galloway facts for kids

Thomas of Galloway (who died in 1231) was a brave prince and adventurer from Galloway, a region in what is now Scotland. His name in Gaelic was Tomás Mac Uchtraigh. Thomas was the son of Lochlann of Galloway, who was the ruler of Galloway. He worked closely with his brother, Alan of Galloway, and also helped the kings of England and Scotland.

Thomas started his career as a fighter for hire, often called a mercenary. He gained a lot of land in Ireland and won many battles with his ships. In Scotland, he married Isabella of Atholl, who was the future ruler of a region called Atholl. Thomas was involved with Coupar Angus Abbey in Scotland. His actions in Ireland often helped the Scottish rulers there. He had one son named Patrick, who became a ruler in Atholl. Sadly, Patrick died young, so Thomas's family line ended by the 1240s.

About Thomas's Family

Thomas was the son of Lochlann mac Uchtraigh, who was the king of the Gall-Gaidhil people. His brother was Alan of Galloway. Thomas's mother was Helen de Morville, whose family were important lords in Scotland.

Alan was the older brother, so he became the ruler of Galloway after their father died. This meant Thomas had to find his own way and build his career in other places. The Gall-Gaidhil were a group of Gaelic-speaking people who lived in southwest Scotland. They gave their name to the region of Galloway.

Thomas first appears in English records around 1205. He received gifts from John, King of England, possibly for providing ships from Galloway. Thomas helped the English king in a military campaign in France in 1205. He also temporarily owned land in different parts of England.

Thomas the Warrior

Thomas spent much of his career fighting in Ireland. In 1212, he led a raid on the city of Derry with 76 ships. He was joined by sons of Raghnall mac Somhairle. They attacked and looted the city. In 1214, Thomas attacked Derry again with Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, looting the church this time.

The area of Tír Eoghain in Ireland had two main family groups who were rivals. Thomas's attacks likely targeted one of these groups. His actions against Tír Eoghain might have been connected to the Meic Uilleim family, who were trying to become kings of Scotland.

Around 1210, King John of England wanted to take control of western Ulster. He gave much of this land to Thomas's brother Alan. Later, Thomas also received some of this land. In 1213, Thomas was even granted the main lands of Tír Eoghain, but he never actually ruled there.

With help from the English, Thomas built a castle at Coleraine. The English also made him the keeper of the castle at Antrim in 1215. In 1219, he traveled to England to show his loyalty to the new king, Henry III of England.

By 1221, Thomas was back in Ireland. He defeated and killed Diarmaid Ua Conchobhair, who was the son of a former Irish high king. Diarmaid was returning to Ireland with a fleet of ships to help another leader become king of Connacht.

The lands that Thomas and his family held in Ulster were later threatened. Hugh de Lacy, a powerful earl, returned to Ulster and forced King Henry to give him back his earldom. During this time, Coleraine castle was destroyed. Even though Thomas and his family held onto their lands for a while, Earl Hugh rebuilt Coleraine castle in 1228, not Thomas.

Thomas's brother Alan used their ships to get involved in fights over who would rule the Isle of Man. This might have made it harder for Thomas to manage his lands in Ireland. As late as 1228, Thomas joined Alan in an invasion of the Isle of Man.

A Ruler in Scotland

What remains of the gatehouse of Coupar Angus Abbey, the latter's only standing ruins today

Before 1210, Thomas married Isabella. She was the daughter of Henry, Earl of Atholl, a ruler in central Scotland. Isabella was her father's heir, meaning she would inherit his lands. When she became the Countess of Atholl, Thomas was called "Mormaer" or "Earl" because of her title.

Thomas attended the crowning of the new Scottish king, Alexander II of Scotland, in 1214. He also signed and witnessed important documents for Coupar Angus Abbey and Dunfermline Abbey.

The Chronicle of Melrose, an old historical record, says that Thomas died in 1231. He was buried at Coupar Angus Abbey. In 1230, Thomas was getting ships ready for an English king's trip to France. It's possible Thomas died in a jousting accident, as someone later received a pardon for killing him.

Countess Isabella later married Alan Durward, but they did not have sons. Thomas had one son with Isabella named Patrick. Patrick became the ruler of Atholl in 1242 after his mother died. Thomas also had at least one son outside of marriage, named Alan.

Sadly, Patrick was murdered in the same year he became ruler. This was likely done by Walter Bisset, whose family later took over many of the lands Thomas had held in Ulster. Patrick was then replaced in Atholl by his aunt, Forbhlaith.