Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany
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| Murdoch Stewart Muireadhach Sdíbhard |
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| Duke of Albany, Earl of Menteith and Fife | |
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| Reign | 1420 – May 24, 1425 |
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| Died | May 24, 1425 |
| Predecessor | Robert Stewart |
| Royal House | Albany Stewart |
| Father | Robert Stewart |
| Mother | Margaret, Countess of Menteith |
Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany (1362 – 24 May 1425) was Governor of Scotland (1420 - 1424). In 1389 he was Justiciar North of the Forth.
His father, Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany was a prominent Scottish nobleman who was Regent of Scotland at various stages during the reigns of three kings, (Robert II, Robert III, and James I). Murdoch inherited the Dukedom of Albany in 1420. He also inherited the Earldom of Fife and the Earldom of Menteith.
He served in military actions against the English in the early 15th century and was captured in 1402, but was traded for Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland.
Upon the return of James I to Scotland he lost his position as Regent, and during the parliament of March 1424 Murdoch, with Lord Alexander Stewart, his younger son, were suddenly arrested and immediately afterwards twenty six of the principal nobles and barons shared the same fate. Albany was first confined in the castle at St. Andrews and afterwards transferred to Caerlaverock Castle. His wife was found in the fortified palace of Doune, their favourite residence, and committed to Tantallon Castle. Walter, the eldest son of Albany, had already been shut up in the strong castle of The Bass, belonging to Sir Robert de Lauder, a firm friend of the king. Walter was tried in Stirling Castle on May 24, 1424, in the presence of the king. A hurried affair it only took that day for a jury of nobles to find him guilty of treason and he was executed.[1]
Albany and his son Alexander were tried before the same jury the following day, declared traitors and publicly executed on Heading Hill before Stirling Castle.[2] Several other members of his family and close associates were also purges, some sharing the same fate. He was attainted and all of his peerage titles were forfeited.
[edit] Marriage and children
Murdoch was married to Isabella, daughter of Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox. They had four sons and a daughter:
- Robert Stewart (d. 1421)
- Walter Stewart (d. 1425)
- Alasdair Stewart (d. 1425)
- James the Fat (Seamas Mòr) Stewart (d. 1451)
- Isabel, who married Sir Walter Buchanan, 13th Laird Buchanan
[edit] Notes
- ^ Tytler, Patrick Fraser, The History of Scotland, New Edition, Edinburgh, 1866, vol.iii, p.190-1 (entire paragraph).
- ^ Tytler (1866) vol.iii, p.192-3
| Scottish royalty | ||
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| Preceded by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany |
Heir of Scotland as heir presumptive 3 September 1420 – 24 May 1425 |
Succeeded by Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl |
| Peerage of Scotland | ||
| Preceded by Robert Stewart |
Duke of Albany 1st creation 1420 – 1425 |
Forfeit |
| Preceded by Margaret, Countess of Menteith |
Earl of Menteith 1420 – 1425 |
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