Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly
Encyclopedia
Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly (died 1524) was a Scottish nobleman and the 3rd Earl of Huntly. He was granted Strathavon in Banffshire
and the Brae of Lochaber. He was a member of the Privy Council of Scotland
.
and either his first wife, Annabella of Scotland
, or his mistress
and second wife, Lady Elizabeth Hay. Alexander married by contract, Lady Jean Stewart, daughter of John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl
on 14 October 1474. Lady Jean Stewart's mother was Margaret Douglas, the daughter of Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas
. He became the 3rd Earl of Huntly in June 1501.
After the death of his first wife, Alexander Gordon married Elizabeth Gray, daughter of Andrew Gray, 2nd Lord Gray and Janet Keith, some time after 27 July 1511.
Huntly fought in the Battle of Flodden on 9 September 1513, where he commanded the Scots left wing. The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field was fought in the county of Northumberland
in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV
and an English army commanded by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. It ended in a victory for the English and a bloody defeat for the Scots and was the largest battle (in terms of numbers) fought between the two nations.
Subsequently, Huntly was a member of the council of Regency in 1517 during the minority of James V of Scotland
.
Alexander died on 21 January 1523/1524. he was succeeded by his grandson, George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly
.
Huntly Castle
is regarded as the spiritual home of Clan Gordon
. It lies in the green heart of the Aberdeenshire
countryside, a noble ruin in a beautiful setting, remarkable both for the quality of its architecture and for its eventful history.
The Earls of Fife
built the original stronghold, the Peel of Strathbogie, around 1190, to guard the crossing-point where the rivers Bogie and Deveron meet. But it was the mighty Gordons who made the stronghold their own from the 14th century and renamed it Huntly Castle. The surviving remains tell the story of the development of the castle in Scotland, from the motte and bailey of the 12th century, through the tower house of the later Middle Ages
, to the stately stone palace of the Jacobean era
. Underlying the later stone buildings is a motte and bailey castle. Donnchadh II, Earl of Fife
was granted the estate of Strathbogie around 1190 as a reward for serving William the Lion
in his battle against the Meic Uilleim
rebels of Moray
. He probably built the castle. In 1204, Earl Duncan’s third son, David, inherited his father’s Strathbogie estate. The Fifes of Strathbogie later became Earls of Atholl through marriage.
The circular motte, where the Fifes of Strathbogie once held court, now survives as a grassy mound. The bailey, or service court, is now covered by the later stone buildings.
. The victorious King Robert Bruce
granted Strathbogie to a loyal supporter, Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly, in Berwickshire
.
Around 1445, Alexander Gordon
, 2nd Lord Gordon, was created Earl of Huntly. He changed the name of his residence from Strathbogie to Huntly. The Gordons went from strength to strength, and north-eastern Scotland became ‘Gordon Country’. The impressive stone structures that today grace the ancient motte and bailey mirror the rise and decline of this noble family.
’, extensively remodelled it in the 1550s.
His grandson, George Gordon, 6th Earl of Huntly
, greatly embellished it, outside and in, to celebrate his becoming 1st Marquis of Huntly in 1599. It is the 1st Marquis’s work that holds the visitor in thrall today: the great inscription high upon the south front, the heraldic fireplaces inside, and most notable of all, the splendid heraldic ‘frontispiece’ over the main door.
Banffshire
The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest...
and the Brae of Lochaber. He was a member of the Privy Council of Scotland
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
.
Biography
He was the son of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of HuntlyGeorge Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly
George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly was Chancellor of Scotland from 1498–1501.Gordon fought on the King's side against the Douglases during The Douglas Rebellion and helped secure a defeat at the Battle of Brechin. The 2nd Earl completed the building work that his father begun in constructing Huntly...
and either his first wife, Annabella of Scotland
Annabella of Scotland
Annabella Stewart was the youngest daughter of King James I and Joan Beaufort.-Early life:Annabella was presumably named after her father's mother, Annabella Drummond. She was the youngest of the six daughters and two sons of James I and Joan Beaufort...
, or his mistress
Mistress (lover)
A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
and second wife, Lady Elizabeth Hay. Alexander married by contract, Lady Jean Stewart, daughter of John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl
John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl
John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl , also known as Sir John Stewart of Balveny, was a Scottish nobleman and ambassador to England .-Life:...
on 14 October 1474. Lady Jean Stewart's mother was Margaret Douglas, the daughter of Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas
Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas
Archibald Douglas was a Scottish nobleman and General, son of Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas and Margaret Stewart, eldest daughter of Robert III...
. He became the 3rd Earl of Huntly in June 1501.
After the death of his first wife, Alexander Gordon married Elizabeth Gray, daughter of Andrew Gray, 2nd Lord Gray and Janet Keith, some time after 27 July 1511.
Huntly fought in the Battle of Flodden on 9 September 1513, where he commanded the Scots left wing. The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field was fought in the county of Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
and an English army commanded by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. It ended in a victory for the English and a bloody defeat for the Scots and was the largest battle (in terms of numbers) fought between the two nations.
Subsequently, Huntly was a member of the council of Regency in 1517 during the minority of James V of Scotland
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
.
Alexander died on 21 January 1523/1524. he was succeeded by his grandson, George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly was a Scottish nobleman.-Biography:He was the son of John Gordon, Lord Gordon, and Margaret Stewart, daughter of James IV. George Gordon inherited his earldom and estates in 1524 at age 10...
.
Huntly Castle
The Gordon's had a huge part in shaping the rich culture of Scotland:Huntly Castle
Huntly Castle
Huntly Castle is a ruined castle in Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was the ancestral home of the chief of Clan Gordon, Earl of Huntly.-History:...
is regarded as the spiritual home of Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon, also known as the House of Gordon, is a Scottish clan. The chief of the clan was the powerful Earl of Huntly, now also Marquess of Huntly.-Origins:...
. It lies in the green heart of the Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
countryside, a noble ruin in a beautiful setting, remarkable both for the quality of its architecture and for its eventful history.
The Earls of Fife
Earl of Fife
The Earl of Fife or Mormaer of Fife referred to the Gaelic comital lordship of Fife which existed in Scotland until the early 15th century....
built the original stronghold, the Peel of Strathbogie, around 1190, to guard the crossing-point where the rivers Bogie and Deveron meet. But it was the mighty Gordons who made the stronghold their own from the 14th century and renamed it Huntly Castle. The surviving remains tell the story of the development of the castle in Scotland, from the motte and bailey of the 12th century, through the tower house of the later Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, to the stately stone palace of the Jacobean era
Jacobean era
The Jacobean era refers to the period in English and Scottish history that coincides with the reign of King James VI of Scotland, who also inherited the crown of England in 1603 as James I...
. Underlying the later stone buildings is a motte and bailey castle. Donnchadh II, Earl of Fife
Donnchad II, Earl of Fife
Mormaer Donnchad II , anglicized as Duncan II or Dunecan II, succeeded his father Donnchad I as a child. As a child of the previous Mormaer, he was entitled to succeed his father through primogeniture, but not to lead his kin-group, Clann MacDuib. That probably fell to his cousin, Aed mac Gille...
was granted the estate of Strathbogie around 1190 as a reward for serving William the Lion
William I of Scotland
William the Lion , sometimes styled William I, also known by the nickname Garbh, "the Rough", reigned as King of the Scots from 1165 to 1214...
in his battle against the Meic Uilleim
Meic Uilleim
The Meic Uilleim were the Gaelic descendants of William fitz Duncan, grandson of Máel Coluim mac Donnchada, king of Scots. They were excluded from the succession by the descendants of Máel Coluim's son David I during the 12th century and raised a number of rebellions to vindicate their claims to...
rebels of Moray
Moray
Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland.- History :...
. He probably built the castle. In 1204, Earl Duncan’s third son, David, inherited his father’s Strathbogie estate. The Fifes of Strathbogie later became Earls of Atholl through marriage.
The circular motte, where the Fifes of Strathbogie once held court, now survives as a grassy mound. The bailey, or service court, is now covered by the later stone buildings.
The Gordons of Huntly
The Fifes of Strathbogie lost their lands and titles in 1314, after taking the wrong side at the Battle of BannockburnBattle of Bannockburn
The Battle of Bannockburn was a significant Scottish victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence...
. The victorious King Robert Bruce
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
granted Strathbogie to a loyal supporter, Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly, in Berwickshire
Berwickshire
Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482...
.
Around 1445, Alexander Gordon
Alexander Gordon, 1st Earl of Huntly
Alexander Seton , 1st Earl of Huntly was a powerful 15th century Scottish magnate. He was knighted in 1439/40 and was Lord of Badenoch, & Cluny....
, 2nd Lord Gordon, was created Earl of Huntly. He changed the name of his residence from Strathbogie to Huntly. The Gordons went from strength to strength, and north-eastern Scotland became ‘Gordon Country’. The impressive stone structures that today grace the ancient motte and bailey mirror the rise and decline of this noble family.
A majestic palace
The stately palace that dominates the site is one of Scotland’s most impressive medieval buildings. It was constructed around 1450 by the newly ennobled Earl of Huntly. The 4th Earl, George Gordon, ‘Cock o' the NorthCock o' the North
Cock o' the North may refer to;*Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon was known by the nickname Cock o' the North*The Chief of Clan Gordon is known as the Cock o' the North of Coileach Strath Bhalgaidh in Scottish Gaelic...
’, extensively remodelled it in the 1550s.
His grandson, George Gordon, 6th Earl of Huntly
George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly
George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly was a Scottish nobleman who took a leading role in the political and military life of Scotland in the late 16th century and around the time of the Union of the Crowns.-Biography:...
, greatly embellished it, outside and in, to celebrate his becoming 1st Marquis of Huntly in 1599. It is the 1st Marquis’s work that holds the visitor in thrall today: the great inscription high upon the south front, the heraldic fireplaces inside, and most notable of all, the splendid heraldic ‘frontispiece’ over the main door.
Family
- Janet Gordon of Huntly
- Jean Gordon of Huntly, who married Colin Campbell, 3rd Earl of ArgyllColin Campbell, 3rd Earl of ArgyllColin Campbell, 3rd Earl of Argyll was a Scottish nobleman and soldier. He was the son of Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll and Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of John Stewart, 1st Earl of Lennox. In 1506/07 he married Lady Jean Gordon, the eldest daughter of Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly...
- John Gordon, Lord Gordon (died 1517)
- Alexander Gordon of Strathavon
- William Gordon