Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox
Encyclopedia
Donnchadh of Lennox was the Mormaer
of Lennox
, 1385-1425. He was a son of Baltar mac Amlaimh
and Margaret, daughter of Domhnall, Earl of Lennox
.
When Domhnall of Lennox died in 1365, Donnchadh's mother Margaret became ruler of Lennox. It had been Domhnall's intention that the marriage would eventually allow the succession of a son, i.e. Donnchadh, but it is probable that Baltar intended to rule in his turn. It is not known how relations deteriorated, but it seems that Donnchadh got impatient. In the summer of 1384, King Robert II
issued two charters formally conferring the Mormaerdom on Baltar. However, a year later he and his wife Margaret resigned the Mormaerdom over to their eldest son Donnchadh, and hence Donnchadh became ruler. However, in 1388, Baltar and Margaret were handed custody of the Mormaerdom for the remainder of their lives, with Donnchadh retaining the title. Donnchadh was confined to a stronghold in Loch Lomond
, Inchmurrin
castle.
Donnchadh was forced to form strong ties with the great Robert Stewart
, who was the bastard son of King Robert II
, and who ruled much of Scotland
. In 1392, Donnchadh met Robert at Inchmurrin and agreed to marry his daughter Isabella to Robert's son, Muiredach
if Robert could secure him the Mormaerdom. As Domhnall was heirless, the deal ensured that the Mormaerdom would pass to the Stewarts upon Donnchadh's death. It took much of the 1390s, but nevertheless Robert managed to secure his part of the bargain.
Donnchadh hence became a part of the Albany Stewart nexus which controlled much of Scotland and challenged the crown's authority. Donnchadh proved to have some longevity, and eventually Muiredach's second son Walter became the designated heir. These Stewart ties led to Donnchadh's downfall. In 1425, the men of Lennox revolted against King James I
, who was conducting a purge of the Albany Stewarts. Both Donnchadh and Walter were executed as a result.
He was the last male ruler of his line.
neighbours, and married Helen, the daughter of Archibald Campbell of Lochawe. Countess Helen was widow of a John of the Isles, son of John of Islay.
By Helen of the Isles, Lennox had issue:
Earl Donnchadh also had four natural sons:
Mormaer
The title of Mormaer designates a regional or provincial ruler in the medieval Kingdom of the Scots. In theory, although not always in practice, a Mormaer was second only to the King of Scots, and the senior of a toisech.-Origin:...
of Lennox
Lennox
Lennox may refer to:* Lennox , often referred to as "The Lennox", an historic mormaerdom, earldom and then dukedom, in Stirling, Scotland* Lennox International, a global manufacturer of furnaces and central air conditioners....
, 1385-1425. He was a son of Baltar mac Amlaimh
Baltar mac Amlaimh, Earl of Lennox
Baltar mac Amlaimh, also called Walter of Faslane, was the de facto Mormaer of Lennox through his wife Margaret between 1365 and 1385.He was the great grandson of Amlaibh, the grandson of Mormaer Ailín II through the male line...
and Margaret, daughter of Domhnall, Earl of Lennox
Domhnall, Earl of Lennox
Mormaer Domhnall of Lennox ruled Lennox in the years 1333–1365.Domhnall's reign is noted for its tension with the monarchy. King David II irritated Domhnall by residing at Dumbarton on at least twelve occasions between 1341 and 1346...
.
When Domhnall of Lennox died in 1365, Donnchadh's mother Margaret became ruler of Lennox. It had been Domhnall's intention that the marriage would eventually allow the succession of a son, i.e. Donnchadh, but it is probable that Baltar intended to rule in his turn. It is not known how relations deteriorated, but it seems that Donnchadh got impatient. In the summer of 1384, King Robert II
Robert II of Scotland
Robert II became King of Scots in 1371 as the first monarch of the House of Stewart. He was the son of Walter Stewart, hereditary High Steward of Scotland and of Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I and of his first wife Isabella of Mar...
issued two charters formally conferring the Mormaerdom on Baltar. However, a year later he and his wife Margaret resigned the Mormaerdom over to their eldest son Donnchadh, and hence Donnchadh became ruler. However, in 1388, Baltar and Margaret were handed custody of the Mormaerdom for the remainder of their lives, with Donnchadh retaining the title. Donnchadh was confined to a stronghold in Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
, Inchmurrin
Inchmurrin
Inchmurrin is an island in Loch Lomond in Scotland. It is the largest fresh water island in the British Isles.- Geography and geology :...
castle.
Donnchadh was forced to form strong ties with the great Robert Stewart
Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany , a member of the Scottish royal house, served as Regent to three different Scottish monarchs...
, who was the bastard son of King Robert II
Robert II of Scotland
Robert II became King of Scots in 1371 as the first monarch of the House of Stewart. He was the son of Walter Stewart, hereditary High Steward of Scotland and of Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I and of his first wife Isabella of Mar...
, and who ruled much of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. In 1392, Donnchadh met Robert at Inchmurrin and agreed to marry his daughter Isabella to Robert's son, Muiredach
Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany
Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany was a leading Scottish nobleman, the son of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany and the grandson of King Robert II of Scotland, who founded the Stewart dynasty. In 1389 he was Justiciar North of the Forth. In 1402 he was captured at the Battle of Homildon Hill and would...
if Robert could secure him the Mormaerdom. As Domhnall was heirless, the deal ensured that the Mormaerdom would pass to the Stewarts upon Donnchadh's death. It took much of the 1390s, but nevertheless Robert managed to secure his part of the bargain.
Donnchadh hence became a part of the Albany Stewart nexus which controlled much of Scotland and challenged the crown's authority. Donnchadh proved to have some longevity, and eventually Muiredach's second son Walter became the designated heir. These Stewart ties led to Donnchadh's downfall. In 1425, the men of Lennox revolted against King James I
James I of Scotland
James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...
, who was conducting a purge of the Albany Stewarts. Both Donnchadh and Walter were executed as a result.
He was the last male ruler of his line.
Marriage and issue
During the life of his father Baltar, Donnchadh forged ties with his ArgyllArgyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
neighbours, and married Helen, the daughter of Archibald Campbell of Lochawe. Countess Helen was widow of a John of the Isles, son of John of Islay.
By Helen of the Isles, Lennox had issue:
- Isabella, Countess of LennoxIsabella, Countess of LennoxIsabella of Lennox was the ruler of Lennox, from 1437–1458, and last in the line of Mormaers or Native Scottish rulers. As the wife of Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany , she was also Duchess of Albany , but in 1425 her family would be almost completely destroyed when her husband, father and two...
- married Murdach Stewart, Earl of Fife - Elizabeth - married John Stewart of DarnleyJohn Stewart of DarnleySir John Stewart of Darnley, 1st Lord of Concressault and 1st Lord of Aubigny, Count of Évreux was a Scottish nobleman and prominent soldier during the Hundred Years War.-Life:...
, Lord of Aubigny, Concressault and Count of Évreux.
Earl Donnchadh also had four natural sons:
- Malcolm
- Thomas
- Donald
- William