Elizabeth Mure
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Mure was mistress and then wife of Robert, High Steward of Scotland
, and Guardian of Scotland
(1338–1341 and from October 1346), who later became King Robert II of Scotland
.
) was said to be born at Rowallan Castle
. Her parents were Sir Adam Mure of Rowallan or Rawalla, Ayrshire
and Joan Cunningham or Janet Mure of Ponkelly or Pokellie
.
She initially became the Steward's mistress. He married her in 1336 but the marriage was criticised as uncanonical
, so he remarried her in 1349 following a papal dispensation
dated at Avignon
22 November 1347.
She died before her husband inherited the crown at the rather advanced age of 54, and he married again (Papal Dispensation dated 2 May 1355), so she was never queen of Scotland.
On 27 March 1371, "The Lord John (who later took the title of King Robert III
, changing his name because of what he saw as John de Baliol's unpatriotic desecration of the name John), Earl of Carrick and Steward of Scotland, first-born son of King Robert II" was declared heir to the Crown by Parliament in Scone Abbey
.
They had at least eleven children - some accounts say thirteen. Doubts about the validity of her marriage led to family disputes over her children's right to the crown.
High Steward of Scotland
The title of High Steward or Great Steward was given in the 12th century to Walter Fitzalan, whose descendants became the House of Stewart. In 1371, the last High Steward inherited the throne, and thereafter the title of High Steward of Scotland has been held as a subsidiary title to that of Duke...
, and Guardian of Scotland
Guardian of Scotland
The Guardians of Scotland were the de facto heads of state of Scotland during the First Interregnum of 1290–1292, and the Second Interregnum of 1296–1306...
(1338–1341 and from October 1346), who later became King Robert II of Scotland
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...
.
History
Elizabeth Mure (MuirClan Muir
Clan Muir is an Armigerous Scottish clan, meaning that the clan doesn't have a chief recognized by the Court of the Lord Lyon. Historically, the surnames Muir, Mure, and Moore can be considered septs of Clann Campbell and septs of Clan Gordon in the highlands. The spelling variation More/Moore is...
) was said to be born at Rowallan Castle
Rowallan Castle
Rowallan Castle is an ancient castle located near Kilmaurs, at NS 4347 4242, about north of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The castle stands on the banks of the Carmel Water, which may at one time have run much closer to the low eminence upon which the original castle stood, justifying the...
. Her parents were Sir Adam Mure of Rowallan or Rawalla, Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
and Joan Cunningham or Janet Mure of Ponkelly or Pokellie
Polkelly Castle
Polkelly Castle, also Pokelly was an ancient castle located near Fenwick, at NS 4568 4524, in the medieval free Barony of Polkelly, lying north of Kilmarnock, Parish of Fenwick, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The castle is recorded as Powkelly , Pockelly , Pow-Kaillie, Ponekell, Polnekel, Pollockelly,...
.
She initially became the Steward's mistress. He married her in 1336 but the marriage was criticised as uncanonical
Canon law (Catholic Church)
The canon law of the Catholic Church, is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation. It lacks the necessary binding force present in most modern day legal systems. The academic...
, so he remarried her in 1349 following a papal dispensation
Papal dispensation
Papal dispensation is a reserved right of the Pope that allows for individuals to be exempted from a specific Canon Law. Dispensations are divided into two categories: general, and matrimonial. Matrimonial dispensations can be either to allow a marriage in the first place, or to dissolve one...
dated at Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
22 November 1347.
She died before her husband inherited the crown at the rather advanced age of 54, and he married again (Papal Dispensation dated 2 May 1355), so she was never queen of Scotland.
On 27 March 1371, "The Lord John (who later took the title of King Robert III
Robert III of Scotland
Robert III was King of Scots from 1390 to his death. His given name was John Stewart, and he was known primarily as the Earl of Carrick before ascending the throne at age 53...
, changing his name because of what he saw as John de Baliol's unpatriotic desecration of the name John), Earl of Carrick and Steward of Scotland, first-born son of King Robert II" was declared heir to the Crown by Parliament in Scone Abbey
Scone Abbey
Scone Abbey was a house of Augustinian canons based at Scone, Perthshire , Scotland. Varying dates for the foundation have been given, but it was certainly founded between 1114 and 1122....
.
They had at least eleven children - some accounts say thirteen. Doubts about the validity of her marriage led to family disputes over her children's right to the crown.
- Robert IIIRobert III of ScotlandRobert III was King of Scots from 1390 to his death. His given name was John Stewart, and he was known primarily as the Earl of Carrick before ascending the throne at age 53...
, born John Stewart, Earl of CarrickEarl of CarrickThe Earl of Carrick was the head of a comital lordship of Carrick in southwestern Scotland. The title emerged in 1186, when Donnchad, son of Gille Brigte, Lord of Galloway, became Mormaer or Earl of Carrick in compensation for exclusion from the whole Lordship of Galloway... - Walter Stewart, Lord of Fife
- Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany (c1340–1420)
- Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan
- Margaret Stewart, married John of Islay, Lord of the IslesJohn of Islay, Lord of the IslesJohn of Islay was the Lord of the Isles and chief of Clan Donald. In 1336, he styled himself Dominus Insularum, "Lord of the Isles"; because this is the first ever recorded instance of the title in use, modern historians count John as the first of the later medieval Lords of the Isles, although...
- Marjorie Stewart, married firstly, John Dunbar, 5th Earl of MorayEarl of MorayThe title Earl of Moray has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland.Prior to the formal establishment of the peerage, Earl of Moray, numerous individuals ruled the kingdom of Moray or Mormaer of Moray until 1130 when the kingdom was destroyed by David I of Scotland.-History of the...
, and secondly, Sir Alexander Keith - Johanna Stewart, married firstly, Sir John Keith, secondly, Sir John Lyon, and thirdly in 1384, Sir James Sandilands.
- Isabella Stewart, married firstly, James Douglas, 2nd Earl of DouglasJames Douglas, 2nd Earl of DouglasSir James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas and Mar was an influential and powerful magnate in the Kingdom of Scotland.-Early life:He was the eldest son and heir of William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas and Margaret, Countess of Mar...
, and secondly, David Edmonstone - Katherine Stewart, married Sir Robert Logan of Grugar and Restalrig, Lord High Admiral of ScotlandLord High Admiral of ScotlandThe Lord High Admiral of Scotland was one of the Great Offices of State of the Kingdom of Scotland before the Union with England in 1707.The office was one of considerable power, also known as Royal Scottish Admiralty, including command of the King's ships and sailors and inspection of all sea...
- Elizabeth Stewart, married Sir Thomas Hay, Lord High Constable of ScotlandLord High Constable of ScotlandThe Lord High Constable is a hereditary, now ceremonial, office of Scotland. In the order of precedence of Scotland, the office traditionally ranks above all titles except those of the Royal Family. The Lord High Constable was, after the King of Scots, the supreme officer of the Scottish army. He...
- Jean Stewart, married Sir James Sandilands, 2nd Laird of Calder.
Ancestry
See also
- Polnoon CastlePolnoon CastlePolnoon Castle was a 14th century fortification located on a motte beside the Polnoon Water in the Parish of Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire, Scotland.-The Montgomerys of Eaglesham:...
- Elizabeth was a grand-daughter of Sir John Montgomerie of Polnoon.