Máel Ísu I, Earl of Strathearn
Encyclopedia
Máel Ísu I (fl.
1138), is the earliest known Mormaer of Strathearn. There is no indication that he was the first Strathearn mormaer
, but poor source coverage from this period means that no previous ones are known.
Máel Ísu participated in the invasion of the Kingdom of England
by King David I
in 1138. Like his successor Ferchar
, Máel Ísu is largely absent from the witness lists of Scottish royal charters, indicating a lack of involvement in royal government. He was, however, a witness to a Charter of David I, confirming certain gifts and grants to Dunfermline Abbey
, dated about 1128.
Ailred of Rievaulx
portrays Máel Ísu as the chief representative of the native Scottish faction at the royal court, opposed to the faction of Franks led by Robert de Brus. After the defeat of the Scottish army at the Battle of the Standard
, Máel Ísu was required to give a son as a hostage
Máel Ísu's wife or wives are unknown to us. We do know he fathered Ferchar, his successor.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1138), is the earliest known Mormaer of Strathearn. There is no indication that he was the first Strathearn mormaer
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:...
, but poor source coverage from this period means that no previous ones are known.
Máel Ísu participated in the invasion of the Kingdom of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
by King David I
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
in 1138. Like his successor Ferchar
Ferchar, Earl of Strathearn
Mormaer Ferchar is the second earliest known Mormaer of Strathearn, but as with other Mormaerdoms, this is simply a source problem and in no way means the he actually was the second....
, Máel Ísu is largely absent from the witness lists of Scottish royal charters, indicating a lack of involvement in royal government. He was, however, a witness to a Charter of David I, confirming certain gifts and grants to Dunfermline Abbey
Dunfermline Abbey
Dunfermline Abbey is as a Church of Scotland Parish Church located in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. In 2002 the congregation had 806 members. The minister is the Reverend Alastair Jessamine...
, dated about 1128.
Ailred of Rievaulx
Ailred of Rievaulx
Aelred , also Aelred, Ælred, Æthelred, etc., was an English writer, abbot of Rievaulx , and saint.-Life:...
portrays Máel Ísu as the chief representative of the native Scottish faction at the royal court, opposed to the faction of Franks led by Robert de Brus. After the defeat of the Scottish army at the Battle of the Standard
Battle of the Standard
The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, in which English forces repelled a Scottish army, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire. The Scottish forces were led by King David I of Scotland...
, Máel Ísu was required to give a son as a hostage
Máel Ísu's wife or wives are unknown to us. We do know he fathered Ferchar, his successor.