Ailín I, Earl of Lennox
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Mormaer
Ailín I of Lennox , also Alún or Alwin, ruled Lennox
sometime before 1178. He is an obscure figure, known only in two sources, and remains characterless. It is not certain that he was ever recognized as a Mormaer of Lennox, although one source does call him that. In the 1170s, Lennox was in the nominal possession of David, the brother of King William I
. David was given the territory as a fief of the crown in 1178.
However, the land was restored to a native magnate, Ailin's son Ailín
, and recognized as a Mormaer (comes). The reasons for this are unknown. Perhaps the crown had never really controlled it; or perhaps, as Neville suggests (p. 15), the frontier region of Lennox lost its importance after the defeat and death of Somhairle mac Gille Bhrigdhe
. Part of the reason was undoubtedly the promotion of David to the Earldom of Huntingdon
.
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:...
Ailín I of Lennox , also Alún or Alwin, ruled 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....
sometime before 1178. He is an obscure figure, known only in two sources, and remains characterless. It is not certain that he was ever recognized as a Mormaer of Lennox, although one source does call him that. In the 1170s, Lennox was in the nominal possession of David, the brother of King William I
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...
. David was given the territory as a fief of the crown in 1178.
However, the land was restored to a native magnate, Ailin's son Ailín
Ailín II, Earl of Lennox
Mormaer Ailín II of Lennox, also known as Ailean or Alwyn, was the son of Mormaer Ailín I, and ruled Lennox from somewhere in the beginning of the 13th century until his death in 1217....
, and recognized as a Mormaer (comes). The reasons for this are unknown. Perhaps the crown had never really controlled it; or perhaps, as Neville suggests (p. 15), the frontier region of Lennox lost its importance after the defeat and death of Somhairle mac Gille Bhrigdhe
Somerled
Somerled was a military and political leader of the Scottish Isles in the 12th century who was known in Gaelic as rí Innse Gall . His father was Gillebride...
. Part of the reason was undoubtedly the promotion of David to the Earldom of Huntingdon
Earl of Huntingdon
Earl of Huntingdon is a title which has been created several times in the Peerage of England. The title is associated with the ruling house of Scotland, and latterly with the Hastings family.-Early history:...
.