Ferchar, Earl of Strathearn
Encyclopedia
Mormaer
Ferchar (fl.
1160) 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.
Ferchar, like his predecessor Máel Ísu I, is largely absent from the witness lists of Scottish royal charter
s, indicating a lack of involvement with the Franco-Gaelic Kings of the Scots. However, after the defeat of the Scottish army at the Battle of the Standard
, his father Máel Ísu was required to give a son as a hostage; it is possible, but not certain, that this son was Ferchar.
It is clear that Ferchar was regarded as the most important native Scottish noble of his time, especially during the minority of Donnchad II, Mormaer of Fife. Ferchar is most famous perhaps for leading the so-called Revolt of the Earls, a protest against King Máel Coluim IV
's expedition to Toulouse
in the entourage of his overlord Henry II of England
. King Máel Coluim seems to have believed the revolt to have some justification, as there is no evidence that any retribution
was taken against either Ferchar or any of the other six Mormaers involved.
Ferchar married a woman named Ethne. He had three sons, Gille Brigte
, Máel Ísu and Christian. The first of these succeeded him to the Mormaerdom.
Christian may have been a daughter, who married Lord David Oliphant as found in: The Peerage of Scotland A Genealogical and Historical Account of all the Peers of the Ancient Kingdom; Their Descendents, Collateral Branches, Births, Marriages, and Issue. Together with a Like Account of all the Attainted Peers; and a Complete Alphabetical List of all those Nobles of Scotland whose Titles are Extinct Collected from Parliament Rolls, Records, Family Documents and the Personal Information of Many Peers, also the Paternal Coats of Arms, Crests, Supporters and Mottoes Most Elegantly Engraved Edited by J. Almon, published 1767 and found at Google Books.
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:...
Ferchar (fl.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1160) 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.
Ferchar, like his predecessor Máel Ísu I, is largely absent from the witness lists of Scottish royal charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
s, indicating a lack of involvement with the Franco-Gaelic Kings of the Scots. However, 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...
, his father Máel Ísu was required to give a son as a hostage; it is possible, but not certain, that this son was Ferchar.
It is clear that Ferchar was regarded as the most important native Scottish noble of his time, especially during the minority of Donnchad II, Mormaer of Fife. Ferchar is most famous perhaps for leading the so-called Revolt of the Earls, a protest against King Máel Coluim IV
Malcolm IV of Scotland
Malcolm IV , nicknamed Virgo, "the Maiden" , King of Scots, was the eldest son of Earl Henry and Ada de Warenne...
's expedition to Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
in the entourage of his overlord Henry II of England
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
. King Máel Coluim seems to have believed the revolt to have some justification, as there is no evidence that any retribution
Retributive justice
Retributive justice is a theory of justice that considers that punishment, if proportionate, is a morally acceptable response to crime, with an eye to the satisfaction and psychological benefits it can bestow to the aggrieved party, its intimates and society....
was taken against either Ferchar or any of the other six Mormaers involved.
Ferchar married a woman named Ethne. He had three sons, Gille Brigte
Gille Brigte, Earl of Strathearn
Gille Brigte of Strathearn is the third known Mormaer of Strathearn. He is one of the most famous of the Strathearn mormaers. He succeeded his father Ferchar in 1171. He is often known by the Francization of his name, Gilbert, or by various anglicizations, such as Gilbride, Gilbridge, etc...
, Máel Ísu and Christian. The first of these succeeded him to the Mormaerdom.
Christian may have been a daughter, who married Lord David Oliphant as found in: The Peerage of Scotland A Genealogical and Historical Account of all the Peers of the Ancient Kingdom; Their Descendents, Collateral Branches, Births, Marriages, and Issue. Together with a Like Account of all the Attainted Peers; and a Complete Alphabetical List of all those Nobles of Scotland whose Titles are Extinct Collected from Parliament Rolls, Records, Family Documents and the Personal Information of Many Peers, also the Paternal Coats of Arms, Crests, Supporters and Mottoes Most Elegantly Engraved Edited by J. Almon, published 1767 and found at Google Books.