Isabella, Countess of Menteith
Encyclopedia
Isabella, Countess of Menteith was the eldest daughter of Muireadhach II, Mormaer of Menteith
. When the old mormaer
died without legitimate male heir in 1233, the province passed to Isabella.
Isabella married Walter Comyn, Lord of Badenoch
, bringing the mormaerdom temporarily into the hands of the Comyn
family. When her husband died in 1258, Isabella married again, this time to an English knight named John Russell. This mediocre marriage left her too weak to protect her status. Already by 1259, Walter Stewart
(nicknamed "Ballaich") was claiming the province for his wife, Isabella's sister Mary. By 1261, Isabella was arrested and deposed from rulership of the province on charges of poisoning her late husband.
Isabella may have had one son by Walter Comyn, a man named Henry who witnesses a charter of Maol Domhnaich
, Mormaer of Lennox. However, if this Henry was their son, he did not live long enough to inherit from his parents.
Muireadhach II, Earl of Menteith
Muireadach II of Menteith , ruled 1213-1234, is the third known Mormaer of Menteith. Muireadach gained the Mormaerdom by challenging the rights of the current Mormaer, his elder brother, also called Muireadhach, hence Muireadhch Mór...
. When the old 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:...
died without legitimate male heir in 1233, the province passed to Isabella.
Isabella married Walter Comyn, Lord of Badenoch
Lord of Badenoch
The Lord of Badenoch was a magnate who ruled the lordship of Badenoch in the 13th century and early 14th century. The lordship may have been created out of the territory of the Meic Uilleim, after William Comyn, jure uxoris Earl of Buchan, Justiciar of Scotia and Warden of Moray defeated Gille...
, bringing the mormaerdom temporarily into the hands of the Comyn
Comyns
Comyns can refer to:* Comyns Beaumont, a British journalist.* Barbara Comyns Carr, an English author.* Louis Comyns, a British politician....
family. When her husband died in 1258, Isabella married again, this time to an English knight named John Russell. This mediocre marriage left her too weak to protect her status. Already by 1259, Walter Stewart
Walter Bailloch
Walter Bailloch or Walter Bailloch Stewart , was third son of Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland, and Earl of Menteith jure uxoris. His wife was Mary I, Countess of Menteith...
(nicknamed "Ballaich") was claiming the province for his wife, Isabella's sister Mary. By 1261, Isabella was arrested and deposed from rulership of the province on charges of poisoning her late husband.
Isabella may have had one son by Walter Comyn, a man named Henry who witnesses a charter of Maol Domhnaich
Maol Domhnaich, Earl of Lennox
Mormaer Maol Domhnaich was the son of Mormaer Ailín II, and ruled Lennox 1217–1250.Like his predecessor Ailín II, he showed absolutely no interest in extending an inviting hand to oncoming French or English settlers...
, Mormaer of Lennox. However, if this Henry was their son, he did not live long enough to inherit from his parents.