Maol Domhnaich, Earl of Lennox
Encyclopedia
Mormaer
Maol Domhnaich (sometimes anglicized as Maldoven) 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. He has, moreover, gained a reputation amongst modern scholars as being one of the more conservative Gaelic
rulers in thirteenth century Scotland.
Despite that, he seems to have remained loyal to his royal overlord. There is no evidence that he participated in any of the western-orientated rebellions which were so frequent in the era. The Mormaer even sent his son Maol Choluim
with the king's expedition to Moray
in 1232.
Nevertheless, in 1238 King Alexander II
distrusted him sufficiently to remove the Castle of Dumbarton from his control, giving the Scottish king an important foothold in the Mormaerdom. As part of the same act, Alexander II regranted the Mormaerdom to Maol Domhnaich as a military fief, indicating perhaps that the Mormaerdom's prior status was ambiguous.
He married the daughter of the High Steward of Scotland
and had two known sons (Maol Choluim and Donnchadh), and one daughter.
Maol Domhnaich's reign came to an end with his death in 1250.
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:...
Maol Domhnaich (sometimes anglicized as Maldoven) was the son of Mormaer Ailín II
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 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....
1217–1250.
Like his predecessor Ailín II, he showed absolutely no interest in extending an inviting hand to oncoming French or English settlers. He has, moreover, gained a reputation amongst modern scholars as being one of the more conservative Gaelic
Gaels
The Gaels or Goidels are speakers of one of the Goidelic Celtic languages: Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. Goidelic speech originated in Ireland and subsequently spread to western and northern Scotland and the Isle of Man....
rulers in thirteenth century Scotland.
Despite that, he seems to have remained loyal to his royal overlord. There is no evidence that he participated in any of the western-orientated rebellions which were so frequent in the era. The Mormaer even sent his son Maol Choluim
Maol Choluim I, Earl of Lennox
Mormaer Maol Choluim I of Lennox ruled the Mormaerdom of Lennox, between 1250 and 1303.He was an early supporter of the Bruces, and appeared before Edward I of England in 1292 amongst the supporters of Robert Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale...
with the king's expedition to Moray
Moray
Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland.- History :...
in 1232.
Nevertheless, in 1238 King Alexander II
Alexander II of Scotland
Alexander II was King of Scots from1214 to his death.-Early life:...
distrusted him sufficiently to remove the Castle of Dumbarton from his control, giving the Scottish king an important foothold in the Mormaerdom. As part of the same act, Alexander II regranted the Mormaerdom to Maol Domhnaich as a military fief, indicating perhaps that the Mormaerdom's prior status was ambiguous.
He married the daughter of the High Steward of Scotland
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 had two known sons (Maol Choluim and Donnchadh), and one daughter.
Maol Domhnaich's reign came to an end with his death in 1250.