Maol Íosa III, Earl of Strathearn
Encyclopedia
Maol Íosa III of Strathearn, who ruled Strathearn
1271 to 1317, is the sixth known Mormaer
of Strathearn
; but this is a source problem and in no way means that he was the sixth in reality.
He was son of Maol Iosa II of Strathearn and his second wife Matilda of Orkney and Caithness, herself daughter of Gilbert, jarl of Orkney, mormaer of Caithness. Through his mother, he descended from a line of Norse jarls of Orkney.
Maol Íosa helped to keep the Kingdom of Scotland
stable after the death of King Alexander III
, and in an example of his behaviour, he is recorded a levying the tenants of the land belonging to Inchaffray Abbey
to help preserve the peace. In 1284 he had joined with other Scottish noblemen who acknowledged Margaret of Norway as the heir to King Alexander.
His marriage into the Comyn
family put him very much in the House of Balliol
camp during the Great Cause, and in fact Maol Íosa was the auditor of John Balliol at the gathering of Norham
. Maol Íosa promised allegiance to King Edward I of England
at Stirling in 1292, but rebelled against him along with John Balliol in 1296, and again later during the revolt of Andrew de Moravia
and William Wallace
. On both occasions, Edward I forgave him, partly one supposes because initially Maol Íosa helped Edward, turning over the rebellious leader of Clann MacDuib.
After the Rising of Robert de Brus
, Maol Íosa attempted steer a middle course, but the English king did not trust him, and he was in English custody until 1310. After his release, Maol Íosa remained loyal to the English King (now Edward II
), and assisted the English defence of Perth
in 1313. He was captured by his son, Maol Íosa IV
.
His son obviously persuaded King Robert to spare the father's life, but Maol Íosa nevertheless died in 1317.
Strathearn
Strathearn or Strath Earn is the strath of the River Earn, in Scotland. It extends from Loch Earn in Perth and Kinross to the River Tay....
1271 to 1317, is the sixth known 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:...
of Strathearn
Strathearn
Strathearn or Strath Earn is the strath of the River Earn, in Scotland. It extends from Loch Earn in Perth and Kinross to the River Tay....
; but this is a source problem and in no way means that he was the sixth in reality.
He was son of Maol Iosa II of Strathearn and his second wife Matilda of Orkney and Caithness, herself daughter of Gilbert, jarl of Orkney, mormaer of Caithness. Through his mother, he descended from a line of Norse jarls of Orkney.
Maol Íosa helped to keep the Kingdom of Scotland
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
stable after the death of King Alexander III
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
, and in an example of his behaviour, he is recorded a levying the tenants of the land belonging to Inchaffray Abbey
Inchaffray Abbey
Inchaffray Abbey was situated by the village of Madderty, midway between Perth and Crieff in Strathearn, Scotland. The only trace now visible is an earth mound and some walls on the island where the abbey once stood.-History:...
to help preserve the peace. In 1284 he had joined with other Scottish noblemen who acknowledged Margaret of Norway as the heir to King Alexander.
His marriage into the Comyn
Comyn
Comyn can refer to:* Clan Comyn, another name for Clan Cumming.People* Dan Comyn, an Irish cricketer.* Stephen George Comyn, Naval chaplain to Lord Nelson* Valens Comyn, English MP* William Leslie Comyn, Californian shipbuilder...
family put him very much in the House of Balliol
House of Balliol
The House of Balliol was a Picard and Anglo-Norman family who began to rule some estates in England in the reign of William Rufus. In the late 13th and 14th centuries, two members of the house were kings of Scotland....
camp during the Great Cause, and in fact Maol Íosa was the auditor of John Balliol at the gathering of Norham
Norham
Norham is a village in Northumberland, England, just south of the River Tweed and the border with Scotland.It is the site of the 12th century Norham Castle, and was for many years the centre for the Norhamshire exclave of County Durham...
. Maol Íosa promised allegiance to King Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
at Stirling in 1292, but rebelled against him along with John Balliol in 1296, and again later during the revolt of Andrew de Moravia
Andrew Moray
Andrew Moray , also known as Andrew de Moray, Andrew of Moray, or Andrew Murray, was a prominent military leader of patriotic forces during the Scottish Wars of Independence. He led the rising in northern Scotland in the summer of 1297 against the occupation by King Edward I of England,...
and William Wallace
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
. On both occasions, Edward I forgave him, partly one supposes because initially Maol Íosa helped Edward, turning over the rebellious leader of Clann MacDuib.
After the Rising of Robert de Brus
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
, Maol Íosa attempted steer a middle course, but the English king did not trust him, and he was in English custody until 1310. After his release, Maol Íosa remained loyal to the English King (now Edward II
Edward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
), and assisted the English defence of Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
in 1313. He was captured by his son, Maol Íosa IV
Maol Íosa IV, Earl of Strathearn
Maol Íosa IV of Strathearn, who ruled Strathearn , is the seventh known Mormaer of Strathearn, but of course this is simply a source problem and in no way means that he was the seventh in actuality....
.
His son obviously persuaded King Robert to spare the father's life, but Maol Íosa nevertheless died in 1317.