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- Robert of Strathearn (died c. 1244) is the 4th Earl of Strathearn in Scotland.
Robert was the fourth son of Gille Brigte of Strathearn and his wife Matilda. He first appears on record in 1199, when he and his brothers were witnesses to their father's charters to the Abbey of Inchaffray. By 1210, all three of his elder brothers had died, and he became heir to the earldom of Strathearn. In 1219 he confirmed as heir-apparent all his father's grants to the abbey, and after his accession as earl around 1223, he made a vow never to disturb the monks in their possessions.
Aside from his taking part in the abbey's affairs, he appears in a wider sphere in 1237, when he travelled to York with King Alexander, to negotiate the Treaty of York with Henry III of England.
Earl Robert died before April 1244.
«b»Marriage and progeny«/b»
Earl Robert's wife, named Matilda 1178-1247. They had three sons and two daughters:
1.) Malise II of Strathearn, who succeeded as Earl
2.) Hugh, who became a friar and died c. 1290
3.) Gille Brigte/Gilbert, who acquired the lands of Durie and Belnollo in Fife, become the progenitor of the Duries of that Ilk
4.) Annabella, who married firstly John of Restalrig, and secondly Sir Patrick Graham of Kincardine, who was killed at the Battle of Dunbar
5.) Mary, married Sir John Johnstone
"Robert of Strathearn, who ruled Strathearn 1223–1245, is the fourth known Mormaer of Strathearn, but of course this is simply a source problem and certainly does not mean that he actually was the fourth.
"Robert was the fourth son of Mormaer Gille Brigte and his wife Matilda daughter of William de Aubingy. His three elder brothers appear to be deceased by circa 1210 when Robert was designed son and heir of Gilbert earl of Strathearn when witnessing his father's charter of St Bean of Fowlis to the Priory of Incharrfay. [1] He had witnessed his father's charters with his elder brothers from 1199 to that date.[2]
About 1220 Robert son of Gilbert earl of Strathearn confirmed to the canons of Inchaffray all the gifts which his father made to them, namely the lands of Craig, Ardunie, Ardbennie, Dubheads, Williamstone and Bellyclone, three acres of land next to the marsh of Fowlis towards the east, the 'toun' of Rahallo, as much of the marsh of Fowlis adjacent to the Isle of Masses (Insule Missarum) as was surrounded by a trench in the year 1219, a mill on the River Earn at Dunfallin which they built next to the earl's own mill and had been using since 1219; to be held by the canons as the charters of earl Gilbert bear witness. He also confirmed to the convent the churches which his father granted them, namely St Patrick of Strageath, St Serf of Dunning, St Bean of Fowlis St Bean of Kinkell, St Kessog of Auchterarder, St Serf of Monzievaird, St Serf of Tullieden, St Brigit of Kilbride and St Ethernan of Madderty.[3]
Robert succeeded to the earldom of Strathearn about 1223 on the death of his father.
Robert earl of Strathearn confirmed to his sister Cecilia and her husband Walter son of Alan the grant which earl Gilbert made to them of the land of Coulgask; to be held of earl Robert and his heirs in feu and heritage according to the terms of the charter of earl Gilbert,[4]
About 1230 Robert earl of Strathearn witnessed th charter of confirmation made by his brother Fergus regarding the gift their uncle Malise had made to Arbroath Abbey.[5]
Sir Robert earl of Strathearn about 1230 granted to the Abbey of Coupar Angus a full bovate of land in the territory of Meikleour (in Strathtay), for the upkeep of the bridge on the River Isla.[6]
Earl Robert about 1233 confirmed to the convent of the Abbey of Lindores the gift in alms which his brother Sir Fergus made to them of the 'toun' of Bennie.[7] About 1235 he announced also to the Abbey of Lindores that he held firm the undertaking of his father, earl Gilbert, to make the hosting of the lord king for the land of Exmagirdle (near Bridge of Earn).[8] [9]
The lands of Barry belonged to the Abbey of Balmerino but its church with its revenues to Arbroath. This led to complications regarding the gathering of tithes. Arbroath surrendered these to Balmerino and on 25 Dec 1235 Alexander II bestowed four and three quarters davoch of the lands of Tarves to compensate Arbroath Abbey. Robert earl of Strathearn was among the witnesses who were in the king's company that Christmas Day in St Andrews.[10]
Not much is known of his reign, but we do know that in 1237 he travelled to York as part of the Scottish delegation who negotiated the Treaty of York. [11][12]
It seems he largely confined himself to his comital demesne, which would explain his conspicuous absence from the civil records, despite a relatively long reign.
Robert married a daughter of Hugh de Moravia (or Sir Hugh Freskin) by a daughter of Duncan, Earl of Fife (this identification made by Andrew B. W. MacEwen). Her maritagium evidently included lands in Durie, Fife later granted by Reynold le Cheyne to their son Gilbert. Their issue included:
Maol Íosa II
Hugh
Gilbert
Annabelle, who married Sir John de Restalrig & Sir Patrick Graham of Kincardine
Mary mar. Sir John Johnstone.
Matilda mar. Alexander earl of Menteith.
Sources
↑ Charters of Inchaffray Abbey XXVIII see [1]
↑ Charters of Inchaffray Abbey IV see [2]
↑ Charters of Inchaffray Abbey XLI see [3]
↑ Liber Insule Missarum App. p.xxvii Chrtr.8 see [4]
↑ Liber S. Thome de Aberbrothoc Vol.i 81 see [5]
↑ Charters of the Abbey of Coupar Angus Vol.i XXXV p.80
↑ Chartulary of the abbey of Lindores XXVII see [6]
↑ NRS RH4/78 see [7]
↑ Chartulary of the abbey of Lindores XLIV see [8]
↑ Liber S. Thome de Aberbrothoc Vol.i 102 see [9]
↑ Rymer: Foedera Vol.i p.131 see [10]
↑ Calendar of documents relating to Scotland preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, London. Vol.i 1358 see [11]
Paul, James Balfour, Sir, 1846-1931 : The Scots Peerage : Founded On Wood's Ed. Of Sir Robert Douglas's Peerage Of Scotland; Containing An Historical And Genealogical Account Of The Nobility Of That Kingdom : Free Download, Borrow, And Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. Accessed March 16 2020.>Robert, 4th Earl of Strathearn, Vol 8, pps 244-5
Project Medlands, SCOTLAND EARLS. 2020. Fmg.Ac. Accessed March 20 2020.>Mormaer & Earls of Strathearn
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