Montgomery Matters: NN Stewart, mother of Sir Alexander
John P. Ravilious
Hello All,
Among the problematic early pedigrees given in Scots Peerage is
that of the Montgomerys (later Earls of Eglinton). Of the
generations that have been resolved to date (published or not),
Andrew MacEwen has found that the accounts of Alexander de
Montgomery and his son Sir John, one of the noted knights at the
battle of Otterburn (1388), have been confused. As stated in a
prior post on the subject, it was Alexander de Montgomery who was
the husband of Elizabeth de Eglinton. The two separated Johns
de Montgomery [SP III:427-429, and SP III:429-431] are in fact
the same individual. That the 'second' Sir John de Montgomery was
in fact the son and heir of Elizabeth de Eglinton may have
contributed to the confusion by the author.
Andrew B. W. MacEwen recently advised me of the fact that John
de Montgomery (father of Sir Alexander, husband of Elizabeth de
Eglinton) had married a daughter of Sir Alexander Stewart of Bonkil.
This is pending eventual publication, but Andrew kindly stated that
this could be shared with the newsgroup.
Other evidence in the matter will be stated in the pending
article, but I note additional indirect evidence of this marriage.
I noted the existence of a dispensation mentioned in the
Montgomery account [SP III:430] and elaborated upon in a later
Maxwell account [SP VI:474] in which the fourth degree of both
kindred and affinity are mentioned. A fuller extract of the
dispensation dated 4 May 1413/14 follows:
' Muriella, duchess of Albany. On behalf of John Montisgomorri,
knight, and Margaret Maxuhel, of the diocese of Glasgow, for a
dispensation to intermarry, they being related in the fourth
degree of kindred and affinity. Granted for both. Tortosa,
4 Non. May, an. 20. ' [1]
The Scots Peerage (Montgomery) account correctly states,
"neither charter nor dispensation prove her parentage " [2].
However, we now have evidence of the relationship which gave
rise to the consanguinity ["kindred"] stated in the dispensation,
a common descent from Sir John Stewart and his wife Margaret de
Bonkil:
1) Sir John = Margaret = 2) Sir David
Stewart I de Bonkil I de Brechin
___________________I_________ I____________
I III I I
Sir Alexander <siblings> Sir Walter V
Stewart of Bonkil of Dalswinton
= NN Randolph = NN
I I
I I
NN = John de John Stewart
I Montgomery of Dalswinton and Garlies
I I
I I
Sir Alexander = Elizabeth Katherine = Herbert
Montgomery I de Eglinton Stewart I Maxwell
I I
I___________ I
I I
1) Agnes of = Sir John = 2) Margaret
the Isles I Montgomery I Maxwell
I d. ca 1428 I
I I
V V
There is to date no evidence for an alleged identification
of Margaret Maxwell as belonging to the family of Maxwell of
Pollok; the foregoing does support the weak identification in
SP VI:474 of Margaret as daughter of Herbert Maxwell of
Caerlaverock and his wife Katherine Stewart.
All credit, and my thanks, belong to Andrew MacEwen for
his scholarship and generosity. Any and all comments,
criticism, or related documentation should be directed to
the author of this post,and would be welcome as always.
Cheers,
John *
NOTES (to post):
[1] W. H. Bliss, ed., "Calendar of Entries in the Papal Registers
Relating to Great Britain and Ireland," Petitions to the Pope,
Vol. I (A.D. 1342-1419), London: for the Public Record Office,
1896, (reprinted 1971, Kraus-Thomson, Liechtenstein), I:602.
[2] SP VI:474.
* John P. Ravilious
John P. Ravilious
Hello All,
Following is a somewhat detailed pedigree giving the descent
from Sir Alexander Stewart of Bonkil to Sir John Montgomery
of Eglinton (d. ca. 1428) and his immediate issue.
Cheers,
John *
=======================================================
Descent of the Montgomerys of Eglinton
from Stewart of Bonkil
1 Sir Alexander Stewart
----------------------------------------
Birth: aft Sep 1283[1]
Death: ca 1318[2]
Occ: laird of Bonkil
Father: Sir John Stewart (-1298)
Mother: Margaret de Bonkil (-ca1304)
of Bonkil, co. Berwicks. and Uldale, Cumberland
heir of his mother, 'still a minor' in Sept. 1304 [SP I:221[1]]
he evidently held Uldale, Cumbs., or was recognized as heir while
Uldale was held by Sir David de Brechin, in the English camp.
record of a petition, dated after 4 Mar 1315:
C 47/22/10/15
' Petition of Anthony de Lucy for a release of the manor of Uldale,
Cumberland, in the King's hand by the rebellion of Alexander
[Steward] of Bonkill '[2]
he d. ca. 1318, or shortly before: record of a petition dated 1318/9:
SC 8/319/E406
' Petitioners: Christiana [de Boukile], widow of Alexander de
Boukile.
Addressees: King and council.
Places mentioned: Northumberland; Uldale, [Cumberland].
Other people mentioned: Alexander de Boukile, late husband of the
petitioner; Alexander Stiward (Steward).
Nature of request: Boukile requests the grant of the manor of
Uldale which belonged to her late husband as all her lands and
tenements, goods and chattels are destroyed by the Scottish
enemy, which was taken into the king's hand after the death
of Steward. If this cannot be granted, she requests the grant
of two thirds of the manor.
Endorsement: With regard to her dower, it is to be done. '
[ "The petition is dated to 1318-1319 in accordance with the
dating given on the dorse, a date which tallies with the dating
given by Bain (Bain, vol. III, no.685). " National Archives[2]]
Note: his wife was a sister (name unknown) of Thomas Randolph,
the noted Earl of Moray. Their marriage was a paired
brother-sister marriage (Sir Alexander's sister Isabel
having married Thomas Randolph).
This identification courtesy of Andrew B. W. MacEwen [
Spouse: NN Randolph
Father: Sir Thomas Randolph (->1289)
Mother: Isabella de Kilconquhar
Children: Sir John
NN (?1315-)
1.1 NN Stewart
----------------------------------------
Birth: ? 1315
identification of her parentage by Andrew B. W. MacEwen[15]
~ based in part of the tenure of Thornton, previously by the
Stewarts, subsequently by the Montgomerys.
Spouse: John de Montgomery
Children: Sir Alexander (?1330-<1389)
1.1.1 Sir Alexander de Montgomery
----------------------------------------
Death: bef 9 Dec 1389[4]
Occ: laird of Eaglesham and Eglinton (dju)
laird of Eaglesham and Eglinton (de jure uxoris)
knighted after 25 May 1360:
'Alexandro de Mongomry', witness (together with Robert le Stewart,
Earl of Strathearn [later King Robert II], William Douglas,
Earl of Douglas, Sir Robert Erskine and others) to a charter
from Thomas Stewart, Earl of Angus to Sir Hugh de Eglinton of
the lands of Ormdale in Cowall (Argyll), dated Edinburgh,
25 May 1360 [Eglinton MSS. pp. 6-7, No. 2[4]; also in Fraser,
Memorials II:3-4, No. 4[5]]
'Alexander of Montgomerie, laird of Bonnytoun', charters of
resignation of Bonnington by Thomas Cripney, and his grant of
seisin in same to Alan Lauder:
" Disposition by the said Alexander Montgomerie to
Allan Lauder of the foresaid annualrent of 4 merks 8 shillings,
due by Alexander to Allan, for a sum of money paid by Allan
to Alexander, for loosing of his lands of Bonnington, from
James Douglas of Dalkeith, and Egidia Lindsay his spouse.
Sealed by himself without date.
" Discharge by the said annualrent by the said James Douglas,
whereto he had right as being liferented by his spouse. Dated
at Edinburgh, 7th May 1379.
" Discharge of �20 sterling, as the price of the annualrent
before discharged by the said Alexander to the said Allan,
which he says is for leasing of his lands of Bonningtoun.
Dated at Tantallon, 23rd February 1385. " [Fraser,
Memorials I:15, note (3)[5]]
~ note: Fraser in error makes these charters as having been
made by Sir Alexander's son Alexander (on the basis of
Sir John de Montgomery being erroneously assigned as
husband of Elizabeth de Eglinton] - Fraser, Memorials I:15[5]
~ erroneously identified in Scots Peerage as a 'Sir John Montgomery'
(corrected by Andrew B. W. MacEwen[6])
he m. (as 2nd husband) Elizabeth de Eglinton
Spouse: Elizabeth de Eglinton
Father: Sir Hugh de Eglinton (-<1377)
Mother: Agnes Mure
Children: Sir John (-~1428)
Alexander
Hugh
1.1.1.1a Sir John Montgomery*
----------------------------------------
Death: abt 1428, prob. Pontefract Castle, England[1]
Occ: laird of Ardrossan and Eglinton
laird of Eaglesham, Eglinton and Ardrossan
' Sir John Montgomery of Eaglesham ', a retainer of King Robert
III, and a recipient of one of the ' earliest grants of heritable
pensions as retaining fees ', ca. 1390 [Boardman pp. 194-5[7]]
captured Sir Henry 'Hotspur' Percy at Battle of Otterburn,
10 Aug 1388 (ransom used to build castle at Polnoon)[1]
' Obligation by James the Lyndesay, Lord of Bochane, granting to
John of Montgumry, Lord of Egillham, that the lands of Dunbulge
nor Carny, held of the granter, shall not be recognosced by him
until he pay to John of Montgumry, in the Castle of Edinburgh,
"ix hunder punde of Inglish gold, on a day" ... "Alswa, we grant
and lely hechtis, that we sal helpe and supponell the forsaid
John in the helpe and mantenance of the forsaide landys that
the said Jon haldys of ws, and at we sal nocht be in the contrar
of hym with na nothyr in the mentyme." Dated at Edinburgh,
9th December 1389. ' [Eglinton MSS. p. 8, No. 9[4]]
' John of Montgomery', one of the cautioners for King Robert III:
' 1398, October 29. - Bond of relief by King Robert the Third
under his privy seal in favour of Thomas of Erskyne, knight,
John of Montgomery, John Sympill, James Stewart of Kylbryde,
Humphrey of Culquwne, Malcolm of Galbrathe, John of Park, and
James of Spot, promising to keep them scatheless in respect of
their becoming cautioners for him in the agreement between him
and Mr. Walter of Danyelstoun respecting the delivery of the
king's castle of Dumbarton, and of his other goods, and his
nephew (or grandson) Patrick of Danyelstoun. Dated at
Dunbrettan. [Latin, on parchment, with small part of seal
remaining on tag] . ' [Mar MSS., p. 7[8]]
fought at Battle of Homildon, 1402
' Joh. de Montgomery de Ardrossane milite', witness to charter
of King Robert III to Sir James Kennedy of Dunure dated at
Dundonald, 28 Jan. 1404/5 [RMS p. 87, No. 379[9]]
'Johannes de Montegomeri de Ardrossane, miles', granted charter
to his son Robert Montgomery, ' begot between him and the late
Agnes of the Isles, his spouse' [ "quondam Agnetam de Insulis,
sponsam suam"] of the lordship of Giffen, with the consent of
his son and heir Alexander [confirmed by Robert Stewart, Duke
of Albany at Stirling, 9 Mar 1413/4 - Fraser, Memorials II:21-22,
No. 27[5]]
A papal dispensation was granted 4 May 1413/4:
' Muriella, duchess of Albany. On behalf of John Montisgomorri,
knight, and Margaret Maxuhel, of the diocese of Glasgow, for a
dispensation to intermarry, they being related in the fourth
degree of kindred and affinity. Granted for both. Tortosa,
4 Non. May, an. 20. ' [Papal Petitions I:602[10]; SP VI:474,
cites Papal Petitions, i. 602; Reg. Mag. Sig., 2 October 1427.
SP states, "neither charter nor dispensation prove her
parentage."[1]]
" Johannis de Montegomeri de Ardrossane " [ 'John of Montgomeri
of Ardrossan [knight] ' ], witness [together with Murdoch
Stewart, John Stewart, Earl of Buchan, Humphrey Cunyngham of
Auchtermachane, Alexander Livingston of Callendar, William
Cunyngham of Kilmaurs and Archibald Cunyngham of Auchinbowie]
to the adjudication by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany of a case
at Irvine, 24 July 1417 [Irvine Muniments I:19-22, No. 9[11];
Red Book of Menteith I:225-6[12]]
'our dear cousin Sir John Montgomery of Ardrossan, and Margaret
Maxwell his spouse' ["dilecto consanguineo nostro, Johanni de
Montegomeri de Ardrossane, militi, et Margarete de Maxuel,
sponse sue"], had a charter from Murdoch Stewart, Duke of
Albany of the lands of Thornton, Auchingalle [Aikengall],
Crethnawis and Monynette [Monynut], in Innerwick parish,
constabulary of Haddington (sheriffdom of Edinburgh), resigned
voluntarily by Sir John and regranted by Duke Murdoch to them
and their heirs, dated at Stirling, 29 Mar 1422 (witnessed by
Alexander Stewart, son of Duke Murdoch, Sir Humphrey Cunyngham,
Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock, John Lindsay of the Byres and others)
[confirmed by King James I at Edinburgh, 2 Oct 1427 - Fraser,
Memorials II:23-25, No. 30[5]]
hostage for James I, 1425 - ; apparently died in England, prior
to Nov. 22, 1429[1]
he m. 1stly Agnes 'of the Isles',
2ndly Margaret Maxwell[1]
_______________________
~ erroneously 'split' into 2 individuals in Scots Peerage
account (corrected by Andrew B. W. MacEwen[6])
cf. Scots Peerage (III:429-430, Montgomery, Earl of Eglinton)[1]
corrections to account by Andrew B. W. MacEwen[6]
Thompson and Hansen 12(1):85-86 #1032[13]
Spouse: Agnes 'of the Isles'[1]
Death: bef 9 Mar 1413[5],[1],[14]
Birth: ? 1365
Father: Eoin MacDonald (-<1369)
Mother: Helen Campbell (ca1340-)
Children: Alexander, 1st Lord Montgomery (->1469)
Robert Montgomery of Giffen
Joanna, m. Thomas Boyd
Isabella, m. (allegedly) Archibald Mure of Rowallan
Agnes, m. (1) Sir Robert Cunyngham of Kilmaurs
(2) Sir George Campbell of Loudoun
1.1.1.1b Sir John Montgomery* (See above)
----------------------------------------
Spouse: Margaret Maxwell [2nd wife]
Father: Sir Herbert Maxwell of Caerlaverock
Mother: Katherine Stewart
Marr: ca 4 May 1413[1]
Children: Hugh (-<1477)
1. Sir James Balfour Paul, ed., "The Scots Peerage," Edinburgh:
David Douglas, 1904-1914 (9 volumes).
2. "National Archives,"
http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
3. Andrew B. W. MacEwen, "telephone conversation, 19 October 2005,"
re: (1) explanation(s) for dispensation for George Campbell of
Loudoun and Elizabeth Stewart, (2) also re: 1439 dispensation
for George Campbell of Loudoun and Agnes Montgomery, widow of
Robert Cunningham, and other matters, notes, library of John P.
Ravilious.
4. Historical Manuscripts Commission, Tenth Report of the Royal
Commission on Historical Manuscripts, "Report on the Manuscripts
of The Earl of Eglinton, Sir J. Stirling Maxwell, Bart., C. S.
H. Drummond Moray, Esq.," "C. F. Weston Underwood, Esq. and G.
Wingfield Digby, Esq.," London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1885.
5. William Fraser, "Memorials of the Montgomeries, Earls of
Eglinton," Edinburgh: published for the author, 1859.
6. Andrew B. W. MacEwen, "telephone conference re: (1) Isabel
de Dunbar, wife of Roger fitz John of Warkworth," (2)
Christina Stewart, countess of Dunbar; (3) Cecilia, dau. of
John fitz Robert of Wark, reference made to his publications
on The Seven Countesses, and 1999 article on Alexander
Sutherland of Dunbeath and his mistress, Catherine Chalmers,
28 October 2004, notes, library of John P. Ravilious.
7. Stephen I Boardman, "The Early Stewart Kings: Robert II and
Robert III, 1371-1406," East Linton: Tuckwell Press, 1996,
(The Stewart Dynasty in Scotland Series, Vol. I).
8. Historical Manuscripts Commission, "Report on the Manuscripts
of the Earl of Mar and Kellie: Preserved at Alloa House, N.B.,"
London: Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by Ben
Johnson and Company, York, 1904.
9. "Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum," The Register of the
Great Seal of Scotland, ed. James Balfour Paul, Edinburgh:
H. M. General Register House, 1882 [A.D. 1424-1513]].
10. W. H. Bliss, ed., "Calendar of Entries in the Papal Registers
Relating to Great Britain and Ireland," Petitions to the Pope,
Vol. I (A.D. 1342-1419), London: for the Public Record Office,
1896, (reprinted 1971, Kraus-Thomson, Liechtenstein).
11. "Muniments of the Royal Burgh of Irvine," Edinburgh: printed
for The Ayrshire and Galloway Archaeological Association, 1890
(Vol. I).
12. William Fraser, "The Red Book of Menteith," Edinburgh: 1880,
.pdf image files provided by Genealogy.com www.genealogy.com,
history and evidences concerning the Earls and Earldom
of Mentieth.
13. Neil D Thompson and Charles M Hansen, ""A Medieval Heritage:
The Ancestry of Charles II, King of England"," The Genealogist,
2:157-168, 3:25-44, 3:175-194, 4:144-158, 5:64-72, 5:226-239,
6:100-103, 6:148-165,, 7-8:137-143, 9:40-44, 10:73-85, 11:63-72,
11:184-193, 12:83-90, 12:250-256, 13:92-99, 13:252-256, 14:81-84,
14:207-210, 15:99-103, 15:220-224, 16:93-98, 16:227-231,
17:61-64, a graphical summary of this ambitious project
provided by the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy,
URL: http://fmg.ac/Projects/CharlesII/
14. Jean Munro, Ph.D. and R. W. Munro, eds., "Acts of the Lords
of the Isles, 1336-1493," Edinburgh: Blackwood, Pillans &
Wilson, 1986, Pub. of the Scottish History Society, Ser. 4,
Vol. 22.
15. Andrew B. W. MacEwen, "telephone conversation, 6 February
2007", re: (1) identification (probable) of Isabel, wife of
Neil, E of Carrick, (2) identification (to be published) of
4th daughter of Neil, E of Carrick, (3) possible identification
of parentage of John Graham, E of Menteith, and other matters.
Notes, library of John P. Ravilious