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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 1999-11 > 0942370732


From: John Ravilious < >
Subject: [Fwd: Re: Isabel, Countess of [Buchan]]
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 20:38:52 -0500


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Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 20:37:23 -0500
From: John Ravilious < >
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Subject: Re: Isabel, Countess of [Buchan]
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wrote:
>
> In article < >,
> wrote:
> >
> > In responding to the question concerning Isabel 'MacDuff':
> >
> 2. As noted in Professor Barrow's _Robert Bruce_ (1965),
> > Countess Isabel of Buchan and Mary Bruce, sister of Robert
> > _the Bruce_ (and future wife of Campbell of Loch Awe) were
> > both caged by Edward I. Mary Bruce was held at Roxburgh
> > castle, and Countess Isabel at Berwick castle, after their
> > capture in 1306 until (at least for Countess Isabel) June
> > 1310 (pp. 229-230). She did not, in fact, die _in her cage_.
> >
> She was handed into the custody of Sir Henry Beaumont in 1313
> directly upon her release from her cage in Berwick (Ronal McNair
> Scott, Robert the Bruce, 1991. He cites his source as Calendar of
> Documents relating to Scotland iii, 313, ed J Bain (1881-88)).
> She isn't referred to again after this point. I see that you
> called him (Henry Beaumont) titular Earl (can you explain this term?).
> How did he receive this title? Did it come from his wife? Henry
> Beaumont married Alice Comyn daughter of Sir Alexander Comyn I'm not
> sure if he's the same person as Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan) their
> daughter was also named Isabel. To whom did the Earldom of Buchan pass
> next? Why was the Earldom of Buchan in wardship in 1309?
> Did Isabel, Countess of Buchan have any children before her
> imprisonment in the cage? When was she married?
> Going backwards, how was Isabel's husband, John Comyn, (the
> third?)
> Earl of Buchan related to Alewxander Comyn Earl of Buchan? Son? If
> not how did he get the title?
> This is my very first posting to anywhere, and I am very nervous,
> please forgive. I have at least a half dozen other related questions.
>
> Heidi Hammond
> >
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.

Friday, November 12, 1999


Re: Isabel, Countess of Buchan and the Earldom of Buchan

In reply to your questions (at least the ones I can answer):

1) Henry Beaumont was held to be Earl of Buchan de jure uxoris
(by right of his wife) after the death of John Comyn, the uncle
of his wife. However, as he [John Comyn] died in 1308 in a
state of rebellion [which term will be debated by any real
Comyn-ers out there], Beaumont's right to the Earldom was
only recognized by the English and the pro-English [anti-Bruce]
Scots. The earldom effectively became defunct at that point:
half the lands went to Margaret Comyn, Alice's sister, and
her husband John, brother of the Earl of Ross. The other half
of the earldom's lands were taken by the Crown [Bruce] and
divided amongst his brother Edward Bruce, Sir Robert Keith
(marischal of Scotland), Archibald _the Tyneman_ Douglas
and several others. As Henry Beaumont held nothing but the
title
of Earl of Buchan [in the eyes of the English crown, anyway]
he is referred to as _titular_ Earl of Buchan.

2) Sir Alexander Comyn, father of Alice and Margaret, was the
younger brother of John Comyn, Earl of Buchan referred to
above. They were the sons of Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan
(d. 1289).

Good luck, and good hunting.

John

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