James "Beg" Stewart

James "Beag" Stewart
Arms of the Albany Stewarts
Born	James Stewart unknown Probably Scotland
Died	c1470 Scotland
Occupation	Farmer
Spouse(s)	Annabel Buchanan, daughter of Patrick, 14th Laird of Buchanan
Children	John Stewart (born c 1450) Matilda Stewart (born c1452) William Stewart (born c 1455) Andrew Stewart (born c1458) Alexander Stewart (born c1460) Patrick Stewart (born c1462)
Parent(s)	James Mor Stewart Mother unknown

James "Beag" Stewart (c1424-1470) of Baldorran was the seventh illegitimate son of James Mor Stewart (known as "James the Fat"), who fled into exile in Ireland when his father Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany was executed for treason by James I of Scotland in 1425. James the Fat would never return to Scotland, and he was unable to inherit the Albany estates, but James "Beag" Stewart was able to secure a royal pardon and return to Scotland. He is the ancestor of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich on Lochearnside, whose family history is recounted by Sir Walter Scott in A Legend of Montrose.

James "Beag" Stewart's exact birthdate is unknown. It seems likely he was born in Scotland some time before his father's exile to Ireland. "Beag" means small; literally "Little Stewart".

James was the eldest son of James Mor Stewart (known as "James the Fat"), who led an unsuccessful rebellion against King James I of Scotland and fled into exile in Ireland in 1425 when his father Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany and two of his brothers were executed for treason by King James in 1425. James the Fat would never return to Scotland, and he was unable to inherit the Albany estates, which were forfeited following his father's trial and execution. He died in Ireland in 1429.

James Beag Stewart was born into a large family with many siblings:

Although James "Beag" Stewart was illegitimate, he nonetheless stood to inherit, in theory at least, his father's claim to the throne of Scotland. However, unlike his father, James Beag Stewart did not assert this claim and he was eventually able to secure a royal pardon and return to Scotland, becoming a loyal servant of the crown. He is the ancestor of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich on Lochearnside, whose family history is recounted by Sir Walter Scott in A Legend of Montrose.