Robert Stewart | |
---|---|
Duke of Albany, Earl of Fife & Menteith | |
Governor of Scotland | |
Tenure | 1406–1420 |
Predecessor | Robert II (as King) |
Successor | Murdoch Stewart |
Born | c. 1340 |
Died | 3 September 1420 Stirling Castle |
Spouse |
Margaret, Countess of Menteith (1363–×1380) Muriella Keith (1380–death) |
Issue more... |
Murdoch Stewart John Stewart |
House | Stewart (Albany branch) |
Father | King Robert II |
Mother | Elizabeth Mure of Rowallan |
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany (c. 1340 – 3 September 1420), a member of the Scottish royal house, served as regent (at least partially) to three different Scottish monarchs (Robert II, Robert III, and James I). He also held the titles of Earl of Menteith (28 February 1361), Earl of Fife (1361; resigned in 1372), Earl of Buchan (1394; resigned in 1406) and Earl of Atholl (1403, for the duration of Robert III's life only), in addition to his 1398 creation as Duke of Albany. A ruthless politician, Albany was widely regarded as having caused the murder of his nephew, the Duke of Rothesay, and brother to the future King James I of Scotland. James was held in captivity in England for eighteen years, during which time Albany served as regent in Scotland, king in all but name. He died in 1420 and was succeeded by his son, Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, who would be executed for treason when James returned to Scotland in 1425, almost causing the complete ruin of the Albany Stewarts.
Robert Stewart was the second son of the future King Robert II of Scotland (1316–1390) and of Elizabeth Mure of Rowallan. His parents' marriage was deemed as uncanonical at first, which, in some circle, gave their children and descendants the label of illegitimacy, but the granting of a papal dispensation in 1349 saw their remarriage and their children's legitimisation. Robert's grandfather was Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland (1293–1326) and his father was the first monarch of the House of Stewart. His great-grandfather was Robert the Bruce (1274–1329), legendary victor of the Battle of Bannockburn.