Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan

"Alexander Comyn" redirects here. For other uses, see Alexander Comyn (disambiguation).

Alexander Comyn, 2nd Earl Buchan
Coat of arms as Earl of Buchan
In office 1286–1289
Guardian of Scotland
Preceded by	Donnchadh IV, Earl of Fife
Succeeded by	James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland
Justiciar of Scotia
In office 1258–1289
Preceded by	Alan Durward
Succeeded by	Andreas de Moravia
Constable of Scotland
In office 1275–1289
Preceded by	Marjory, Countess of Buchan
Succeeded by	John Comyn, Earl of Buchan
Personal details
Born	Unknown (circa 1218) Buchan, Aberdeenshire
Died	Unknown (late 1289) Northern Scotland
Spouse	Elizabeth (or Isabel or Isabella) de Quincy
Children	Roger, Marjorie, Elisabetha, William, Emma, John, Elena
Parent(s)	William Comyn, Lord of Badenoch Marjory, Countess of Buchan
Occupation	Sheriff, Baillie
Also served as Sheriff of Wigtown and Dingwall and Baillie of Inverie. Dates of rule unknown.

Alexander Comyn, 2nd Earl of Buchan (died 1289) was a Scoto-Norman magnate who was one of the most important figures in the 13th century Kingdom of Scotland.

Life

He was the son of William Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, and wife Marjory, Countess of Buchan, the heiress of the last native Scottish Mormaer of Buchan, Fergus. He was the chief counsellor of Alexander III, King of Alba (Scotland) for the entire period of the king's majority and as Scotland's leading magnate, played a key role in safeguarding the independence of the Scottish monarchy. During his long career, Alexander Comyn was Justiciar of Scotia (1258–1289), Constable of Scotland (1275–1289), Sheriff of Wigtown (1263–1266), Sheriff of Dingwall (1264–1266), Baillie of Inverie (in Knoydart) and finally, Guardian of Scotland (1286–1289) during the first interregnum following the death of Alexander III. In 1284 he joined with other Scottish noblemen who acknowledged Margaret of Norway as the heiress to King Alexander. He died sometime after 10 July 1289.

Marriage and issue

Alexander had at least nine children with his wife, Elizabeth (or Isabel or Isabella) de Quincy, daughter of Roger de Quincy, 2nd Earl of Winchester, and wife Helen of Galloway:

• John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, Alexander's successor as Earl of Buchan;
• Roger;
• Lord Alexander Comyn, sheriff of Aberdeen, married Joan, sister of William Latimer, 4th Baron Latimer, and had issue. Henry de Beaumont would claim the Earldom of Buchan through marriage to their daughter, Alice;
• Lord William Comyn, Provost of St. Mary's Church, St Andrews;
• Lady Marjorie Comyn married Patrick IV, Earl of March;
• Lady Agnes Egidia Comyn married Malise III, Earl of Strathearn;
• Lady Elisabetha Comyn married Gilbert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus;
• Lady Elena Comyn married Sir William de Brechin;
• Lady Annora Comyn married Nicholas I de Soules.

Sources

• Rymer, Thomas;Foedera Conventiones, Literae et cuiuscunque generis Acta Publica inter Reges Angliae, London, 1745. (Latin)
• Young, Alan; Robert the Bruce's Rivals: The Comyns, 1213–1314, (East Linton, 1997).
• Young, Alan and Cumming, George; The Real Patriots of Early Scottish Independence, Birlinn, (Edinburgh, 2014).