Earl of Moray

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Lord Doune)

The title Earl of Moray (pronounced "Murry") has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland. Prior to the formal establishment of the peerage, numerous individuals ruled over Moray with the title of mormaer or earl.

It was first bestowed in modern times on Thomas Randolph. It eventually descended to Elizabeth Stewart, 7th Countess of Moray, whose husband was also recognised as Earl. However, when her husband, James, was killed in battle against the Sovereign in 1455, his title was attained.

The next grant was made to James Stewart, the son of King James IV. This Earl, however, died without children, and the title became extinct. The title was next given to George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly. Gordon fell out of royal favour, and in 1462 he was killed and his title was forfeit.

The most recent creation was in favour of another James Stewart, the illegitimate son of King James V. Other Scottish titles associated with this creation are: Lord Abernethy and Strathearn (created 1562), Lord Doune (1581) and Lord St Colme (1611). Furthermore, Lord Moray holds the title Baron Stuart, of Castle Stuart in the County of Inverness; since it is in the Peerage of Great Britain, it entitled the Earls of Moray to sit in the House of Lords until the passage of the Peerage Act 1963.

Perhaps the most well-known Earl of Moray was James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray, the husband of Elizabeth Stewart, 2nd Countess of Moray, who held the Earldom jure uxoris (by right of his wife), as he was the subject of a famous ballad, "The Bonny Earl of Murray" ("Murray" being a variant spelling of "Moray"). He was also a direct male-line descendant of King Robert II.

The family seat is Doune Lodge, near Doune, Stirling.