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Isabel Douglas, Countess of Mar
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Isabel, born in 1360, was the sister of the famous James
2nd Earl of Douglas and Earl of Mar, who died leading the Scots to
victory at the Battle of Otterburn. He died without any legitimate
children and his sister Isabel inherited most of his property, excluding
only the Douglas lands which could only pass through the male line.
After being confirmed as Countess she became the most sought after bride
in the realm and soon was married to Sir Malcolm Drummond,
brother-in-law of King Robert III. This marriage however failed to
produce any children and the Countess soon became the focus of several
plots to usurp her lands by scheming nobleman.
While the couple
resided at the chief seat to the Earldom of Mar, Kildrummy Castle, Sir Malcolm was frequently away on royal business, being one of
King Robert's close advisors. In 1402, while Sir Malcolm was away at one
of his other castles, he was suddenly attacked by a large group of
highlanders led by the infamous Alexander Stewart, illegitimate son of
the Wolf of Badenoch. Alexander then captured the castle and put Sir
Malcolm into one of his dungeons where he soon died at the hands of his
captor. Because the king was sick and infirm by this time and real power
was in the hands of his younger brother the Duke of Albany, Isabel was
now completely isolated and easy prey for her husband's murderer.
In the summer of 1404, Alexander descended on her castle of
Kildrummy and captured it along with the Countess extorted a document
signed by her promising to marry Alexander and give over to him all of
her lands, including the earldom of Mar and lordship of the Garioch.
Under normal circumstances this incident possibly would not have been
allowed to stand, but these events took place during the regency of the
Duke of Albany who was Alexander Stewart’s uncle. Because his relation
to the Royal Family and friendship with his uncle saved him from any
actual punishment, Isabel was forced to marry the man who murdered her
husband and live the last four years of her life as a captive. She died
in 1408 without children and the earldom of Mar reverted to the crown
and was later given to John Erskine, 6th Lord Erskine, whose descendants
hold it to this day.
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Source
Sources for this article include:
Gàidhlig4Sasannachs (Facebook)
Any contributions will be
gratefully accepted
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