Stuart dynasty

THE STEWARDS OF SCOTLAND. 7
her crown, died there during September 1290. Her
grandfather, Alexander III., by an alliance with a
daughter of Henry III. of England, had paved the
way as it were for the union of the two crowns,
which the prescient Edward I. thought might afford
a short cut to the practical possession of Scotland, in
endeavouring to gain which object so much of that
great English sovereign's life was spent. When,
therefore, amidst circumstances of much national
hope and rejoicing, the sad tidings reached Scotland's
shores, a feeling akin to despair took possession of
her rulers, who saw in the ensuing contest between
Robert Bruce and John Baliol — the Cumyns having
resigned their claim in favour of the latter — the seeds
of future civil war, the fomenting of which Edward I,
made thenceforth a leading part of his policy.
James, the fifth Steward, like his father before him,
served the monarchy with courage, skill, and fidelity,
for we find him associated with Sir William Wallace
in 1297, and subsequently standing surety for Robert
Bruce's good behaviour, when that monarch had
undertaken to deliver up his only daughter Marjory
to the English. His recognition of Brnce's right to
the throne, doubtless strengthened his family position
in the State. His wife was Cecilia, daughter of
Patrick, Earl of Dunbar and March.
A brother of the fifth Steward, James, Sir John
by name, married Margaret, daughter of Sir
Alexander Bonkyl, and became progenitor of several
noble houses, including that of Darnley, Earls of
Lennox, to which house belonged Henry, Lord