Stuart dynasty

The Stewards of Scotland. 3
King Malcolm IV. of Scotland, who reigned between 1153
and 1163, confirmed a charter in favour of Walter, son of
Alan, conferring on him lands in Renfrewshire, together
with the Stewardship, both originally granted by David I.
It is also known that the first Steward of Scotland founded
the Abbey of Paisley in 1164.*
The traveller proceeding from Glasgow down the lovely
Clyde would pass within sight of the ancient patrimony of
the Stuart Kings; and when the shores of Renfrewshire
sink out of sight, the fair prospects in and around Bute may
recall other memories of the same royal line, inasmuch as
that attractive island became in 1255 a portion of the Stuart
property. Indeed, it is probable that the geographical
position of Renfrewshire, intermediate between the Highlands,
the Isles of the West, and the Lowlands, gave the Stuarts
an original advantage in their rivalry with the House of
Douglas, whose reputation for conducting forays into Eng-
land, and as supreme lords of the Border, was scarcely
realised amongst the wild wai'riors who, living north of
Inverary, had yet from time to time come into personal
contact with several of the Stewards of Scotland.
Alan, the second Steward, succeeded his above-mentioned
father Walter, holding his position for twenty-seven years ;
being twice married, first to Eva, daughter of Swan, son of
Thor, Lord of Tippermuir and Tranent, progenitor of the
Ruthvens ; but by this marriage the Steward had no children,
and a second time entered the marriage state with Alesta,
daughter of Morgand, Earl of Mar, the origin of whose house
is lost in the mists of antiquity. The son and heir, Walter,
by this marriage, was third holder of the Stewardship, and
flourished in that capacity between 1204 and 1246, being
himself allied to Beatrix, daughter of Gilchrist, who then
held the title of Angus. |
Walter's son, Alexander, the fourth Steward, appears to
have developed military talent, for he commanded the
Scottish army at the battle of Largs on Oct. 2, 1263 .J This
Alexander, serving Alexander III. as General on this
occasion, was, in all probability, defending his own interests
* A. Stuart's 'Genealogical History of the Stewarts,' p. 3; also Sir David
Dalrymple's (Lord Hailes) 'Annals of Scotland,' third edition, 1819, vol. i.
p. 363.
t A. Stuart's 'Genealogical History of the Stewarts,' p. 8; also Douglas's
' Peerage,' vol. i. p. 44.
J Douglas's ' Peerage,' vol. i. p. 44.
B 2