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Single Person record details
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Back
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Person Code
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DS/UK/25050
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Family Name
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Stewart
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Territorial Designation
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of Darnaway. Donibristle, Doune and Castle Stewart
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Activity
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The origin of the family lies with James Stewart, the illegitimate half brother of Mary, Queen of Scots. Created Earl of Mar on Mary's return to Scotland form France, James coveted the Earldom of Moray which had been in abeyance but administered by George, 4th Earl of Huntly. Huntly had been a good servant of James V who had appointed him his Lieutenant in the North. In 1546 Huntly was created Chancellor and the Queen Regent had granted him the Earldom of Moray with its rich estates. He fell into disgrace in 1555 but was restored to favour in 1557 although the title Earl of Moray was not restored to him. In 1562 James relinquished the Earldom of Mar in favour of the Erskine Family and was granted the Earldom of Moray. Following the acquisition of the earldom, James engaged Huntly in battle at Corrichie on the Hill o'Fare, 20 miles west of Aberdeen. Huntly died on the field and his body was embalmed taken to Edinburgh and tried for High Treason. Sir John Gordon, Huntly's son was executed, his youngest son was spared and became known as Sir Adam Gordon of Auchindoun who helped Mary to escape from Loch Leven Castle. Huntly's eldest son, George in spite of being tried, condemned and imprisoned was released and restored to his estates four years later. By 1563 Moray had become the richest and most powerful man in Scotland. As well as the Earldom of Moray and title, he had acquired the sheriffdoms of Inverness, Elgin and Forres.
Moray, himself was assassinated in 1570 by a Hamilton and his son-in-law, 'the Bonnie Earl of Moray' was later assassinated by a Gordon, the grandson of Huntly, who fell at Corrichie.
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Dates
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16th-20th century
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Epithet
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family
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