Walter Comyn Lord of Buchan Lord of Dadenoch 5th Earl of Menteith

• Preferred Name: Walter Comyn Lord of Buchan Lord of Dadenoch 5th Earl of Menteith^{[1] [2]}
  
• Gender: M
  
• Death: 4 NOV 1258 in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland at LATI: N5.4587 LONG: E4.6285
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Sir Knight with note: (Copied from merge)
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Lord of Badenoch with note: (Copied from merge)
  
• FSID: G78K-BTZ
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Earl of Menteith with note: (Copied from merge)
  
• Find+A+Grave: with note: Earl of Menteith Walter Comyn BIRTH 1190 DEATH 1258 (aged 67–68) BURIAL Burial Details Unknown MEMORIAL ID 226869564 · View Source
  
• Birth: 1190 in Rowallan Castle, Craige, Ayrshire, Scotland
  
• Burial: 1258 in Burial Details Unknown at LATI: N3.0194 LONG: E3.7861
  
• Notes:

  === Life Sketch ===
  see below.
  
  b) WALTER Comyn (-Nov 1258). Andrew Wyntoun’s Cronykil names "Rychard and Waltyre" as the sons of "Willame Cwmyn", adding that Walter was "Erle off Monteth"[272]. "…Willelmo Cumin comite de Buchan…Waltero Cumin, Jordano Cumin…" witnessed the charter dated 28 Jun (no year) under which Alexander II King of Scotland confirmed a donation by "Ricardo Reuel" to Balmerino Abbey[273]. He was granted the lordship of Badenoch in 1229[274]. "Walterus Cumyn comes de Menteith et Margaretta comitissa uxor comitis Henrici…" donated property to Cupar abbey by charter dated 9 Aug 1232 "coram nobis Isabell comitissa, heres legittima Atholiæ…post obitum domini sui Thomæ comitis de Galawayea"[275]. "…Willelmo Cumyn comite de Buchan justiciar Scotie…Waltero Cumin…" subscribed the charter dated 12 Feb 1236 under which Alexander II King of Scotland confirmed donations to Kinloss[276]. He succeeded as Earl of Menteith, de iure uxoris. "Walterus Cumyn filius Willelmi Cumyn" made a donation to Scone abbey by undated charter[277]. Matthew of Paris records that "Walterus Cumin comes in Scotia" died in 1258 after falling from his horse[278]. John of Fordun’s Scotichronicon (Continuator) records the death in 1258 of "Walterus Comyn comes veteranus de Menteth veneno uxoris suæ"[279]. m ([30 Jun 1233/9 Jan 1234]) as her first husband, ISABEL Ctss of Menteith, daughter of [MAURICE Earl of Menteith & his wife ---] (-[Jan 1264/1272]). John of Fordun’s Scotichronicon (Continuator) records the death in 1258 of "Walterus Comyn comes veteranus de Menteth veneno uxoris suæ" and that the following year his wife married "cuidam ignobili militi Angligenæ Johanni Russel"[280].
  
  c) [JORDAN Comyn . "…Willelmo Cumin comite de Buchan…Waltero Cumin, Jordano Cumin…" witnessed the charter dated 28 Jun (no year) under which Alexander II King of Scotland confirmed a donation by "Ricardo Reuel" to Balmerino Abbey[281]. It is not known whether the witnesses Walter and Jordan were sons of William Comyn Earl of Buchan but this appears probable.]
  
  d) JEAN Comyn . The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified. m WILLIAM Earl of Ross, son of FERQUHARD MacTaggart Earl of Ross & his wife --- (-Earl's Allan May 1274).
  
  e) [JOHN Comyn (-in France 1242). No information has been found on the parentage of John Comyn. It is probable that he was another son or grandson of William Comyn Earl of Buchan. He succeeded as Earl of Angus, de iure uxoris. The Chronicle of Melrose records the death in 1242 of "John Cumin earl of Angus…in France"[282]. m as her first husband, MATILDA Ctss of Angus, daughter of MALCOLM Earl of Angus & his wife Mary Berkeley. The Complete Peerage records her first marriage without citing the corresponding primary source[283], although it is implied from the Chronicle of Melrose which records the death in 1242 of "John Cumin earl of Angus…in France"[284].]
  
  f) DAVID Comyn (-[1244/7 Aug 1247]). "…Domino A. Cummyng, domino David Cummyng…" witnessed the undated charter under which "Maldovenus comes de Levenax" granted land "in Levenax…Buthernockis et…Kyncaith" to "Wilielmo filio Arthuri filii Galbrait"[285]. m ISABEL de Valoignes, daughter of WILLIAM de Valoignes Chamberlain of Scotland & his wife Loreta de Quincy (-before 17 Apr 1253). "Henry de Balliol and Lora his wife, David Cumin and Isabel his wife, and Piers de Maudue and Christine his wife, had livery of the lands which Christine, late the wife of W. Earl of Maundeville had held from the king in chief" dated 25 May 1233[286]. "Ysabella de Valloñ dña de Killebrid" donated "terre de Dalkarn" to the church of Glasgow, for the souls of "dñi DD Comyn mariti mei iam defuncti", by undated charter witnessed by "dño W. de Valloniis fratre meo, W. de Mortuo Mari decano…"[287]. A writ dated 17 Apr "37 Hen III", after the death of "Isabel de Valoynes alias de Valoiniis" names "William Comin alias de Valoynes her son age variously stated as 16 and 17 is her heir"[288]. David & his wife had one child:
  
  i) WILLIAM Comyn of Kilbride ([1236/37]-before 9 Feb 1282 [O.S.?]). A writ dated 17 Apr "37 Hen III", after the death of "Isabel de Valoynes alias de Valoiniis" names "William Comin alias de Valoynes her son age variously stated as 16 and 17 is her heir"[289]. Inquisitions after a writ dated 9 Feb "11 Edw I" following the death of "William Comyn of Scotland...” name “John his son aged 18 is his next heir”[290]. m as her first husband, EUPHEMIA, daughter of --- (-before Jan 1289). The Inquisitions after the death of "Eufemiæ quæ fuit uxor Willelmi Comyn de Killebridge" are dated 27 Jan 1289, 7 Feb 1289 and 10 Mar 1289, and name "Johannes filius dicti Willelmi et dictæ Eufemiæ…heres ipsius Eufemiæ" aged 23[291]. She married secondly as his second wife, Andrew Moray. The Fine Roll 25 May 1289 states that "Eufemia quæ fuit uxor Willelmi Comyn de Kyrkebride" married "Andreæ de Murreve sine licentia regis"[292]. A charter dated 11 Nov 1286 records redress sought by the six Guardians of Scotland from the Guardian of England for "Sir Andrew de Moray and Euphemia his wife"[293]. William & his wife had two children:
  
  (a) JOHN Comyn ([1263/64]-before 1315). Inquisitions after a writ dated 9 Feb "11 Edw I" following the death of "William Comyn of Scotland...” name “John his son aged 18 is his next heir”[294]. The Inquisitions after the death of "Eufemiæ quæ fuit uxor Willelmi Comyn de Killebridge" are dated 27 Jan 1289, 7 Feb 1289 and 10 Mar 1289, and name "Johannes filius dicti Willelmi et dictæ Eufemiæ…heres ipsius Eufemiæ" aged 23[295]. A charter dated 16 Feb 1290 records an inquiry as to the residence of "Johannes Comyn filius et heres Willelmi Comyn de Kilbride" at the death of his father, a note on the reverse of the document recording that witnesses swore that he was "ad castrum de Kilbride in Scota" at the time and for two years previously[296].
  
  (b) EDMUND Comyn (-killed in battle Bannockburn 23 Jun 1314). A charter dated 16 May 1296 names "…Edmund Comyn of Kilbride…" among those captured at Dunbar castle (27 Apr 1296[297]) and sent to Nottingham castle[298]. A charter dated 9 Aug 1297 records the submission of "Esmon Comyn de Kylebryde" to Edward I King of England[299]. A charter dated 29 Jun 1298 records the forfeiture of the lands of "Edmundus Comyn et Henricus de Chartres" to the king[300]. m MARIA, daughter of ---. Edmund & his wife had two children:
  
  (1) EUPHEMIA Comyn . m WILLIAM La Beche .
  
  (2) MARIA Comyn .
  
  William Comyn & his second wife had six children:
  
  === Walter became Earl of Menteith through h ===
  Walter became Earl of Menteith through his wife. He is probably the sameWalter, Earl of Menteith who founded Inchmaholme Priory in 1238, and hemay well be buried there.
  
  === Sir Walter Comyn & posterity ===
  In 1229, we find that Walter Cumyn is feudal proprietor of Badenoch, for he makes terms with the Bishop of Moray in regard to the church lands and to the “natives” or bondsmen in the district. It has been supposed that Walter Cumyn came into the possession of Badenoch by the forfeiture and death of Gillescop, a man who committed some atrocities in 1228 —such as burning the (wooden) forts in the province of Moray, and setting fire to a large part of the town of Inverness. William Cumyn, Earl of Buchan, the justiciar, was intrusted with the protection of Moray, and in 1229 Gillescop and his two sons were slain. Thereafter we find Walter Cumyn in possession of Badenoch and Kincardine, and it is a fair inference that Gillespie was his predecessor in the lordship of Badenoch. The Cummings were a Norman family; they came over with the Conqueror, and it is asserted that they were nearly related to him by marriage. In 1068, we hear of one of them being governor or earl of Northumberland, and the name is common in English charters of the 12th century, in the early part of wbich they appear in Scotland ; they were in great favour with the Normanising David, and with William after him, filling offices of chancellors and justiciars under them. William Cumyn, about the year 1210, married Marjory, heiress of the Earldom of Buchan, and thus became the successor of the old Celtic Mormaers of that district under the title of Earl of Buchan. His son Walter obtained the lordship of Badenoch, as we saw, and, a year or two after, h* became Earl of Menteith by marrying the heiress, the Countess of Menteith. He still kept the lands of Badenoch, for, in 1234, we find him, as Earl of Menteith, settling a quarrel with the Bishop of Moray over the Church lands# of Kincardine. Walter was a potent factor in Scottish politics, and in the minority of Alexander III. acted patriotically as leader against the pro-English party. He died in 1257 without issue. John Comyn, his nephew, son of Richard, succeeded him in Badenoch; he was head of the whole family of Comyn, and possessed much property, though simply entitled Lord of Badenoch. The Comyns at that time were at the height of their power; they could muster at least two earls, the powerful Lord of Badenoch, and thirty belted knights. Comyn of Badenoch was a prince, though not in name, making treaties and kings. John Comyn, called the Red, died in 1274, and was succeeded by his son John Comyn, the Black, and in the troubles about the kingly succession, at the end of the century, he was known as John de Badenoch, senior, to distinguish him from his son John, the Red Comyn, the regent, Baliol’s nephew, and claimant to the throne, whom Bruce killed under circumstances of treachery at Dumfries, in 1306. Then followed the fall and forfeiture of the Comvns, and the lordship of Badenoch was given, about 1313—included in the Earldom of Moray—to Thomas Randolph, Bruce’s right-hand friend.
  
  The Cummings have left an ill name behind them in Badenoch for rapacity and cruelty. Their treachery has passed into a proverb—
  
  “Fhad bhitheas craobh ’sa choill
  Bithidli foill ’sna Cuiminich.”
  
  Which is equally smart in its English form—
  
  “While in the wood there is a tree
  A Cumming will deceitful be.”
  
  It is in connection with displacing the old proprietors—the Shaws and Mackintoshes—that the ill repute of the Cummings was really gained.
  
  === Walter was at York in 1221 for the marra ===
  Walter was at York in 1221 for the marraige of Alexander II with Joan of England. In 1229 he got poassession of Badenoch. Married one of two coheiresses of Earl of Monteith and succeeded in obtaining earldom. In 1255 was supreme ruler of Scotland. "He was the wealthiest and most powerful Scottish earl of his time."
  
  === Sir Walter Comyn Earl of Menteith ===
  
  Sir Walter Comyn was the “Second son of the first Earl of Buchan" inherited the title and estates of the earldom of Menteith through the right of his wife, was one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom, the leader of the national party, and one of the regents of the kingdom during the minority of Alexander III. He is described by Fordun as a man prudent in counsel, valiant in battle, whose foresight had been obtained by long experience. He founded the Priory of Inchmahome, on the island of that name in the Lake of Mentieth, in 1238, which for upwards of three centuries flourished as a religious house, and afforded a place of refuge to the infant Queen Mary after the battle of Pinkie. He was the builder of the famous castle of Hermitage in Liddesdale, the stronghold in succession of the Soulis family, the Douglases, Hepburns and Scotts. He also erected the castle of Dalswinton, in Galloway, long one of the chief residences of the Comyns. . .”
  
  === Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith (d 1258), ===
  Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith (d 1258), was the second son by his first marriage of William Comyn, earl of Buchan, and half-brother of Alexander Comyn, earl of Buchan. In 1221 he was at York at the marriage of Alexander II with Joan of England. In 1223 he attended that king's court, and in 1227 witnessed several of his charters. In 1229 he seems to have got possession of Badenoch, after his father's suppression of Gillescop's revolt, as in his composition with Bishop Andrew of Moray he is plainly recognised as in full possession of that district. Comyn also gave the monks of Scone a yearly grant of a stone of wax or of four shillings. About 1230 he married one of the two daughters and coheiresses of Maurice, earl of Menteith, and succeeded in obtaining that earldom. In 1234 he made another composition with the Bishop of Moray, with reference to his lands of Kincardine. In 1235 he was appointed to keep order in Galloway, and, soon after, his erection of two formidable castles in that country and in Lothian were enough to provoke King Henry to a Scottish expedition, but peace was soon made at York, to which Comyn was himself a party. In 1244 he swore again to keep the terms of that treaty. The accession of the infant Alexander III gave the powerful house of Comyn supreme authority in Scotland. It was Menteith's influence that in 1249 procured the young king's coronation, despite the sophistical objetions of Alan Durward. In 1251 he succeeded in overcoming all his enemies, and from then to 1255 he was supreme ruler of Scotland. Fordun gives a black account of his government, but the chronicler of Melrose and Andrew Wyntoun apparently regard the Comyns as the leaders of the party opposed to the English influence. In 1255 Henry III appeared at Kelso and upset the rule of the Comyns; but in 1257 Menteith managed to steal the young king from his bed at Kinross and convey him with the great seal to Stirling. The support of the church further strengthened his hands, though Alan Durward, with England at his back, was still formidable. At last, in 1258, a compormise was agreed upon, and the consent of King Henry obtained to a joint regency that included Menteith and Durward and the other leaders of both parties. In the same year Menteith died, of a fall from his horse according to Matthew Paris, but the later Scottish accounts accuse his wife of poisoning him. But the anxiety of Walter Stewart, who had married her younger sister, to obtain the earlsom, and the indignation of the Scottish nobles at her hasty marriage with a low-born English knight, are enough to account for this accusation. Comyn left no direct heirs. HIs lands of Badenoch passed to his grand-nephew, John Comyn; but the efforts of William Comyn, another grand-nephew, to obtain the earldom of Menteith failed, and the dignity passed to the Stewarts. Fordun describes Earl Walter as 'a man of foresight and shrewdness in council.' He was certainly the wealthiest and most powerful Scottish earl of his time. [Dictionary of National Biography II:919-920]

1. Isabel de Comyn, b. 14 DEC 1204 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland     d. ABT 1285 in Rowallan Castle, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland

1. Title: Wikipedia
   Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Comyn,_Lord_of_Badenoch
   Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Comyn,_Lord_of_Badenoch;
   
2. Title: Walter Comyn, "Find A Grave Index"
   Author: "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:68J3-WB34 : 10 September 2022), Walter Comyn, ; Burial, , ; citing record ID 226869564, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
   Publication: Name: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:68J3-WB34;