John Comyn Lord of Badenoch III

• Preferred Name: John Comyn Lord of Badenoch III^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}
  
• Gender: M
  
• FSID: LTY5-Z63
  
• Clan Name: with note: Description: Comyn of Badenoch
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Lord of Badenoch
  
• Nickname:
  
• Birth: 1274 in Badenoch, Inverness, Scotland at LATI: N6.95 LONG: E4.3167
  
• Alt. Birth: 1269 in Badenoch, Inverness, Scotland at LATI: N6.95 LONG: E4.3167
  
• Death: 10 FEB 1306 in Greyfriars Church, Dumfries, Scotland at LATI: N5.1478 LONG: E3.6428 with note: Stabbed to death by Robert the Bruce at the alter of Greyfriars Church.
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: with note: Description: Lord of Lochaber
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Lord of Lochaber
  
• Burial: 1306 in Scotland with note: Lord of Badenoch John “The Red” Comyn BIRTH unknown DEATH 10 Feb 1306 Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland BURIAL Burial Details Unknown, Specifically: Body lost or destroyed MEMORIAL ID 226094739
  
• Alt.+Death: 10 FEB 1396 in Grey Friars Church, Dumfries, Scotland at LATI: N5.1478 LONG: E3.6428
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Guardian of Scotland
  
• http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: with note: Description: Guardian of Scotland
  
• Notes:

  === Life Sketch ===
  John Comyn III of Badenoch, nicknamed the Red (c. 1274 – 10 February 1306), was a leading Scottish baron and magnate who played an important role in the First War of Scottish Independence. He served as Guardian of Scotland after the forced abdication of his uncle, King John Balliol, in 1296, and for a time commanded the defense of Scotland against English attacks. Comyn is best known for having been stabbed to death by Robert the Bruce before the altar at the church of the Greyfriars at Dumfries.
  
  His father, John Comyn II, known as the Black Comyn, had been one of the competitors for the Crown of Scotland, claiming his descent from King Donald III. His mother was Eleanor Balliol, sister of King John of Scotland (r. 1292–1296). He had, moreover, links with the royal house of England: in the early 1290s he married Joan de Valence, cousin of King Edward I.
  
  Comyn family
  
  On the eve of the Wars of Independence the Comyns were one of the dominant families of Scotland, with extensive land holdings in both the north and south of the country, and political influence and family connections with the crown. Of Norman-French origin, the family first made an appearance in Scotland during the reign of David I and made steady progress ever since. In the thirteenth century they acquired the lordship of Badenoch, with extensive landholdings also in Lochaber, as well as the earldom of Buchan. On the death of Alexander III, John Comyn's father was appointed to the panel of Guardians to await the arrival of the infant Margaret, Maid of Norway, granddaughter of Alexander III. Her death in 1290 immersed the nation in crisis, finally solved in 1292 when John Balliol emerged as king, with the support of his Comyn kinsmen, a solution that was never accepted by the other main claimant, Robert Bruce of Annandale, grandfather of the future king. The Comyns were supporters of King John as was William Wallace.
  ...
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Comyn_III_of_Badenoch
  
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  John 'the Red' Comyn, 2nd of Badenoch was the son of John Comyn and Eleanor Balliol.
  He married Joan de Valence, daughter of William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke.
  He lived at Badenoch, Scotland.
  He was a witness He was brother-in-law of the Red Comyn (who was murdered by Bruce in Dumfries Church) with Angus Macnab.
  He was a claimant to the Scottish throne.
  He died on 10 February 1305/6 at Dumfries Church, Dumfries, Dumfries-shire, Scotland, stabbed by Bruce.
  
  Child of John 'the Red' Comyn, 2nd of Badenoch
  - John Comyn of Badenoch d. 24 Jun 1314
  
  Children of John 'the Red' Comyn, 2nd of Badenoch and Joan de Valence
  1. Elizabeth Comyn
  2. unknown daughter Comyn
  3. Joan Comyn b. c 1293, d. bt 8 Jun 1326 - 24 Jul 1326
  
  http://www.thepeerage.com/p10916.htm#i109155
  
  BIO
  BIO: from http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY%20UNTITLED.htm#JohnComyndied1306 as of 7/18/2016
  
  JOHN Comyn "the Red" (-murdered Dumfries 10 Feb 1306). John of Fordun’s Scotichronicon
  
  John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch
  John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lord of Lochaber, also known simply as the Red Comyn (died 10 February 1306) was a Scottish nobleman who was an important figure in the Wars of Scottish Independen
  
  === !Comyn, John, the younger. d. 1306. Son ===
  !Comyn, John, the younger. d. 1306. Son of John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch; elected one of the guardians of Scotland by the Scottish nobles (1299). Comyn fought for John Balliol, king of Scotland, against Edward I of England's armies at Carlisle (1296) and at Falkirk (1298). He expelled Edward's officials in 1302 but submitted to him in 1304 after being driven north by the English. The support of Comyn, as head of his family from 1300, was vital to Robert Bruce in his claim to the Scottish throne. The two met in Greyfriars church in Dumfries, in February 1306, but Bruce failed to win Comyn from his allegiance to John Balliol as rightful king of the Scots; Bruce's followers Murdered Comyn. Chronicles of the Age of Chivalry/Four Gothic Kings (US edn): 134, 157-8, 160, 190. Dawson Family Org. John Dawson 6514 Kline St. Arvada Co. 80004.
  
  === was an important member of Clan Comyn du ===
  was an important member of Clan Comyn during the early 14th century. He was a chief opponent of Robert the Bruce in the civil war that paralleled the War of Scottish Independence. He should not be confused with the better known John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, who was his cousin, and who was killed by Bruce in Dumfries in 1306. Confusion between the two men has affected the study of this period of history.
  
  Buchan was the representative of a family that had long dominated the politics of Scotland. He was defeated by Bruce at the Battle of Barra and was forced to flee to England. Bruce's subsequent Harrying of Buchan destroyed support for the Comyns in northern Scotland. This defeat, together with Comyn's death that year, produced a significant and lasting shift in the balance of power in Scotland.
  
  === MEMORILA OF OLD LEICESTERSHIRE BY DADEN ===
  MEMORILA OF OLD LEICESTERSHIRE BY DADEN P.175; YOUR FAMILY TREE BY JORDAN P.200; WURTS MAGNA CHARTA (GS NUMBER 944 D22W) P.63, 112, 374; PEERAGE OF ENGLAND BY NICHOLAS P.24, 123;
  
  === Source: Weis, Sheppard, Beal, The Magna ===
  Source: Weis, Sheppard, Beal, The Magna Charta Sureties, 1215, 5th Ed., Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, [1999], 141-12.
  
  === Red Comyn, Lord of Badenoch. Murdered ===
  Red Comyn, Lord of Badenoch. Murdered by Robert the Bruc e (later Robert I of Scotland) 10 February 1306, Church o f the Grey Friars, Dumfries.
  
  === John Comyn III ===
  John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lord of Lochaber or John "the Red", also known simply as the Red Comyn (died 10 February 1306) was a Scottish nobleman who was an important figure in the Wars of Scottish Independence, and was Guardian of Scotland during the Second Interregnum 1296–1306. He is best known for having been stabbed to death by the future Robert I of Scotland before the altar at the church of the Greyfriars at Dumfries.
  
  His father, John II Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, known as the Black Comyn, was one of the Competitors for the Crown of Scotland, claiming his descent from King Donald III of Scotland. His mother was Eleanor Balliol, eldest daughter of John I de Balliol, father of King John Balliol. The Red Comyn might thus be said to have combined two lines of royal descent, Celtic and Norman.
  
  He had, moreover, links with the royal house of England: in the early 1290s he married Joan de Valence, daughter of William de Valence, 1st Earl of Pembroke, an uncle of Edward I.
  
  On the eve of the Wars of Independence the Comyns were one of the dominant families of Scotland, with extensive land holdings in both the north and south of the country, and political influence and family connections with the crown. Of Norman-French origin, the family first made an appearance in Scotland during the reign of David I and made steady progress ever since. In the thirteenth century they acquired the lordship of Badenoch, with extensive landholdings also in Lochaber, as well as the earldom of Buchan. On the death of Alexander III, John Comyn's father was appointed to the panel of Guardians to await the arrival of the infant Maid of Norway, granddaughter of Alexander III. Her death in 1290 immersed the nation in crisis, finally solved in 1292 when John Balliol emerged as king, with the support of his Comyn kinsmen, a solution that was never accepted by the next best claimant, Robert Bruce of Annandale, grandfather of the future king. The Comyns were the principal supporters of King John even after he was deposed by Edward I in 1296. As such they were foremost among the enemies of the house of Bruce.
  
  With the outbreak of war between England and Scotland, Comyn, his father, and his cousin, John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, crossed the border and attacked Carlisle, defended for King Edward by Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, the father of the future king. The Wars of Scottish Independence thus began in a clash between the Bruces and Comyns. Having no siege equipment, the Comyns drew off and subsequently joined the main Scottish host at Haddington, which had been assembled to meet the advance of the English army along the east coast. On 27 April 1296, the Scots were overwhelmed at the Battle of Dunbar, with John being among the many prisoners taken. While his father and cousin retreated north in the company of the king, he was sent south, to be imprisoned in the Tower of London.
  
  John remained in prison for some months; but with the war in Scotland seemingly over he was finally released on condition that he took up service with Edward in Flanders, the main theatre of operations in his war against the French. While there he learned of the rising of William Wallace and Andrew de Moray and their joint victory over the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge on 11 September 1297. In March 1298 John was among Scots who deserted from the English, finally ending up in Paris, where they appealed for aid to Philip IV. The only help they managed to get was a ship back to Scotland, arriving before the summer.
  
  Earlier that year William Wallace had emerged as Guardian, Moray having died at Stirling or shortly after. The main task facing the Guardian was to gather a national army to meet an invasion by Edward, anxious to overturn the verdict of Stirling Bridge. For cavalry, by far the weakest element of the Scottish host, Wallace depended on the Comyns and the other noble families. On 22 July 1298, Wallace's army was destroyed at the Battle of Falkirk, the light horse being driven off at an early stage by the heavy English cavalry. It is possible that John Comyn was present at the battle, though the evidence is far from conclusive. The main Scottish sources, the chronicles of John Fordun and John Barbour, were composed decades after the event, long after the Comyns had been expelled from Scotland, and had a specific agenda, namely to magnify the later King, Robert Bruce, and diminish John Comyn. According to Fordun, John and his kin hated Wallace and only appeared on the battlefield with premeditated treachery in mind — "For, on account of the ill-will, begotten of the sprig of envy, which the Comyns had conceived towards the aforesaid William, they, with their accomplices, forsook the field, and escaped unhurt." This is set alongside a commendation of Robert Bruce, the future king, who, in Fordun's account, fought on the side of the English and "was the means of bringing about the victory." This seems unlikely although not impossible since at about the same time Bruce was known to be fighting the English in Ayrshire where he burned Ayr Castle. The contemporary English record of the Lanercost Chronicle simply blames the inadequacy of the Scottish cavalry in general. Soon after the defeat, John Comyn and Robert the Bruce were named as joint Guardians of the Realm in place of Wallace, unlikely if treachery had been so manifest.
  
  With no independent power base Wallace, whose prestige had always been based on the success of his army, had little choice but to resign as Guardian after Falkirk, though Fordun has him stepping down because of the "wickedness of the Comyns." In his place came one of the more unusual, and difficult, balancing acts in Scottish history: John Comyn and Robert Bruce the younger, who had now joined the patriot party. The Scots were still fighting on behalf of the absent King John, so Bruce must have paid lip service to the cause, though his royal ambitions were openly known. The records give little or nothing in the way of insight into the feelings and motives of these men, but it seems reasonably clear that hatred and suspicion of the one for the other were uppermost. At a meeting of a council of the magnates at Peebles in August 1299 an argument broke out, during which Comyn is said by an English spy to have seized Bruce by the throat. Seemingly to act as a mediator William Lamberton, Bishop of St. Andrews, was appointed as a third Guardian, not the best of arrangements as Lamberton was politically closer to Bruce. Bruce resigned before May 1300, when the restoration of King John was looking increasingly likely, leaving only Comyn and Lamberton, but even this was too much. When parliament assembled at Rutherglen it learned that "the bishop of St. Andrews and sire John Comyn were at discord and the Stewart of Scotland and the earl of Atholl took the part of the bishop, and sir John Comyn said that he did not wish to be a guardian of the realm along with the bishop. But at length they were in accord and they elected Sir Ingram d'Umphraville to be one of the guardians of the realm in place of the earl of Carrick."
  
  This was obviously an arrangement that suited Comyn, because Umphraville was a close political associate and a kinsman of King John. With the Guardianship taking Scotland one way Robert Bruce went the other, making his peace with Edward by February 1302 in a document in which he expressed the fear that "the realm of Scotland might be removed from the hands of the king, which God forbid, and delivered to John Balliol, or to his son."
  
  The new triumvirate lasted to May 1301, when John de Soules emerged as sole Guardian, seemingly appointed by Balliol himself pending his return. The following year, with Soules leaving for France on a diplomatic mission, Comyn became sole Guardian, occupying the position for the next two years. Comyn became Lord of Badenoch following his father's death that same year.
  
  There was a certain inevitability to the Comyn domination of Scottish government in the years before 1304: not only were they the most powerful of the noble families, but their heartlands to the north of the Forth had been untouched ever since the campaign of 1296. English invasions in 1298, 1300, and 1301 had been confined to the south of the country, leaving the north as the chief recruiting ground, and supply base, of the Scottish army. The Guardian's prestige increased still further when he and Sir Simon Fraser defeated an English force at the Battle of Roslin on 24 February 1303. For once Fordun recognized the achievement:
  
  There never was so desperate a struggle, or one in which the stoutness of knightly prowess shone forth so brightly. The commander and leader in this struggle was John Comyn, the son... John Comyn, then guardian of Scotland, and Simon Fraser with their followers, day and night, did their best to harass and to annoy, by their general prowess, the aforesaid kings officers and bailiffs... the aforesaid John Comyn and Simon, with their abettors, hearing of their arrival at Rosslyn and wishing to steal a march rather than have one stolen upon them, came briskly through from Biggar to Rosslyn, in one night, with some chosen men, who chose rather death before unworthy subjection to the English nation; and all of a sudden they fearlessly fell upon the enemy.
  
  Politically, however, the outlook was bleak. Philip entered into a final peace with Edward, from which Scotland was excluded. John Balliol, whose star had risen briefly above the horizon, now sank into the twilight of history. In a mood of desperation the Scottish diplomats in Paris, who included Comyn's cousin Buchan, wrote words of encouragement; "For God's sake do not despair...it would gladden your hearts if you would know how much your honor has increased in every part of the world as a result of your recent battle with the English." However, for the first time since 1296 Edward was preparing an offensive that would take h
  
  === History found on the Internet: It's int ===
  History found on the Internet: It's interesting that John died during the same year his father died. (Ken Calman) Comyn, John, d. 1306, Scottish nobleman. He was called th e Red Comyn, to distinguish him from his father, the Black Comyn. Aiding his uncle, John de Baliol, in the struggle against Edward I, he was for a time held hostage by the English. After the route of the Scottish troops at Falkirk (1 298), he was appointed one of the guardians of the realm. He renewed the struggle with Edward, but surrendered in 1304 on condition that he could retain his lands. He was murdered at Dumfries by Robert the Bruce (later Robert I), proba bly because Robert feared him as a rival claimant to the throne. The name also appears as Cumming.
  
  Separate source: In 1306, Robert the Bruce, grandson of an original claiman t to the throne, invited his enemy, the Red Comyn (son of t he Black Comyn) to the church of the Grey Friars in Dumfries to negotiate an alliance between them. A quarrel erupted and in the melee the Bruce stabbed and killed the Red Comyn for which Bruce was later excommunicated. The Red Comyn's son was later killed at Bannockburn fighting for the English. The lands of the Comyns of Badenoch were forfeited after Bannockburn and distributed to allies of Bruce, the Hays, Keiths and Douglasses.
  
  === He was murdered by Robert I. He was buri ===
  He was murdered by Robert I. He was buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, Dumfries, Scotland.
  
  === John "The Red" was one of the Guardians ===
  John "The Red" was one of the Guardians of the Realm with Robert theBruce. He became chief of the clan when his father died and a contenderfor the throne of Scotland. A respected patriot, he was one of themilitary leaders during the fight for Scottish independence. He foughtwith William Wallace at Falkirk and was murdered by Robert the Bruce. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: When King Alexander III died in 1286, his infant granddaughter, Margaret"The Maid of Norway," became his successor as Queen Margaret. SixGuardians of the Realm were appointed to rule in her stead includingAlexander Comyn, the Earl of Buchan and John "The Black" Comyn ofBadenoch. In 1290, Queen Margaret died at the age of four on the ship enroute to Scotland throwing the succession into turmoil with thirteenclaimants to the throne including Robert The Bruce, John Baliol, and thetwo Comyns. The Comyns were descended from King Donald Bane III, but bothBruce and Baliol had slightly stronger claims as descendants of KingMalcolm III, Donald's older brother. In 1292, King Edward I of Englandagreed to adjudicate the dispute and named Baliol as king with theintention of manipulating him. The Comyns were satisfied with thedecision, Baliol being John "The Black's" brother-in-law. Bruce, however,was not. Baliol was technically king from 1292-1296, but he was treated like alackey by King Edward, and became contemptuously known as 'Toom Tabard'or 'Empty Coat' for his weakness. Finally, Edward pushed him too far andBaliol formed an alliance with King Philip of France. Edward retaliatedby invading Scotland. He deposed Baliol, seized his lands and sent him tothe Tower of London. Also imprisoned were John "The Black" Comyn and hisred-haired son John "The Red", both of whom had commanded the Scotsduring much of the resistance. King Edward's humiliation of the Scots wasintensified even further when he took the Sacred Stone of Destiny (akaStone of Scone), on which Scottish Kings are crowned, to England. Therethe stone remaine d for 700 years before it was finally returned toScotland in 1996. Edward had, in effect, annexed Scotland beginning aperiod of distrust and resentment between the two countries that wouldlast for centuries. Baliol, released in 1299, went to exile in France,where he died in 1313, never again returning to Scotland. The Comyns,however, did return and joined the resistance movement of William"Braveheart" Wallace. BRAVEHEART: William Wallace (abt 1270-1305) was infuriated by the oppression of theEnglish overlords and set out to lead a fight for independence to restoreKing Baliol. Wallace was the son of Sir Malcolm Wallace of Elderslie inRenfrewshire, a minor noble and tenant of the Stewards of Scotland. In anage where most men were 5 feet tall, Wallace was 6 foot 7. By the time hewas twenty, the English invaders had killed his father and brother. About1297, Wallace led an uprising against the English, killing the EnglishSheriff of Lanark, perhaps to avenge the death of his wife. On Sept. 11,1297, he joined forces with Sir Andrew Moray, a Comyn kinsman, at theBattle of Stirling Bridge. Together they defeated a large English armyunder the command of John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, whom King Edwardhad appointed Governor of Scotland. Ironically, Warenne was John Baliol'sfather-in-law. Wallace went on to capture Edinburgh Castle, Berwick andinvade the north of England, including the Percys' Alnwick Castle.Wallace was knighted for his exploits and became the Guardian of theRealm, acting for the exiled John Baliol. ROBERT THE BRUCE joined Wallace in the independence movement of 1297, butthen changed his mind the same year and went back to allegiance to KingEdward, content perhaps to allow the conflict between his rivals theBaliols/Comyns and King Edward to grow while maintaining possession ofhis estates. The Comyns, meanwhile, suffered in loss of liberty and landsin their fight for independence THE BATTLE OF FALKIRK, JULY 12, 1298: King Edward was determined to crush Wallace and on July 12, 1298, hedefeated him at the Battle of Falkirk. The English forces were commandedby Humphrey de Bohun and the same John de Warenne who was defeated atStirling Bridge. Sir Ralph Basset of Drayton led a force of cavalry. Theheavily armed English outnumbered the Scots, composed mostly of peasants,3 to 1. Few knights and barons, jealous of his success, were willing tojoin Wallace. The Scots did, however, have John "The Red" Comyn and SirJohn Stewart who each commanded a division. There may have beenin-fighting between these nobles and Wallace as to who should haveoverall command of the field. In any case, at one point in the battle theRed Comyn and his men left the field. Why, is not known. Perhaps, Comynrealized the battle was hopelessly lost, and decided to save his men tofight another day. In subsequent reports of these events, Bruce and hissupporters have made claims that Comyn was in league with Edward andbetrayed the Scots that day. However, this does not ring true given thefact that Wallace and the Comyns were on the same side, fighting torestore King Baliol, and Bruce at this point, who was probably not at thebattle at all, was nonetheless siding with the English. Propaganda wasalive and well during this period as in any other and the historicaltruth of these events cannot be known with certainty. Bruce, as thevictor, has been painted in a favorable light and the Comyns much lessso. In any case, Falkirk was a disaster for the Scots. Wallace, hismilitary reputation ruined, gave up the Guardianship, continuing to fighta limited guerilla warfare, but never again commanding a Scottish army.On Aug. 5, 1305, Wallace was betrayed by a Scots knight, Sir JohnMenteith, taken to London, drawn, quartered and beheaded on the 23rd ofAugust. His head was placed on a pike above the London bridge and hisbody parts put on display in Newcastle, Perth, Berwick and Aberdeen. THE MURDER OF JOHN THE RED COMYN: Robert The Bruce and John "The Red" Comyn of Badenoch were t he two mostpowerful territorial lords in Scotland. Comyn was highly regarded for hispatriotism in the struggle for Scotland's independence. He was moreover,a strong contender for the Scottish throne, in line after the exiledBaliol and his son. He had strengthened his claim by marrying Joan deValence, daughter of the Earl of Pembroke whose mother was Isabella,Queen to King John of England, the grandfather of Edward I. After Falkirk, in 1299, Red Comyn and Robert The Bruce along with BishopWilliam Lamberton became Regents of Scotland. Arguments among theseleaders ensued and Bruce resigned in 1300, his place taken by Ingram deUmfreville who fought on the side of the English at Falkirk. The Red Comyn, meanwhile, continued the struggle for independence. In1302, he defeated three English armies in one day at Roslin. In reprisal,Edward took the Comyn stronghold of Lochindorb. Comyn continued to carryon guerilla warfare, until finally defeated and forced to surrender atthe passage of the Forth River near Stirling. Bruce, ambitious for the throne of a free and independent Scotland,realized that he would need the support of Comyn, his family and theirfighting men if he were to succeed. So in February 1306, less than sixmonths after Wallace's execution, the two men met by prior arrangement inthe Franciscan Grey Friar's Church in Dumfries. Apparently Bruce detailedhis plan to free Scotland with himself as king, giving his lands to theComyns in exchange for their allegiance. Again, what really happened cannever be known, but an argument apparently ensued and Bruce in a fit ofrage stabbed and killed Comyn. Sir Robert Comyn rushed to the defense ofhis great-nephew and was likewise killed by Bruce's followers. This actwas probably not premeditated as King Edward claimed afterward. To commitmurder in a church was the greatest sacrilege and Bruce was no fool. Heneeded the Comyns support, not their enmity. Now outlawed by King Edward I for this heinous crime and excommunicatedby the C hurch (later restored), Bruce immediately went into actionseizing English-held castles and sending the kinsmen of Baliol intohiding. Within 6 weeks he was crowned King of Scotland at Scone. Long wars followed. Aymer de Valence, the Red Comyn's brother-in-lawhunted down Robert and defeated him in a battle at Methven. Others ofComyn's kinsmen nearly captured The Bruce at Tydrum. But Bruce struckback. He ambushed and defeated John Mowbray's forces in Glen Trool,Galloway. More importantly, he defeated Aymer de Valence at Loudon Hillnear Kilmarnock, even though he was greatly outnumbered, and then Gilbertde Clare, Earl of Gloucester shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, King Edward I"The Hammer of the Scots" died, succeeded by his son, the less militarilyadept Edward II. Bruce continued his assaults on English-held Scottishcastles, including the De Umfreville's Harbottle Castle, which fell in1311. THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN, JUNE 23-4, 1314 The bitter rivalry of the two families came to a head at Bannockburn. TheComyns and their kin, including the De Umfrevilles-Ingram and Robert (sonof Elizabeth Comyn)-and Sir Henry de Beaumont (husband of Alice Comyn ofAberdeen) fought for King Edward II and the English against theirarch-enemy Robert The Bruce. Even though the English outnumbered theScots four-to-one, Bruce managed a brilliant victory. The Scots were indeed united on this day, joined by both Lowlanders andHighlanders including the MacDonalds who had fought for the Baliols inthe previous wars. Looking over the field, Sir Humphrey de Umfrevillesuggested to Edward II that they pretend to retreat in order to lureBruce from his strong position. Edward, observing the Scots on theirknees at prayer, disdainfully replied, "They crave mercy!" "It is ofheaven, and not your highness," replied de Umfreville; "for on that fieldthey will be victorious or die." Edward II sent 3,000 horsemen and infantry commanded by Gilbert de Clareon a head-on attack on the Scottish position. De Clare an
  
  === in 1306 a quarrel erupted between Robert ===
  in 1306 a quarrel erupted between Robert the Bruce and John thered Comynat the Church of Grey friars in Dumfries while theywere negotiating analliance. Robert was later excommunicatedfrom the church for thisstabbing.
  
  === !#21-v2-p375*; !son & h; died> between 1 ===
  !#21-v2-p375*; !son & h; died> between 11 Aug & 3 Dec 1308;
  
  === Death date between 11 AUG & 3 DEC 1308 A ===
  Death date between 11 AUG & 3 DEC 1308 Age 30 in 1290
  
  === Continuation of Life Sketch ===
  from Wikipedia-
  
  Politically, however, the outlook was bleak. Philip of France entered into a final peace with Edward, from which Scotland was excluded. John Balliol, whose star had risen briefly above the horizon, now sank into the twilight of history. In a mood of desperation the Scottish diplomats in Paris, who included Comyn's cousin Buchan, wrote words of encouragement; "For God's sake do not despair...it would gladden your hearts if you would know how much your honour has increased in every part of the world as a result of your recent battle with the English."[12] However, for the first time since 1296 Edward was preparing an offensive that would take him deep into the north of Scotland. Unable to mount an effective resistance, and with his main base threatened with destruction, Comyn entered into peace negotiations, concluded at Strathord near Perth on 9 February 1304.
  
  Echoing the Treaty of Birgham, it was stipulated that laws, usages, and customs in place in the time of Alexander III should be retained.[13] Comyn insisted that there should be no reprisals or disinheritance, which Edward accepted, with notable exceptions. Edward maintained his particular hatred for one former Guardian. Comyn was thus obliged to adhere to a condition in which he and other named individuals were to "capture Sir William Wallace and hand him over to the king, who will watch to see how each of them conducts himself so that he can do most favour to whoever shall capture Wallace..." There is no evidence to suggest Comyn made any effort to fulfill this condition.
  
  Death in Dumfries
  
  On 10 February 1306 Robert the Bruce participated in the killing of John Comyn before the high altar of the Greyfriars Church in Dumfries.[14] Legend, possibly apocryphal, says Robert the Bruce called Comyn to a meeting, stabbed him and rushed out to tell Roger de Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick and Sir Robert Fleming went in to finish the job uttering: "You doubt! I mak siccar!" ("I make sure!") Fleming exited holding the head of Comyn, stating "Let the deed shaw." ("Let the deed show.")
  
  "Let the deed shaw" on the crest of Clan Fleming
  Apart from these bare facts, nothing certain can be gathered from contemporary accounts. While later Scottish sources all try to justify the crime by amplifying earlier accusations of malevolence and treachery against Comyn, the English sources portray Robert as a villain who lured Comyn into a church — taken as a guarantee of safety — with the intention of committing premeditated murder.
  
  Some sources state that Bruce and Comyn had previously signed a pact, whereby one would take the crown in return for the lands of the other. As they stood before the high altar, Bruce accused Comyn of having betrayed him to the English and struck Comyn with a dagger. It is unknown if this account is true.[citation needed]
  
  Bruce's companions struck him with their swords. Sir Robert Comyn, rushing to aid his nephew, was killed by a blow to the head by Bruce's brother-in-law, Christopher Seton.[15]
  
  Thirteen days after the event, a garbled version of the facts reached the court of Edward I at Winchester, where the murder was reported as "the work of some people who are doing their utmost to trouble the peace and quiet of the realm of Scotland." Once the picture became clear, Edward reacted in fury, authorising Aymer de Valence, Comyn's brother-in-law, to take extraordinary action against Bruce and his adherents by refusing quarter to them. King Edward also emphasised his blood relationship with the Comyns by ordering his cousin, Joan, to send John's young son and namesake to England, where he was placed in the care of Sir John Weston, guardian of the royal children. John IV Comyn grew to manhood in England, not returning to Scotland until 1314, when he was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn. The death of his father plunged Scotland into a brief but bloody civil war, largely concluded by 1308, but with political reverberations that were to last for decades.
  
  === AFN: Struck by Robert the Bruce at Grey ===
  AFN: Struck by Robert the Bruce at Greyfriars church at Dumfries, Scotland, and finally killed by Bruce's followers. Per the book "The War of the Bruces", by Colm McNamee, 1997, P 28.
  
  === AFN: Information received from the book ===
  AFN: Information received from the book "Robert the Bruce's Rivals: The Comyns 1212-1314".
  
  === John [Comyn], Earl of Buchan [SCT], son ===
  John [Comyn], Earl of Buchan [SCT], son and heir, aged 30 years and more at his father's death. Was one of the nominees of Balliol in 1291, in which year, as also in 1296, he swore fealty to Edward I. He encountered Robert Bruce 26 December 1307, and again, at Inverury, 22 May 1308, where he was totally defeated, after which he retired to England, when his estates in Scotland [and possibly his honours] were forfeited. He m Isabel, da of Duncan, Earl of Fife. She (taking the opposite side from her husband) placed, as a representative of her brother, the crown on the head of King Robert Bruce, at Scone, 29 Mar 1306. He d in England, s.p.m., between 11 Aug and 3 Dec 1308. His widow, whom the English had imprisoned in an iron cage at Berwick in 1306 was released in Apr 1313. [Complete Peerage II:375]
  
  === !#189-v1-p508/9*; !also of Tynedale; =ni ===
  !#189-v1-p508/9*; !also of Tynedale; =nickname-G2> "the Red Comyn #2"; ^died-L1> Minorite Friars Church;
  
  === This castle (Inverlochy) originally belo ===
  This castle (Inverlochy) originally belonged to the Comyns of Badenoch. It was constructed in the 13th century, however the Comyns were destroyed by Robert the Bruce around 1308 and the castle went to the Gordons of Huntly. [Dark Isle - Castles, Manors, and Abbeys of Scotland; www.darkisle.com]
  
  _________________________________
  
  Notes from Sally Walmsley [Geniedash@bigpond.com]:
  
  In 1306, the titular King of Scotland was John Baliol, a 'lamb among wolves' who had achieved the throne through the backing of Edward of England and John Comyn of Badenoch, head of the most powerful family in Scotland at that time. Baliol had fled to France with no intention of returning, leaving Scotland virtmaclly kingless. Robert the Bruce had seemingly started planning his rising in 1304, but everything hinged upon the support of John Comyn, a difficult person: the Red comyn must either support Bruce or be dead. The climax came in 1306, when Bruce met the Comyn in Greyfriars church in Dumfries. As they stood before the alter and argued, knives were drawn, and John Comyn fell wounded. According to legend, Bruce ran out of the church crying 'I doubt I have slain the Red Comyn'. Kilpatrick answered his "Do you so doubt? Then I'll mak siccar', and rushed into the church followed by Sir Robert Boyd and finished the job. Legendary as this may be, the fact is that both John Comyn of Badenoch and Sir Robert Comyn were both killed.
  
  ____________________________________
  
  John Comyn, the younger (d 1306), of Badenoch, surnamed The Red, was the son and heir of John Comyn the elder, one of the competitors for the crown of Scotland in 1291. His mother was Margery, the eldest sister of John Balliol. In 1292 he and his father were exempted from attending at the common pleas in the liberty of Tynedale. In 1295 a John Comyn de Scotia 'valetus' was committed to the Fleet and the Tower of London for striking one of the exchequer doorkeepers. Next year (26 March 1296) his wife Joan, who is described as a kinswoman of Edward I, was given letters of safe-conduct to London. This journey is probably to be ascribed to the fact that John Comyn the younger, who had already been knighted by Balliol, was in open rebellion; for on this very day he was with the seven counts of Scotland in their invasion of England and futile attack on Carlisle. A fortnight later he was present at the burning of Hexham Priory, but was driven back with his associates by the rumour of Edward's approach. Immediately after this he helped to seize the castle of Dunbar (22 April); but was delivered as a hostage to the king on the day previous to the surrender of this fortress on 28 April. The captive Scotch nobles were distrbuted over various castles in England; but within two years he was liberated (30 July 1297), on condition that he would serve Edward beyond the sea, or, according to Robert of Brunne, on his promising to go on a pilgrimage. Meanwhile Wallace had risen in rebellion (May 1297), and Edward was attempting to stifle the insurrection by the help of the elder John Comyn, who had sworn fealty to him in July 1296. The rhyming English chroniclers charge the released lords with breaking their word and fleeing to the king of France, who, however, refused to assist them. But, according to Rishanger, they left Edward as he was returning from Flanders to England, towards the beginning of 1298. From France Comyn seems to have gone to Scotland, where, however, he was probably not present at the battle of Stirling (11 Sept). John Comyn the younger was probably at the battle of Falkirk (22 July). The current story, that Wallace owed his defeat to the treachery of the Comyns, cannot be traced back earlier than Fordun (about 1363), from whose pages Wyntoun and Bower seem to have borrowed their account. Indeed, as Lord Hailes remarks, it is inconceivable, had the accusation been true, that the Scots would have appointed Comyn guardian of the real almost immediatly after this disaster.
  
  From the battle of Falkirk till the beginning of 1304 John Comyn the younger seems to have been the most prominent man in Scotland. He does not appear, however, to have been sole guardian during the whole of this time. In November and December 1299 he held the office in concert with Bishop Lamberton of St Andrews and Robert Bruce the elder, and if we may trust Bain's conjectural dating, these three were irregularly appointed at Peebles in August 1299. Fordun adds that Balliol gave him John de Soulis for a colleagur at some period. We may perhaps infer from his words that the relations of these two guardians were not very friendly, and that Comyn was not a party to the Scotch intriques with Boniface VIII in 1300. In the same year Comyn seems to have had an interview with Edward near Kirkendbright, shortly after the capture of Caerlaverock (i.e. after 12 July). When his petition that Balliol might be restored, and that the Scotch lords might retain their lands, was refused, he departed with threats of war, and made an ineffectual attempt to oppose Edward's passage of the 'Swyna' on 8 Aug. On 6 April (1302?), according to Wyntoun, he deposed all the English sheriffs and bailiffs in the south of Scotland. This overt act of rebellion may have led Edward to appoint John de Segrave guardian of Scotland, and despatch him north (about November) with an army. Early next year (20 Feb 1303) Comyn defeated his English rival at the battle of Roslin. According to the earliest Scotch account he was victorious in three several engagements upon this day; but the contemporary English historians shows that the Scotch success was by no means so decided.
  
  About Whitsuntide (27 May) Edward mustered his army at Roxburgh, and while he was at Dryburgh Comyn, who according to Bower was then chief guardian of the realm, cut off Sir Hugh Sudley's party at Melrose, but was unable to offer any effectual resistance during the king's progress to Caithness. Lord Hailes says that he attempted to relieve Stirling Castle, and we learn from Trivet that as Edward was returning from the north Comyn opposed his passage of the Forth, but without success. Shortly after this his lands were ravaged by the king. It seems probable that in the winter of this year, while Edward was resting at Dunfermline, Comyn and Fraser were, as Robert of Brunne says, 'living at thieves, law, and robbing everywhere.' Comyn opned negotiations with the Earl of Ulster, the royal commander in West Scotland (9 Feb 1304), and at last agreed to do fealty to Edward on the condition that he should preserve his lands. At the same time he was bound to go into exile for a year - a clause, however, which does not seem to have been enforced. A year and a half later (15 Oct 1305) it was definitely settled that Comyn should pay a fine to the value of the rental of his estates for three years.
  
  According to Lord Hailes Edward neglected Comyn's claims to preferment in the establishment of 1304 in favour of Robert Bruce; but Palgrave has preserved a document from which it appears that he was nominated a member of John de Bretagne's council with (26 Oct 1305) that noble was appointed guardian of Scotland. It is extremely difficult to reconcile the conflicting statements of the events that led up to Comyn's murder in 1306; but it seems highly probable that Comyn, who, since his uncle Balliol's renunciation of the Scottish crown, might be considered the rightful heir, was regarded as a rival by Bruce. The current story of the ride from Stirling, in which Bruce proposes to Comyn that one of them should resign his claim to the throne in return for the other's estates, makes its first appearance in Fordun (about 1363) and Barbour (about 1375), who, however, both make Comyn take the initiative. To this legend several details were added by Wynton. Then follows the tale of the indenture, of Comyn's treachery, Edward's investigation, and Bruce's escape to Scotland. The really contemporary English writers tell a very different tale; and this has led many modern historians to doubt the whole story of Comyn's treachery. It must be remembered, nevertheless, that one almost contemporary chronicler shows clearly that, according to the current report of his day, Bruce did bring some such charge against Comyn: 'Cæpit improperare ei de seditions sus quod eum accusaverat apud regem Angliæ et suam conditionem deterioraverat in damnum ipsius.' It is perhaps safer on the whole to accept the strictly contemporary accounts of Matthew of Westminster, Trivet, and the Lanercost chronicler, who all agree that Comyn was murdered because he would not assent to Bruce's plan of insurrection. According to Fordun it was Comyn that accused Bruce of treachery, and was answered with the words 'For thous liest' and a deadly stab.
  
  The details of the murder vary as much as the statement of the causes to which it is assigned. The interview probably took place, not in the Franciscan church at Dumfries, but in the cloisters, when Bruce, getting angry, smote Comyn, who wa unarmed, on the head, perhaps with the flat of his sword, on which Comyn closed with his adversary, but was thrown. Bruce's followers then came in, and probably stabbed Comyn; yet not so severely, but that he could flee into the church for portection. Here he was pursued and left for dead on the altar pavement; but the brethren carried him to the vestibule for attendance and confession. From this retreat he was haled a little later and slain on the altar steps by Bruce's orders Comy's uncle, Sir Robert Comyn, perished at the same time. There does not seem to be any reason to suppose that the murder was carefully planned beforehand, as the author of the 'Scala-Chronicon' relates, though Walter of Hemingford's narrative may perhaps lend some colour to his story.
  
  The horror with which this murder was hear is reflected in the chronicles of the age. When the news reached Edward at Whitsuntide he swore a solemn oath of vengeance. About Michaelmas he had an i
  
  === Murdered by Robert the Bruce, 1306. ===
  Murdered by Robert the Bruce, 1306.

• m. 1298 in Cornwall, England

1. Elizabeth Comyn, b. 1 NOV 1299 in Badenoch, Inverness-shire, Scotland     d. 20 NOV 1372 in Wyke, Cornwall, England

1. Title: John Comyn, 3rd Earl of Buchan (1260 – 1308), Wikipedia
   Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Comyn,_Earl_of_Buchan;
   Note: John Comyn, 3rd Earl of Buchan (circa 1260 – 1308) was a chief opponent of Robert the Bruce in the civil war that paralleled the War of Scottish Independence.
   
2. Title: John Comyn III of Badenoch (1274-1306), Wikipedia
   Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Comyn_III_of_Badenoch
   Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Comyn_III_of_Badenoch;
   Note: John Comyn III of Badenoch, nicknamed the Red (c. 1274 – 10 February 1306), was a leading Scottish baron and magnate who played an important role in the First War of Scottish Independence. His father, John Comyn II, known as the Black Comyn, had been one of the competitors for the Crown of Scotland, claiming his descent from King Donald III. His mother was Eleanor Balliol, sister of King John Ballio. On 10 February 1306 Robert the Bruce participated in the killing of John Comyn before the high altar of the Greyfriars Church in Dumfries. Spouse Joan de Valence Children: John Comyn IV Elizabeth, Baroness Talbot Joan, Countess of Atholl Guardian of Scotland 1298–1304 With: Robert Bruce (1298–1300) William Lamberton (1299–1301) Ingram de Umfraville (1300–1) John de Soules (1301–1302) Lord of Badenoch 1302–1306 Lord of Annandale 1295–1296 Other names Red Comyn
   
3. Title: Legacy NFS Source: John Comyn -
   Author: The Cheyne Family in Scotland; Lt Col A Y Cheyne {1931}, Page number: 47
   Page: Migrated from user-supplied source citation: urn:familysearch:source:2737222615
   
4. Title: John 'the Red' Comyn, 2nd of Badenoch in The Peerage
   Author: https://www.thepeerage.com/p10916.htm#i109155 4 Citations: 1. [S6] G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant, new ed., 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume I, page 307. Hereinafter cited as The Complete Peerage. [S16] Jirí Louda and Michael MacLagan, Lines of Succession: Heraldry of the Royal Families of Europe, 2nd edition (London, U.K.: Little, Brown and Company, 1999), table 12. Hereinafter cited as Lines of Succession. [S37] BP2003 volume 2, page 2539. See link for full details for this source. Hereinafter cited as. [S37] [S37] BP2003. [S37]
   Publication: Name: https://www.thepeerage.com/p10916.htm#i109155;
   Note: John 'the Red' Comyn, 2nd of Badenoch was the son of John Comyn and Eleanor Balliol.2 He married Joan de Valence, daughter of William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke. He died on 10 February 1305/6 at Dumfries Church, Dumfries, Dumfries-shire, Scotland, stabbed by Bruce.1,3 He was a claimant to the Scottish throne.4 He lived at Badenoch, ScotlandG. Child of John 'the Red' Comyn, 2nd of Badenoch John Comyn of Badenoch+1 d. 24 Jun 1314 Children of John 'the Red' Comyn, 2nd of Badenoch and Joan de Valence Elizabeth Comyn+4 unknown daughter Comyn+4 Joan Comyn+1 b. c 1293, d. bt 8 Jun 1326 - 24 Jul 1326
   
5. Title: Legacy NFS Source: John Comyn -
   Author: Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom; GE Cokayne, Sutton Publishing Ltd, Page number: II:375
   Note: Source Media Type: Book
   Page: Migrated from user-supplied source citation: urn:familysearch:source:2736741118
   
6. Title: The Medieval Lands Project, "JOHN Comyn"
   Author: fmg.ac
   Publication: Name: http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#JohnComynBuchandied1308;
   Note: JOHN Comyn ([1259]-in England [11 Aug/3 Dec] 1308). Andrew Wyntoun’s Cronykil names "Willame" as son of "Alysawndyr that Erle wes off Buchane", adding that he had "swynnys twa, Jhon and Alysandyre"[1088]. The Annales Londonienses name "Johan Comyn counte de Boghan" as the son of "la countesse de Boghham"[1089]. John of Fordun’s Scotichronicon (Continuator) records the appointment of "domino Willelmo Fraser episcopo Sancti Andreæ, Duncano comite de Fyfe, et Johanne Comyn comite de Buchan, ex parte boreali aquæ de Forth, Roberto episcopo Glasguensi, domino Johanne Comyn, et Jacobo senescallo Scotiæ, ex parte australi eiusdem" as the six guardians of the realm after the death in 1286 of King Alexander III[1090]. He succeeded his father in 1290 as Earl of Buchan. He swore fealty to Edward I King of England, fought Robert Bruce who defeated him at Inverury 22 May 1308. He retired to England and his estates in Scotland were forfeited. m ISABEL Macduff of Fife, daughter of DUNCAN Earl of Fife & his wife Joan de Clare. Orders for the "farther…custody of the countesses of Carrick and Buchan, Marie and Christine the sisters, and Margerie the daughter, of Robert de Brus", specifying that "three of the ladies to be in kages", are dated 7 Nov 1306[1091]. She was released in Apr 1313.
   
7. Title: Book - Planatagent Ancestry
   
8. Title: John "the Red" Comyn, "Our Royal, Titled, Noble, and Commoner Ancestors"
   Author: 14 Citations: 1. [S2623] Unknown author, Magna Charta Sureties, 1215, 4th Ed., by F. L. Weis, p. 150; Burke's Peerage, 1938, p. 2332; OFHS Newsletter, December 1995, p. 93. 2. [S16] Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry, 2nd Edition, Vol. I, p. 64-65. 3. [S16] Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry, 2nd Edition, Vol. I, p. 426. 4. [S16] Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry, 2nd Edition, Vol. II, p. 480-481. 5. [S16] Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry, 2nd Edition, Vol. IV, p. 165-166. 6. [S6] Douglas Richardson, Plantagenet Ancestry: 2nd Edition, Vo. I, p. 137. 7. [S4] Douglas Richardson, Royal Ancestry, Vol. I, p. 190-191.
   Publication: Name: https://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p353.htm#i10598;
   Note: Sir John "the Red" Comyn, Lord Badenock1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 Last Edited 4 Apr 2020 M, #10598, d. 10 February 1306 Father John 'the Black' Comyn12 d. c 26 May 1302 Mother Eleanor de Balliol12 Sir John "the Red" Comyn, Lord Badenock married Joan de Valence, daughter of Sir William de Valence, Seigneur de Champagnac, Valence, Montignac, Bellac, & Rancon; Earl of Pembroke and Joan de Munchensi, before 1291; They had 1 son (Sir John) & 2 daughters (Joan, wife of Sir David de Strathbogie, 10th Earl of Atholl; & Elizabeth, wife of Sir Richard Talbot, 2nd Lord Talbot).13,4,6,7,8,10,11 Sir John "the Red" Comyn, Lord Badenock died on 10 February 1306; Died of stab wounds inflicted by Robert de Brus (afterwards, King Robert I of Scotland).8 Family Joan de Valence d. b 1324 Children Sir John Comyn4,8 d. 24 Jun 1314 Joan Comyn+14,2,6,7,8 b. c 1292, d. bt 8 Jun 1326 - 24 Jul 1326 Elizabeth Comyn+3,5,8,9,11 b. 1 Nov 1299, d. 20 Nov 1372
   
9. Title: John Comyn, "Find A Grave Index"
   Author: "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZR3-D555 : 24 August 2022), The Red, ; Burial, , ; citing record ID 226094739, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
   Publication: Name: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZR3-D555;
   Note: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/226094739/john-comyn Lord of Badenoch John “The Red” Comyn BIRTH unknown DEATH 10 Feb 1306 Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland BURIAL Burial Details Unknown. Specifically: Body lost or destroyed MEMORIAL ID 226094739 Succeeded his father, the Black Comyn, to become Lord of Badenoch. His mother was Eleanor Balliol sister of the King John Balliol John Comyn married an English noblewoman of high and almost regal rank, Johanna the daughter of William de Valence, the Earl of Pembroke.
   Page: Same