House of Stewart and the Albany Stewarts

(Jody Gray) The story of the Kings of the Royal House of Stewart and their cousins, the Albany Stewarts. It reminds me of the Mafia. James I King of Scots, executed his cousins because they were potential heirs to the throne of Scotland.

Scotland.

Robert Bruce, King of Scots

son, David II King of Scots

daughter, Marjorie Bruce m: Walter Stewart

    Robert II Stewart King of Scots; creates Royal House of Stewart

       Robert III (born John) Stewart King of Scots

          David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay

          James I King of Scots

       Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany *Albany Stewarts

           Murdoch Stewart, executed by James I in 1425

              Walter and Alexander, executed by James I in 1425

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Stuart House of Stuart, Originally Stewart, was a European royal house that originated in Scotland. The dynasty’s patrilineal Breton ancestors had held the office of High Steward of Scotland since the 12th century, after arriving by way of Norman England. The royal Stewart line was founded by Robert II, and they were Kings and Queens of Scots from the late 14th century until the union with England in 1707. Mary Queen of Scots, was brought up in France, where she adopted the French spelling of the name, Stuart. Her son, James VI of Scotland, inherited the thrones of England and Ireland upon the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. Except for the period of the Commonwealth, 1649-1660, the Stuarts were monarchs of the British Isles and its growing empire, until the  death of Queen Anne in 1714.

 In total, nine Stewart/Stuart monarchs ruled Scotland alone from 1371 until 1603. James VI of Scotland then inherited the realms of Elizabeth I of England, becoming James I of England and Ireland in the Union of the Crowns. Following the Glorious Revolution in 1688, two Stuart queens ruled the isles: Mary II and Anne. Both were the Protestant daughters of James VII and II by his first wife. Their father had converted to Catholicism and his new wife gave birth to a son in 1688, who would be brought up a Roman Catholic and would precede his half-sisters; so James was deposed by Parliament in 1689, in favour of his daughters.

Etymology. The name “Stewart” derives from the political position of the office similar to a governor, known as a steward. It was originally adopted as the family surname by Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland, who was the third member of the family to hold the position. Prior to this, family names were not used, but instead they had patronyms defined through the father; for example the first two High Stewards were known as FitzAlan and FitzWalter respectively.

http://www.theroyalhouseofstewart.com/descendants_of_the_royal_house_of_stewart_016.htm *Descendants of the Royal house of stewart. Robert was the only son of Walter Stewart and Princess Marjorie, daughter of Robert Bruce, King of Scots. In 1318, when it appeared that Robert Bruce might die without a male heir, the Parliament of Scotland decreed that the crown should pass to Princess Marjorie's son. In 1324, Robert Bruce's second wife gave him a son, they named him David. When his father died in 1329, David became King of Scots, he was 5 years old. During his minority, Sir Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray was appointed Guardian of Scotland. Robert Stewart began to take a prominent part in the affairs of Scotland. He was one of the leaders at the battle of Halidon Hill in July 1333; after gaining some success over the adherents of Edward Balliol in the west of Scotland, he and John Randolph Earl of Moray were chosen as regents of Scotland while David sought safety in France. When Randolph fell into the hands of the English Robert became sole regent. King David II returned to Scotland in 1341; he accused Robert Stewart of deserting him when he was captured at Halidon Hill. Robert rebelled against King David in 1363 and was imprisoned along with four of his sons. He was released shortly before David's death in February 1371. David died childless and the throne was passed to Robert; he was crowned King Robert II at Scone March 26, 1371, establishing the House of Stewart. His son John, Earl of Carrick was recognized as heir apparent. When John became King of Scotland in 1390 he changed his name and became Robert III King of Scots. Robert II had another son named Robert who was made Duke of Albany. By the year 1389 King Robert III's health had deteriorated so much that the Scottish Parliament appointed his eldest son, David, Duke of Rothesay to be lieutenant of the kingdom to rule in his father's place. David provoked an English invasion and then failed to prevent the English from capturing Edinburgh. Robert, Duke of Albany (his uncle) had him arrested and imprisoned in St Andrew's castle; he was later moved to Falkland Palace when he died in 1402. In 1406, supporters of James (younger son of Robert III, now heir to the throne) were beaten in battle by the forces of Robert Duke of Albany and James was sent into hiding. James was captured by English pirates and handed over to King Henry IV of England; he was in captivity when Robert III died and Robert Duke of Albany was made Regent of Scotland. He continued in power until his death in 1420. His son Murdoch Stewart succeeded him. He was Justiciary of Scotland north of Forth and designated of Kinclevyne. He was taken prisoner by the English at the battle of Homeldon September 14, 1402. King Henry IV of England allowed him to be at large on his own parole of honor. In 1415 he was exchanged for Henry Percy of Northumberland. Arrangement for the release of James I King of Scots were made and he was returned to Scotland in April 1424. His coronation took place at Scone May 21, 1424, Murdoch Stewart performed the ceremony. On May 13, 1424, Sir Walter Stewart, eldest son of Murdoch was arrested (along with others) were arrested and imprisoned. On March 21, 1425 Murdoch and his son Sir Alexander Stewart were arrested (in all, thirty barons and knights were arrested; many were released shortly afterward); at the same time King James I seized the castles of Falkland and Doune and imprisoned Murdoch's wife Isobell in the castle of Tantalon. May 26, 1425, court was held in Stirling Castle, Walter Stewart, eldest son of Albany, was tried before the King and a jury of 21 barons, found guilty, condemned and beheaded. The following day, Murdoch and his son Alexander and the aged Earl of Lennox, were tried, convicted and sentenced to death, all lands and titles forfeited. They were executed on Heading Hill before the Castle of Stirling; their heads were transported to the Tantallon Castle where they were thrown into the dungeon beside Murdoch's wife Isobell in an effort to drive her insane.

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