Sir Christopher Seton (1278–1306), also known as Christopher de Seton, was a 13th-century noble, who held lands in England and Scotland. He was a supporter of

Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (Scottish Gaelic: ''Raibeart an Bruis''), was King of Scots from 1306 to his death in 1329. One of the most renowned warriors of his generation, Robert eventual ...

and obtained Robert's sister's hand in marriage. Present during the killing of John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch at Greyfriars Church, Dumfries, he also killed Sir Robert Comyn, who had rushed to Badenoch's aid. Seton was captured at

Loch Doon Castle Loch Doon Castle was a castle that was located on an island within Loch Doon, Scotland. The original site and the relocated remains are designated as scheduled ancient monuments. History Loch Doon Castle was built in the late 13th century on ...

and executed at

Dumfries Dumfries ( ; sco, Dumfries; from gd, Dùn Phris ) is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is located near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth about by road from the ...

in 1306.

Life

Christopher Seton was the eldest son of Sir

John de Seton Sir John de Seton (d 4 August 1306) was a knight who took part in the War of Scottish Independence, as a supporter of Robert de Brus. He held lands in England and Scotland. Seton was a son of Sir John de Seton of Skelton, Cumberland and Ermin ...

of Skelton, Cumberland and Erminia Lascelles. His brothers were

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

and Humphrey de Seton. This branch of the Seton family had long served the Bruces in Yorkshire, Cumberland and Scotland. (No connection has as yet been discovered to Alexander Seton, Governor of Berwick; however, it is claimed that Alexander was his grandson.) In 1301, at the age of twenty-three, Christopher married

Robert de Brus Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (Scottish Gaelic: ''Raibeart an Bruis''), was King of Scots from 1306 to his death in 1329. One of the most renowned warriors of his generation, Robert eventuall ...

's sister

Christian or Christina Bruce Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

. Seton was present on 10 February 1306 when Sir

John Comyn 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 ...

of Badenoch was stabbed by Robert de Brus in Greyfriars Church, Dumfries.Stevenson, T. G., ''The Scottish Journal of Topography, Antiquities, Traditions, Etc,'', 1848
/ref> As Sir Robert Comyn rushed to aid his nephew, Seton struck him down with a blow to the head.Barrow, G. W. S., ''Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland'', Edinburgh University Press, 2005
A letter of excommunication was issued naming the Earl of Carrick and three other knights, Sir Alexander Lindsay, Sir Christopher and his brother John Seton as John Comyn's murderers. Seton was also present at the coronation of his brother in-law King Robert I, King of Scots, at

Scone A scone is a baked good, usually made of either wheat or oatmeal with baking powder as a leavening agent, and baked on sheet pans. A scone is often slightly sweetened and occasionally glazed with egg wash. The scone is a basic component of th ...

on 25–26 March 1306. Some accounts have him present at the

Battle of Methven The Battle of Methven took place at Methven, Scotland on 19 June 1306, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The battlefield was researched to be included in the Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland and protected by Historic Sco ...

on 19 June 1306 Patterson, James. ''History of the county of Ayr'', Vol. 1, 1847
/ref> but Duncan places him at

, an important castle for the Earls of Carrick and one of three that Robert tried to hang on to, but Loch Doon fell about 14 August. Loch Doon Castle, Ayrshire, was besieged by the English and after the surrender of that castle by the Governor Sir Gilbert de Carrick, Christopher was hanged, drawn and quartered at Dumfries in accordance with Edward I's policy of giving no quarter to Scottish prisoners. His Cumberland estates, with the exception of his mother's dower, were given to Sir Robert de Clifford. A small chapel was raised by his wife Christina, at Dumfries to the memory of her husband in 1326.

References

Sources

* Fiona Watson, "Bruce, Christian (d. 1356)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004. * The Bruce by John Barbour: An Edition with translation and notes by A.A.M. Duncan, Canongate Classics, 1997, p. 150. * * *

External links

Dumfries Museum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Seton, Christopher 1278 births 1306 deaths 13th-century Scottish people 14th-century Scottish people