John Comyn II of
Badenoch (died 1302), nicknamed the Black Comyn, was a
Scottish
Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including:
*Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland
*Scottish English
*Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...
nobleman, a
Guardian of Scotland, and one of the six
Regents for
Margaret, Maid of Norway. His father was
John Comyn I of Badenoch.
Competitor for the Crown
In 1284 he joined with other Scottish noblemen who acknowledged Margaret of Norway as the heir of
King Alexander.
He was a Guardian of the Realm from 1286 to 1292.
[G. W. S. Barrow, ''Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland'' (2005) p. 188.]
Comyn submitted to the
English king in July 1296 at Montrose.
As a descendant of King
Donald III
Donald III (Medieval Gaelic: Domnall mac Donnchada; Modern Gaelic: ''Dòmhnall mac Dhonnchaidh''), and nicknamed "Donald the Fair" or "Donald the White" (Medieval Gaelic:"Domnall Bán", anglicised as Donald Bane/Bain or Donalbane/Donalbain) (c. ...
, Comyn was one of the thirteen
Competitors for the Crown of Scotland.
He did not aggressively push his claim for fear of jeopardising that of his brother-in-law
John Balliol.
Comyn, head of the most powerful noble family in Scotland, was a committed ally of Balliol and assisted him in his struggle against
Edward I of England.
It has even been suggested that the Comyn family were the driving force behind both the Balliol kingship and the revolt against Edward's demands.
John Comyn is credited with the building of several large castles or castle houses in and around
Inverness
Inverness (; from the gd, Inbhir Nis , meaning "Mouth of the River Ness"; sco, Innerness) is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for The Highland Council and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands. Histori ...
.
Parts of Mortlach (
Balvenie Castle
Balvenie Castle is a ruined castle 1 km north of Dufftown in the Moray region of Scotland.
History
Originally known as ''Mortlach'', it was built in the 12th century by a branch of the powerful Comyn family (the ''Black Comyns'') and was ...
) and
Inverlochy Castle
Inverlochy Castle ( gd, Caisteal Inbhir Lòchaidh) is a ruined, 13th-century castle near Inverlochy and Fort William, Highland, Scotland. The site of two battles, the castle remains largely unchanged since its construction. It is now in t ...
still stand today.
John Comyn as his father was before him was entrusted by
Alexander III of Scotland with the defence of Scotland's northern territories from invasion by the
Vikings and the
Danes
Danes ( da, danskere, ) are a North Germanic ethnic group and nationality native to Denmark and a modern nation identified with the country of Denmark. This connection may be ancestral, legal, historical, or cultural.
Danes generally regard t ...
.
Family
Comyn married Eleanor de Balliol, daughter of
John I de Balliol of
Barnard Castle, sister of King
John of Scotland
John Balliol ( – late 1314), known derisively as ''Toom Tabard'' (meaning "empty coat" – coat of arms), was King of Scots from 1292 to 1296. Little is known of his early life. After the death of Margaret, Maid of Norway, Scotland entered an ...
.
Together they had two children:
*
John Comyn III of Badenoch,
[SCOTTISH ROYAL LINEAGE - THE HOUSE OF ATHOLL Part 2 of 6](_blank)
Burkes Peerage Retrieved on 2007-11-01[Comyn01 @ Stirnet](_blank)
Retrieved on 2007-11-04 who married Lady Joan de Valence of Pembroke, daughter of
William de Valence, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who was the half-brother to
Henry III of England, and uncle of
Edward I of England.
*a daughter, married Sir
Andrew Moray of Petty. Sir Andrew's second wife was called Euphemia de Clavering. Euphemia was the widow of
William Comyn, Lord of Kilbride and not the daughter of John Comyn II of Badenoch.
Death
John Comyn II of Badenoch died at
Lochindorb Castle, in 1302.
Notes
References
*
*
Rymer, Thomas,''Foedera Conventiones, Literae et cuiuscunque generis Acta Publica inter Reges Angliae''. London. 1745. (Latin
*
External links
4. Clan Galbraith History: http://www.clangalbraith.org/GalbraithHistory/GalbraithHistory.htm
{{DEFAULTSORT:Comyn, John II
13th-century births
Year of birth unknown
1302 deaths
13th-century Scottish people
14th-century Scottish people
13th-century viceregal rulers
John II Comyn, Lord of Badenoch
John Comyn II of Badenoch (died 1302), nicknamed the Black Comyn, was a Scottish nobleman, a Guardian of Scotland, and one of the six Regents for Margaret, Maid of Norway. His father was John Comyn I of Badenoch.
Competitor for the Crown
In 1 ...
Competitors for the Crown of Scotland
Guardians of Scotland
Regents of Scotland
Scottish people of the Wars of Scottish Independence
Lords of Badenoch