The Guardians of Scotland were

regent A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state '' pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy ...

s who governed the

Kingdom of Scotland The Kingdom of Scotland (; , ) was a sovereign state in northwest Europe traditionally said to have been founded in 843. Its territories expanded and shrank, but it came to occupy the northern third of the island of Great Britain, sharing a l ...

from 1286 until 1292 and from 1296 until 1306. During the many years of minority in Scotland's subsequent history, there were many guardians of Scotland and the post was a significant constitutional feature in the course of development for politics in the country.

Guardians of Scotland during the First Interregnum 1286–1292

The First Interregnum began upon the death of

Alexander III of Scotland Alexander III (Medieval ; Modern Gaelic: ; 4 September 1241 – 19 March 1286) was King of Scots from 1249 until his death. He concluded the Treaty of Perth, by which Scotland acquired sovereignty over the Western Isles and the Isle of Man. His ...

in 1286. Alexander's only surviving descendant was Margaret, Maid of Norway, who was a young child and living in Norway where her father Eric II was king. She was finally sent to Great Britain in 1290, but she died before arriving in Scotland. The next king of Scots was not determined until completion of an arbitration in 1292. The following persons served as guardians during the First Interregnum: *

William Fraser William Fraser may refer to: Military people * William W. Fraser (1844–1915), American Civil War soldier and Medal of Honor recipient * William Archibald Kenneth Fraser (1886–1969), British army officer * William Fraser (British Army officer ...

Bishop of St Andrews The Bishop of St. Andrews ( gd, Easbaig Chill Rìmhinn, sco, Beeshop o Saunt Andras) was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of St Andrews in the Catholic Church and then, from 14 August 1472, as Archbishop of St Andrews ( gd, Àrd-easbaig ...

* Robert Wishart,

Bishop of Glasgow The Archbishop of Glasgow is an archiepiscopal title that takes its name after the city of Glasgow in Scotland. The position and title were abolished by the Church of Scotland in 1689; and, in the Scottish Episcopal Church, it is now part of th ...

* John Comyn II of Badenoch *

James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland James Stewart (c. 1260 - 16 July 1309) was the 5th Hereditary High Steward of Scotland and a Guardian of Scotland during the List of monarchs of Scotland#First Interregnum 1290-1292, First Interregnum. Origins He was the eldest surviving son of ...

Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan Alexander Comyn, 2nd Earl of Buchan (died 1289) was a Scoto-Norman magnate who was one of the most important figures in the 13th century Kingdom of Scotland. He was the son of William Comyn, jure uxoris Earl of Buchan, and Marjory, Countess ...

Donnchadh III, Earl of Fife Donnchadh III or Duncan was Earl of Fife (or Mormaer) from 1270/2 to 1288. He succeeded as only a child, the son of the previous Mormaer Colbán, who died young. During his minority, William Wishart, Bishop of St Andrews, became ''custos'' of ...

In a letter (written in

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intel ...

) from the Scots Parliament of 1290, sitting at Birgham, confirming the Treaty of Salisbury, the guardians of Scotland are listed as:

''"... Guillaume de Seint Andreu et Robert de Glasgu evesques, Johan Comyn et James Seneschal de Escoce, gardeins du reaume de Escoce..."''

English translation: "William raserof St Andrews and Robert ishartof Glasgow bishops, John Comyn and James the Steward of Scotland, guardians of the kingdom of Scotland". *

Bryan FitzAlan, Lord FitzAlan Bryan FitzAlan, Baron FitzAlan Knt. (died 1 June 1306) was Lord of the Manor of Bedale in Richmondshire, Askham Bryan in the Ainsty, Bainton, Heworth &c., in Yorkshire, Bicker and Graby in Lincolnshire, a J.P. &c. He was appointed a Guardia ...

(13 June 1291 – ????)

Guardians of Scotland during the Second Interregnum 1296–1306

Guardians during the minority and reign of David II

The Guardians during the minority and reign of David II were: *

Sir Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray ''Sir'' is a formal honorific address in English for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages. Both are derived from the old French "Sieur" (Lord), brought to England by the French-speaking Normans, and which now exist in French only as ...

(1329–1332), appointed by the Act of Settlement of 1318. * Donald, Earl of Mar (1332, for ten days) * Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell (1332 until captured by the English at Roxburgh Bridge in October). * Sir Archibald Douglas (1332 until killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in July 1333) * Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell for the second time (1335–1338, when he died following a brief illness) * Robert the Steward, nephew (older in years) to David and future king of Scotland. Robert was guardian on four occasions, sometimes jointly, and latterly twice during the eleven years of the king's enforced absence as a prisoner in

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

after the

Battle of Neville's Cross The Battle of Neville's Cross took place during the Second War of Scottish Independence on 17 October 1346, half a mile (800 m) to the west of Durham, England. An invading Scottish army of 12,000 led by King David II was defeated with heavy los ...

(1346–1357). He used these years to build a large power base in the country, especially north of the

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Guardians during the reign of Robert II

Guardians during the infirmity of King Robert II *

John Stewart, Earl of Carrick John Stewart, Earl of Carrick, Lord Kinclaven (died ''c.'' 1645) was a Scottish nobleman, the third son of Robert, Earl of Orkney, a bastard son of King James V. Stewart was soon linked with the widow "Mistress Southwell". In November 1604 he ...

(November 1384–December 1388) * Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife (December 1388 – 1390)

References

Sources

* Mack, James Logan (1926). The Border Line. Pub. Oliver & Boyd. pp. 317–322. * McNaught, Duncan (1912). Kilmaurs Parish and Burgh. Pub. A.Gardner. p. 9.

External links

Cast of the seal of the Guardians of Scotland (NAS reference RH17/1/17)
{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213232739/http://www.nas.gov.uk/images/RH5-55.jpg , date=2010-02-13 an
Saint Andrew seals Scotland's independence
at the

National Archives of Scotland The National Archives of Scotland (NAS) is the previous name of the National Records of Scotland (NRS), and are the national archives of Scotland, based in Edinburgh. The NAS claims to have one of the most varied collection of archives in Europe ...

Seal impression (cast), of Guardians of Scotland
at the

National Museums of Scotland National Museums Scotland (NMS; gd, Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba) is an executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government. It runs the national museums of Scotland. NMS is one of the country's National Collections, ...

Wars of Scottish Independence 1290s in Scotland * Lists of Scottish people 1300s in Scotland