Adam of Kilconquhar

Adam of Kilconquhar (died 1271) was a Scottish noble from the 13th century. Of Fife origin, he is notable for becoming the husband of the Countess of Carrick and participating in the Ninth Crusade under the command of Lord Edward, Duke of Gascony (future King Edward I of England).

Background

Evidence indicates that Adam was from the MacDuff family; he was probably the son of Duncan of Kilconquhar, son of Adam (son of Duncan, Earl of Fife), who appears frequently as a witness in the documents of St Andrews Cathedral Priory as ''Adam frater comitis'', i.e. brother of Earl Duncan II. It is likely that Adam's mother was from the Comyn family: his brother William was called 'Comyn' in his papal letter of appointment as bishop of Brechin.

Kilconquhar in south-east Fife was the seat of this family's holdings. The feudal arrangement that evolved in the 12th and 13th centuries was complicated, in that although the Kilconquhar was held of the bishop of St Andrews, the bishop in turn held it from the earl.

Marriage and crusade

Adam appears to have enjoyed the favour of the Scottish king Alexander III, and married Marjorie, daughter and heiress of Neil, Earl of Carrick. He was able to use the title of earl in his wife's name, but it is unlikely that he had much role ruling the province, as Earl Neil had left the position of kindred chief (') to his nephew Lachlan.MacQuarrie, ''Scotland and the Crusades'', p. 58 Their daughter Martha, step-daughter of Robert Bruce, was the mother of Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray one of the Bruce's closest companions-in-arms.

He died at Acre in 1271, while on crusade.Anderson, ''Early Sources'', vol. ii, p. 667; MacQuarrie, ''Scotland and the Crusades'', p. 58 or actual date/ref> According to material in the ''Chronicle'' of John of Fordun, he had been a participant in the Eighth Crusade. He had been one of a small Scottish contingent that attacked Tunis in 1270, where fellow-Scot and fellow-MacDuff David, Earl of Atholl died.MacQuarrie, ''Scotland and the Crusades'', p. 125 Adam survived, and withdrew with the rest to winter in Sicily. The following spring the contingent joined with the army of Lord Edward and proceeded to Acre, where Adam was taken by disease.
Adam's widow Marjorie went on to marry her husband's companion-in-arms Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale

Notes

References

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kilconquhar, Adam Of
13th-century births
1271 deaths
Christians of the Eighth Crusade
Christians of Lord Edward's crusade
Adam
Medieval Gaels from Scotland
People from Fife
Scottish soldiers
Earls or mormaers of Carrick