Guardian of Scotland

The Guardians of Scotland were the de facto heads of state of Scotland^[1] during the First Interregnum of 1290–1292, and the Second Interregnum of 1296–1306. 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 1290–1292

• William Fraser, Bishop of St Andrews
• Robert Wishart, Bishop of Glasgow
• John II Comyn, Lord of Badenoch
• James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland
• Donnchadh III of Fife (died in 1288 or 1289); Donnchadh IV of Fife^{[citation needed]}
• Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan (died in 1289)^{[citation needed]}
• John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey^{[citation needed]}
• Bryan FitzAlan, Lord of Bedale (1291–1292)^{[citation needed]}

In an letter (written in Old French) from the Scots Parliament of 1290, sitting at Birgham, confirming the Treaty of Salisbury, the guardians of Scotland are listed as:^[2]

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

English translation: "William [Fraser], bishop of St Andrews, and Robert [Wishart], bishop of Glasgow, John Comyn and James the Steward of Scotland, guardians of the kingdom of Scotland".

Guardians of Scotland during the Second Interregnum 1296–1306

• Sir William Wallace (1297–1298)
• Robert the Bruce, Earl of Carrick (1298–1300)
• John Comyn (1298-1300, 1302–1304)^[3]
• William Lamberton, Bishop of St Andrews (1299–1301)
• Sir Ingram de Umfraville (1300–1301)
• John de Soules (1301–1304)

Guardians during the minority and reign of David II

• Sir Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray (1329-1332), appointed by the Act of Settlement of 1318.
• Donald, Earl of Mar, (1332, for ten days)
• Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell (1332-1333) until captured by the English.
• Sir Archibald Douglas (1333, for three months)
• Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell for second time, (1335-1338)
• 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 after the Battle of Neville's Cross (1345-1357). He used these years to build a large power base in the country, especially north of the Forth.

See also

• Competitors for the crown of Scotland
• History of Scotland
• Politics of Scotland

References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2009)

• 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) and Saint Andrew seals Scotland's independence; at the National Archives of Scotland
• Seal impression (cast), of Guardians of Scotland; at the National Museums of Scotland

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