Clan Mar

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A part of Scottish Clans

Clan Mar

Managed by Michael Thomas - (Thomas-10705)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Mar

Origins of the Clan

One of the seven ancient provinces or kingdoms of Scotland that was ruled by a Mormaer, which was an ancient Pictish equivalent of an Earl, was the Mormaerdom of Mar. The territory of the Earldom of Mar was in Aberdeenshire, between the River Dee and the River Don.

Donald, Mormaer of Mar fought alongside the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, against the Viking invaders at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. In a charter of 1114, erecting Scone Abbey, Rothri, Mormaer of Mar is named and is given the Latin title Comes which equates to the modern rank of Earl.

Sometime before 1152 Morgund, 2nd Earl of Mar witnessed a charter to Dunfermline Abbey. William, 5th Earl of Mar was one of the Regents of Scotland and in 1264 he was the Great Chamberlain of the Realm. William's son was Donald I, 6th Earl of Mar who was knighted at Scone in September 1270 by Alexander III of Scotland. Donald witnessed the contract of marriage between Eric II of Norway and Margaret of Scotland. Donald also acknowledged Eric's daughter, Margaret, Maid of Norway as the lawful heir to the throne. However, Margaret died in Orkney on route to claim her kingdom.

The Earls of Mar supported Robert the Bruce's claim to the throne. Donald's eldest daughter was Isabella of Mar who was the first wife of Robert the Bruce. Isabella's brother was Gratney, 7th Earl of Mar who married Bruce's sister, Christina Bruce. Gratney was succeeded by his son, Donald II, 8th Earl of Mar. This Donald was captured at the Battle of Methven in 1306. He was then taken as a hostage to England and was not released until after the Scottish victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, when several other hostages including the wife, sister and daughter of Robert the Bruce were exchanged for the Earl of Hereford. Mar was chosen as Regent of Scotland in 1332 but he only held the title for ten days. On the eve of his election to the post, Edward Balliol marched with his English troops to Perth while Mar gathered his troops to confront the invaders. In the dead of night the English fell upon the Scots army while they were asleep and totally routed them. The Earl of Mar was among those who were killed.

Donald's son, the next earl, Thomas, 9th Earl of Mar, died without issue and the title passed to Margaret, Countess of Mar who was his sister. From Margaret the title passed to her daughter, Isabel Douglas, Countess of Mar. Isabella's second husband was Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, son of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, the feared Wolf of Badenoch.

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Motto : Pans Plus (Think More)

Region : Lowlands

District : Aberdeenshire

Seat : Great Witley, Worcestershire

Historic Seat : Kildrummy Castle, Aberdeenshire

Chief : Margaret, 31st Countess of Mar

Septs:

Marr, Marrs, Mair, Mairs, Mayers, Morren, Strachan, Tough.

Allied Clans

Clan Bruce

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Mar

See Also:

• Category: Earls of Mar