Tenure 1246-1283 Nationality Scottish | Name Alexander 4th | |
Title 4th High Steward of Scotland Predecessor Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland Successor James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland Died 1283, Dundonald, United Kingdom Parents Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland Children James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland, John Stewart of Bonkyll Grandchildren Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, Alexander Stewart of Bonkyll, Alan Stewart of Dreghorn Grandparents Alan fitz Walter, 2nd High Steward of Scotland Similar People Walter Stewart - 6th High, Robert II of Scotland, Alexander III of Scotland | ||
Alexander Stewart (1214–1283), also known as Alexander of Dundonald, was 4th hereditary High Steward of Scotland from his father's death in 1246.
A son of Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland by his wife Bethóc, daughter of Gille Críst, Earl of Angus, Alexander is said to have accompanied Louis IX of France on the Seventh Crusade (1248–1254). In 1255 he was one of the councillors of King Alexander III, though under age.
He was the principal commander under King Alexander III of Scotland at the Battle of Largs, on 2 October 1263, when the Scots defeated the Norwegians under Haakon IV. The Scots invaded and conquered the Isle of Man the following year, which was, with the whole of the Western Isles, then annexed to the Crown of Scotland.
Marriage and children
The identity of Alexander's wife is uncertain. Some secondary sources erroneously identify her as Jean, daughter of James, son of Angus, son of Somerled.
Through his eldest son James, Alexander was a great-grandparent of King Robert II, the first Stewart to be King of Scots, and thus ancestors of all subsequent Scottish monarchs and the later and current monarchs of Great Britain.
Through his second son John, Alexander was a patrilineal ancestor of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and of the Stuart monarchs of Scotland and England from Darnley's son James VI and I onwards.