Walter Fitzalan

Walter Fitzalan (died 1177), was the 1st hereditary High Steward of Scotland (c1150-1177), and described as "a Norman by culture and by blood a Breton". [ Mackenzie, A. M., MA., D.Litt., "The Rise of the Stewarts", London, 1935, pps.8 -9.] He was the second son of a Breton knight, Alan fitzFlaad, feudal lord of Oswestry, by his spouse Ada or Adeline, daughter of Ernoulf de Hesdin. [ Round, J. H., "Studies in Peerage", p.123] [ Nisbet, Alexander, "Systems of Heraldry", Edinburgh, 1722. Vol.2, first section, p.53.]

To Scotland

When The Anarchy took hold in England and civil war between Empress Matilda and Stephen, Walter rallied to the support of the Empress. [ Ritchie, R. L. Graeme, "The Normans in Scotland", Edinburgh University Press, 1954, p.281] Her cause lost, Walter befriended David I who was an uncle of Matilda, and became, appropriately, David's "Dapifer" or Steward. Accompanied by his brother Simon, [ Anderson (1867) vol.ix, p.512] Walter came to Scotland about 1136 [ Professor Geoffrey W. S. Barrow, "The Anglo-Norman Era in Scottish History", Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1980, ISBN 0-19-822473-7 page 64-5, where it is stated that Walter son of Alan came to Scotland about 1136 and served as "dapifer" or Steward successively to kings David I, Malcolm IV, and William the Lion.] and fought for Scotland at the Battle of the Standard at Northallerton in 1138 under the command of David I's son, Prince Henry.

Career

He was subsequently appointed by King David I, Steward of Scotland; in 1157 it was confirmed as a hereditary office. David also granted him what eventually comprised Renfrewshire, for the service of five knights [ Ritchie, R. L. Graeme, "The Normans in Scotland", Edinburgh University Press, 1954, [p.280] ; the lands of Paisley, Pollock, Cathcart, and Ayrshire, reconfirmed in a charter in 1157 by Malcolm IV. In 1163 Walter founded, first at Renfrew but shortly afterwards at Paisley, a house of monks of the Cluniac order drawn from from the priory of Much Wenlock, in his native county of Shropshire. [ Burke, Messrs., John and John Bernard, "The Royal Families of England, Scotland, and Wales" &c., volume 2, London, 1851, p. xl.] Walter acquired directly from the Crown the Berwickshire estates of Birkenside and Legerwood on the eastern or left bank of the Leader Water [ Professor Geoffrey W. S. Barrow, "The Anglo-Norman Era in Scottish History", Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1980, ISBN 0-19-822473-7 page 65] and presented to the monks the church of Legerwood, which they held from 1164 until the Reformation in 1560. [ Binnie, Dr.G.A.C., "The Churches and Graveyards of Berwickshire", Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1995, p.344, ISBN 0-9526805-0-5 ] The monastery steadily grew and by 1219 became Paisley Abbey.

In 1164 he led a force which defeated Somerled, King of the Hebrides (Gaelic "ri Innse Gall") in the Battle of Renfrew.

Death

Walter, The Steward, died in 1177 and was interred in the monastery at Paisley, the burying-place of his family before their later accession to the throne. [ Anderson, William,"The Scottish Nation", Edinburgh, 1867, vol.ix, p.512]

Marriage

Walter Fitzalan was married to Eschyna de Londoniis, heiress of Uchtred de Molla (Molle) & Huntlaw (territorial designations, not then surnames) [ Simpson (1713); Burke, Messrs., John and John Bernard, "The Royal Families of England, Scotland, and Wales, &c., volume 2, London, 1851, p.xl; Mackenzie, A. M., MA., D.Litt., "The Rise of the Stewarts", London, 1935, pps.8 -9.] [ Ritchie (1954) p.281] and widow of Robert Croc. Upon Walter's death his widow married Henry de Molle, [ Ritchie (1954) p.281] whose new surname is probably taken from his wife's lands.

She and Walter had three children:

* Alan FitzWalter
* Walter FitzWalter [ Simpson (1713).]
* Margaret FitzWalter [ Simpson (1713).]

Notes