- John Randolph, 3rd Earl of Moray
John Randolph, 3rd Earl of Moray (killed
October 17 ,1346 ) was an important figure in the reign ofDavid II of Scotland , and was for a time jointRegent of Scotland.Family
He was son of the famous
Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray , a companion-in-arms of Robert the Bruce. Upon the death of his elder brother Thomas, 2nd Earl at theBattle of Dupplin Moor in 1332, John succeeded to the earldom.Military campaigns
He at once took up arms on behalf of his sovereign and cousin King David II and surprised and defeated
Edward Balliol at theBattle of Annan in December 1332. At theBattle of Halidon Hill onJuly 19 ,1333 , he commanded the first division of the Scots' Army, supported by Lord Andrew Fraser and his two brothers, Simon and James. Escaping from the carnage there he retired to France.Regency
John returned to Scotland the following year, when he and the High Steward of Scotland (the future King
Robert II of Scotland ) were appointed jointRegent s, and set about trying to restore order to the nation.He was successful in taking prisoner the Comyn
Earl of Atholl , commander of the English forces in Scotland, but, on his swearing allegiance to the Scottish Crown he was set free. Comyn, however, disregarded his oath, returned to the English camp, and resumed his hostilities. In August 1335 led an attack on theBurgh Muir nearEdinburgh against a body of Flemish auxiliaries in the English service, under Count Guy de Namur, and forced them to surrender. But escorting the Count to the Borders he fell into an ambush and was made prisoner by William de Pressen, (English) Warden ofJedburgh .He was confined first at
Nottingham Castle , and afterwards in theTower of London . OnJuly 25 ,1340 , he was removed toWindsor Castle . In 1341 he was exchanged for the Earl of Salisbury, a prisoner with the French, and Moray then returned to Scotland.Last battle
In February 1342 he invaded England with
David II of Scotland . At the fatalBattle of Neville's Cross , outsideDurham , onOctober 17 1346 John, with Douglas, Knight of Liddesdale, commanded the right wing of the Scottish army, and he was killed during the first English attack.He was married to
Euphemia de Ross but the marriage was childless. The Earl's sister, Black Agnes, assumed the honours as Countess of Moray.References
* Anderson, William, "The Scottish Nation", Edinburgh, 1867, vol.vii, pps:200-1.
* Traquair, Peter, "Freedom's Sword"
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