Donnchadh III, Earl of Fife
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Mormaer Donnchadh III of Fife, ruled Fife, 1270/2 – 1288.
He succeeded as only a child, the son of the previous Mormer Colbán, who died young. During his minority, Bishop William Wishart of St Andrews became custos of the Mormaerdom. Perhaps owing to a power-struggle within the Mormaerdom, the Bishop confiscated some lands from the MacDuib chief, head of Fife's Gaelic society. Later, King Edward I of England ordered the Guardians of Scotland to restore these lands. Donnchadh himself was one of these guardians, responsible for supervising the government of Scotland in the absence of the King.
Donnchadh married Johanna de Clare, and had at least two sons, Donnchadh IV and an anonymous MacDuibh (=MacDuff). The latter's first name is unknown, but the style implies he was head of Clann mac Duib. He also had a daughter, Isabella, who married John Comyn, the Count of Buchan.
The Mormaer's last historical appearance is in a document dated August, 1289. He was murdered in his prime at Pitpullock near Brechin, by some of his kinsmen in September. The Chronicle of Lanercost called the mormaer "cruel and greedy beyond the average" (Barrow, Robert Bruce, p. 332, n. 33). We can only guess why the Lanercost chronicler was so negative.
He was buried at Coupar Angus.
[edit] Bibliography
- Bannerman, John, "MacDuff of Fife," in A. Grant & K.Stringer (eds.) Medieval Scotland: Crown, Lordship and Community, Essays Presented to G.W.S. Barrow, (Edinburgh, 1993), pp.20-38
- Barrow, G.W.S., Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland, (Edinburgh, 1988)
| Preceded by: Colbán |
Mormaer of Fife 1270 – 1288 |
Succeeded by: Donnchadh IV |
