Uilleam III, Earl of Ross

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Uilleam III of Ross, or William III of Ross, was the fourth successor of Ferchar mac in tSagairt, as Mormaer of Ross (1333/6-1370).

Uilleam came into his inheritance at a torrid time, his father Aodh dying at the Battle of Halidon Hill. Uilleam temporarily lost many of his lands. However, he returned from Norway in 1336 and regained them. Uilleam cultivated the friendship of the Stewarts, and was rewarded by being appointed Justiciar of Scotia. Uilleam's reign was marked by continued strife with his nominal vassal, Ranald MacRuadridh (Lord of Skye). In 1348, Uilleam killed Ranald with eight of his men at the nunnery of Elcho.

Uilleam married Màiri, the daughter of Aonghus Óg MacDomhnaill. They had an heir, Uilleam, but he died in 1357. Uilleam's lands were forfeited by King David II in 1370. Uilleam died in 1372, and the Mormaerdom was given to his daughter Euphemia with her husband Sir Walter Leslie, thus ending the dynasty started a century and a half before by the great Ferchar. The dominions eventually passed to the MacDonald Lords of the Isles.

[edit] Bibliography

Roberts, John L., Lost Kingdoms: Celtic Scotland in the Middle Ages, (Edinburgh, 1997)

[edit] External links

Genealogy Page
Great Clan Ross (N/B Unfortunately, much info depends on this unreliable site)

Preceded by Aodh	Mormaer of Ross 1333/6-1370/2	Succeeded by Euphemia m. Walter Leslie

	Mormaers or Earls of Ross Ferchar mac in tSagairt • Uilleam I (William I) • Uilleam II (William II) • Aodh (Hugh) • Uilleam III (William III) • Euphemia I ¹ • Alexander Leslie • Euphemia II Leslie ² • John Stewart • Mariota Leslie ³ • Alexander of Islay • John of Islay • James Stewart ====================== ¹ Married Walter Leslie; ² In 1415 Duke Albany persuaded her to resign the earldom to his own son; ³ Married Domhnall of Islay, who opposed Stewart's title in her favour.
something	====================== Dukes of Ross James Stewart • Henry Stuart • James Stuart • Charles Stuart