Alan fitz Walter, 2nd High Steward of Scotland

Alan fitz Walter (1140 – 1204)[1] was hereditary High Steward of Scotland and a crusader.

Alan was the son and heir of Walter fitz Alan, by his spouse Eschina, who was possibly a member of a kindred from the south of Scotland. From the time of his succession to his death in 1204, Alan served as dapifer to William the Lion, King of Scots.[1] It was during Alan's lifetime that his family acquired the Isle of Bute.[1][2] He was possibly responsible for the erection of Rothesay Castle on the island.[1]

Alan accompanied Richard the Lionheart on the Third Crusade, from which he returned to Scotland in July 1191.[3][4]

A Royal Grant to Kinloss Abbey, signed at Melrose Abbey was made between 1179 and 1183. Amongst the witnesses are the Abbot of Melrose, the Abbot of Newbottle, Richard de Morville, Constable of Scotland, 'Alan, son of Walter the Steward, and William de Lauder.[5]

Alan became a patron of the Knights Templar and is responsible for expanding Templar influence in Scotland.

He appears as a witness to other charters of William The Lion.[6]

He was married twice,[3][7] first to Eva, who is usually named as the daughter of Sweyn Thor'sson, although some historians dispute Eva's parentage. His second marriage was to Alesta, daughter of Morggán, Earl of Mar[3] [7], by whom he had issue:

Some sources list Margaret Galloway as Walter's mother. Galloway is related to William the Conqueror and other royalty.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Barrow, Geoffrey Wallis Steuart (2004), "Stewart family (per. c.1110–c.1350), nobility" (Subscription or UK public library membership required), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/49411, http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/49411, retrieved 5 July 2011 
  2. ^ Barrow, Geoffrey Wallis Steuart (1981), Kingship and unity: Scotland 1000–1306, University of Toronto Press, p. 112 
  3. ^ a b c Simpson, David, The Genealogical and Chronological History of the Stuarts, Edinburgh, 1713.
  4. ^ Macquarrie, Alan, Scotland and the Crusades, 1095 – 1560, Edinburgh, 1985: 29/30.
  5. ^ Professor Geoffrey W. S. Barrow, editor, The Acts of William 1st, King of Scots, Edinburgh, 1971, vol.II, p.277, charter 237.
  6. ^ Burke, Messrs., John and John Bernard, The Royal Families of England, Scotland, and Wales, &c., volume 2, London, 1851, p.xl.
  7. ^ a b c d Burke, Messrs., John and John Bernard, The Royal Families of England, Scotland, and Wales &c., volume 2, London, 1851, p.xl.

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Preceded by
Walter Fitzalan		 High Steward of Scotland
c. 1177 – c. 1204		 Succeeded by
Walter Óg