David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay

David Stewart (24 October 1378 – 26 March 1402, at Falkland Palace, Fife, Scotland) was the heir to the throne of Scotland from 1390 and the first Duke of Rothesay from 1398. He also held the titles of Earl of Atholl (1398–1402) and Earl of Carrick (1378–1402). He was the first ever Duke in the Scottish Peerage and was named after his great-great-uncle King David II of Scotland.

Life

David Stewart was the son of King Robert III of Scotland and his wife, Annabella Drummond.

His mother tried to strengthen his position, since his uncle Robert had designs on the throne. In 1398, she arranged a great tournament in Edinburgh when her oldest son was knighted^[1]. She and her husband were also present when he was created Duke of Rothesay in the same year.

Due to his father's sickness, David became "Lieutenant" of the kingdom in 1399, a time of civil unrest and conflict with the neighbouring England. His major domestic enemy, his uncle, the experienced Robert, had served as protector of the kingdom until then. The year after his mother's death, Albany arrested David and put him in prison. He died in 1402, in uncertain circumstances, probably by order of Albany himself. Legend says that he starved to death.

David married Marjorie Douglas, daughter of Archibald the Grim, Earl of Douglas, but had no children. In 1406 David's younger brother James Stewart succeeded Robert III on the throne.

Notes