Malise I, Earl of Strathearn

Malise (Gaelic: Maol Íosa; fl. 1138), is the earliest known earl or mormaer of Strathearn in central Scotland. There is no indication that he was the first earl of Strathearn, but as nothing is known of his predecessors, he is generally referred to as such.

In 1138, Malise participated in King David's invasion of England, and he fought in the vanguard at the Battle of the Standard. Like his successor Ferquhard, Malise is largely absent from the witness lists of Scottish royal charters, indicating a lack of involvement in royal government. He was, however, a witness to a Charter of David, confirming certain gifts and grants to Dunfermline Abbey, dated about 1128.^[1]

Ailred of Rievaulx portrays Malise as the chief representative of the native Scottish faction at the royal court, opposed to the faction of Normans led by Robert de Brus.

^[2]Malise's wife was Margaret, daughter of one of the heirs of Robert of Muskham. Unknown, as are those of any children he had, with the exception of his son Ferquhard, who succeeded him as earl.

Bibliography

• Neville, Cynthia J., Native Lordship in Medieval Scotland: The Earldoms of Strathearn and Lennox, c. 1140-1365, (Portland & Dublin, 2005)

References