Alexander Seton

Sir Alexander Seton (or Alexander de Seton; fl. 1311 – ) was the governor (sometimes referred to as the Keeper or the Captain) of Berwick.

Life In August 1309, Sir Alexander Seton, knight, opposed Robert de Bruce, as evidenced by a Charter of Donation from John de Strachan, made at Perth (Lang, 927). Perth was an English supply base and garrison town until 1313. Moreover, the Strachan Family (likely his cousins) were also known to have been close allies of John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, and were staunch supporters of the Comyn Cause.

Alexander Seton took part in Edward Bruce's 1315 campaign in Ireland. He signed the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 asserting the independence of Scotland.

Berwick-upon-Tweed

In 1327 he was said to be appointed keeper of Berwick-upon-Tweed. For how long is unclear as on 21 March King Robert applied for a Safe-Conduct for him to go to England for negotiations.

In 1331 Sir Robert de Lawedre of The Bass was Keeper of the Scottish Marches and Custodian of the Castle of Berwick-upon-Tweed, receiving a fee attributed to those positions, at Pentecost, of £33.6s.8p. He is also described as Sheriff of Berwick, for which he received a further payment. He was still holding those positions the following year as mentioned by the historian of the town.

In March 1333 Edward Balliol, son and heir of King John Balliol, and Henry Beaumont, 4th Earl of Buchan, along with their supporters and those of the late John Comyn invaded Scotland with the tacit support of Edward III of England. The army advanced quickly towards Berwick, which was placed under siege.

In 1333 Alexander Seton was again governor of the town of Berwick, while Patrick de Dunbar, Earl of March was entrusted with the defence of the castle. After a long siege, an agreement to surrender Berwick within a certain time unless it has been relieved was obtained. Alexander's son, Thomas Seton, was given as a hostage. Thomas, executed outside Berwick in 1333 during the siege. William, drowned July 1333 in an attack upon the English fleet at Berwick, during the siege. Margaret, the heiress, married Alan de Wyntoun, and had issue. Their children took the surname of Seton. Alexander, killed opposing the landing of Edward Balliol at Kinghorn, 6 August 1332. John of Parbroath, died c. 1327.