David III Strathbogie

David III Strathbogie (1 February 1309 – 30 November 1335) was a 14th-century Anglo-Scottish noble. He was prominent figure in the early years of the Second War of Scottish Independence, as one of the chief supporters of Edward Balliol.

Early life He was born the eldest son and heir of David II Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl, Constable of Scotland and Chief Warden of Northumberland, by his spouse Joan, elder daughter of Sir John Comyn of Badenoch, Joint Guardian of Scotland. David II defected to the English during the First War of Scottish Independence and his earldom was consequently declared forfeit in 1314 and bestowed upon King Robert's brother in law, Neil Campbell. David III would later dedicate his career to reclaiming the earldom and his father and mother's other Scottish lands.

David took part in his first military action in 1327, serving with Edward III on the unsuccessful Weardale campaign in Scotland. Sometime between 1327 and 1330, David was married to Katherine Beaumont, daughter of another prominent disinherited noble, Henry de Beaumont, who claimed the Earldom of Buchan by right of his wife, Alice Comyn. Katherine's dowry included parts of the manor of Ponteland, Little Eland, and Calverdon in Northumberland. Because of David's close ties to Beaumont, who joined the rebellion led by the Earl of Lancaster against Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer, David's English lands were temporarily seized and he was fined five thousand pounds, though the lands were restored only a month later and the fine was waived in 1331.

David was summoned to the English parliament from 25 January 1330 to 24 July 1334, by Writs directed to David de Strabolgi comiti Athol. In 1330 the English Crown conferred upon him the castle and manor of Odogh, in Ireland, which had belonged to his great-uncle, Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke. David was present at the victory over Scottish forces at the battle of Dupplin Moor, 11 August 1332, following which Balliol made him Earl of Atholl and restored his mother and father's estates in Scotland. He was also present at the Battle of Halidon Hill the following year, and at a parliament in 1334, Balliol granted David the lands and title of Robert Stewart. However, conflict soon arose among the Bruce party over the fate of Comyn lands in the north of Scotland. David and Robert Stewart allied to oppose John Randolph at a parliament in April 1335, with neither side coming away satisfied.

David and Katherine had one son, David IV Strathbogie, and a probable daughter Isabel, wife of Sir Edmund de Cornwall, Knt. David IV never attempted to reclaim the earldom of Atholl or his father's Scottish lands.