Elizabeth Sutherland, Countess of Sutherland

Elizabeth Sutherland, (died 1535) was the 10th Countess of Sutherland having succeeded to the Earldom of Sutherland after her brother John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland died in 1514.

Early life

She was the daughter of John Sutherland, 8th Earl of Sutherland who died in 1508. He was initially succeeded by his son, John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland. However, having inherited his father's mental illness, the 9th Earl declared that his sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon, and their children were his nearest heirs. The 9th Earl died a month later in 1514 and was therefore succeeded by his sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon. Adam Gordon was a younger son of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, chief of the Clan Gordon.

According to 17th-century historian Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet, who himself was a younger son of Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland, Elizabeth Sutherland and Adam Gordon married in 1500. According to 19th-century historian William Fraser, Adam Gordon's mother was Annabella, the youngest daughter of James I of Scotland. According to Fraser, it was not until 1509 that Adam Gordon appears to have begun interfering with the affairs of the Sutherland estate, which according to Gordon was due to the mental weakness of the 9th Earl and that intervention was probably not necessary during the time of the 8th Earl.

According to Gordon, in 1518, Alexander Sutherland had gained great favour with both the Earl of Caithness and John Mackay, whose sister he had married. While Adam Gordon was absent in Strathbogie, Alexander Sutherland seized Dunrobin Castle, but it was later retaken, although he had already escaped. Alexander Sutherland was killed by forces of the Gordons at the subsequent Battle of Alltachuilain in 1519.

Countess of Sutherland

In 1524, Earl Adam and the Countess of Sutherland were residing in Elgin where they granted a charter for the lands of Proncy, Proncy-nain, Evelix and others to William Sutherland, 5th of Duffus. Another writ was granted by them to John Kinnaird for the lands of Skelbo and others.

Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland died in September 1535 at Aboyne and was buried there. According to Sir Robert Gordon, she had been "a lady of good judgement, and great modestie". Her husband Adam Gordon died on 17 March 1537-8 also in Aboyne and was buried beside his wife.

Family

Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland and her husband Adam Gordon had the following children:

Alexander Gordon, Master of Sutherland, who predeceased his parents. His son was John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland. John Gordon, who left a daughter who married George Gordon of Cochlarachie. Mr Adam Gordon, who lived in Aboyne and who was killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547. He left an illegitimate son, Adam Gordon of Golspie-Kirkton, who died in 1626. Gilbert Gordon of Garty, who is mentioned in a charter of John, Earl of Sutherland in 1563. He married Isabel Sinclair, daughter of the Laird of Dunbeath, leaving two sons, John and Patrick, and several daughters. His wife was accused of poisoning John, Earl of Sutherland, in 1568. He also had an illegitimate son, George Gordon of Marle in Strath Ullie. Beatrix, named as a daughter by Gordon, married the Laird of Gormack. Eleanor, named as a daughter by Gordon, married firstly, Gordon of Tillwhowdie, and secondly, George Gordon of Craig. Elizabeth, named as a daughter by Gordon, married the Laird of Lethinite. A daughter (name unknown) mentioned by Gordon, married the Laird of Leys and Birkenbog. An illegitimate daughter who married John Robson, chieftain of the Clan Gunn.