John of Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl

John of Strathbogie (c. 1266 – 7 November 1306) was warden and Justiciary of Scotland.

Early years and family

John was born in Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland around 1266. line.

Life and military service

In 1284, he joined with other Scottish noblemen who acknowledged Margaret, Maid of Norway, as the heir presumptive to King Alexander III. In 1296, he fought on the Scottish side at the Battle of Dunbar, where he was captured and sent to the Tower of London. After a year's confinement there he was set free on condition that he served King Edward I of England in Flanders.

He did homage for his manor of Lesnes (Erith), Kent, in 1305 but subsequently returned to Scotland, and in 1306 joined Robert the Bruce in his rising against English overlordship, and his English possessions were forfeited. He took part in Robert's coronation in that year.

Execution

In the subsequent English invasion of Scotland in 1306, he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Methven. John, Earl of Atholl, was hanged in London on 7 November 1306, on a gallows 30 feet higher than ordinary. This was to signify his higher status than his fellow prisoners: no earl had been executed in England for 230 years. His body was burnt and his head fixed on London Bridge.

Marriage and children

John married Marjory (also known as Margaret), daughter of Domhnall I, Earl of Mar. They had two sons and a daughter:

David de Strathbogie, 10th Earl of Atholl (d. 28 December 1326) Sir John de Strathbogie, Knight. Isabel, wife or mistress of Edward de Brus, Earl of Carrick.