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John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus

d. 1331

Medieval Scottish nobleman.

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About John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus

John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus was a Scottish aristocrat.

Arms of John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus: Gold, a fess chequy blue mid silver, surmounted by a red bend charged with three gold buckles.

John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus, Lord of Bonkyl, jure uxoris Lord of Abernethy (died 9 December 1331) was a medieval Scottish nobleman.

Stewart was the son of Sir Alexander Stewart of Bonkyll, great-grandson of Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland, and Jean Fitz James, daughter of Alexander Fitz James. Sir Alexander died around 1319, and Stewart inherited his father's estates in Berwickshire, centered upon the barony of Bonkyll and Preston.

In 1328, he married Margaret de Abernethy, heiress to the Lordship of Abernethy. Her father Sir Alexander de Abernethy was the last of the Gaelic lords of Abernethy, descendants of Gille Míchéil, Earl of Fife. Stewart assumed his wife's titles, and was further ennobled by Robert I of Scotland in 1329, being created Earl of Angus. The Earldom of Angus had been forfeited by the previous holder, Robert de Umfreville, before 1314, for choosing the losing side during the Wars of Scottish Independence, although he continued to style himself Earl until his death in 1325.

It is through John Stewart's granddaughter, Margaret's illicit relationship with William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, that the Earldom of Angus, Lordship of Abernethy, and the comitatus associated with it passed on to the Douglases in the person of George Douglas (the first Red Douglas). This close connection of the Douglas Earls of Angus with the House of Stewart was to have large implications for the latter's future struggles with the Black Douglases.

Stewart was knighted on 24 November 1331 on the coronation of King David II, but died just two weeks later. He was succeeded by his son Thomas Stewart, 2nd Earl of Angus.

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Important facts

Died
1331
Occupation
Nationality

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus?

Medieval Scottish nobleman.

When did John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus die?

John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus died in 1331.

What was John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus's occupation?

John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus was an aristocrat.

What nationality was John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus?

John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus was Scottish.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus

· Wikidata: Q6259123

· DBpedia: John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus. https://biography.guide/john-stewart-1st-earl-of-angus/

MLA: "John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-stewart-1st-earl-of-angus/.

Chicago: "John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-stewart-1st-earl-of-angus/.

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