Robert III

Born John Stewart, Robert III was the eldest son of Robert II and Elizabeth Mure and was legitimised by the second marriage of his parents and by papal dispensation. He went on to rule as Robert III after the death of his father.

Quick Facts:
Born:  1337
Died:  1406
Reign:  1390-1406
Parents: Robert II of Scotland and Elizabeth Mure
Predecessor:  Robert II
Successor: James I
Spouse: Anabella Drummond
Children: David Stewart, Duke of Rothersay; James I, King of Scotland; Robert Stewart; Margaret Stewart; Mary Stewart; Egida Stewart; Elizabeth Stewart
Royal House:  House of Stewart

As well as being King of Scots, Robert III was also High Steward of Scotland from 1371 to 1390 and held the titles of Earl of Atholl and Earl of Carrick. He was 53 years old when he ascended the throne after the death of his father, Robert II.

Early life

John Stewart was born when his father was heir presumptive during the reign of King David II. His parents, though married in a traditional way that was legally binding, were told that their union was not recognised by the church and was criticised for being uncanonical. They were forced to marry for a second time after receiving papal dispensation. Though technically legitimate, having been born after their parent’s first marriage, John and his siblings were later officially legalised, which allowed them to enter the line of succession.

As a young adult, he joined his father in several failed insurrections against King David, who spent much of his life either in exile or captivity. When he died unexpectedly, John’s father was crowned and John was made the Steward of Scotland. Robert II quickly moved to ensure the succession of John.

Family

King Robert III married Anabella Drummond, the daughter of Sir John Drummond, with whom he had seven children:

David Stewart, first Duke of Carrick and then Duke of Rothersay - 
He was initially betrothed to Elizabeth Dunbar, but married Lady Marjory Douglas, the daughter of Archibald Douglas, the third Earl of Douglas. He had difficult relationship with his father and ended up being captured.

James Stewart, King of Scots - 
Young James succeeded his father.

Robert Stewart -
Died young.

Margaret Stewart -
Married Archibald Douglas, the 4^th Earl of Douglas.

Mary Stewart - 
Firstly married George Douglas, 1^st Earl of Angus, then Sir James Kennedy the Younger and gave birth to Gilbert Kennedy, the 1^st Lord Kennedy. She later married Sir William Graham of Kincardine and then Sir William Edmonstone of Culloden.

Egida Stewart

Elizabeth Stewart - 
She married James Douglas.

Reign

In May 1390, parliament granted John permission to change his regnal name to Robert, probably in part to maintain the link to Robert the Bruce and to distance himself from John Balliol. Much like his father, Robert III began his reign by strengthening the position of his son David, who by then was the Earl of Carrick. Despite this, the pair did not have an easy relationship, with Robert III ensuring the annulment of David’s marriage when he discovered his son had married without permission. This would not be the only time that David would act independently of his father.

Robert III made it his mission to take over the conducting of foreign affairs, preserving the peace maintained by his father, but he was increasingly blamed for the failure to pacify the Gaelic areas of the kingdom and many criticised his governance. Parliament appeared to prefer the idea of David, or the king’s brother, to Robert and empowered them to lead an army against the Lord of the Isles on the King’s behalf.

Robert III would continue to lose authority, particularly after he was forced to surrender power to David for a period of three years. During this time, David became Earl of Rothesay and became embroiled in feuds with other landowners. He would be arrested and imprisoned by the Duke of Albany, dying at Falkland Castle in March 1402.

Following the death of David and with Albany being granted the lieutenancy, Robert III was almost totally excluded from political authority. He became increasingly worried that he would lose the throne and in 1404, created a new regality for his sole remaining son and heir, James, who was now titled Earl of Carrick. Robert III hoped that this would prevent the lands at Carrick from falling into Albany’s hands.

Over the next year, Robert III became increasingly more concerned about his son’s welfare and with his health failing, he sent young James to France. Despite this, there was no real plan in place for James’ journey and he ended up having to escape with the Earl of Orkney after his escorts were attacked by James Douglas. The pair were stranded on Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth for over a month before a ship from Danzig enroute for France picked them up. The ship was then taken by English pirates, who delivered James to Henry IV in England. Robert III moved to Rothersay Castle and died after hearing of his son’s capture.

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