Elizabeth Stewart

ELIZABETH STEWART

The identity of Elizabeth Stewart is uncertain. Sir William Mure of Rowallan, writing in his Historie, said that she was the daughter of the first Lord Avondale, but the ediitor of the Historie contradicted this, saying that the first Lord Avondale died childless. According to the editor, the second Lord Avondale left several sons and daughters: "although the marriage of this Lady, with the heir of Rowallan, does not appear in any of the accounts published."

Sir James Balfour Paul makes no mention of Elizabeth Stewart in his account of the family of Lord Avondale. The Scots Peerage, vi, pp. 509-11

Clan MacFarlane genealogy claims that Elizabeth Stewart was a daughter of Walter Stewart of Morphie but upon what authority is not clear. Clan MacFarlane and associated clan genealogy: Elizabeth Stewart

The Ancestry of Elizabeth Stewart According to the Clan Muir Society

Clan Muir Society quotes from the Historie: John, his eldest son, married "Elizabeth Stewart, daughter to the first Lord Evandale," says the 'Historie,' "whose mother was daughter to the earle of Crawfurd, called Earle Beardie." The first Lord Evandale, who was the son of Lord James Stewart, son of Murdoch, duke of Albany, of the royal house of Stewart, died without issue in 1488. His nephew, Andrew Stewart, who afterwards succeeded to the estate of Evandale, was created a peer by the same title. He left several sons and daughters, and Elizabeth Stewart, who married John Mure of Rowallan, must have been one of the latter, although not mentioned so in the published histories. Clan Muir Society: The Mures of Rowallan

The Clan Muir Society offers the following opinion: "If, as is understood, she was the daughter of the second, not the first, Lord Evandale, she was the sister of Andrew Stewart, third Lord Evandale, and also of Henry Stewart, created Lord Methven, the third husband of Margaret, queen-mother of Scotland, daughter of Henry VII. Of England, and grandmother of Mary, queen of Scots. Clan Muir Society: The Mures of Rowallan

Marriage

Elizabeth Stewart married John Mure of Rowallan. The date of the marriage is not known but her husband died before 7 September 1495 and so the marriage must have taken place before this date. Ibidem, Note D. on pp. 114-15 It would appear that John Mure of Rowallan must have died shortly after the marriage, because he did not have time to make any provision for his wife's financial support, in the event that he predeceased her. The question of her terce was not settled until 1507. The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, i, A.D. 1488-1529, warrant number 1569 on p. 228

Evidence from the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland

                    1

7 September 1495. Letter of Distraint by James IV, King of Scots, made in favour of Robert Mure of Rowallan and his son, the late John Mure. Ibidem, Note D. on pp. 114-15

                   2

2 November 1507: Precep of remission for John Mure of Rowallan and others for the opression committed against Elizabeth Stewart and Mariote Newtoun, with regard to their terce and conjunct fees. The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, i, A.D. 1488-1529, warrant number 1569 on p. 228

Genealogical Sccounts

1. The Historie and Descent of the House of Rowallane by Sir William Mure, knight of Rowallan ; written in, or prior to 1657. Published 1825 by Printed for Chalmers and Collins in Glasgow