Individual Details
Sir Fergus "Lord of Galloway" Galloway
(1078 - 12 May 1161)
[[Category: Lord of Galloway]]
== Biography ==
Fergus of Galloway was King, or Lord, of Galloway from an unknown date (probably in the 1110s), until his death in 1161. He was the founder of Galloway, probably in the space left when the Norwegian King Magnus III Berrføtt ("Barelegs") led a campaign of subjugation in the Irish Sea world.[[Wikipedia: Fergus of Galloway]]
Fergus was almost certainly a native Galwegian his likely power base was the area of Galloway between the rivers Dee and Cree. It may have been after his marriage that Fergus began calling himself rex Galwitensium ("King of Galloway"). However, while his possible father-in-law lived, Fergus, like King David I of Scotland), seems to have remained a faithful "vassal" to Henry.
=== Titles ===
Fergus, Lord of Galloway gained the title of Lord of Galloway.Cokayne, Gibbs, Doubleday, White, Warrand & Walden, 2000
=== Parents ===
Unknown[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false].Fergus' parents are UNKNOWN (Maxwell, 1884). Various pedigrees try to invent his lineage. For example: he's been linked to: [http://www.geni.com/people/Dolphin-Maldred-Prince-of-Scotland/6000000007394875218?through=6000000000769891469 Dolphin], brother of Maldred Dunkeld. He is also linked to [http://www.geni.com/people/Gospatrick/6000000012754955149?through=6000000000769891469 Patrick de Home, of the Hirsell and Greenlaw].
=== Marriage and Issue ===
Fergus married Joan or Elizabeth.[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false] illegitimate daughter of Henry I of EnglandWeir, 1999, p.49; Maxwell (1884) states that Elizabeth (Father: Henry I of England) was married to Fergus, and mother of Uchtred[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false] There are disputes about her, including an unproven idea that she was Fergus' mistress before marriage. Hoveden and Benedict Abbas both refer to their eldest son, Uchtred, as a cousin or relative of Henry II.They had 2 children:
* Uchtred (d. 22 Sep 1174 murdered by brother, Gilbert).[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false][http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#UchtredGallowaydied1174]
* Affreca m. Óláf Godredsson (d.1153), King of Man[http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#AufricaGallowayMOlavMan]The Scots Peerage, n.d., Vol.4, p.136; alias: Affreca (Affraic; Affricam; Aufrica; The lordship of Galloway c. 1000 to c. 1250, 1988 p. 79; Early sources of Scottish history, 1922 p. 137.
Fergus' elder son, Gilbert (d. 1 Jan 1185),The Scots Peerage, n.d., Vol.2, p.422; ancestor of Earls of Carrick may have been a son from a previous relationship. Maxwell (1884), states that Uctred was his younger brother.[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false]
=== Occupation ===
Magnus himself launched the first of his two invasions, the campaigns of 1098-1099 and of 1102-1103. In the former campaign, he took control of the Western Isles of Scotland, and deposed King Lagmann of Man. (Incidentally, this campaign also brought him to Wales, where he killed the Earl of Chester and the Earl of Shrewsbury, who were at war with the Prince of Gwynedd). In this campaign, Magnus almost certainly brought Galloway under his control. Magnus, moreover, gained the recognition of these conquests from the then-king of Alba, Etgair mac Maíl Coluim.
Fergus was the resurrector of the Bishopric of Whithorn, the patron of new abbeys (e.g. Dundrennan Abbey). On 9 December 1125 Pope Honorius II wrote to the Bishop-elect of Whithorn, ordering him to appear before the Archbishop of York. The would-be Bishop was a cleric called Gille Aldan (Gille Aldain), and the Archbishop was Thurstan. York had been coming under increasing pressure from the ambitions of Canterbury, and the northern English metropolitan had only two suffragans (Durham and Man). He needed three in fact to hold proper Archiepiscopal elections. It is likely that York and Fergus did a deal.
When Henry died in late 1135, Fergus’ relationship with the English kings crumbled, and David I of Scotland came to power. At this point Fergus is mentioned in contemporary sources.
In summer 1136, David I was in attendance at the consecration of Bishop John’s cathedral in Glasgow. Here was a big gathering of Scottish and Norman nobles. Fergus is recorded as having been in attendance too (with his son Uchtred), leading a list of southwestern Gaelic nobility.
He is first mentioned on 7 July 1136 when he was a witness to a charter by Kind David granting lands in Perdeyc or Partick to the church of Glasgow.The Scots Peerage, n.d. Vol.4, p.135; Reg. Epis. Glasguensis, 9
In 1157, Máel Coluim’s position in southern Scotland was weakened by King Henry II. It was probably this blow to Máel Coluim’s power that gave Fergus his chance to reassert his independence. The Chronicle of Holyrood reports that Máel Coluim led three campaigns against Fergus in 1160.
In 1153, King David died and was succeeded by the boy-king, Máel Coluim IV. Fergus initially seems to have had a good relationship with the new King. In 1156, Fergus captured and handed over Máel Coluim’s rival Domnall mac Maíl Choluim, the MacHeth pretender to the Kingdom of the Scots.
=== End of Life ===
Fergus’ later years were mired by the squabbling of his two sons. Perhaps his longevity was testing his sons’ patience. Walter Daniel reported that, in relation to the mid-1150s, Fergus was:
:“… incensed against his sons, and the sons raging against the father and each other … The King of Scotland could not subdue, nor the bishop pacify their mutual hatreds, rancour and tyranny. Sons were against father, father against sons, brother against brother, daily polluting the unhappy little land with bloodshed.”Daniel, W. (n.d.). "Life of Ailred," 45-6; Oram, p. 78-9.
=== Death ===
Whether because of Gille Brigte and Uchtred, or royal invasions into Galloway by Mael Coluim IV, Fergus resigned his lordship, becoming a monk at Holyrood Abbey in 1160. He died the following year in 1161
Fergus retired into Holyrood Abbey and died there on 12 May 1161.[http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/49360][http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/person/244/] (on the other hand, he might have died as a Monk on 12 May 1166 at Holyrood Abbey).
Note. Ancestral Roots states in Line 121B-26 that Fergus died in Holyrood Abbey in 1161 or 1166. Holyrood (or Holy Rude) Abbey was founded in 1128 (as the Augustinian Priory of the Holy Rude) at the order of King David I of Scotland. It was the site of many royal coronations and royal marriages. The roof of the abbey collapsed in the 18th century leaving it as it currently stands, a ruin.
:‘King Malcolm three times led an army into Galloway’Scottish Chronicle known as the Chronicle of Holyrood, 1938
: "Fergus prince of Galloway took the canonical habit in the church of Holyrood in Edinburgh, and gave to (the canons) the vill that is called Dunrod"
He became a legend after his death, although his actual life is clouded in mystery.
=== Descendants ===
Fergus was grandfather of Godred II, king of Man.
== Sources ==
*Ancestral Roots F.L. Weis 8th ed. 2004 Line 38-24
*Ancestral Roots F.L. Weis 8th ed. 2004 Line 121B-26
*Ancestral Roots F.L. Weis 8th ed. 2004 Line 121C-26
: See also:
* ''Medieval Lands'', database online, (accessed 31 March 2015), Charles Cawley and Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, [http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#_Toc359672002 Fergus, Lord of Galloway]
* Anderson, A.O., (1922). ''Early sources of Scottish history: a.d. 500 to 1286'', (pp. 137). N.p.
* Anderson, M.O. & Anderson, A.O. (1938). ''A Scottish Chronicle known as the Chronicle of Holyrood.'' Scottish History Society, 30(3). Edinburgh.
* [http://www.rampantscotland.com/clans/blclanmacdowall.htm ''History of the name MacDougall'']
* "Clan MacDougal," (n.d.). [http://www.clanmacdougall.co.uk/history.php www.clanmacdougall.co.uk] the link does not work [[Dellinger-332|Dellinger-332]] 17:08, 18 October 2015 (EDT)
* G.E. Cokayne, G.E., Gibbs, V., Doubleday, H.A., White, G.H., Warrand, D. & Walden, H. (2000). ''The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant'', (Vol. III, pp.55). Gloucester, UK: Alan Sutton Publishing.
* MacDowell, F. H., (n.d.). ''Origins of Prince Fergus'', [http://members.tripod.com/leomcdowell/id23.htm]
* Maxwell, H.E. (1884). "The Logan charter: Charter by Uchtred, son of Fergus, Lord of Galloway c. A.D. 1166", Archæological and Historical Collections Relating to Ayrshire & Galloway,(Vol.4, pp.56). Ayrshire and Galloway Archaeological Association. [https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books].
* Oram, R.D. (n.d.) ODNB, xix, 339-40; [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/49360 ''Fergus, lord of Galloway''], Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
* Oram, R.D. (1988). ''The lordship of Galloway'', c. 1000 to c. 1250, (pp.79). PhD thesis, University of St Andrews.
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p459.htm#i4585 ''The Peerage'']
* Paul, J.B. (n.d.) ''The Scots Peerage'', (Vol 2; Vol.4). N.p.
* [http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/person/244/ ''Fergus of Galloway - People of Medieval Scotland, no. 244'']
* Weir, A. (1999). ''Britain's Royal Family: A Complete Genealogy'', (pp.49). London: The Bodley Head.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fergus_of_Galloway ''Wikipedia: Fergus of Galloway''] (citing: Anderson, A. O. (1908). Scottish Annals from English Chroniclers A.D. 500 to 1286, pp.159. London: David Nutt[http://books.google.com/books?id=WMZ_AYkrTWEC]; Guillaume le Clerc, Fergus of Galloway, tr. D.D.R. Owen. London, 1991; McDonald, R.A. (2003). Outlaws of Medieval Scotland: Challenges to the Canmore Kings, 1058-1266. East Linton; Oram, R. (2000). The Lordship of Galloway, Edinburgh; Owen, D.D.R., (1997). The Reign of William the Lion: Kingship and Culture, 1143-1214. East Linton).
* Note: Wikipedia's citations and parentheticals are unclear as of 19 Aug 2015
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_de_Fergus ''Wikipedia: Roman de Fergus'']
* [http://db.poms.ac.uk/search/search?basic_search_type=people&query=fergus+lord+of+galloway&ordering=&years=1093-1314&show_all=fal ''People of Medieval Scotland'' - search]
}
== Biography ==
Fergus of Galloway was King, or Lord, of Galloway from an unknown date (probably in the 1110s), until his death in 1161. He was the founder of Galloway, probably in the space left when the Norwegian King Magnus III Berrføtt ("Barelegs") led a campaign of subjugation in the Irish Sea world.[[Wikipedia: Fergus of Galloway]]
Fergus was almost certainly a native Galwegian his likely power base was the area of Galloway between the rivers Dee and Cree. It may have been after his marriage that Fergus began calling himself rex Galwitensium ("King of Galloway"). However, while his possible father-in-law lived, Fergus, like King David I of Scotland), seems to have remained a faithful "vassal" to Henry.
=== Titles ===
Fergus, Lord of Galloway gained the title of Lord of Galloway.Cokayne, Gibbs, Doubleday, White, Warrand & Walden, 2000
=== Parents ===
Unknown[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false].Fergus' parents are UNKNOWN (Maxwell, 1884). Various pedigrees try to invent his lineage. For example: he's been linked to: [http://www.geni.com/people/Dolphin-Maldred-Prince-of-Scotland/6000000007394875218?through=6000000000769891469 Dolphin], brother of Maldred Dunkeld. He is also linked to [http://www.geni.com/people/Gospatrick/6000000012754955149?through=6000000000769891469 Patrick de Home, of the Hirsell and Greenlaw].
=== Marriage and Issue ===
Fergus married Joan or Elizabeth.[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false] illegitimate daughter of Henry I of EnglandWeir, 1999, p.49; Maxwell (1884) states that Elizabeth (Father: Henry I of England) was married to Fergus, and mother of Uchtred[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false] There are disputes about her, including an unproven idea that she was Fergus' mistress before marriage. Hoveden and Benedict Abbas both refer to their eldest son, Uchtred, as a cousin or relative of Henry II.They had 2 children:
* Uchtred (d. 22 Sep 1174 murdered by brother, Gilbert).[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false][http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#UchtredGallowaydied1174]
* Affreca m. Óláf Godredsson (d.1153), King of Man[http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#AufricaGallowayMOlavMan]The Scots Peerage, n.d., Vol.4, p.136; alias: Affreca (Affraic; Affricam; Aufrica; The lordship of Galloway c. 1000 to c. 1250, 1988 p. 79; Early sources of Scottish history, 1922 p. 137.
Fergus' elder son, Gilbert (d. 1 Jan 1185),The Scots Peerage, n.d., Vol.2, p.422; ancestor of Earls of Carrick may have been a son from a previous relationship. Maxwell (1884), states that Uctred was his younger brother.[https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false]
=== Occupation ===
Magnus himself launched the first of his two invasions, the campaigns of 1098-1099 and of 1102-1103. In the former campaign, he took control of the Western Isles of Scotland, and deposed King Lagmann of Man. (Incidentally, this campaign also brought him to Wales, where he killed the Earl of Chester and the Earl of Shrewsbury, who were at war with the Prince of Gwynedd). In this campaign, Magnus almost certainly brought Galloway under his control. Magnus, moreover, gained the recognition of these conquests from the then-king of Alba, Etgair mac Maíl Coluim.
Fergus was the resurrector of the Bishopric of Whithorn, the patron of new abbeys (e.g. Dundrennan Abbey). On 9 December 1125 Pope Honorius II wrote to the Bishop-elect of Whithorn, ordering him to appear before the Archbishop of York. The would-be Bishop was a cleric called Gille Aldan (Gille Aldain), and the Archbishop was Thurstan. York had been coming under increasing pressure from the ambitions of Canterbury, and the northern English metropolitan had only two suffragans (Durham and Man). He needed three in fact to hold proper Archiepiscopal elections. It is likely that York and Fergus did a deal.
When Henry died in late 1135, Fergus’ relationship with the English kings crumbled, and David I of Scotland came to power. At this point Fergus is mentioned in contemporary sources.
In summer 1136, David I was in attendance at the consecration of Bishop John’s cathedral in Glasgow. Here was a big gathering of Scottish and Norman nobles. Fergus is recorded as having been in attendance too (with his son Uchtred), leading a list of southwestern Gaelic nobility.
He is first mentioned on 7 July 1136 when he was a witness to a charter by Kind David granting lands in Perdeyc or Partick to the church of Glasgow.The Scots Peerage, n.d. Vol.4, p.135; Reg. Epis. Glasguensis, 9
In 1157, Máel Coluim’s position in southern Scotland was weakened by King Henry II. It was probably this blow to Máel Coluim’s power that gave Fergus his chance to reassert his independence. The Chronicle of Holyrood reports that Máel Coluim led three campaigns against Fergus in 1160.
In 1153, King David died and was succeeded by the boy-king, Máel Coluim IV. Fergus initially seems to have had a good relationship with the new King. In 1156, Fergus captured and handed over Máel Coluim’s rival Domnall mac Maíl Choluim, the MacHeth pretender to the Kingdom of the Scots.
=== End of Life ===
Fergus’ later years were mired by the squabbling of his two sons. Perhaps his longevity was testing his sons’ patience. Walter Daniel reported that, in relation to the mid-1150s, Fergus was:
:“… incensed against his sons, and the sons raging against the father and each other … The King of Scotland could not subdue, nor the bishop pacify their mutual hatreds, rancour and tyranny. Sons were against father, father against sons, brother against brother, daily polluting the unhappy little land with bloodshed.”Daniel, W. (n.d.). "Life of Ailred," 45-6; Oram, p. 78-9.
=== Death ===
Whether because of Gille Brigte and Uchtred, or royal invasions into Galloway by Mael Coluim IV, Fergus resigned his lordship, becoming a monk at Holyrood Abbey in 1160. He died the following year in 1161
Fergus retired into Holyrood Abbey and died there on 12 May 1161.[http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/49360][http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/person/244/] (on the other hand, he might have died as a Monk on 12 May 1166 at Holyrood Abbey).
Note. Ancestral Roots states in Line 121B-26 that Fergus died in Holyrood Abbey in 1161 or 1166. Holyrood (or Holy Rude) Abbey was founded in 1128 (as the Augustinian Priory of the Holy Rude) at the order of King David I of Scotland. It was the site of many royal coronations and royal marriages. The roof of the abbey collapsed in the 18th century leaving it as it currently stands, a ruin.
:‘King Malcolm three times led an army into Galloway’Scottish Chronicle known as the Chronicle of Holyrood, 1938
: "Fergus prince of Galloway took the canonical habit in the church of Holyrood in Edinburgh, and gave to (the canons) the vill that is called Dunrod"
He became a legend after his death, although his actual life is clouded in mystery.
=== Descendants ===
Fergus was grandfather of Godred II, king of Man.
== Sources ==
*Ancestral Roots F.L. Weis 8th ed. 2004 Line 38-24
*Ancestral Roots F.L. Weis 8th ed. 2004 Line 121B-26
*Ancestral Roots F.L. Weis 8th ed. 2004 Line 121C-26
: See also:
* ''Medieval Lands'', database online, (accessed 31 March 2015), Charles Cawley and Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, [http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#_Toc359672002 Fergus, Lord of Galloway]
* Anderson, A.O., (1922). ''Early sources of Scottish history: a.d. 500 to 1286'', (pp. 137). N.p.
* Anderson, M.O. & Anderson, A.O. (1938). ''A Scottish Chronicle known as the Chronicle of Holyrood.'' Scottish History Society, 30(3). Edinburgh.
* [http://www.rampantscotland.com/clans/blclanmacdowall.htm ''History of the name MacDougall'']
* "Clan MacDougal," (n.d.). [http://www.clanmacdougall.co.uk/history.php www.clanmacdougall.co.uk] the link does not work [[Dellinger-332|Dellinger-332]] 17:08, 18 October 2015 (EDT)
* G.E. Cokayne, G.E., Gibbs, V., Doubleday, H.A., White, G.H., Warrand, D. & Walden, H. (2000). ''The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant'', (Vol. III, pp.55). Gloucester, UK: Alan Sutton Publishing.
* MacDowell, F. H., (n.d.). ''Origins of Prince Fergus'', [http://members.tripod.com/leomcdowell/id23.htm]
* Maxwell, H.E. (1884). "The Logan charter: Charter by Uchtred, son of Fergus, Lord of Galloway c. A.D. 1166", Archæological and Historical Collections Relating to Ayrshire & Galloway,(Vol.4, pp.56). Ayrshire and Galloway Archaeological Association. [https://books.google.com/books?id=rnLvAAAAMAAJ&dq=fergus%20of%20galloway&pg=PA56#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books].
* Oram, R.D. (n.d.) ODNB, xix, 339-40; [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/49360 ''Fergus, lord of Galloway''], Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
* Oram, R.D. (1988). ''The lordship of Galloway'', c. 1000 to c. 1250, (pp.79). PhD thesis, University of St Andrews.
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p459.htm#i4585 ''The Peerage'']
* Paul, J.B. (n.d.) ''The Scots Peerage'', (Vol 2; Vol.4). N.p.
* [http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/person/244/ ''Fergus of Galloway - People of Medieval Scotland, no. 244'']
* Weir, A. (1999). ''Britain's Royal Family: A Complete Genealogy'', (pp.49). London: The Bodley Head.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fergus_of_Galloway ''Wikipedia: Fergus of Galloway''] (citing: Anderson, A. O. (1908). Scottish Annals from English Chroniclers A.D. 500 to 1286, pp.159. London: David Nutt[http://books.google.com/books?id=WMZ_AYkrTWEC]; Guillaume le Clerc, Fergus of Galloway, tr. D.D.R. Owen. London, 1991; McDonald, R.A. (2003). Outlaws of Medieval Scotland: Challenges to the Canmore Kings, 1058-1266. East Linton; Oram, R. (2000). The Lordship of Galloway, Edinburgh; Owen, D.D.R., (1997). The Reign of William the Lion: Kingship and Culture, 1143-1214. East Linton).
* Note: Wikipedia's citations and parentheticals are unclear as of 19 Aug 2015
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_de_Fergus ''Wikipedia: Roman de Fergus'']
* [http://db.poms.ac.uk/search/search?basic_search_type=people&query=fergus+lord+of+galloway&ordering=&years=1093-1314&show_all=fal ''People of Medieval Scotland'' - search]
}
Events
| Birth | 1078 | Carrick, Ayrshire, Scotland | |||
| Marriage | 1100 | Carrick, Ayrshire, Scotland - Elizabeth "Isabel" FitzHenry | |||
| Death | 12 May 1161 | Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh, Edinburghshire, Scotland | |||
| Reference No | 1196703 | ||||
| Reference No | |||||
| Reference No | 60 |
Families
| Child | Uchtred Galloway (1118 - 1174) |
| Spouse | Elizabeth "Isabel" FitzHenry (1095 - ) |
| Child | Queen Affrica Galloway (1115 - 1166) |
| Child | Gilbert "Lord of Galloway, Gille Brigte (Gillebride)" Galloway (1126 - 1185) |
| Father | Unnamed Father of Galloway (1025 - ) |