Ferteth was the son of his predecessor
Malise I, and wife Rosabella of Forteith. His name likely derives from the Gaelic
Fer Téid, "
Teith Man". He first appears in history in 1160, when he came to the Parliament at
Perth. On this occasion he, with the help of five other earls, besieged King
Malcolm in
Perth Castle. The reason for this is not clear, but it may have been a protest against Malcolm's friendship with
Henry II of England, which they believed might lead to Scotland becoming an English
vassal. The king and the earls were later reconciled, and Earl Ferteth was not punished for his actions. Ferteth took a great interest in ecclesiastical affairs, and it was largely due to his influence that Strathearn was made a separate diocese, headed by the
Bishops of Dunblane. He died in 1171, having married a woman named Ethen, of unknown parentage. Ferteth and Ethen had two sons and a daughter: •
Gille-Brigte (Gilbert) • Malise, who held Muthil, Ogilvy, Kincardine, Rossie and other lands in Perthshire, and married Ada, illegitimate daughter of
David, Earl of Huntingdon • Christian, who married Sir
Walter Olifard,
Justiciar of Lothian and son of Sir
David Olifard. ==Bibliography==