The province of Moray's importance as part of the kingdom of Scotland was demonstrated during the years of major warfare between 1296 and 1340. The province was relatively untouched by direct fighting and Royal-led English armies penetrated Moray on only three occasions in 1296, 1303 and 1335, and significant English occupation occurred only in 1296–97. This security meant that it was a vital refuge and recruitment ground for the Scottish guardians between 1297 and 1303, and provided
Robert I of Scotland with a base and allies during his northern campaign against the Comyns and their allies in 1307–08. The province was forced to submit to
Edward I of England in 1303 and Robert I of Scotland therefore clearly recognized the significance of Moray for the security of his realm. In 1312 Robert I re-established the
Earldom of Moray for his nephew,
Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray. The new earldom included all of the old province and the crown lands of the
Laich or coastal area of Moray. Thomas's son John Randolph was killed in 1346, leaving no heir and the other noble families including the Comyns, Strathbogies and Morays had all disappeared from or left the province by between 1300 and 1350. With the absence of noble leaders, power fell to lesser figures who functioned in kin-based groups such as the
Clan Donnachaidh of Atholl and the
Chattan Confederation, which centred on Badenoch. This drew in lords and men from outside of the province, from further south such as the
Dunbars and Stewarts who staked their claims. In 1372, the Earldom of Moray was divided between them with John Dunbar receiving the coastal districts and Alexander Stewart, favourite son of
Robert II of Scotland being made lord of Badenoch in the uplands. The most recent creation was in favour of another
James Stewart, the illegitimate son of
King James V. Other Scottish titles associated with this creation are:
Lord Abernethy and Strathearn (created 1562),
Lord Doune (1581) and
Lord St Colme (1611). Furthermore, Lord Moray holds the title
Baron Stuart (1796), of Castle Stuart in the County of Inverness; since it is in the
Peerage of Great Britain, it entitled the Earls of Moray to sit in the
House of Lords before the passage of the
Peerage Act 1963. Perhaps the most well-known Earl of Moray was
James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray, the husband of
Elizabeth Stewart, 2nd Countess of Moray, who held the earldom
jure uxoris (by right of his wife), as he was the subject of a famous ballad, "
The Bonny Earl O'Moray". He was also a direct male-line descendant of King
Robert II. The family seats are Doune Lodge, near
Doune,
Stirling and
Darnaway Castle, near
Forres,
Moray. ==Mormaers of Moray==