Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl

Walter Stewart ( * ca 1360, † March 26, 1437 in Edinburgh ) was a son of Robert II, King of Scotland, and his second wife Euphemia de Ross, Countess of Moray. He was raised in 1404 for the 1st Earl of Atholl. Walter was also Earl of Strathearn and Caithness.

Life

Walter held the office of Great Counsel of Scotland. He married his first wife about 1378 to Margaret Barclay († 1404), daughter and heiress of David Barclay, Lord of Brechin. With her he had two sons:

• Alexander ( † 1431), 4th Earl of Caithness
• David ( † ca 1437), Master of Atholl

1390 renounced his niece Euphemia, the daughter of his brother David, his favor as Countess of Caithness. The Earl married a second time about 1404 to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Graham.

Walter was half-brother of the Scottish king Robert III. and uncle of King James I. The legitimacy of the first marriage of his father and their descendants was partially doubted. Walter, who came from the undoubtedly legitimate second marriage Robert II, therefore throne claims deduced for themselves. As part of a conspiracy he eventually murdered his nephew, King James I, on 20 February 1437th

Walter Stewart was subsequently sentenced to death and in a - very brutal manner over a period of three days in Edinburgh tortured literally to death - even for that time.