John de Soules

John de Soules (also: John de Soulis or John Soules, * 1250, † ca 1310/11 ) was a Scottish knight and Guardian of Scotland.

Life

Little is known about John de Soules and his life. He was the son of Nicholas de Soules, Lord of Liddesdale and Annora de Normanville. While the eldest son of William de Soules inherited the title, seems to have gotten John de Soules Roxburgh Castle. John de Soules banner consisted of six waagrerechten stripes, alternating black and silver, crossed by a black diagonal.

In John de Soules was appointed in 1301 to the Guardian of Scotland. Even though he had hitherto played no apparent prominent role in Scottish politics, it probably came credit, he was considered a staunch supporter of Scottish Independence and innerschottischen in the simmering dispute between the Comyns, the followers of the exiled last Scottish king John Balliol were, and Bruce, who wanted to win the crown of Scotland for himself, was regarded as a neutral figure. During his reign, he was one of the architects of the Auld Alliance with France and has actively sought the return of Balliol. In 1303 he resigned the regency, in order to break a diplomatic mission to France for a long time can. He was succeeded by John III. Comyn as sole Guardian of Scotland. About John de Soules life in the subsequent period is virtually nothing known and his death date is subject to some uncertainty.

Family

In some publications John de Soules is confused with his great- nephew of the same name, was also named Nicholas whose father and in 1291 was one of the claimants to the Scottish throne.

There is also the wife of John de Soules uncertainty. In some publications it is identified as Hawise FitzAlan, other than Margaret, daughter of Merleswain of Andross. Regardless of who he was married, seems to have John de Soules had only one daughter:

• Muriel (or Muriella ) ( † 1318 ), married to Richard Lovel, Lord Lovel