Sir Alexander SETON, 1st Earl of Huntly, Lord of Gordon and Badenoch

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• FamilySearch ID: 9JJ1-XWN
• Name: Alexander Gordon
• Name: Alexander Seton
• Occupation: ; 1st Earl of Huntly
• Title of Nobility: 1439, Strathbogie, Banffshire, Scotland; Lord
• TitleOfNobility: 1439, Strathbogie, Banffshire, Scotland; Lord
• Title of Nobility: 1449, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; 1st Earl of Huntley
• TitleOfNobility: 1449, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; 1st Earl of Huntley

Notes:

LifeSketch
Sir Alexander Seton, eldest son of sir Alexander Seton and Elizabeth Gordon, succeeded his father before 3 April 1441.

He is mentioned on record in 1427 and 1438 in connection with his first marriage. It was probably he who in 1435 was one of the Scottish gentlemen who attended the Princess Margaret of Scotland on her voyage to France to marry the Dauphin. The Chronicler describes him as 'Master of Gordon.'

He is styled Alexander of Seton, Master of Gordon, Lord of Tullibody, when, on 20 February 1439-40, he stood up in a General council at Edinburgh and protested that none of the writs made by his mother or grandfather should prejudice himself. But in a charter three days later, 23 February 1439-40, relating to the same matter, he is designed sir Alexander Seton of Tullibody, and heir of Elizabeth Gordon, late lady of that Ilk, when he confirmed an excambion made between the deceased Sir William Keith and Margaret Fraser (his grandparents) and the deceased William Lindsay, Lord of Byres, of certain lands in exchange for Dunottar.

On 3 April 1441 Sir Alexander Seton resigned his lands in the King's hands and received a charter to himself and Elizabeth [Crichton], his spouse, of the lordships of Gordon, co. Berwidk, and Strathbogie, co. Aberdeen, the lands of Aboyne, Glentanner, and Glenmuick, all in Aberdeenshire, with Panbride in co. Forfar, to be possessed by Sir Alexander in liferent, and by George of Seton their son in fee, and the lawful Heirs-male of his body.

The lands of Aboyne, Glentanner, Glenmuick, and Panbride had belonged to his mother, through his grandmother, Elizabeth Keith, 'Lady of Aboyne,' and a dispute arose between Sir Alexander and his kinsman Sir William Keith, the Marischal of Scotland. The parties and their friends met at Cluny on 1 August 1442, where an amicable arrangement was come to, and Seton bound himself to fulfil a contract (date not stated) formerly made between his father, his mother, and himself on one side, and Sir William Keith and his wife Mary on the other side.

About the same period, or in 1444, he made a friendly arrangement with James Forbes, younger of that Ilk, as to certain lands. He also had a grant for life of the barony of Kinedward from Alexander, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles.

Sir Alexander Seton was, in or about 1445, raised to the Peerage as EARL OF HUNTLY. This honour was conferred on him some time between 30 October 1444 and July 1445. Bower states positively that he was created Earl of Huntly in 1445, without naming the exact date, but it may have been in the June Parliament of that year, as on 3 July he witnesses a charter to James, Lord Hamilton where he appears as the latest Earl, after Moray and Ormond, created in the same year. ...

During the next few years he appears as taking part in local affairs, and in January 1449-50 he had another charter of the same lands and baronies as before to himself and his heirs by Elizabeth his Countess. ... Later he attended at court, and seems to have lent money to the King. Perhaps as a reward for such services, he received a charter, on 28 April 1451, of the lordship of Badenoch and Castle of Ruthven, which refute the statement that they were granted for his conduct at the battle of Brechin. This conflict took place in the following year ... The parties met at Brechin, where a fierce conflict ensued in which Huntly was victorious, though he lost many men and two of his brothers. ... In 1454, notwithstanding the defeat of a party of his followers at Dunkinty, Huntly regained the upper hand, and the Douglas faction in the North were entirely overcome.

He seems to have changed the family name from Seton to Gordon about this time. In a remission to him and his son on 7 March 1456-57, the latter is styled George Seton. But in the following writ, George and his brothers are named Gordons.

In 1458, the Earl and his Countess again resigned their lands, the earldom of Huntly, comprehending Strathbogie, Aboyne, Glentanner, and Glenmuick in Aberdeenshir, the lordship of Badenoch in Inverness, Enzie in Banffshire, Gordon and Huntly in Berwickshire; and on 15 March 1457-58, King James II regranted the lands to the Earl for his lifetime, with remainder to George de Gordon, his son, and the Lawful heirs-male of his body; whom failing, to Alexander de Gordon, brother-german of George, and his lawful heirs-male; whom failing to William de Gordon, brother of Alexander, and his lawful heirs-male; whom failing to the lawful heirs-male of the body of the Earl; whom all failing, to the true, lawful, and nearest heirs of the said George de Gordon whomsoever.

After this the Earl does not appear often on record. ...

According to Ferrerius, the Earl died at Huntly on 15 july 1470, and was buried in the cathedral church of Elgin.

(1) The first Earl of Huntly married, on or about 8 January 1426-27, Egidia, daughter and heiress of John Hay of Tullibody. On that day, King James I granted to Alexander Seton and Egidia Hay, whom he shall marry, the barony of Tullibody, the forests of Boyne and Enzie, and barony of Kilsaurle, with the lands of Kinmundy in the barony of Kinedward.

The marriage was annulled some years later, it is said, at the instance of Sir William Chrichton, afterwards chancellor, though he was not actually Chancellor when the separation took place, before 26 November 1438, when Egidia Hay granted to her 'cousin' Sir Alexander Seton the lands of Tullibody, but came into office in the following April or May.

(2) Seton married, secondly, the Chancellor's daughter, Elizabeth Crichton, and on 18 March 1439-40 the spouses had a charter limiting the entail of the estates to their children only, with remainder (in case of a divorce) to Alexander's heirs whomsoever. Elizabeth Crichton survived her husband, and was alive in 1471. It is said by Ferrerius that she died 9 July 1479.

The first Earl of Huntly had issue:

1. Alexander Seton, son of the first marriage, who inherited his mother's estates ...

2. George, second Earl of Huntly.
3. Sir Alexander of Midmar, afterwards of Abergeldie. ...
4. Adam, Dean of Caithness, who had several natural sons, and a daughter ...
5. William, named after Alexander, and described a brother of Alexander in the charter ...
6. Margaret, contracted, before 9 November 1457, to Nicholas, second Earl of Erroll, but for some reason, perhaps her death, the marriage did not take place.
7. Elizabeth, married (contract dated 15 November 1461) to the above-named Nicholas, second Earl of Erroll, who died in 1470. she married, secondly, before 12 July 1471, John, Lord Kennedy, having issue to both husbands.
8. Christian, married, before 8 July 1468, to William, Lord Forbes.
9. Catherine, contracted on 30 September 1461, to marry Archibald, eldest son of George, Earl of Angus. He was then a boy about twelve years old. The marriage, however, did not take place.

The Earl had also two daughters, whose mother is said to have been a Cumming of Altyre, known as the 'Fair Maid of Moray,' and described as his fourth [third] wife, but his second wife survived him.

1. Janet, married to James Innes of that Ilk. She died about 1470 or before 1473.
2. Margaret, married, 26 June 1484, to Hew Rose, sixth Laird of Kilravock, and died about 1506.

Source: THE SCOTS PEERAGE, ed. by Sir James Balfour Paul, Vol IV, Edinburgh, 1906, pp. 521-26

Alexander married Elizabeth CRICHTON on 18 Mar 1440 in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Elizabeth (daughter of William CRICHTON, 1st Lord Crichton and Margaret Agnes MAITLAND) was born in 1410 in Crichton, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; died on 9 Jun 1479 in Strathbogie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; was buried in Jun 1479 in Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sir George GORDON, Of Huntly was born on 1 Jan 1430 in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom; died on 30 Jan 1502 in Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland; was buried in 1503 in Chancel of the Abbey of Cambuskenneth Church, Cambuskenneth, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
2. Alexander GORDON, of Huntly - 1st of Midmar, Auchindown, Tulloch and Abergeldie was born in 1432 in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; died in Jan 1504 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
3. Lord William GORDON, of Gight was born in 1439 in Huntly Castle, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; died on 9 Sep 1513 in Northumberland, England; was buried in Cambuskenneth, Stirling, Scotland.
4. Catherine Janet SETON, of Huntly was born in 1440 in Perth Hir, Monmouthshire, Wales; died in 1482 in Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire, England.
5. Robert CRICHTON, Lord of Sanquhard was born in 1440 in Sanquhar, Dumfries-Shire, Scotland; died in 1495 in Barmuck, Ty, Elgin, Moray, Scotland.
6. Christian GORDON, of Huntly, latterly of Forbes was born in 1442 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; died on 17 Apr 1500 in Cupar, Fife, Scotland; was buried in 1500 in Dysart, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom.

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• FamilySearch ID: LTYF-DNQ

Alexander married Eliza Bardil GORDON, Heiress of Gordon. Eliza was born in 1384 in Huntly, , Aberdeenshire, Scotland; died on 16 Mar 1438 in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; was buried on 16 Mar 1438 in St Nicholas Churchyard, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• FamilySearch ID: GJSD-QWD
• _UID: DC185E86E22C427A81C9D7E0F7243BF3EC16

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• FamilySearch ID: GC4H-MF7
• Title (Nobility): ; Sir Knight
• Name: William de Wyntoun
• Name: William Gordon
• Title (Nobility): 1371; 1st Lord Seton

Notes:

When Sir William De Seton was born in 1343, in Seton, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, his father, Sir Alan De Wynton of Seton, was 52 and his mother, Margaret Seton Heiress Of Seton, was 26.
He had at least 3 sons and 3 daughters with Lady Janet Fleming 'Baroness of Seton'.
He died in 1410, in Haddington, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, at the age of 67.
[Above added 2021 by Robert P Campbell]
William Seton (died 1410), born William de Wyntoun, was a 14th? 15th-century noble.
William was the eldest son of Alan de Wyntoun and Margaret Seton, heiress of Seton. William adopted the name and arms of Seton, succeeding to the estates of his mother and was created the Lord Seton in 1371.
He married Janet, the daughter of David Fleming of Biggar & Cumbernauld, they are known to have had the following issue:
John Seton, 2nd Lord Seton, married Katherine, daughter of William St Clair of Hermandston, had issue.
Alexander Seton, married Elizabeth Gordon, heiress of Adam de Gordon, Lord of Gordon, had issue.
Margaret
Marion
Jean
Catherine
William Seton purchased the wardship of Elizabeth Gordon, Heiress of Gordon from Walter de Haliburton of Dirleton on 7 March 1408 for a liferent of 50 merks from the barony of Tranent.
Originally Elizabeth had been betrothed to his eldest son John, however he declined, Elizabeth was then betrothed to William's younger son, Alexander who by this time had been released by the English, after being captured with Prince James of Scotland while traveling aboard Maryenknyght, while en route to France.
--Wikipedia

William married Lady Janet FLEMING, Baroness Of Seton in 1370 in Seton, Haddingtonshire, Scotland. Janet (daughter of Sir David FLEMING, of Biggar and Jean BARCLAY) was born in 1351 in Biggar, South Lanarkshire, Scotland; died in 1430 in Seton, East Lothian, Scotland; was buried in Seton Collegiate Churchyard, Tranent, East Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• FamilySearch ID: L1Q2-SSY
• TitleOfNobility: ; Baroness Seton
• Name: Janet Fleming
• Name: Jonet

Notes:

About Lady Janet Fleming, Baroness of Seton
Children of Janet Fleming and Sir William de Seton

Sir Alexander Seton+1 d. bt 31 Aug 1440 - 3 Apr 1441
John Seton b: 1370 in Seton, East Lothian, Scotland d c 1434
Marion Seton
Janet de Seton1
Anna de Seton1
From SETON.

Sir William Seton of that Ilk, of Winton, and Tranent in East Lothian, and of Winchburgh, West Lothian, had by his wife, Katherine, daughter of Sir William Sinclair of Herdmanstoun, two sons. The elder, Sir John Seton of that Ilk, was ancestor of the Earls of Winton, attainted 1716, of tlie Earls of Dunfermline, Lords of F3 r vie and Urquhart, attainted 1690, and of the Viscounts Kingston, attainted 1715. The second son was the ancestor of the Setons of Strath-bogie and of the Garioch (p. 112).

Sir Alexander Seton married, circa 1408, Elizabeth de Gordon, heiress of Gordon, and became Lord Gordon, and their sons were Alexander, first Earl of Huntly ; William, first Seton of Meldruni ; and Henry, killed along with his brother William in the battle of Brechin (1452).

Citations

[S37] Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003), volume 1, page 1285. Hereinafter cited as Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.
Links

http://www.thepeerage.com/p2983.htm#i29830
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ancestorsearch&id=I1454

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• FamilySearch ID: GLTP-TZ9

Alan married Margaret SETON. Margaret was born in 1317 in Seton, , East Lothian, Scotland; died in 1347 in , , , Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• FamilySearch ID: GPLB-9Y4

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• FamilySearch ID: KCWM-JZX

David married Jean BARCLAY. Jean was born about 1340 in Scotland; died before 1380 in Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• FamilySearch ID: K4T5-MPV