700th Anniversary

[Scotus]

Two days from now (Friday, February 10, 2006) will mark the 700th anniversary of the death of the John "the Red" Comyn, Lord of Badenoch; killed in the Franciscan church in Dumfries. Here is an excerpt from a page I wrote. It is a summery of information given in the sources listed below the paragraph.

"A meeting between John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, and Robert Bruce in the church of the Grey Friars, Dumfries, resulted in the murder of the Comyn chief on February 10, 1306. Why this all came about is a matter of dispute. Although John Comyn had the better claim to the throne than Robert Bruce, one account states that an agreement had been made whereby John would receive Bruce's Scottish lands in return for supporting Bruce's claim to the Scottish crown. In this account, the Red Comyn betrays Bruce to King Edward of England. It is much more likely that the plan was all Bruce's idea. He knew that he would have to gain the support of the Comyn chief if he wanted to assume the crown of Scotland. John Comyn agreed to meet with Bruce in the church to hear of this plan; however, he was outraged at the thought of betraying the English king by resuming war against him.1 No one is certain what really took place next at the high altar of the church, but both English and Scottish traditions support the theory that the murder took place in two stages. Robert Bruce stabbed the Red Comyn at the high altar of the Franciscan church in Dumfries and his companions are said to have finished the job.2 Sir Robert Comyn, uncle to the Comyn chief, while rushing to the defense of his nephew, was also killed. Bruce's coronation at Scone followed quickly upon the death of John Comyn. For his part in the murder, Robert Bruce was excommunicated by Pope Clement V; it was lifted by Pope John XXII, 1329."

1 Young, Alan. Robert the Bruce's Rivals: The Comyns, 1212-1314. 1997 (East Linton, Scotland: Tuckwell Press, 1998 ) 198.

2 Young, Alan. Robert the Bruce's Rivals: The Comyns, 1212-1314. 1997 (East Linton, Scotland: Tuckwell Press, 1998 ) 197.

R.I.P. John, Lord of Badenoch

[macwilkin]

Two days from now (Friday, February 10, 2006) will mark the 700th anniversary of the death of the John "the Red" Comyn, Lord of Badenoch; killed in the Franciscan church in Dumfries. Here is an excerpt from a page I wrote. It is a summery of information given in the sources listed below the paragraph.

"A meeting between John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, and Robert Bruce in the church of the Grey Friars, Dumfries, resulted in the murder of the Comyn chief on February 10, 1306. Why this all came about is a matter of dispute. Although John Comyn had the better claim to the throne than Robert Bruce, one account states that an agreement had been made whereby John would receive Bruce's Scottish lands in return for supporting Bruce's claim to the Scottish crown. In this account, the Red Comyn betrays Bruce to King Edward of England. It is much more likely that the plan was all Bruce's idea. He knew that he would have to gain the support of the Comyn chief if he wanted to assume the crown of Scotland. John Comyn agreed to meet with Bruce in the church to hear of this plan; however, he was outraged at the thought of betraying the English king by resuming war against him.1 No one is certain what really took place next at the high altar of the church, but both English and Scottish traditions support the theory that the murder took place in two stages. Robert Bruce stabbed the Red Comyn at the high altar of the Franciscan church in Dumfries and his companions are said to have finished the job.2 Sir Robert Comyn, uncle to the Comyn chief, while rushing to the defense of his nephew, was also killed. Bruce's coronation at Scone followed quickly upon the death of John Comyn. For his part in the murder, Robert Bruce was excommunicated by Pope Clement V; it was lifted by Pope John XXII, 1329."

1 Young, Alan. Robert the Bruce's Rivals: The Comyns, 1212-1314. 1997 (East Linton, Scotland: Tuckwell Press, 1998 ) 198.

2 Young, Alan. Robert the Bruce's Rivals: The Comyns, 1212-1314. 1997 (East Linton, Scotland: Tuckwell Press, 1998 ) 197.

R.I.P. John, Lord of Badenoch

May light perpetual shine upon him, the uncrowned King of Scotland!

Courage!

Todd

a proud member of the Clan Cumming/Comyn