Richard de Moravia | |
---|---|
Lord of Culbin and Skelbo | |
Died | c.1245 |
Buried | Dornoch Cathedral, Dornoch, Sutherland |
Residence | Skelbo Castle, Dornoch, Sutherland |
Noble family | Murray family |
Spouse(s) | Marjorie de Lascelles |
Issue |
Alexander William Malcolm Patrick. |
Richard de Moravia or Richard de Moray of Culbin or of Cubyn, [2] was a Scottish nobleman famed for his victory over the Vikings at the Battle of Embo which took place in Sutherland, Scotland in 1245. [3]
Richard was a son of Murdac (Muiredach), son of Alexander de Moravia. [4] This is proven in a charter from Abbot of Dunfermline, which identifies Richard as "Ric de Moravia fil Murdaci filii Alexandri de Moravia". [5]
He was also either the cousin, [6] [7] or nephew, [8] [7] of Hugh or Hugo de Moravia, also known as Hugh Freskin, [7] who was the first Lord of Sutherland and whose son was William de Moravia, 1st Earl of Sutherland (d.1284). [7] [6] Richard's brother was Gilbert de Moravia (d.1245) who was Bishop of Caithness. [2] [7] Gilbert is also known to have had an older brother John, and a younger brother, Simon. [9]
Richard de Moravia received from his elder brother, Gilbert, all of the lands that Gilbert had received from Hugo Freskyn, [2] (also recorded as Hugo de Moravia) and the charter was confirmed by Alexander II of Scotland. [2] Richard was also given Skelbo Castle by his brother Gilbert in 1235. [10] He also held lands at Kincorth, Kintessoch, Kildun, Ethder, Calder, Newton, Invershin, Ferrinbuscay and Assynt. [11] His wife Marjorie, brought lands at Naughton as part of her dowry. [11]
William, Earl of Sutherland asked Richard de Moravia to engage a party of Danes (Vikings) who had landed at Littleferry, Sutherland until the Earl could come to his aid with a stronger force. [12] The plan worked and the Danes were routed by the arrival of the Earl. [12] [6] However, Richard was killed during the battle. [12] The Earl then arranged for Richard's body to be interred in Dornoch Cathedral and his damaged sarcophagus can still be seen there today. [12] This was known as the Battle of Embo and took place in 1245. [3]
Richard de Moravia married Marjorie Lascelles, [13] widow of Peter Hay, she was the daughter and heiress of Alan de Lascelles. They had four sons: Sir Alexander, William, Sir Malcolm, and Sir Patrick. [14]
Their great-grandson Alan; [13] whose son was Reginald; whose son was Gilbert. [2] Gilbert married Eustachia, daughter of Kenneth de Moravia, 4th Earl of Sutherland. [2] Their son was Walter whose daughter and heiress was Egidia de Moravia who carried the estates of Cubyn (Culbin) and Skelbol (Skelbo) into the Kinnaird family. [2]
Richard de Moravia is also believed to have been the ancestor of the Murray of Aberscross family in Sutherland. [15] [16] [6] The surname de Moravia meaning "of Moray" or "of Murray". [17]
The Murrays of Culbin and Pulrossie were also descendants of Richard. [18] [19] The Murray of Culbin coat of arms is recorded as Sable, three stars argent. [1]
Quoting: Forman's MS, Lyon Office, c. 1566
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In the "Chartulary of Moray," Gilbert de Moravia is called son of Lord Duffus, who from the date is assumed to be William son of Freskin
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Morays of Aberscors
Richard de Moravia ancestor of Sutherland Murrays