Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan

Alexander Comyn, 2nd Earl Buchan
In office
1286–1289
Guardian of Scotland
Preceded byDonnchadh IV, Earl of Fife
Succeeded byJames Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland
Justiciar of Scotia
In office
1258–1289
Preceded byAlan Durward
Succeeded byAndreas de Moravia
Constable of Scotland
In office
1275–1289
Preceded byMarjory, Countess of Buchan
Succeeded byJohn Comyn, Earl of Buchan
Personal details
BornUnknown (circa 1218)
Buchan, Aberdeenshire
DiedUnknown (late 1289)
Northern Scotland
SpouseElizabeth de Quincy
ChildrenRoger, Marjorie, Elisabetha, William, Emma, John, Elena
Parent(s)William Comyn, Lord of Badenoch
Marjory, Countess of Buchan
OccupationSheriff, Baillie
Also served as Sheriff of Wigtown and Dingwall and Baillie of Inverie. Dates of rule unknown.

Alexander Comyn, 2nd Earl of Buchan (died 1289) was a Scoto-Norman magnate who was one of the most important figures in the 13th century Kingdom of Scotland. He was the son of William Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, and Marjory, Countess of Buchan, the heiress of the last native Scottish Mormaer of Buchan, Fergus. He was the chief counsellor of Alexander III, King of Alba (Scotland) for the entire period of the king's majority and as Scotland's leading magnate, played a key role in safeguarding the independence of the Scottish monarchy. During his long career, Alexander Comyn was Justiciar of Scotia (1258–1289), Constable of Scotland (1275–1289),[1] Sheriff of Wigtown (1263–1266), Sheriff of Dingwall (1264–1266), Baillie of Inverie (in Knoydart) and finally, Guardian of Scotland (1286–1289) during the first interregnum following the death of Alexander III. In 1284 he joined with other Scottish noblemen who acknowledged Margaret of Norway as the heiress to King Alexander.[2] He died sometime after 10 July 1289.

Alexander had at least nine children with his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Roger de Quincy, 2nd Earl of Winchester:

  1. ^ Foedera p. 228
  2. ^ Foedera, p. 228