John Comyn III of Badenoch

John Comyn
Bornc. 1274[1]
Died10 February 1306
Greyfriars, Dumfries, Scotland
Cause of deathStabbing
Other namesRed Comyn
Years active1296–1306
OfficeGuardian of Scotland
SpouseJoan de Valence
ChildrenJohn Comyn IV
Elizabeth, Baroness Talbot
Joan, Countess of Atholl[2]
Parent(s)John Comyn II
Eleanor Balliol
RelativesKing John Balliol (uncle)
John Comyn, Earl of Buchan (cousin)
FamilyClan Comyn of Badenoch
Guardian of Scotland
In office
12981304
Serving with
Preceded byWilliam Wallace
Succeeded byJohn of Brittany (appointed by Edward I of England)
Military service
Battles/warsScottish Independence War
Battle of Dunbar (1296)
Battle of Roslin (1303)
Edward I's Flemish campaign

John Comyn III of Badenoch, nicknamed the Red (c. 1274 – 10 February 1306), was a leading Scottish baron and magnate who played an important role in the First War of Scottish Independence. He served as Guardian of Scotland after the forced abdication of his uncle, King John Balliol (r.1292–1296), in 1296, and for a time commanded the defence of Scotland against English attacks. Comyn was stabbed to death by Robert the Bruce before the altar at the church of the Greyfriars at Dumfries.

His father, John Comyn II, known as the Black Comyn, had been one of the competitors for the Crown of Scotland, claiming his descent from King Donald III. His mother was Eleanor Balliol, sister of King John Balliol. He had, moreover, links with the royal house of England: in the early 1290s, he married Joan de Valence, cousin of King Edward I.

  1. ^ "John Comyn was about the same age as Robert Bruce." Barrow 2005, p. 188
  2. ^ Young 2004.