John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland | |
|---|---|
 Earl of Sutherland Coat of Arms | |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 1514 Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland, Scotland |
| Allegiance | Scotland |
| Relations | John Sutherland, 8th Earl of Sutherland (father) Elizabeth Sutherland, 10th Countess of Sutherland (sister) |
John Sutherland, [1] [2] (died 1514) was the 9th Earl of Sutherland and chief of the Clan Sutherland, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
He was the son of John Sutherland, 8th Earl of Sutherland. According to 19th-century historian William Fraser, his date of birth is uncertain and although the record of him being served heir to his father in 1509 was extant in 1630 (as per 17th-century historian Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet), [2] it was no longer extant. The history of the 9th Earl of Sutherland was overshadowed by the fact that he inherited his father's mental illness. His sister, Elizabeth, may have been older than him as at their father's death she had apparently been married for some time, as her eldest son was of marriageable age in 1518. [3] Sir Robert Gordon stated that John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland "was weak of judgement, deprived of natural witt and understanding, being able to governe neither himself nor others; bot his sister Lady Elizabeth Southerland (the wyff of Adam Gordon of Aboyn) was full of spirit and witt". [2] Adam Gordon was a younger son of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, chief of Clan Gordon.
Sir Robert Gordon also states that the Sutherland estate was controlled by Earl John's sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon, and so John was only earl in name for a few years. Gordon also stated that the earldom was administered by Crown officers for three years. Gordon goes on to say that Adam Gordon seeing Earl John's incapacity and that his wife Lady Elizabeth was the earl's sister, he began to prudently try and bring about a settlement of the estate upon himself, and that Alexander Sutherland, a son of the late 8th Earl of Sutherland, was a rival claimant. Gordon also stated that Adam Gordon arranged for his wife Elizabeth to cause herself heir to her father, the 8th Earl. [2]
Fraser stated that John, 9th Earl was served heir to his father on 24 July 1509 and on the following day Alexander Sutherland made a resignation of the earldom in favour of John and his sister Elizabeth. However, although John was served heir, he did not immediately complete his title by the feudal investiture of sasine, probably owing to his incapacity. As a result, the rents and expenditures of the Sutherland estates were administered by Andrew Stewart, Bishop of Caithness, who was then high treasurer and who also acted as chamberlain of Sutherland. It was not until December 1512 that possession of the earldom was given to John, at Dunrobin Castle, Patrick Baillie acting on his behalf. [3] Gordon indicates that this was done at the instance of Adam Gordon as it was necessary for him to carry out his subsequent process of idiotry against Earl John. [2] Consequently, Adam Gordon submitted his application, in his wife's name, to the Crown, and a commission was issued by the Chancery of James V of Scotland to William, Lord Ruthven, John, Lord Drummond, and others to act as sheriffs of Inverness, to deal with the service and execution of the breive of idiotry against Earl John. They were to hold their meetings at Perth in order to be free from local influences. The earl himself was examined, which according to Fraser shows that he was not a complete idiot, though he was probably of weak intelligence, but appeared to have understood the nature of the proceedings. He was asked by the jury who should succeed him, his heritage and possessions, failing lawful heirs of his own body. In reply he declared his sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon, and their children as his nearest heirs and immediate successors, and that he gave his full consent and agreement to this. [3]
John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland died about a month after the meeting at Perth and he was therefore succeeded by his sister, Elizabeth Sutherland, 10th Countess of Sutherland. [3] Her son with Adam Gordon was Alexander Gordon who succeeded as Master of Sutherland, [4] but not without resistance from Elizabeth's younger brother Alexander Sutherland who was eventually killed at the Battle of Alltachuilain in 1519. [4] Alexander Gordon's son John Gordon succeeded as John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland. [4]
Earl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia and is the premier earldom in the Peerage of Scotland. The earl or countess of Sutherland is also the chief of Clan Sutherland.
Clan Sutherland also known as House of Sutherland is a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional territory is the shire of Sutherland in the far north of Scotland. The chief of the clan was also the powerful Earl of Sutherland, however in the early 16th century this title passed through marriage to a younger son of the chief of Clan Gordon. The current chief is Alistair Sutherland who holds the title Earl of Sutherland.
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Kenneth de Moravia was the 4th Earl of Sutherland and chief of the Clan Sutherland, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
The Battle of Torran Dubh also known as the Battle of Torran-dow or the Battle of Torran Du was a Scottish clan battle that was fought in 1517 in Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands.
William de Moravia was the 5th Earl of Sutherland and chief of the Clan Sutherland, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands. William, 5th Earl of Sutherland was a loyal supporter of David II of Scotland in the wars against England.
William de Moravia was the 3rd Earl of Sutherland and chief of the Clan Sutherland, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
Robert Sutherland, was the 6th Earl of Sutherland and chief of the Clan Sutherland, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
John Sutherland, was the 7th Earl of Sutherland and chief of the Clan Sutherland, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
John Sutherland, was the 8th Earl of Sutherland and chief of the Clan Sutherland, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
The Battle of Alltachuilain (or Ald-Quhillin was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1518 or 1519 in the parish of Loth, county of Sutherland, Scotland. It was fought between factions of the Clan Sutherland in a dispute over the Earldom of Sutherland.
The Battle of Clynetradwell was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1590 in the county of Sutherland between the forces of Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland and George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness.
John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland (1525–1567) was a Scottish magnate. John Gordon supported the chief of his family, his cousin the Earl of Huntly against the Earl of Moray. After Huntly's defeat at Corrichie, he went into exile, and shortly after his return to Scotland he was murdered by a kinswoman.
Alexander Gordon, Master of Sutherland (c.1505-1530), Scottish magnate, made Earl of Sutherland in 1527.
The Murrays of Aberscross were a minor noble Scottish family who were seated at Aberscross Castle, in the county of Sutherland, Scotland. The Murrays in Sutherland are recorded specifically as a clan in two acts of the Scottish Parliament of the 16th century.
The Sutherlands of Kilphedder (Killipheder) were a minor noble Scottish family and a branch of the ancient Clan Sutherland, a Highland Scottish clan. They were seated at Killipheder, in the county of Sutherland, Scotland.
John Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver, was the eleventh chief of the ancient Clan Mackay, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
George Sinclair was a Scottish nobleman, the 5th Earl of Caithness and chief of the Clan Sinclair, a Scottish clan based in northern Scotland.
Elizabeth Sutherland, was the 10th Countess of Sutherland having succeeded to the Earldom of Sutherland after her brother John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland died in 1514.
Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland was a Scottish landowner.