John Comyn
Scottish noble (c. 1274–1306)
Who was John Comyn?
John Comyn lived from January 1, 1300 to February 10, 1306. 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. On the eve of the Wars of Independence, the Comyns were one of the dominant families of Scotland, with extensive landholdings in both the north and south of the country, and political influence and family connections with the crown. This Anglo-Norman family first made an appearance in Scotland during the reign of David I.
Career and public life
He served as Guardian of Scotland after the forced abdication of his uncle, King John Balliol 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. He had, moreover, links with the royal house of England: in the early 1290s, he married Joan de Valence, cousin of King Edward I. He served as Guardian of Scotland after the forced abdication of his uncle, King John Balliol, in 1296, and for a time commanded the defence of Scotland against English attacks.
Historical significance
John Comyn III of Badenoch, nicknamed the Red 1274 – 10 February 1306), was a leading Scottish baron and magnate who played an important role in the First War of Scottish Independence. John Comyn III of Badenoch, nicknamed the Red, was a leading Scottish baron and magnate who played an important role in the First War of Scottish Independence.