ERSKINE, Thomas of that Ilk, Sir ^{1 2 3 4}

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Thomas married Mary DOUGLAS heiress, daughter of Sir William DOUGLAS Knight of Liddesdale, "The Flower of Chivalry" and Unknown, about 1365.¹ (Mary DOUGLAS heiress was born about 1338.)

  Marriage Notes:

"His (Thomas Erskine's) first wife, the heiress of Dalkeith, of whom later, died at the birth of her first child, and there was a difference of opinion as to whether the child was born living or not. Erskine claimed the liferent of his wife's estate on the plea that the child lived, while James Douglas, the next heir, claimed the estates on the ground that the child died, and the parties resolved to decide the matter by personal combat. The duel was to take place at Edinburgh in presence of the King, and just before they entered the lists the parties were knighted, James Douglas by Sir Archibald Douglas, 'the Grim,' and Thomas Erskine by his own father. Then they fought, but were separated by the royal command and led out of the lists. No agreement could be effected, and they were again about to engage, when the King's influence prevailed and the matter was arranged. Sir Thomas Erskine accepted a sum of money in lieu of his rights, and Sir James Douglas obtained the estates in dispute." (page 597)

"Sir Thomas Erskine married, first, about 1365, Mary Douglas, only child and heiress of Sir William Douglas, known as the 'Knight of Liddesdale.' She died in childbed, and Sir Thomas was obliged to give up possession of her estates to the next heir." (page 598)

from Scots Peerage (vol 5) ¹

Thomas next married Janet KEITH, daughter of Sir Edward DE KEITH of Sinton, Marischal of Scotland and Christian MENTEITH heiress of the Earldom of Mar, by 13 April 1370.¹ (Janet KEITH was born about 1345 and died in 1413 ⁵.)

  Marriage Notes:

"Janet Keith or Barclay was married, secondly, before or about 13 April 1370, to Sir Thomas Erskine, younger of Erskine, son of the Sir Robert Erskine who was the second husband of her mother Christian Menteith or Keith. An instrument in the Panmure Charter-chest, dated 6 June 1437, testifies clearly that Janet Keith or Barclay, who has been divided into two distinct persons, was one and the same, widow of Sir David Barclay, and wife of Sir Thomas Erskine, whom she survived. Sir Thomas and she had issue, from whom descended the Erskines, Earls of Mar." (page 581)


"It was on 18 March 1390-91 that, during the sitting of Parliament, he (Thomas Erskine) made his famous protest to King Robert III. on behalf of his then wife, Dame Janet Keith or Barclay. The immediate cause of the protest was that Sir Thomas had learned that a contract had been made between Sir Malcolm Drummond, husband of Isabella, Countess of Mar, and Sir John Swinton, second husband of her mother, Margaret, Countess of Douglas and Mar, as to the earldom of Mar. He therefore required of the King that if any such contract were made in prejudice of his wife, who, failing the heirs of Countess Isabel, was the heiress of half the earldom, the royal confirmation should not be given to such agreement. The King allowed the request to be reasonable, and said he had no wish to prejudice the rights of Sir Thomas and his wife. On 22 November 1393 the King renewed his promise in a wider form, granting to Sir Thomas that although Isabella Douglas, Countess of Mar, because of information or agreement with any one, should be willing to resign the earldom or any part of it, or any lands elsewhere to which the heirs of Thomas ought to succeed, or to make resignations of the same to any one in prejudice of her true heirs, the royal consent or confirmation would not be given, or if given by mistake, should be null and void.

On 2 February 1392-93 Sir Thomas and his wife were granted a portable altar by Pope Clement VII." (pages 597 and 598)


"He (Thomas Erskine) married, secondly, before 13 April 1370, Janet Keith or Barclay, widow of Sir David Barclay of Brechin. It was on her account he protested in 1390-91, regarding the earldom of Mar, that one-half of the earldom of Mar and of the lordship of Garioch pertained to his wife in right of heritage. She is therefore the most important link between the ancient and the modern Earls of Mar ..." (pages 598 and 599)

from Scots Peerage (vol 5) ¹