History of The Comyn Clan
by Sir William Gordon Cumming, Bart
Chief of Clan Cumming
Our Clan has a very famous history in Britain that extends well over 900 years. The known progenitor of the name in Britain was one Robert de Comines from Flanders. He was a well to do knight who took up arms with William of Normandy, fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 where the English Army under King Harald was defeated. He was appointed Earl of Northumberland by William in 1068 to subdue the North of England to the Norman cause. By the year 1100, the name had changed probably phonetically, to Comyn or Cumin and along with other powerful "Norman" families under King David I such as Baliol and de Brus, possessed large properties in both England and Scotland. In 1133, William Cumin was made Chancellor to the King. His son Richard obtained lands in Scotland and was made Chief Justiciary. One David was engaged to be "Magnatis Scotiae" and maintain peace with England. He married Isabel, daughter of Robert de Valloines, who died in 1234. David died in 1249. His son John was taken prisoner in 1296 by the English and held for one year along with his brother Edmund. They were fined three years value of their estates by Edward I. In 1305, King Robert I granted lands at Formartine in Aberdeenshire to Mary, Edmund's widow. We now return to William Comyn, Great Justiciary and Earl of Buchan, born in 1163 and progenitor of all the great families of Scotland. He died in 1233, leaving three sons and four daughters. His son Richard succeeded him as chief of that name, and died 1249. His son John who became Earl of Angus died in 1242. Richard Comyn's younger brother Walter, Earl of Menteith, was Guardian and Regent of Scotland. In 1230, he acquired the vast territory of Badenoch from King Alexander II, and became the most influential man in Scotland. Following the death of the king, he insisted on the coronation of the young prince as King of Scotland against the wishes of Henry III of England. Next in line was John, 3d son of the Great Justiciar, Walter. Entitled Sir John Comyn of Kirkintulloch. He owned vast possessions in Galloway, Liddesdale, and Nithsdale. In 1264, John Comyn, Robert Bruce and John Baliol led a body of troops to assist Henry III of England against his rebellious English barons. He built Blair Castle in Perthshire and was Lord of Strathbolgie. He died in 1273, leaving 4 sons and 4 daughters, the youngest being Robert, progenitor of the House of Altyre. John swore fealty to Edward I in 1292 and became a competitor to the Scottish Throne in 1292, withdrawing in favor of John Baliol his brother-in-law. He retired from public life in 1299 after the degradation of Baliol, to his castle at Lochindorb. In that year, his son John, called the Red Comyn, and who was a nephew of Baliol was caught by Edward I and imprisoned along with many other nobles. They were persuaded to accompany Edward I to France leaving behind their families as surety for their support of the English King's war with France. While absent from their homes, William Wallace rose to clear Scotland of foreigners. In support of him was Sir John Comyn of Badenoch (Younger) who was made regent by Wallace who styled himself Governor of Scotland. On February 24th 1302, along with Simon Fraser he defeated three divisions of the English army at Roslin. In 1303 he was defeated by Edward I at Stirling and, suing for peace, was exonerated and fined three years rent of his estates. He was ordered to leave the country. This last directive was never enforced because of his family connections with the English hierarchy. Wallace refused to submit to their terms and went to France to wait his opportunity to return and fight Edward. Both Bruce and Comyn then talked of power sharing and of bringing back Wallace to fight for freedom from Edward's rule. John Comyn agreed to forfeit all claims to the throne in favor of Bruce in exchange for land and position of power. The agreement to be kept secret from Edward, until the time was right to strike. It is said that Comyn betrayed that trust and that was why he was murdered by Bruce on February I0th, 1306. More likely, it was his wife whose brother, the Earl of Pembroke, closest of advisors to Edward, was the culprit and betrayed the secret. That above all, lust for power was the cause of the murder there is little doubt. An independent Scottish nation was merely an adjunct. These families were Catholic by birth and speaking a French based language. The indigenous Scots were merely vassals to be used as seen fit by the all powerful "Norman" barons. When King Robert Bruce created the province of Moray into an Earldom for his nephew Randolph, the wars and discords between the families was never ending. The dispossessed Comyns strove to maintain their ancient rights at every step of the way. At this time the family departed the scene of national politics not to return until 1840 when Charles Lennox Cumming, brother of Sir William Gordon Cumming, became M.P. for Elgin and Nairn until 1968. In 1402, Sir Alexander Comyn of Altyre married Euffame Dunbar, daughter of the Earl of Moray, Ifis son, Thomas, married Margaret, daughter of Sir Patrick Gordon of Haddo, progenitor of the Earl of Aberdeen. In 1460, Sir Thomas Comyn succeeded his father as Baron of Altyre. He also redeemed the Barony of Dallas from William Hay of Lochloy. In 1478, he had a charter from one James de 'Uffeville for the Forest of Drunimynd. This family name is now unknown in Moray but they held considerable lands in the 15th and 16th centuries, namely Sanquhar, Whiteraw, Newton, Chapeltown, Pluscarden, etc. Sir Thomas built a small castle at Dallas and Eamside, the architect being Cochrane who built Cawdor, Kitravock and Spynie. In 1662, Robert Curnine of Altyre was summoned by the Lords of the Privy Council as Chief of his name to find caution for his whole family and name under penalty of 2000 merks Scots money, not to commit any acts contrary to the Acts of Parliament, namely murder, deforcement of messengers, rape, theft, fire raising, etc. In 1686, Alexander Cuming succeeded his father and was by all accounts a model landlord. In 1773, Alexander's only surviving son married Helen Grant, eldest daughter of the Earl of Findiater and Seafield and had sixteen children. He inherited Gordonstoun and Dallas formerly a Comyn property. His son William, the 11th child of that marriage, inherited the Estates in 1806. He married Eliza Maria Campbell, granddaughter of John, Duke of Argyll, by whom he had thirteen children. His son Alexander Penrose became his heir and third Baronet of Altyre and Gordonstoun. He married Anne Pitcairn Campbell. They had three sons and one daughter. William his eldest son inherited in 1866 married and had three sons and two daughters. An officer in the Scots Fusilier Guards, he fought in campaigns in Africa and Egypt. He died in 1929 and was succeeded by his eldest son Alexander Penrose, born 1893, who married and had one son and two daughters. He died in 1939, and was succeeded by his son William, the 6th Baronet, and 29th Chief of that name.
The three Comyn Earls of Buchan were, William, Alexander and John. John's wife, Isabel, exercised her family's long right to crown the Kings of Scots, a couple of days after Bruce's first formal installation at Scone. On March 27, 1306, she kept that tradition, in direct opposition to her husband's position in Scotland. Captured by the Scots opposed to Bruce's ascension to the crown, she was imprisoned by King Edward I in a cage for her treasonous behavior. Her husband, John, whom she never saw again, lost the military and political struggle with Bruce, in Buchan, 1308, and left Scotland to die in England. His Scottish lands were awarded to his two nieces and amongst other supporters of Bruce. Other Comyns, in addition to the Altyre line, did survive. For example, agreeing to support Bruce and to change their surname spared a branch at Auchmacoy near Ellon. They chose Buchan who became an illustrious name and they still occupy Auchmacoy. Among other Comyn lines are those of Culter and Relugas.
William Cumin (Comyn) was the founder of the Cumming family in Scotland. The family is of Norman origin, possibly from a "cathedral town(s) such as Bayeux and Rouen." William served Henry I as a clerk in his Chancery. He was a protégé of Geoffry Rufus who became Chancellor of England in 1123 under Henry I.
William moved to Scotland where he became a landowner and was appointed Chancellor of Scotland in 1136. In 1138 he participated in David I's invasion of northern England and was captured at the Battle of the Standard. William gained the Bishopric of Durham in 1141 and held it until 1144 when he was forced to relinquish it. At the same time he was consolidating his power in Scotland he still maintained strong ties to England, and in 1155 he returned there to become the archdeacon of Worcester.
William's nephew Richard became the next head of the Comyn family in Scotland. He was an important landowner who had the king's ear. He was a witness to at least 6 charters of Malcolm IV and 33 of William the Lion. He was appointed to the office of Justiciar of Lothan. This office is that of the leading judicial officer of the crown in the area appointed to. Richard married Hextilda, the daughter of Uhtred and grad-daughter of Donald Ban. Donald ban was the son of Duncan I, king of Scotland. This marriage was to lead to John Comyn's later claim to the throne of Scotland and thus to the feud with the Bruce's which led to the Comyn's demise. The Cummings family began to spread over Scotland. They received grants of land in Walwick, Thornton, Staincroft, Henshawe, West Linton, Peeblesshire, Bedrule and Scraesburgh.
While Richard had built the family fortunes to a point where the Comyn's were one of the most important and powerful families in Scotland, it was under his son William, that the Comyn family climbed to the heights of power. Like his father, William was an important counselor to the king. In 1190 he was the sheriff of Forfar. In 1199, he, the Abbott of Arbroath, and William Giffard were sent by the King to England where they were to arrangements for and safe conduct for the Kings visit to King John. In 1205 he was appointed the Justiciar of Scotland. William played an important part in the treaty of peace between William the Lion and King John of England.
In 1211-1212 William was in charge of putting down a rebellion led by Guthred MacWilliam. Macwilliam had landed in Ross and raised a rebel army. A royal army of 4,000 under William Comyns defeated and captured Macwilliam.
It was in 1212 that William married Marjorie. She was the daughter and the heiress of Fergus, the Earl of Buchan. This was the most important of many 'political' marriages for the Comyns. It added the earldom of Buchan to their powerbase and led to more land and the loyalty of other families including the Bonehiles, Ridels, Umphravilles, Grahms, Mowats, Boscos, Pauntans, Prats, Sinclairs, and the Wardrobas.
There were now three branches of the Comyn family, the Badenoch Comyns, the Buchan Comyns and the Kilbride Comyns. All were tied together through blood and marriage. Their first loyalty was to the Comyn family. They controlled the earldoms of Menteith, Buchan and for a time, Angus. They had a strong influence over the earldoms of Ross, Mar and Atholl. And they also held the "lordships of Badenoch, Lochaler, Kirkintilloch, Lenzie, Machan, East Kilbride, Bedrule, Scraesburgh, Tasset and Thornton". They owned land in Buchan, Kirkintillich, Lenzie, Machan, West Linton, Bedrule, Dalswinton, Tynedale, Slains, Cruden, Fechil, Tarves, Old Meldrum, Rattray, Stricker, Deer, and Turniff amongst others. William was not only the chief advisor to the Scotish King but was the head of the most powerful extended family in Scotland. It was no wonder that the head of the Comyn family was also the top advisor to the king of Scotland.
Succeeding William as the head of the family, was Walter Comyn.
For a number of years peace reigned in Scotland and the Comyns were able to maintain their power and influence. But this power also brought them many enemies. In the mid-thirteenth century two families, the Durwards and the Bassets, challenged the Comyns for power in Scotland. The reason for this partially successful challenge was the youth of Alexander III. Being young and inexperienced he needed the advice of his nobles more so then an older king might have. Often these nobles were able to influence him in the direction of their own personal interests. In 1255 Alan Durward was able to gain the ear of the king and become his chief advisor.
The Comyns struck back in 1257. At first they tried to regain their power through the influence of Henry III of England. Failing here and fearing that their power and influence was slipping away more and more, they decided to strike back while they could. They did so by kidnapping the king of Scotland, Alexander III. They felt that by keeping him isolated from the Durwards and the Bissets they could regain their position of influence. Basically the Comyns were not trying to control the kings movements or power, but were trying to keep the Durwards and Bissets away from him. While the king was in their 'power' they did not force him to do their bidding for he made some decisions that were against the interests of the Comyns.
This went on into 1258 at which time Henry III arranged a compromise between the Comyns and the Durwards. Later that year Walter Comyn died as a result of a fall from his horse. His nephew, John Comyn, succeeded him.
The next 2 1/2 decades were one of peace and stability. Scotland under Alexander III prospered. The Comyns were able to regain their position as the most powerful family in Scotland. Their influence was spread throughout the country, but their strongholds were in the north.
The beginning of the end for the Comyn family began on the dark stormy night of March 18, 1286. It was on that night that Alexander III decided that he wanted to spend the night with his French bride of 6 months. Because the trip to her present residence required a trip on a dark and stormy night Alexander's aides advised him to wait till morning. He refused and during his trip rode off a cliff to his death. This untimely death left the throne of Scotland to his only direct heir, his 3-year-old granddaughter, Margaret the maid of Norway.
This caused a political crisis in Scotland. Many nobles did not look favorably on a long rule by a guardianship, which would then result in a queen for Scotland. They favored a strong male king immediately. While this dispute went on, a guardianship ruled Scotland. In 1290, Margaret left Norway for Scotland. She never reached Scotland for she died on the way. This left Scotland without an undisputed heir to the throne.
Three candidates quickly came forward, John Balliol, Robert Bruce and John Comyn.The fight for the throne came down to two of the claimants, John Balliol and Robert Bruce. While he did not deny his claim, John 'the Competitor' Comyn threw his support behind John Balliol. This was done for a number of reasons. The main one was that John Balliol was John Comyns brother-in-law. His gaining the throne would still leave the Comyn family in their position of power. The Red Comyn also knew that if John Balliol died without child, he could still put forward his claim to the throne.
John Balliol was crowned on November 17, 1292. His reign was a troubled one, one that was marked by troubles with the English. The Comyns, both for their self-interests and for Scotland, supported John Balliol. In return they were rewarded with additional lands and titles. More importantly, they were able to remain as the most powerful family in Scotland. John Comyn earl of Buchan beame the chief advisor of the King. The Bruces refused to acknowledge or serve the king. They turned towards the English for help.
The English, or to be more exact, Edward I, had much influence over Scotland. Two Englishmen performed the coronation ceremony. King John was forced to pay homage to Edward by "recognizing that Edward was his soverign lord and that his homage was in respect of the entire kingdom of Scotland". It wasn't only King John that paid homage to Edward I. Most of the Scotish nobles hadland in England. These nobles had feudal obligations both to the English and the Scot king.
The Comyns were no exception. They also had land in England and the same obligations, but in their case there was probably more to it. Edward I was interested in the Comyn family because of their power in Scotland. He knew that any attempt to impose his will in, or an invasion of, Scotland could face strong opposition by the Comyns. The strength of the Comyn family, their many members, castles, and allies made them a formidable enemy. Mutual respect and self-interest kept Edward and the Comyns interested in each other. An example of how the relations were maintained is that in 1292 Edward gave John Comyn earl of Buchan the forests of Durris, Cowie, and Aberdeen. He also gave permission for the marriage of his (Edward I's) cousins daughter, Joan De Valence, to John Comyn of Badenbach.
John Balliol proved to be a weak king. This weakness was exacerbated by the strength and ruthlessness of Edward I. Edward was intent on controlling Scotland and was not adverse to publicly humiliating King John in his attempts to control Scotland and it’s king. After a number of incidents between the two countries war broke out in 1296.
The English invaded Scotland and defeated the Scots at the siege of Dunbar. Over 10,000 Scotsmen were killed. The Comyns were among the nobles that fought Edward at Dunbar. Interestingly, the Bruce’s did not participate in the defense of Scotland but instead paid homage to Edward. This victory forced Scotland to sue for peace, with King John "resigning his kingdom to the English King and having his coat of royal arms stripped from his tabard in public, humiliating circumstances". He then fled to France. King Edward I received fealty from numerous Scottish nobles and knights.
English rule proved harsh. A number of Scottish nobles were forced to remove to England. Some, including the earl of Ross and Andrew Moray (both Comyns allies) were even sent to the London Tower as hostages. Both the harshness of English rule and the desire of the Scots nobles to regain power led to a revolt against the English in 1297. Both the Comyns and the Bruces joined this revolt. The Bruces had been on Edwards side at the start of this war but the younger Bruce later joined the revolt. This may have been due to the fact that Edward had shown no inclination to put Bruce on the throne.
This revolt began to succeed under the leadership of William Wallace. Early victories by Wallace forced Edward to return to Scotland in force. He defeated Wallace at the battle of Falkirk. It was at Falkirk that the Comyns were accused of deserting Wallace.
"This accusation (by Bruce and his supporters) of treachery sits rather oddly with Fordun’s recognition that Robert Bruce earl of Carrick fought on the English side at Falkirk, and was the means of bringing about this victory. It also sits slightly oddly with the Comyn’s long-held support both of the customs and liberties of Scotland and John Balliol’s kingship (to which Wallace also keenly adhered)."
After Wallace resigned the Guardianship in 1298, Robert Bruce and John Comyn were given joint Guardianship. Bruce later resigned this post and once again made peace with Edward. In 1302 Robert Bruce married Elizabeth de Burg, the daughter of one of Edward’s closest allies.
In 1303 John ‘the Red’ Comyn defeated an English army at the battle of Roslyn.
"John Comyn and Simon, with their abettors, hearing of their (English army) arrival at Roslyn and wishing to steal a march rather then have one stolen upon them, came briskly through from Biggar to Roslyn, in one night, with some chosen men, who chose rather death before unworthy subjection to the English nation; and all of a sudden they fearlessly fell upon the enemy."
Edward responded by invading the northern part of Scotland, which was the Comyns stronghold. At this point things began to fall apart for the Scots. Their ally France made peace with the English without making mention of Scotland in the treaty. A number of prominent nobles made peace with Edward, including Bruce, and a number of Comyn allies such as the Macdougalls, Alexander de Abernethy and William earl of Ross. With the English army cutting through the Comyn land and their allies making peace, the Comyns decided that they too had to make their peace with Edward. The Comyns were lucky in that Edward allowed them to retain much of their property and titles.
The search for a new king continued. A deal was made between Robert Bruce and John ‘the Red’ Comyn. It was agreed that the Comyns would receive all of the Bruce land fir their supporting Robert’s claim to the throne.
In 1306 a meeting was arranged between Robert Bruce and ‘the Red’ Comyn. They were to meet at the Greyfriars church in Dumfries. Scottish tradition states that Bruce had learned that John Comyn was going to break his word. English tradition holds that the murder was premeditated and that Bruce had plotted with his two brothers to kill the "Red". It will probably never be known for sure as to why the killing occurred. At this meeting an argument broke out and Robert Bruce stabbed John ‘the Red’ Comyn to death. This left the Comyn family leaderless and opened the way for Bruce to have himself crowned king, which he quickly.
With their enemy Robert ’the’ Bruce crowned king, the Comyns had no choice but to side with Edward and England. This was the only way they would retain their position of power in Scotland. Unfortunately for the Comyns, Bruce would defeat them and the English at the battle of Bannockburn. Here would fall the major leaders of the Comyn family. Bruce was then able to take over the Comyn’s land and divide it among his followers. The Comyns were forced to flee Scotland. Most settled in England.
The charges of treachery against the Comyns were overblown. They came about because the ones that wrote the history of the era were the winners, the Bruces. It was in their interest to paint the Comyns as traitors. This would also deflect any critical view of the Bruces. Both the Comyns and the Bruces fought on both sides at different times. They both put the interests of the family first and acted accordingly.