Robert Stewart
(1st Duke of Albany)

c.1340 - 1419

Regent of Scotland. Son of King Robert II (1316-90), and brother of King Robert III (c.1340 - 1406) and Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Badenoch (1343 - 1405). As Prime Minister, he held significant power even while his older brother was on the throne, and was created Duke of Albany in 1398. To maintain his power, Stewart murdered his nephew, the Duke of Rothesay, who was heir to the throne and was appointed Regent on his brother's death (1406). Conveniently, the young King James I (1394 - 1437) was captured by the English in the same year, and unsurprisingly Stewart made no attempt to secure James' release. Stewart ruled until his own death through a combination of cunning, negotiation and ruthlessness.

He died at Stirling Castle and is buried at Dunfermline Abbey.

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