17. Sir Thomas ERSKINE of ALLOA and DUN (Robert , William , John , John , John , Henry de ) was born circa 1340. He died circa 1404.
In 1354 a "son and heir" of Robert Erskine was proposed as a hostage for the return of King David II and upon the king's release he was again a hostage and was under the care of John de Coupland on 2 Oct. 1357.
In 1365 Thomas married Mary DOUGLAS heiress of William DOUGLAS the Knight of Liddesdale. Mary died in childbirth and there was some question as to whether the child was born dead or alive. Thomas claimed the liferent of his wife's estate based on the fact that the child lived while James Douglas the next heir claimed the estate on the grounds that the child was stillborn and the two of them wanted to settle the matter by personal combat. The duel was to take place at Edinburgh in the presence of the King. Just before the battle they were knighted, James Douglas by Sir Archibald Douglas "the Grim", and Thomas by his father. They fought for a short time before being separated by the king's command. The matter was finally settled and Thomas accepted a sum of money as payment for his right to the estate.
Before 1371 Thomas was keeper of Edinburgh castle and Sheriff of Edinburgh. In 1371 he was in favour of the Act of Succession which supported the Earl of Carrick. He had an annuity of £53/6/8 from the customs of Linlithgow and £100 from the customs of Aberdeen.
Thomas had a charter from Robert II of the barony of Dun near Montrose in Forfarshire 8 Nov. 1376.
Thomas was frequently a witness to royal charters which indicates his attendance at court and on 27 Jan. 1398/9 when David, Duke of Rothsay was made Lt. General of the Kingdom Thomas was one of the people appointed to be his special advisors.
By his second marriage with Janet KEITH, daughter and heiress of Sir Edward KEITH, of Syntoun, and great grand-daughter of GRATNEY, 11th Earl of Mar, he laid the foundation of the succession on the part of his descendants to the Earldom of Mar and Lordship of Garioch.
On 22 Nov. 1393 Robert III granted to Thomas that although Isabella Douglas, Countess of Mar might make an agreement with anyone to resign the earldom of Mar to which Thomas' wife is entitled the royal consent would not be given and these agreements would be considered null and void.
On 2 Feb. 1392/3 Thomas and his wife were granted a portable alter by Pope Clement VII.
Thomas was taken prisoner at Homildon Hill 14 Sept. 1402 and may have still been a prisoner at his death in 1403/4.Earls of Mar Pedigree writes:
"Thomas Erskine of that Ilk. Hostage for David II, 1357; ambassador to England; claimed his wife's life interest in Liddesdale; had ALLOA from Robert II, 8 nov 1376, + circa 1419."
He married, after Mary Douglas: "Janet or Johanna Barclay heiress of Dun, daughter of Sir David Barclay of Brechin & Dun, and Christian Menteith. In 1405, Domina Johanna was widow of Sir Thomas and mother of Robert de Erskyne; + 1416"
Thomas married (1) Mary DOUGLAS, daughter of Sir William DOUGLAS Knight of Liddesdale, circa 1365.
"Daughter and heiress of the Knight of Liddesdale;
dispensation for marriage from Pope Urban VI, 29 nov 1393;
a son died at birth, his father claimed in Liddesdale as his heir"
(from the Earls of Mar Pedigree)
Thomas also married (2) Janet KEITH, daughter of Sir Edward KEITH and Christian MENTEITH, circa 13 Apr 1370. Janet died in 1412/1413.
Widow of Sir David Barclay of Brechin.
But daughter of Sir David Barclay and Christian Menteith, according to the Earls of Mar Pedigree.
Thomas and Janet had the following children:
+ 24 M i Lord Robert ERSKINE Earl of Mar + 25 M ii Sir John ERSKINE of ALLOA and DUN 26 F iii Elizabeth ERSKINE of ALLOA and DUN 27 F iv Christian ERSKINE 28 F v Matilda ERSKINE
18. Nicholas ERSKINE of KINNALL (Robert , William , John , John , John , Henry de ) was born circa 1345. He died in 1406.
"Sir Nicholas de Erskine, in 1364 had a gift from the King of 6£ 13s 4d; had Kinnoul from his father, concerning which he granted a Charter, 22 Oct 1370."
"Hence the Erskines of Kinnoul"
(from the Earls of Mar pedigree)
-Married 1st Jean (Jane) Cameron of Balegarno (d. before Mar. 1382/3),
"Daughter and co-heiress of Sir John Cameron, of Balgarno, Co. Perth" (from the Earls of Mar pedigree)
-Married 2nd after 1402, Elizabeth Keith (m.1. Adam Gordon),
d. before Dec. 1406
Nicholas married Jean CAMERON.
They had the following children:
+ 29 M i William ERSKINE