William Stewart of Baldorran | |
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![]() Arms of the Albany Stewarts
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Born |
William Stewart c1440 Scotland |
Died | c1500 Scotland |
Occupation | Royal Bailie of the Crown Lands of Balquhidder |
Spouse(s) | Janet Buchanan Marion Helen Campbell |
Children | Janet Stewart (born c1475) Agnes Stewart (born c1477) Walter Stewart (born c1480) John Stewart (born c1485) Mariote Stewart, (born c1490) |
Parent(s) |
James "Beg" Stewart (c.1410–1470) Annabel Buchanan |
Sir William Stewart (c.1440–c.1500), 2nd Laird of Baldorran, 1st Royal Bailie of the Crown lands of Balquhidder, was a fifteenth-century Scottish landowner, and founder of the Balquhidder Stewart clan. He was the grandson of James Mhor Stewart who launched a failed bid for the Crown of Scotland in 1429.
William Stewart was born in around 1440, the son of James "Beg" Stewart (c.1410–1470) and Annabel Buchanan, daughter of Patrick, 14th Lord of Buchanan,
His grandfather was James Mhor Stewart, the only son of Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, to survive the persecution of King James I of Scotland in 1425. Albany was executed by James for treason in 1425 along with his eldest sons, and his estates forfeited. James Mhor Stewart fled to Antrim, Ireland to escape the King's vengeance. His youngest son James "Beg" Stewart was able to secure a royal pardon and return to Scotland, where he married Annabel Buchanan, daughter of Patrick, 14th Lord of Buchanan, and was granted the estate of Baldorran. William Stewart was their second son.
In or around 1488 William Stewart of Baldorran was appointed Royal Bailie of the Crown Lands of Balquhidder. A baillie (alternative spelling bailie, from Old French) was a local civic officer in Scottish burghs, approximately equivalent to the post of alderman or magistrate (see bailiff) in other countries. They were responsible for a jurisdiction called a bailiary (alt. bailiery). Scottish barons often appointed a Baillie as their judicial officer.
William brought the Stewart name to Balquhidder and was the founder of the Balquhidder Stewart clan. The Stewarts of Ardvorlich, Glen Buckie, Gartnafuaran and Annat and their cadet families are all descended from him.