GALLOWAY, Alan of b. Bef 1199 d. Feb 1234: Among Our Ancestors

Bef 1199 - 1234 (> 35 years)

Name	GALLOWAY, Alan of [1, 2]
Birth	Bef 1199
Gender	Male
Differentiator	He was a leading thirteenth-century Scottish magnate.[note 2] As the hereditary Lord of Galloway and Constable of Scotland, he was one of the most influential men in the Kingdom of Scotland and Irish Sea zone. Also an advisor to King John on the Magna Carta.
Royalty & Nobility	Between 1200 and 1234
	Lord of Galloway and Constable of Scotland
_MILT	Between 1200 and 1234
	Lord of Galloway. Alan was courted by the Scottish and English kings for his remarkable military might, and was noted in Norse saga-accounts as one of the greatest warriors of his time.
Magna Carta	1215
	Alan was an advisor of John, King of England concerning Magna Carta.
Web Address	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_of_Galloway
Web Address	https://poms.ac.uk/record/person/451/
Web Address	https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/a/alanofgalloway.html
Name	Alan fitz Roland
Burial	1234	Dundrennan, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland
	Dundrennan Abbey, a Cistercian religious house founded by his paternal great-grandfather
Death	Feb 1234
	Recorded in the Annals of Ulster, the Chronicle of Melrose, and the Chronicle of Lanercost
Origins
Person ID	I7253	My Genealogy
Last Modified	15 Jul 2024

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Family ID F1770 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 15 Jul 2024

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Burial - 1234 - Dundrennan, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland

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Connections to the Magna Carta (6)
Imagine finding out you're not just linked to a pivotal slice of history, but directly descended from both sides of it. That's my story. I'm a 25th great-grandchild of King John of England and also connected to 12 of the 25 barons who played a key role in the Magna Carta. This isn't just a chapter from a history book for me; it's a personal journey through my family's past.

Few documents have resonated through the ages like the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta emerged from a period of tumult and tyranny. King John, my ancestor, often remembered more for his vices than virtues, was at the heart of this drama. His reign, marked by military failures, exorbitant taxation, and disputes with the Church, set the stage for a historic standoff between the crown and its subjects.

Notes

Alan of Galloway, a prominent figure in the 13th century, was a Scottish magnate known for his significant influence in the Kingdom of Scotland and the Irish Sea zone. Born before 1199, Alan was the eldest son of Roland, Lord of Galloway, and Helen de Morville. His lineage connected him to the kings of England and the Isles, positioning him as a key player in the political landscape of his time.

Alan's rise to prominence began around 1200, following his father's death, when he inherited the lordship of Galloway and the prestigious position of Constable of Scotland. This role, passed down from the Morvilles through his mother, placed him in charge of leading the king's royal forces, a testament to his military prowess and leadership.

Throughout his career, Alan demonstrated a keen ability to navigate the complex political environment of the era. He was an advisor to King John of England concerning the Magna Carta and played a significant role in King Alexander II of Scotland's ambitions in northern England during the turbulent period following the repudiation of the Magna Carta.

Alan's influence extended beyond Scotland. He was actively involved in the English colonization of Ulster, receiving a substantial grant in the region from the English king. This move not only served English interests but also bolstered the security of the Scottish realm. His involvement in Ulster and the Isles, regions under nominal Norwegian authority, even provoked a significant military response from King Hákon Hákonarson of Norway, highlighting the extent of his influence.

As the ruler of the semi-autonomous Lordship of Galloway, Alan was a figure of considerable military might, courted by both Scottish and English kings. He was recognized in Norse saga-accounts as one of the greatest warriors of his time. His military and political acumen was evident in his ability to serve both his liege lords - the kings of England and Scotland - successfully, up until the political situation in England began to deteriorate with King John facing increasing baronial resistance.

Alan's involvement in the negotiations of the Magna Carta in 1215 further underscores his significance. His name appears among the twenty-seven advisors in the preamble of the charter, indicating his role in counseling the king regarding this landmark document.

Alan's death in 1234 marked the end of his dynasty's rule over Galloway. Under Celtic custom, his illegitimate son could have succeeded him, but feudal Scottish law dictated that his nearest heirs were his daughters. This led to the partition of the lordship amongst them, an event that Alexander II used to further integrate Galloway into the Scottish realm.

Alan of Galloway's legacy is that of a powerful lord who navigated the complex political waters of his time with skill and acumen. His contributions to the history of Scotland and the British Isles during a period of significant upheaval and change are still recognized today.

Sources

[S1801] Wikipedia, Record of Alan of Galloway.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_of_Galloway
[S1807] People of Medieval Scotland, Record of Alan, lord of Galloway (d.1234); PoMS, no. 451 (https://www.poms.ac.uk/record/person/451/; accessed 04 November 2018).
https://www.poms.ac.uk/record/person/451/