Buchan, William Comyn, earl of

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Buchan, William Comyn, earl of [S] (d. 1233). Comyn was justiciar [S]. By his first wife he was grandfather of the Red Comyn, and great-grandfather of the Red Comyn who was a competitor for the Scottish throne in 1291. His son Walter became earl of Menteith [S] and was one of the leaders of the powerful Comyn interest in the early years of Alexander III. His second marriage was to Margaret, countess of Buchan, in whose right he was recognized as earl. His son Alexander, by his second wife, was also justiciar 1251–5 and 1257–89. In 1200 Comyn was one of the noblemen sent by William the Lion to make friendly overtures to King John and in 1221 he was a witness to the marriage contract between Alexander II and John's daughter Joan. He was buried in the Cistercian abbey of Deer (Aberdeenshire), which he had founded.

J. A. Cannon

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Buchan, William Comyn, earl of

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