Duke of Rothesay

The title Duke of Rothesay was the official title possessed by the Heir Apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Scotland. A separate Scottish throne has not existed since the Act of Union 1707 which merged the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England to form the Kingdom of Great Britain (later known as the United Kingdom after a further merger with the Kingdom of Ireland). The title is now held by the heir to the throne of the United Kingdom. It is the title mandated for use by the heir apparent when in Scotland, in preference of the English titles Duke of Cornwall (which also belongs to the eldest son of the monarch by right) and Prince of Wales (traditionally granted to the Heir Apparent of the United Kingdom). The Duke of Rothesay also holds other Scottish titles, including those of Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Lord High Steward.

History

David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay, the son of Robert III of Scotland, King of Scots, first held the dukedom from its creation in 1398. After his death, his brother James, later King James I, received the dukedom. Thereafter, the heir-apparent to the Scottish Crown held the dukedom; an Act of the Scottish Parliament passed in 1469 confirmed this pattern of succession.

Related Topics:
David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay - Robert III of Scotland - 1398 - James - 1469

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Earldom of Carrick existed as early as the twelfth century. In 1306, Robert the Bruce, Earl of Carrick, became King Robert I of Scotland, with the earldom merging in the Crown. In the following years, successive Kings of Scots created several heirs-apparent Earl of Carrick. The Act of 1469 finally settled the earldom on the eldest son of the Scottish monarch.

Related Topics:
Earldom of Carrick - 1306 - Robert I of Scotland - 1469

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Barony of Renfrew, another dignity held under the 1469 Act, had first come to an heir-apparent in 1404. In Scotland, barons hold feudal titles, not peerages: a Scottish lord of Parliament equates to an English or British baron. Some, however, claim that the Act of 1469 effectively elevated the Barony of Renfrew to the dignity of a peerage. Others suggest that the barony became a peerage upon the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Finally, some scholars argue that the uncertainty surrounding the text of the 1469 Act leaves the barony as a feudal dignity.

Related Topics:
Barony of Renfrew - 1404 - Peerage - Lord of Parliament - 1469 - 1603

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The office of Great Steward of Scotland (also called High Steward or Lord High Steward) dates back to its first holder, Walter FitzAlan, in the twelfth century. The seventh Great Steward, Robert, ascended the Scots throne as Robert II in 1371. Thereafter, only the heirs-apparent to the Crown held the office. The 1469 Act also deals with this.

Related Topics:
Great Steward of Scotland - Robert II - 1371 - 1469

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~