Uhtred of Galloway

Uchtred mac Fergus (c. 1120 – 22 September 1174) was Lord of Galloway from 1161 to 1174, ruling jointly with his half-brother Gille Brigte (Gilbert). They were sons of Fergus of Galloway; their mothers' names are unknown, but Uchtred may have been born to one of the many illegitimate daughters of Henry I of England, most likely Elizabeth Fitzroy.

Career

As a boy he was sent as a hostage to the court of King Malcolm IV of Scotland. When his father, Prince Fergus, died in 1161, Uchtred was made co-ruler of Galloway along with Gilla Brigte. They participated in the disastrous invasion of Northumberland under William I of Scotland in 1174. King William was captured, and the Galwegians rebelled, taking the opportunity to slaughter the Normans and English in their land. During this time Uchtred was brutally mutilated, blinded, castrated, and killed by his brother Gille Brigte and Gille Brigte's son, Máel Coluim. Gille Brigte then seized control of the whole of Galloway.

Marriage and children

Uchtred had married Gunhilda of Dunbar, daughter of Waltheof of Allerdale and they were the parents of Lochlann of Galloway (also known as Roland), Eve of Galloway, wife of Walter de Berkeley and Christina, wife of William de Brus, 3rd Lord of Annandale.

Sources

• Taylor, James. The Pictorial History of Scotland, 1859
• John of Fordun (chronicler)
• Roger of Hoveden (chronicler)

References

• McDonald, R. Andrew. Outlaws of Medieval Scotland, 2003 - Tuckwell Press. ISBN 1-86232-236-8 [McDonald, Outlaws of Medieval Scotland]