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- Walter Fitz-Alan was the second son of Alan Fitz-Flaad. About 1136 he accompanied King David I of Scots to Scotland and served faithfully under him. As a reward for his loyalty David appointed Walter as Steward of the King of Scots. It was not until Walter's son that the title would be broadened to High Steward of Scotland. Walter was founder of Paisley Abbey, and he married Eschyna de Molle, daughter of Thomas de Londoniis. Her exact origins are unclear. Walter died in 1177 having retired to Melrose Abbey.
English Land Holdings
Walter was a minor English landholder. He held North Stoke, north of Arundel, in West Sussex, England, by way of a grant from his brother, William. There is reason to suspect that Walter also held Manhood, south of Chichester. He also held land at "Conelon" or "Couten", a place that possibly refers to Cound in Shropshire.
Walter's Arrival in Scotland
Walter appears to have arrived in Scotland in about 1136, during the reign of David I, King of Scots. Following King Henry of England's death in 1135, the Fitz-Alans evidently sided with David in his support of the contested English royal claims of Henry's daughter, Matilda. Certainly, both William and Walter witnessed acts of Matilda in 1141. In any event, the date of Walter's introduction into Scotland may be marked by the original part of the so-called "foundation charter" of Melrose Abbey, which records Walter as a witness.
Walter, along with several other Norman/Breton lords including Robert de Brus, were enticed to Scotland by significant land grants by King David. As a result of their tenure in high office, and their dominating regional influence, these provincial lords were equal to the native Scottish earls in all but rank.
The commonality of surnames between Renfrewshire and Shropshire indicate that it is likely that Walter enticed many lesser families to move with him from Shropshire and settle in Renfrewshire, perhaps as a pacifying strategy. Some knights that are believed to have accompanied Walter include: Grimketil, Adam of Kent, Ralph of Kent, Hugh of Biggar, Ralph de Lyle, Roland of Mearns, Peter and Robert who were sons of Fulbert, Robert Montgomery, Reginald of Cathcart, and Robert de Croc. (Paisley Live)
Personal Steward to King David I
Walter served as David's dapifer or senescallus (steward). He served in this capacity for three successive Scottish kings: David, Malcolm IV, and William I "The Lion". Walter is increasingly attested by royal charters from about 1150, and it is possible that it was at about this time that David granted him the stewardship to be held heritably. As the king's steward, Walter would have been responsible for the day-to-day running of the king's household. Whilst the chamberlain was responsible for the king's sleeping compartments, the steward oversaw the king's hall. Walter's ancestors were stewards to the Breton lords of Dol. In fact, his elder brother, Jordan, inherited this stewardship from their father, and held this office at the time of Walter's own establishment in Scotland. As such, it is probable that Walter possessed a degree of experience in the profession.
Personal Steward to King Malcolm IV
In 1161/62, following the death of King David I, King Malcolm IV confirmed Walter's stewardship, and confirmed David's grants of Renfrew, Paisley, Pollock, "Talahret", Cathcart, Dripps, Mearns, Eaglesham, Lochwinnoch and Innerwick. He also granted Walter West Partick, Inchinnan, Stenton, Hassenden, Legerwood and Birkenside, as well as a toft with twenty acres in every burgh and demesne in the realm. For this grant, Walter owed his sovereign the service of five knights.
Walter still held lands worth two knights fees in Shropshire, England, but the majority of his land holdings were in Scotland.
In the 1160s, during the reign of Malcolm IV, there was an uprising in Galloway, led by Fergus of Galloway, which was put down. It is likely that Walter was part of Malcolm's army that suppressed the uprising. This was followed by an invasion by Somerled, Lord of the Isles, against Walter's lands in Renfrew. Walter was one of three commanders of the King's forces that repelled Somerled's army and led to the death of Somerled. (Fergus and Somerled were both ancestors of the Stewarts of Balquhidder.)
Paisley Priory Founded and Dedicated to St. James
In 1163, Walter founded Paisley Priory (later Paisley Abbey), dedicated to the service of St. James. James was not a popular saint at this time in Scotland and the forename James was virtually unused in the land. The name seems to have become popularized by the Fitz-Alan/Stewart family. (Wikipedia)
Several sources mistakenly show Walter Fitz-Alan as having a son named Simon, whereas it appears more likely that Simon was a brother of some form. Simon's exact relationship is disputed.
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Abt 1106 - Abt 1177 (~ 71 years)
