Richard de Moravia
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Richard de Moravia | |
|---|---|
| Lord of Culbin and Skelbo | |
 Coat of Arms of the Murray of Culbin family recorded as Sable, three stars argent.[1] | |
| Died | c.1245 |
| Buried | Dornoch Cathedral, Dornoch, Sutherland |
| Residence | Skelbo Castle, Dornoch, Sutherland |
| Noble family | Murray family |
| Spouse | Marjorie de Lascelles |
| Issue | Alexander William Malcolm Patrick. |
Richard de Moravia or Richard de Moray of Culbin or of Cubyn,[2] was a Scottish nobleman famed for his victory over the Vikings at the Battle of Embo which took place in Sutherland, Scotland in 1245.[3]
Richard was a son of Murdac (Muiredach), son of Alexander de Moravia.[4] This is proven in a charter from Abbot of Dunfermline, which identifies Richard as "Ric de Moravia fil Murdaci filii Alexandri de Moravia".[5]
He was also either the cousin,[6][7] or nephew,[8][7] of Hugh or Hugo de Moravia, also known as Hugh Freskin,[7] who was the first Lord of Sutherland and whose son was William de Moravia, 1st Earl of Sutherland (d.1284).[7][6] Richard's brother was Gilbert de Moravia (d.1245) who was Bishop of Caithness.[2][7] Gilbert is also known to have had an older brother John, and a younger brother, Simon.[9]
Castle and lands
Richard de Moravia received from his elder brother, Gilbert, all of the lands that Gilbert had received from Hugo Freskyn,[2] (also recorded as Hugo de Moravia) and the charter was confirmed by Alexander II of Scotland.[2] Richard was also given Skelbo Castle by his brother Gilbert in 1235.[10] He also held lands at Kincorth, Kintessoch, Kildun, Ethder, Calder, Newton, Invershin, Ferrinbuscay and Assynt.[11] His wife Marjorie, brought lands at Naughton as part of her dowry.[11]
Battle of Embo
William, Earl of Sutherland asked Richard de Moravia to engage a party of Danes (Vikings) who had landed at Littleferry, Sutherland until the Earl could come to his aid with a stronger force.[12] The plan worked and the Danes were routed by the arrival of the Earl.[12][6] However, Richard was killed during the battle.[12] The Earl then arranged for Richard's body to be interred in Dornoch Cathedral and his damaged sarcophagus can still be seen there today.[12] This was known as the Battle of Embo and took place in 1245.[3]
