| Richard de Moravia | |
| Lord of Culbin and Skelbo | |
| More: | no |
| Spouse: | Marjorie de Lascelles |
| Issue: | AlexanderWilliamMalcolmPatrick. |
| Noble Family: | Murray family |
| Death Date: | c.1245 |
| Burial Place: | Dornoch Cathedral, Dornoch, Sutherland |
| Residence: | Skelbo Castle, Dornoch, Sutherland |
Richard de Moravia or Richard de Moray of Culbin or of Cubyn,[1] was a Scottish nobleman famed for his victory over the Vikings at the Battle of Embo which took place in Sutherland, Scotland in 1245.[2]
Richard was a son of Murdac (Muiredach), son of Alexander de Moravia.[3] This is proven in a charter from Abbot of Dunfermline, which identifies Richard as "Ric de Moravia fil Murdaci filii Alexandri de Moravia".[4]
He was also either the cousin,[5] [6] or nephew,[7] [6] of Hugh or Hugo de Moravia, also known as Hugh Freskin,[6] who was the first Lord of Sutherland and whose son was William de Moravia, 1st Earl of Sutherland (d.1284).[6] [5] Richard's brother was Gilbert de Moravia (d.1245) who was Bishop of Caithness.[1] [6] Gilbert is also known to have had an older brother John, and a younger brother, Simon.[8]
Richard de Moravia received from his elder brother, Gilbert, all of the lands that Gilbert had received from Hugo Freskyn,[1] (also recorded as Hugo de Moravia) and the charter was confirmed by Alexander II of Scotland.[1] Richard was also given Skelbo Castle by his brother Gilbert in 1235.[9] He also held lands at Kincorth, Kintessoch, Kildun, Ethder, Calder, Newton, Invershin, Ferrinbuscay and Assynt.[10] His wife Marjorie, brought lands at Naughton as part of her dowry.[10]
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.[11] The plan worked and the Danes were routed by the arrival of the Earl.[11] [5] However, Richard was killed during the battle.[11] The Earl then arranged for Richard's body to be interred in Dornoch Cathedral and his damaged sarcophagus can still be seen there today.[11] This was known as the Battle of Embo and took place in 1245.[2]
Richard de Moravia married Marjorie Lascelles,[12] widow of Peter Hay, she was the daughter and heiress of Alan de Lascelles. They had four sons: Sir Alexander, William, Sir Malcolm, and Sir Patrick.[13]
Their great-grandson Alan;[12] whose son was Reginald; whose son was Gilbert.[1] Gilbert married Eustachia, daughter of Kenneth de Moravia, 4th Earl of Sutherland.[1] Their son was Walter whose daughter and heiress was Egidia de Moravia who carried the estates of Cubyn (Culbin) and Skelbol (Skelbo) into the Kinnaird family.[1]
Richard de Moravia is also believed to have been the ancestor of the Murray of Aberscross family in Sutherland.[14] [15] [5] The surname de Moravia meaning "of Moray" or "of Murray".[16]
The Murrays of Culbin and Pulrossie were also descendants of Richard.[17] [18] The Murray of Culbin coat of arms is recorded as Sable, three stars argent.
. John Malcolm Bulloch . 1907 . House of Gordon . Aberdeen . . 6-7 . January 23, 2023 . Morays of Aberscors.
