Alexander Seton (Governor of Berwick)
Sir Alexander Seton, also known as Alexander de Seton (fl. 1311–1340) was the Governor (sometimes referred to as the Keeper or the Captain) of Berwick.
Life
Alexander Seton took part in Edward Bruce's 1315 campaign in Ireland.[1] He signed the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 asserting the independence of Scotland.
Berwick-upon-Tweed
In 1327 he was appointed keeper of Berwick.
In March 1333 Edward Balliol, son and heir of King John Balliol, and Henry Beaumont, 4th Earl of Buchan, along with their supporters and those of the late John Comyn invaded Scotland with the tacit support of Edward III of England. The army advanced quickly towards Berwick, which was placed under siege.
Alexander Seton held command of the town, while Patrick de Dunbar, Earl of March was entrusted with the defence of the castle. After a long siege, an agreement to surrender Berwick within a certain time unless it has been relieved was obtained. Alexander's son, Thomas Seton, was given as a hostage.
A small party of Scots led by Sir William Keith managed with some difficulty to make their way across the ruins of the old bridge to the northern bank of the Tweed. Keith and some of his men were able to force their way through to the town. Guardian of the Realm Archibald Douglas, who had crossed the Border into England in order to draw Edward, viewed this as a technical relief and sent messages to Edward calling on him to depart.
King Edward III of England viewed it differently, and as the town had not surrendered by the agreed date, saw this as a breech of the agreement and hanged Thomas Seton before the gates of the town. Another treaty was agreed to so as to protect the other hostages. Berwick was eventually surrendered after the defeat of the Scots at the Battle of Halidon Hill on 19 July 1333.
Alexander was present in Edward Balliol's parliament on 10 February 1334 and witnessed the cession of Berwick to the English.
Marriage and issue
He married Christian Cheyne, daughter of Francis Cheyne of Straloch; they had issue:
- Thomas, executed at Berwick in 1333.
- William, died July 1333 during siege Berwick.
- Margaret, married Alan de Wyntoun, had issue.
- Alexander, killed at Kinghorn in 1332.[1]
References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Seton, Alexander (fl.1311-1340)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.