clan cumming timeline
See our how our family began and the history of our Clan Cumming timeline.
1030's
1030s Birth of Robert de Comines, probably in the territoire of St Pol, then under Flemish overlordship.
1066
Serves under Count Baldwin V of Flanders at Hastings. He is cited as the forebear of the Comyns, although this remains unproven. He either makes a name for himself in battle or is well connected to the Conqueror or those close to him. So that…
1068
De Comines is elevated as Earl of Northumbria and sent north to put down anti-Norman rebellion.
1069
His army ravages along the way. He and his entire force, bar one, are slain at Durham Jan 1069.
1070
William the Conqueror wreaks his revenge - the ‘harrying of the North’.
1100's
Early 1100s William Cumin is schooled as an assistant to Geoffrey Rufus, Chancellor of England.
1114
Birth of William’s nephew -Richard Comyn-the same year as Prince Henry, son of the future David I, whose wife Maud is the Conqueror’s great niece. They grow up together. Developing a remarkable relationship between the Comyns and Scotland’s royal family. The Cummings can evidence their descent from Richard. The link between Cumin and Robert de Comines is ‘unproven’.
1125
William Cumin is ‘making his way’ and emerges first in the Midlands as Archdeacon of Worcester.
1135
By now Chancellor of Scotland to David I who establishes an Anglo-Norman-Flemish court.
1141
Cumin covets and violently ‘intrudes’ the See of Durham. He is excommunicated March 1143.
1144
He makes a ‘settlement’ and withdraws from Durham. Confers lands on his nephew Richard Comyn.
1145
Richard marries Hextilda, daughter of Uchtred, Lord of Tynedale, and Bethoc daughter of King Donald III of Scotland -their ‘strategic’ marriage brings estates in Tynedale, Northumbria, Roxburgh, the Borders.
1158
Ricardus Cumin’ is recorded as one of the 12 leading ‘Normans’ in Scotland.
1163
Birth of Richard’s heir, William Comyn. Reputedly ‘born of Altyre’ -though this is not evidenced.
1165
William the Lion, son of Prince Henry, becomes King of Scotland. William Comyn becomes his ‘right hand’.
1181
Comyn supports William the Lion against the rebellions of the Meic Uilleim.
1202
He again defeats the Meic Uilleim. Appointed Justiciar of Scotia and as the king’s envoy to England.
1210
He is the first Anglo Norman ‘earl’ in Scotland. Chief of Clan Comyn and Warden of Moray.
1214
Death of William the Lion. Comyn is one of 7 earls who announce Alexander II as Scotland’s new king.
1215
Birth of John Comyn I (1215-75).
1229
Final routing of the Meic Uilleim. Alexander II awards William the hereditary title of Lord of Badenoch.
1233
William is buried at Deer Abbey. His sons Richard, Walter, John, Alexander, John will all make their mark.
1242
Birth of John II ‘the Black’ Comyn – he later married Eleanor de Balliol the daughter of John I Balliol tying him to her brother John Balliol King of the Scots 1292-96.
1245
Sir Robert Comyn of Altyre born. The Cummings of Altyre have direct descent from his line Robert traces his line through his grandfather Richard Comyn (d 1245) to his father William Earl of Buchan (d 1233) and thereby to Richard Comyn (d 1179) and Hextilda. Richard in turn was the nephew of William Cumin (d 1159). If William was born late 1090s/early 1100s his (unknown) father might have been born just before the death of Robert de Comines 1069 which might fuel hypothetically the possibility that De Comines was his grandfather.
1249
Death of Alexander II. End of the ‘Golden Age’. Walter Comyn is now the primary influence at court.
1258
Controversial death of Walter Comyn. John I Comyn is undisputed clan chief and Lord of Badenoch.
1269
Birth of John III ‘the Red Comyn’. Lord of Badenoch and Lord of Lochaber.
1270
Expeditionary force under John Comyn I and Alexander Stewart vanquish the Manx at Ronaldsway.
1274
Birth of Robert ‘the Bruce. King of Scotland from 27 March 1306.
1275
John I Comyn dies.
1286
John II the Black Comyn serves as Guardian of the Realm 1286-1292.
1289
Death of highly influential Alexander Comyn. Magnate, power broker, chief counsellor to Alexander III.
1289
The existence of the ‘church of Altre’ recorded in Registrum Moravienses.
1290-92
John II Comyn, clan chief, is one of 6 Guardians of the Realm tasked with governing Scotland.
1292
John Balliol chosen by Edward I as king of the Scots. Edward makes his own son heir to Scottish throne.
1295
Wars of Independence commence.
1299
Violent disagreement and scuffle between John III Comyn and Robert Bruce at Selkirk Forest.
1299-1303
High-water mark of Comyn efforts to drive the English from Southern Scotland. The 3 main branches of the family –Badenoch, Buchan and Kilbride –equip their men and castles to attack and harry the English.
1302
John II ‘the Black’ Comyn dies. John Comyn, Earl of Buchan becomes Justiciar of Scotland.
1304
Edward ravages Comyn castles and communities. Subjugates Lochindorb. John Comyn surrenders. Edward shows leniency because of Comyn’s family connections. Comyn was married to Edward’s cousin.
1305
William Wallace betrayed by John de Menteith, handed to the English and Executed in London 23 Aug.
1306
Feb 10 Dumfries John III ‘The Red’ Comyn and Sir Robert Comyn slain by Bruce and his supporters Sir Robert is the last surviving son of John I ‘The Red’ Comyn. Hostilities break out immediately between Comyn and Bruce supporters and endure until their bitter conclusion at Bannockburn in 1314.
1306
25 March Bruce is crowned king Robert I.
1307
July Death of Edward I. Preoccupied at home his son Edward II relaxes his grip on Scotland.
1307
Bruce seizes the opportunity to destroy the physical structure of Comyn power. The ‘herschip’ (harrying) of Clan Comyn begins. Crushing its leaders and networks, the seizing of Comyn land and titles and handing them to Bruce’s supporters. Driving the clan from its people and assets.
1308
Battle of Inverurie May 1308 marks a decisive event in the bitter civil strife between the parties.
1313
Bruce invades Comyn strongholds on Isle of Man. His forces capture the island in 5 day.
1314
June Bannockburn. Final defeat of Comyns. End of the male line of Badenoch.
1319
Birth of Sir Richard Comyn (1319-1407).
1320
By an act of parliament held at Perth, Thomas, the young son of Ferquhard Comyn, is exempted from the forfeitures of land and assets imposed on the Comyns at large for their support of John Balliol. The exemption proves a catalyst in the formal development of Altyre as the new centre of Clan Comyn.
1330's
Balliol and Comyn supporters contest their ‘disinheritance’, ‘encouraged’ by Edward III. Alice Comyn’s husband Henry Beaumont, 4th Earl of Buchan, leads a new tilt at the Scottish throne based on the claims of Edward Balliol. A second war of independence breaks out. Edward III enable Balliol to re-invade Scotland spring 1333. Beaumont is installed as earl of Moray and as earl of Buchan and appointed Constable of Scotland.
1335
November. Comyn loyalties are split between Balliol and David Bruce. The family and descendants of Sir Robert Comyn and Sir Richard of Altyre committ to Bruce. His supporters gain a crushing victory at Culblean effectively ending any remaining hopes that a united family can restore its political fortunes.
1368-72
Sir Richard Comyn of Altyre (d 1407) is the acknowledged Chief of Clan Comyn and is sent on an embassy to the English court to negotiate affairs of state, with Edward III.
1370-71
By 1370 the male Comyn line exists only in the descendants of the uncles of John III ‘The Red’ Comyn. First year of King Robert II reign. He takes up where his grandfather left off in pursuing his family’s feud against the Comyns. He begins by granting the Lordship of Badenoch to his own son Alexander later infamously known as the ‘Wolf of Badenoch’ He revokes Comyn claims to Dunphail in favour of the Grants.
1384
By now the family is known as ‘Cuming’. We have the first formal reference to Altyre in the person of Ferqhuard Comyn in 1384. King Robert II bestows ‘the forestership of Drummond and Tulloch’ on Ferquhardo Cuming de Altyr’.
Extracts from Michael McCarthy’s book
A History of their Making: The Cummings of Altyre
Michael McCarthy July 2019.
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