Stewart Houseof

Stewart, HOUSE OF, a noble Scottish family which has filled a large place in history. The founder of the royal line was a Walter Stuart, or Stewart, who married a daughter of Robert Bruce. He vas supposed to be descended from Banquo, Thane of Lochaber, who was killed by Macbeth. The name is derived from the word "steward," or "seneschal," a position held by one of the early Stuarts under Malcolm. the son of Walter Stuart and Marjory Bruce was ROBERT II. (1316-1390), who carried on several wars with England, and was succeeded by his son, ROBERT III. (q.v.). The next king was JAMES I., who was murdered in 1437, and after whom there were several undistinguished monarchs of the same family, until JAMES V., who ascended the throne in 1513, and is chiefly known as the father of Mary Queen of Scots (q.v.). Her son, JAMES VI. of Scotland and I. of England, was better known as a poet than in any other way. His son, JAMES II. of England, was the last Stewart king, and was succeeded by William of Orange. His son JAMES was known as the "Old Pretender," and was born in 1688 and died in 1735. CHARLES EDWARD, the "Young Pretender," his son, is the theme of numberless Scotch songs.