16. Sir Thomas ERSKINE of ALLOA and DUN (Robert , William , John , John de , John , Henry de ) died circa 1404.
In 1354 a "son and heir" of Robert Erskine was proposed as a hostage for the return of King David II and upon the king's release he was again a hostage and was under the care of John de Coupland on 2 Oct. 1357.
In 1365 Thomas married Mary DOUGLAS heiress of William DOUGLAS the Knight of Liddesdale. Mary died in childbirth and there was some question as to whether the child was born dead or alive. Thomas claimed the liferent of his wife's estate based on the fact that the child lived while James Douglas the next heir claimed the estate on the grounds that the child was stillborn and the two of them wanted to settle the matter by personal combat. The duel was to take place at Edinburgh in the presence of the King. Just before the battle they were knighted, James Douglas by Sir Archibald Douglas "the Grim", and Thomas by his father. They fought for a short time before being separated by the king's command. The matter was finally settled and Thomas accepted a sum of money as payment for his right to the estate.
Before 1371 Thomas was keeper of Edinburgh castle and Sheriff of Edinburgh. In 1371 he was in favour of the Act of Succession which supported the Earl of Carrick. He had an annuity of £53/6/8 from the customs of Linlithgow and £100 from the customs of Aberdeen.
Thomas had a charter from Robert II of the barony of Dun near Montrose in Forfarshire 8 Nov. 1376.
Thomas was frequently a witness to royal charters which indicates his attendance at court and on 27 Jan. 1398/9 when David, Duke of Rothsay was made Lt. General of the Kingdom Thomas was one of the people appointed to be his special advisors.
By his second marriage with Janet KEITH, daughter and heiress of Sir Edward KEITH, of Syntoun, and great grand-daughter of GRATNEY, 11th Earl of Mar, he laid the foundation of the succession on the part of his descendants to the Earldom of Mar and Lordship of Garioch.
On 22 Nov. 1393 Robert III granted to Thomas that although Isabella Douglas, Countess of Mar might make an agreement with anyone to resign the earldom of Mar to which Thomas' wife is entitled the royal consent would not be given and these agreements would be considered null and void.
On 2 Feb. 1392/3 Thomas and his wife were granted a portable alter by Pope Clement VII.
Thomas was taken prisoner at Homildon Hill 14 Sept. 1402 and may have still been a prisoner at his death in 1403/4.
Thomas married (1) Mary DOUGLAS, daughter of Sir William DOUGLAS Knight of Liddesdale, circa 1365.
Thomas also married (2) Janet KEITH, daughter of Sir Edward KEITH and Christian MENTEITH, circa 13 Apr 1370. Janet died in 1412/1413.
widow of Sir David BARCLAY of Brechin
Thomas and Janet had the following children:
+ 19 M i Lord (1st) Robert ERSKINE Earl of Mar (13) died in 1452. + 20 M ii John ERSKINE of ALLOA and DUN. 21 F iii Elizabeth ERSKINE of ALLOA and DUN.
m. Duncan Weymss of Rires