John of Strathbogie - 9th Earl of Atholl

John of Strathbogie was a Scottish Nobleman and the 9th Earl of Atholl, whose allegiances shifted between Scotland and England during the First War of Scottish Independence, leading to his execution.

John was born around 1266 in Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland. He was the son of David Strathbogie, 8th Earl of Atholl, and Isabel de Chilham, daughter of Richard de Dover, Baron of Chilham. John was also the great-great-grandson of King John of England through an illegitimate line.

John succeeded his father as the 9th Earl of Atholl upon his father's death in August of 1270.

In 1284, John joined other Scottish Noblemen in acknowledging Margaret of Norway as the heir presumptive to King Alexander III. Around 1287, John married Margaret of Mar, daughter of Domhnall I, 6th Earl of Mar. John and Margaret had three children, David, John, and Isabel.

In 1296, John fought at the Battle of Dunbar for the Scots and was captured and sent to the Tower of London, where he spent a year in confinement before being released on the condition that he serve King Edward I of England in Flanders.

In 1304, Edward I made John Warden of Northern Scotland. In 1305, he did homage for his manor in Kent, but returned to Scotland and, in 1306, joined Robert the Bruce, his brother-in-law, in his rise against English overlordship, and took part in the Bruce's coronation. John's lands in England were forfeited.

In June of 1306, John of Strathbogie was with Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Methven, was taken prisoner after the battle, and sent to London to be held for ransom.

Instead, Edward I of England gave orders that John was to be hanged from unusually high gallows, to signify his higher status due to his royal blood. On November 7th, 1306, John of Strathbogie was hanged from a gallows 30 feet higher than ordinary, and then he was decapitated, and his head was displayed on London Bridge, and his body was burned. He was the first earl executed in England since 1076.

It is lost to history where his remains were buried. His son, David, succeeded him as the 10th Earl of Atholl.