Sir Philip de Mowbray

Philip de Mowbray was a Scottish Nobleman who initially opposed Robert the Bruce and fought for the English, but later switched allegiance to Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence.

Philip was born sometime around 1272 in West Lothian, Scotland. He was the son of Geoffrey de Mowbray, Justiciar of Lothian, and Maud Comyn, Countess of Angus, and the second of four daughters of John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch.

On June 19th, 1306, Philip fought with the English at the Battle of Methven and nearly captured Robert the Bruce.

In 1307, Philip de Mowbray was at the head of an English force of 1,000 men that was heading from Bothwell Castle to Kyle, when they were ambushed by Scottish forces under James Douglas. Philip's forces retreated to the safety of Bothwell Castle, but Philip had lost his sword and fled to Inverkip Castle, near the Forth of Clyde.

Around 1309, Philip married Eva de Umfraville, daughter of Ingram de Umfraville. Philip and Eva had four children: John, Philipa, Margaret, and an unknown daughter.

Philip was made Constable of Stirling Castle when it was held by the English, and when it came under siege by Edward Brus in 1313, Mowbray promised that the castle would be surrendered to Scotland if it was not relieved by the English "in a year to the day" (before June 24th, 1314). This led Edward II to lead an army to relieve Stirling Castle and keep it under English control.

When the English arrived near Stirling, Mowbray advised King Edward II not to fight Robert the Bruce, but Edward insisted on a battle and subsequently lost at the Battle of Bannockburn. Mowbray then surrendered Stirling Castle to the Scots and changed his allegiance from England to Scotland.

Philip fought beside Edward Brus during the campaign in Ireland towards the end of the First War of Scottish Independence.

Philip de Mowbray was killed in battle on October 14th, 1318, along with Edward Brus, at the Battle of Faughart in Ireland. Where he was buried has been lost to history. His son John de Mowbray succeeded him and inherited his estates.