Gille Brigte, Earl of Strathearn

Who was Gille Brigte, Earl of Strathearn?

Gille Brigte of Strathearn is the third known Mormaer of Strathearn. He is one of the most famous of the Strathearn mormaers. He succeeded his father Ferchar in 1171. He is often known by the Francization of his name, Gilbert, or by various anglicizations, such as Gilbride, Gilbridge, etc. A more modern version of his name is Giolla or Gille Brighde, and means - roughly - devotee of St Brigit.

Unikely his predecessors, we know for certain that Mormaer Gille Brigte was a regular attendee of the entourage of the Scottish king. Gille Brigte even served as the Justiciar of Scotia, an office usually held by the Mormaers of Fife, during the minority of Donnchad. Gille Brigte accompanied the King on his expeditions against Harald Maddadsson, the "rebellious" Earl of Orkney and Mormaer of Caithness. When William was captured at Alnwick in 1174, Gille Brigte too became a hostage, and shared William's fate as a prisoner at Falaise.

In 1213, Gille Brigte acted as an arbitrator in the controversy over the succession to the Mormaerdom of Menteith, the neighboruing Mormaerdom. Gille Brigte was one of the Mormaers present at the coronation of King Alexander II in 1215, at Scone.