Isobel Broun

ISOBELL BROUN

According to J. Storer Clouston, Isobel Broun was the former mistress of Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney. She bore him a son and he gave her land on the island of Gairsay. [J. Storer Clouston, A History of Orkney (W. R. Mackintosh, 1932), p. 305]

A grant of land on the Island of Gairsay

Robert Stewart, feuar of the crown lands of Orkney, afterwards Earl of Orkney, put Issobell Broun in possession of certain udal land on the island of Gairsay before 14 February 1575-76. Records of the Earldom of Orkney, charter number CCXXXIX on pp. 37-79

Marriage

Isobel Broun married William Gordon of Cairston. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: Register of the Great Seal of Scotland,, 1609-20, charter number 2037

Evidence from Various Sources

                   1

14 February 1575-76: Lord Robert Stewart, feuar of the crown lands of Orkney and Shetland, gave certain udal land on the island of Gairsay to Issobell Broun during the absence of the owner, Nicol Rendall (aka Nicol Oliverson). However, Rendall complained to the Lord Regent and the Lords of Secret Council and the land was restored to him. Records of the Earldom of Orkney, charter number CCXXXIX

                   2

1 April 1583: Isobel Broun and her husband William Gordon, burgess of Kirkwall, had a grant of land at Middleton in Kirkwall from Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: Register of the Great Seal of Scotland,, 1609-20, charter number 2037

                   3

1590: Confirmation, Lands of Carstane: William Gordon and Isobell Brown National Records of Scotland, Kirkwall Sheriff Court Processes, reference SC11/5/1590/1

                   4

21 January 1603: Issobell Broun and her son Adam Gordon, gave their consent when her husband William Gordon of Cairston, burgess of Kirkwall gave a tenement of land in Kirkwall to William Robertson. on 21 January 1603. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: Register of the Great Seal of Scotland,, 1609-20, charter number 2037

Publications Consulted

1. J. Storer Clouston, A History of Orkney (W. R. Mackintosh, 1932)
2. Peter D. Andersen, Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney, Lord of Shetland, 1533-1593 (John Donald, Edinburgh, 1982) 245 pp.