Ingram de Umfraville

Who is Ingram de Umfraville?

Sir Ingram de Umfraville was a Scottish noble who played a particularly chequered role in the Wars of Scottish Independence.

In 1284 he joined with other Scottish noblemen who acknowledged Margaret of Norway as the heir of King Alexander III. Ingram inherited the estates of Ingram Baliol on Baliol's death, being Foston in Leicestershire, Wharrington-upon-Tees in County Durham as well as the barony of Urr in Galloway and Red Castle in Angus. He was one of the ambassadors who established the 'Auld alliance' with France and Scotland in 1295. He was present at the siege of Berwick in 1296 with King Edward I of England and fought on the English side during the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.

Fighting on the side of Scotland he participated in the siege of Stirling Castle in 1299. He was appointed joint Guardian of Scotland on 10 May 1300 together with William Lamberton, Bishop of St Andrews, and John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch. He resigned the next year and was being replaced by John de Soules. He participated in the siege of Lochmaben Castle in September 1301. In 1303 he again became an ambassadors to Paris and upon returning from France in 1304, Ingram had his lands forfeited to King Edward I, who gave them to Sir Henry de Percy. He received his lands back upon Robert the Bruce declaring himself King in 1306.