Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland

Alexander Stewart (c. 1210 – 1282), known as Alexander of Dundonald, was a Scottish magnate who in 1241 succeeded his father as hereditary High Steward of Scotland.

Origins
He was the son of Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland.

Career
He apparently fought on the Seventh Crusade under King Louis IX of France, during which his younger brother John was killed at Damietta in Egypt in 1249. He also seems to have made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain and in honour of the saint baptised his eldest surviving son James, a name rare before then in Scotland. In 1255 he appears as one of the Regents of Scotland during the minority of King Alexander III. He seems to have commanded the right wing of the armed force which, at Largs in October 1263, successfully defended Scotland against attempted invasion by King Haakon IV of Norway. It appears to have been in his time that the Stewarts acquired the lordship of the Cowal Peninsula, with their castle at Dunoon. He is recorded as playing a prominent part in affairs during the reign of Alexander, being referred to as senescallus Scotie (steward of Scotland) instead of the older dapifer regis Scotie (steward of the king of Scotland), so indicating that he held a major office of state that was significant nationally rather than just being a courtier in the royal household.

He died in 1282, and was succeeded by his son James.

Family
His wife is said to have been named Jean, and they had four documented children:
 * James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland
 * Sir John Stewart of Bonkyll
 * Elizabeth Stewart, who married Sir William Douglas the Hardy.
 * Hawise Stewart, who married John de Soules