Background
He was the son of James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland and Giles (or Egidia) de Burgh, daughter of Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster.
He was the son of James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland and Giles (or Egidia) de Burgh, daughter of Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster.
He was also the father of King. Walter"s mother is sometimes identified as Cecily or Cecilia de Dunbar, but this identification is erroneous. Walter fought on the Scottish side at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 commanding, with Douglas, the left wing of the Scots" Army.
This is, however, disputed, as some claim that there were only three Scottish schiltrons at Bannockburn.
Upon the capture of Berwick-upon-Tweed from the English in 1318 he got command of the town which, on 24 July 1319 was laid siege to by King Edward II of England. Several of the siege engines were destroyed by the Scots" garrison and the Steward suddenly rushed in force from the town to drive off the enemy.
In 1322, with Douglas and Thomas Randolph, he made an attempt to surprise the English King at Byland Abbey, near Malton, Yorkshire. Edward, however, escaped, pursued towards York by The Steward and 500 horsemen.
Walter, Steward of Scotland, made a charter to John Saint Clair, his valet, of the lands of Maxton, Roxburghshire, circa 1320/1326, one of the witnesses being "Roberto de Lauwedir (Robert de Lauder) tunc justiciario Laudonie" (Justiciar of Lothian).
During The Bruce"s absence in Ireland the High Steward and Sir James Douglas managed government affairs and spent much time defending the Scottish Borders.
