"Earldom" on William (1st Earl)

William Southerland, Earle of Southerland
- son of Earle Hugh
- This is the person we now call William, 1st Earl of Sutherland
- "This William Erle of Southerland did frielie confirme the disposition formerlie maid be his father Hugh, of the lands of Skelbo, Invershin, and Ferrinbuscay, (now called Ferrinkostay or Slishchells) and therefter Gilbert, bishop of Catteynes, disponed and gave these lands unto his brother Richard Morray. Which disposition wes confirmed be King Alexander his charter of confirmation, dated at Sanct Andrews the 26th day of December, the tuentie-tuo yeir of his raigne, and of God 1235 yeirs." (p. 31)
- the church in Dornoch in Southerland (Dornoch Cathedral), "wher the Earles of Southerland have ther buriall place unto this day." (p. 31)
- "Ther passed ane accord and arbitrall decreit betueen Sanct Gilbert and this William Erle of Southerland, for certan lands, in the raigne of the said King Alexander; bot ther was some contraversie betueen this Erle William, and William bishop of Cattyness, (Sanct Gilbert his successor) for the propertie and inheritance of certan lands." (p. 31)
- Danes and Norwegians invaded Scotland and sent some companies of men to the northern parts of the kingdom, intent on invading Southerland. William, Earl of Southerland, sent his servent Richard Morray (St. Gilbert's brother) to hold off the Danes while he gathered the inhabitants to attack. Richard saw a chance for an advantage and attacked the Danes at a place called Enbo (between Dornoch and "the ferrie of Vnes". The Danes fled, and William arrived and pursued them. He overthrew them and slayed their general, chasing the rest back to their ships. A monument was erected there, called "Ree Croiss". Richard Morray died in this battle, and William had him buried in Dornoch Cathedral. (p. 33)
- He was "a great help to Sanct Gilbert in the building of the cathedral church at Dornoch, and in the erection of the channons and dignities therof, by appoynting them lands and tithes, to Erle William's great cost and charges." (p. 33)
- Died at Dunrobin in 1248, leaving his son William to inherit his earldom
- Was buried in the "south yle" of Dornoch Cathedral "which from thencefoorth, wes the commoun buriall-place of the Erls of Southerland for the most pairt." (p. 33)