John Stewart (c. December 1479 – 11 March 1503) was a Scottish prince and the youngest son of King James III of Scotland and his wife, Margaret of Denmark. He held the title of Earl of Mar.
Life
John was probably born late in 1479, traditionally at Dunfermline Palace, and was certainly alive by the summer of 1480. He was the third and youngest son of James III. He was likely resident at Stirling Castle in 1482 alongside his mother and his two elder brothers, both named James. John appears to have remained at Stirling during much of his childhood. His mother died at the castle in 1486, and his father was killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488, after which John's eldest brother became King James IV.
John was granted the title Earl of Mar by his father on 2 March 1486. In 1490, the Scottish parliament noted that some rents due to John from his estates were not being collected. Around this time, Alexander Home, a prominent courtier and keeper of Stirling Castle, was made John's guardian. The remainder of his life is poorly documented. Unlike his elder brother James, Duke of Ross, John did not play any notable role in politics. The parliament of 1496 discussed disputes in Mar without reference to him, suggesting he did not attend.
Death
John died on 11 March 1503 at approximately age 23. He never married. After his death, the earldom of Mar passed to his brother King James IV, who granted most of its estates to his courtier Alexander Elphinstone.
