| On 28 August 1395 Pope Benedict xm. (Antipope) ordered a dispensation to be granted to David, Earl of Carrick (afterwards Duke of Rothesay), firstborn of Robert, King of Scotland, and Elizabeth, daughter of George, Earl of March, who, knowing themselves to be in the third degree of consanguinity had contracted espousals per verba de futuro, the King's consent being first obtained (Regesta Avinionensia, 280, f. 3236). On 11 March 1396-97 a commission was issued by the same Pope to grant dispensation to the same persons, who had married without banns, copula subsecuta (Ibid., 303, f. 4896). This seems to show that the prince and Elizabeth Dunbar were married, and not only betrothed. The insult to the Earl of March and his family by the Prince's repudiation of Elizabeth was thus much greater than has hitherto been stated. |