Maldred of Allerdale, regent of Strathclyde
was the great-grandfather of DOLFIN OF STAINDROP, who was hisself the great-grandfather of WILLIAM MEDECALFE DE DENT and for that reason the forefather of David Walker's grandmother, Jane Metcalfe.
A recently discovered document points out that Maldred possessed the Allerdale district of Cumberland in his own rights.
MALDRED OF ALLERDALE was a younger son of CRÍNAN, ABBOT OF DUNKELD, head of the HOUSE OF ATHOLL and BETHÓC OF SCOTLAND. He was named 'son of Crinan' by Roger of Hoveden, a 12th-century English chronicler.
Maldred was brother, as well as neighbour, of "the gracious Duncan", who was King of Cumbria (1018-1040) and Scotland (1034-1040). It is assumed that Duncan was born around 1000. Provided that Maldred was not much younger, he would not have been born much later than 1005/1010.
1045, "he [Maldred] died slain in battle while trying to avenge the murder of his brother Duncan I MacCrinan."
When Duncan inherited the throne of Scotland in 1034 his son, Malcolm (Malcolm III, c. 1031-1093), was too young to rule Strathclyde as heir. So Maldred served as regent. Maldred's support to Duncan was vital in the early years of his reign when the Northumbrians, under Earl Eadulf, sought to reclaim the territory in Bernicia and Lothian that MALCOLM II had claimed. 1038, the Northumbrians also ravaged Strathclyde, but Maldred succeeded in repulsing them.
Maldred mac Crínán witnessed the death of his brother, Donnchad mac Crínán, rí Alban, on 14 August 1040 near Elgin, Moray, Scotland. Duncan was put to death by his cousin Macbeth, who had joined forces with the invading Northmen.
When Duncan was killed, Maldred would have had a claim on the throne, but he seems not to have sought it. Instead he allied himself with Siward, earl of Northumbria, as guardians of his nephew, the infant Malcolm.
Maldred had to face an onslaught from Thorfinn, Earl of Orkney, who sent his forces south in 1042 against Crinan (Maldred's father) and plundered parts of Strathclyde and Cumbria. Thorfinn was eventually rebuffed by the forces of Maldred and Siward.
According to "The History of Blaydon and Winlaton part 1, AD 0-1599" by Dennis Shaw the Manor of Winlaton shall have been held by MALDRED OF ALLERDALE at that time, which his son, MALDRED OF WINLATON received years later by the Bishop of Durham.
MALDRED OF ALLERDALE was married to Æthelreda (or Ældgith), daughter of UHTRED OF BAMBURGH, EARL OF NORTHUMBRIA and PRINCESS ÆLFGIFU OF WESSEX. According to different sources both had four children:
(1) EARL GOSPATRIC OF NORTHUMBRIA and DUNBAR
(2) MALDRED OF WINLATON (sourced by Paul Balfour)
(3) n.n. Daughter; mother of Moddan (Madadhan), created mormaer of Caithness by king Duncan I of Alba in mid-1030s, slain at Thurso in 1040
NOTE: Some sources are stating that Maldred and Æthelreda had also a son called Dolfin and at least one more daughter, but nothing could be found out about them, yet.
Besides there are some online pedigrees stating that UCTRED fitzMALDRED was a son of MALDRED OF ALLERDALE, too. This does not seem to be plausible though, because Maldred died alongside his father, Crinan, in a rebellion against Macbeth between 1034 and 1045. So if Uctred fitzMaldred was indeed his son he had to be born beforehand, then. But Uctred fitzMaldred died at the 'Battle of the Standard' on Cowton Moor near Northallerton, Yorkshire, 22. Aug. 1138, about 100 years after his father's death. Too old to fight in a battle you would think.