Robert, also called (until 1390) John Stewart was born about 1337 was ligitimated on the marriage of his parents after his birth. In 1362-63 he joined his father in rebellion against David II. He married in 1367 and in 1368 was imprisoned with his father and two brothers, but was created earl of Carrick that same year. They were released in 1369. Robert II (his father) became king in 1371 and in 1384, owing to old age, devolved the domestic government on Carrick, but Carrick, when lamed by a horse of Douglas of Dalkeith, was supplanted by his brother Robert, earl of Fife, in 1388. On his accession on April 19, 1390, he changed his name to Robert III from John, which unhappily recalled John Balliol. Fife, created duke of Albany in 1398, continued to govern throughout the reign except during the years 1399-1402 when the king's dissolute heir, David, duke of Rothesay, took his place, until he met an early death at Albany's castle of Falkland. Robert III then sent his remaining son, James, to France for safe upbringing; but the news of his capture by the English proved fatal to the aging king, who died at Rothesay in Bute on April 4, 1406. He was buried in Paisley Abby.