The sheer scale of the military resources at Alan's disposal was remarkable, as indicated by John's request of one thousand of Alan's best warriors, and by the sheer size of his galley-fleet of 1230–1231.Oram (2011) p. 312; Stringer, KJ (1998) p. 84. As a native kindred of Gaelic heritage, Alan's family was remarkable for its religious foundations and endowments.MacQueen (1997) p. 18. Alan himself endowed St Andrew's Priory, in Northampton, where his father was interred.Stringer, K (1995) p. 88. In 1218, Alan founded Tongland Abbey, a Premonstratensian religious house in Galloway,Lee (2014) p. 127 n. 150; Oram (2011) p. 325; Stringer, KJ (2000) p. 143. He went on a pilgrimage to Canterbury in 1220, accompanied by Walter fitz Alan, and Robert de Brus, Lord of Annandale. There they observed the translation of the remains of St Thomas of Canterbury on 7 July, marking the martyred saint's jubilee.Blakely (2005) p. 71; Stringer, KJ (1998) p. 93; Stringer, K (1995) p. 88. In fact, Alan's Morville ancestors were closely related to Hugh de Morville, one of the saint's killers,Franklin (2004); Stringer, KJ (1998) p. 93; Oram (1993) p. 119. and this relationship may partly account for Alan's pious journey.Stringer, KJ (1998) p. 93.
