Part I
Rulers of Strathspey
|
[vii] The material for “The Rulers of Strathspey” was originally collected by the Author for the article on Ogilvie-Grant, Earl of Seafield, in The Scots Peerage edited by Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms. A great deal of the information collected had to be omitted owing to lack of space. It was thought desirable to publish it in book form, especially as the need of a Genealogical History of the Clan Grant had long been felt. It is true that a most valuable work, “The Chiefs of Grant,” by Sir William Fraser, LL.D., was privately printed in 1883, on too large a scale, however, to be readily accessible. The impression, moreover, was limited to 150 copies.
This book is therefore published at a moderate price, so that it may be within reach of all the members of the Clan Grant, and of all who are interested in the records of a race which has left its mark on Scottish history and the history of the Highlands.
The Chiefs of the Clan, the Lairds of Grant, who succeeded to the Earldom of Seafield and to the extensive lands of the Ogilvies, Earls of Findlater and Seafield, form the main subject of this work. [viii] The more important cadet families are, however, dealt with in Appendices.
Acknowledgement is here made of the Author’s indebtedness to “The Chiefs of Grant,” and also to that able work on “Urquhart and Glenmoriston,” by Mr William Mackay, who himself has shown great interest and sympathy in the production of “The Rulers of Strathspey.” The thanks of the Author are due to Francis J. Grant, Esq., W.S., Rothesay Herald himself a descendant of the Grants of Corriemony, who has kindly revised the proofs of this work. He also wishes to thank J.R.M. Macphail, Esq., K.C., For his kind assistance and advice, Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Mr David Douglas, Edinburgh, for permission to allow the materials of the article on the Scots Peerage to appear, and for the use of the block of the arms of Ogilvie-Grant, Earl of Seafield, for this work.
Lastly, his thanks are due to one whose name it is unnecessary for him to mention, without whose counsel and help this little volume would never have appeared.
CASSILLIS Cullen House, February 20th, 1911
[1] The origin of the earliest
Grants is given variously by different authorities "Chiefs
of Grant," pp. 1-3 “Skene’s Highlanders of Scotland,”
MacBean's edition pp 339, 340; see also Skene’s "Celtic Scotland
(Edinburgh, 1890), III pp. 349, 350. Some have tried to establish a Gaelic
or Irish origin for the clan, making the Grants a branch of the Macgregors,
or rather, like them, a branch of Clan Alpin, a belief which was subsequently
fostered for political reasons, and which the Macgregors in the days of their
adversity took advantage of, and it is said a proposal was once made to reunite
the two clans. Those who supported this theory derived the name Grant from the
Gaelic grannda ugly, a name, they said, applied to the original ancestor of
the Grants. They also point to the fact that several of the names among the
Grants, such as Patrick, Duncan, etc., were common in Ireland and that one sept
of the clan bore the Irish appellation of Cheran or Chiaran. In an old Irish
treatise on the "Law of Adamnan," of date 697 AD there is given a
list of those chiefs and notables guaranteeing the observance of his famous
"Law of the Innocents" exempting women and children from the duty
of fighting in battle in which occurs the name of Conall Grant rii deisint Brig,
or King of Southern Bregia (Bray, near [2]
Dublin), who was slain in 718. Others derived the name from a moor in Strathspey
called Griantach or Sliabh Grainais the mountain or range of the sun.
Others deduce a theory of Danish origin for the clan, Shaw's
"History of the Province of Moray" (Glasgow 1882) vol I pp89,90, and
94 (footnote); "MacFarlane's Genealogical Collections" by James Toshach
Clark (published by the Scottish Historical Society, Edinburgh, 1900) vol. I
pp 103-106, because they find such names as Suene, Alan, etc in frequent
use among them. To such lengths have they gone, that the Grants have been traced
right up through one Hacken Grant, or the Big (Grand), to the mighty Odin, or
Prince Wodine, the All-Father, who, it seems, reigned as the first King of the
East Angles in the year 575.
Such fables however, we can set aside, "Chiefs of Grant" pp3-7, "Nobiliare de Normandie" by E de Magny, 1864 (in British Museum) vol I p 4 and there is little reason to doubt that the progenitors of the chiefs of this clan were of Norman origin, although their followers who subsequently mainly composed the clan would be natives. The name is the French grand great, big.
The name Grant, Le Graunt, or Le Graunt or Grand is of very frequent occurrence in early English documents, such as the Calendar of Charter Rolls, Catalogue of Ancient Deeds, Calendar of Patent Rolls, Calendar of Close Rolls, and also Calendar of Documents relating to Ireland. A Thomas le Graunt de Depa (Dieppe) appears as early as 1224-5. We find a William le Graunt of Hucuth (Hertfordshire), 1290, and a William le Graunt in Ireland 1230-1243. A Richard le Grant, Chancellor of the diocese of Lincoln, was in the year [3] 1228 elected Archbishop of Canterbury, but only lived a short time after his consecration. See "Lleland's Collectanea" (1770), I., pp. 266-284; “Chronica de Mailros" (1835), p. 142.
It seems exceedingly probable that the Grants came to Scotland from England on the return of Walter Bysset from exile, 1248-9. "History of Beauly Priory” pp 47, 53.
It is to be noted that the traditional accounts of the Family of Grant uniformly assert that at a very early period the Grants possessed lands in Stratherrick. Fraser quotes “Robertson’s Index of Missing Charters,” p. xxv, as showing that Walter Bysset was lord of that territory; though “Stratharkyk,” as it is there called, looks more like Stratharkaig, quite a different place.
Of course there is a theory that the Grants were connected with the North of Scotland at a period long anterior to the settlement of Byssets in Moray, and in that case it may be contended that Walter Bysset became overlord of the Grants, who originally held the territory. But the presumption in favour of the migration of the Grants from England is very strong. In 1261 King Henry III, “Bain's Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland" I p. 442 at the King of Scotland’s suggestion, pardoned an offence against the forest laws committed by “William le Graunt, who lately by the King’s precept set out with Alexander, King of Scotland for that country,” ie Scotland. He was accused of taking venison in Sherwood Forest on the journey. He may be the same as the William le Grant who was one of a number of Norman knights to whom Henry III in 1270 gave permission to go to the Holy Land. "Rymer’s Foedera,” by Holmes (1739) tome I pt II p114.
[4] A Thomas le Grant Bain's Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland" I pp 348,9 see also "Calendar of patent Rolls" sub dates May 4 1245 and Jan 2 1252 at the time of the King of Scots marriage in 1251-2 acted as his merchant, and for some reason was, at his desire, removed from his office of receiver or keeper of the English King’s works at York Castle.
We have more certain ground when we come to
From Chamberlain Rolls, vol. 1, p. 21, we see it was Laurence le Grant "Exchequer Rolls" vol I pp13, 19, 33 and not Gregory le Grant who was Sheriff of Inverness in 1263, and in his accounts he credits himself with twenty-four merks for the ward of the land of Abernethy.
Between 1263 and 1266 Ibid I p 18, "Chiefs of Grant" I pp 10,11 a question arose as to whether he or the Earl of Buchan is responsible for the feu of Invery.
[5] Family tradition claims Laurence "Chiefs of Grant" I p.8 to have been the elder brother of Robert le Grant, as he certainly was the more prominent of the two, and also asserts that he was the directer ancestor of the family of Grant. Sir Robert le Grant appears as a witness along with Laurence in the Agreement dated 20th September, 1258: see supra and "Chiefs of Grant" I pp xxiii and 3; Registrum Moraviense pp 133-5.
In or about the same year he received a charter "Chiefs of Grant" I pp xxiii and 8 Cf III p.5 ("Charters of Grants of Grant") from John Prat of the lands of Clonmanache (Coulmony on the Findhorn). To this charter Sir John Byset is a prominent witness. These lands had been in dispute between the granter’s father and Sir Robert le Grant, and this fact certainly indicates that the 1atter had resided some time in Moray.
Fraser quotes “Calendarium Genealogicum,” p. 265, "Chiefs of Grant" I pp 4, 9 "Cal. Gen." II p461 and Thoroton's Nottinghamshire, Edition (1677) p 149 as showing that a family of the name of Prat also held lands in Nottingham. The Bysets, Prats, and Grants (in the person of William le Grant, who, in right, of his wife, Albreda Byset, one of the heiresses of Henry Byset, held the manor of Athelington in the county of Lincoln, and also the manor of East Bridgeford in the county of Nottingham), were thus near neighbours in England as well as in Scotland, and further, the Bysets and Grants in England were allied by marriage.
There is a difficulty in deciding whether Sir Robert le Grant was a brother of Sir Laurence le Grant. "Chiefs of Grant" I p 8. Robert le Grant is the first of the two [6] who can he in any way proved to have actually possessed land in Moray.
From John of Inverallan son of Gilbert brother of Augustine Lord of Inverallan and heir to his uncle through Gilbert's decease, he in 1316 received a charter of sale "Chiefs of Grant" I pp xxix, 22, 23, III pp 257/8 of the lands of Inverallan in Strathspey Ancient transcript at Castle Grant made circa 1550. On 18th October 1316, William of Federeth younger, "Registrum Moraviense" preface p. xxxvi, a son or grandson of that William of Federeth who, between 1262 and 1294, married Christian of Moravia, (see article "Bothwell" "Scots peerage" edited by Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King-of Arms vol II p.122) a co-heiress of Freskin of Moravia last of the old Lords of Duffus, acting as superior of the lands of Inverallan, confirmed this charter.
Between 1315 and 1325 “History of the Priory of Beauly”, pp. 78,79. he affixed his seal to a charter by Sir Patrick Graham of Lovat, granting the Priory of Beauly a third part of his lands of [7] Altyre in exchange for the multures of Lovat, Fingask, and Donaldston. According to tradition he was a son of Sir Laurence le Grant. "Chiefs of Grant" I p.15 Of this there is no proof. He had issue: PATRICK LE GRANT or LA GRAWNT of Stratherrick.
Robert or Ralph le Grant, Ibid I pp15-18 also taken at Dunbar on 28th April 1296, "Rot. Scot." I 45b "Cal of Documents relating to Scotland" II pp 177, 237, 242. See also "Cal. of Close Rolls" sub date May 16 1296 and Memo of 30th July 1297 was liberated on July 30th 1297 from Bristol where, according to most of the documents referred to, he was confined, on condition of serving the King in France, John Comyn, elder of Badenoch, and David de Graham being sureties.
One document, "Hist. Doc. Scotland" II p55 the Memoranda Roll (Treasurer’s) 23 and 24, Edward I., m. 37, says he was confined in Gloucester Castle.
According to the traditional pedigree of the family, he was a brother of John le Grant, but there is no actual proof of any relationship between them and Sir Laurence, or that they were of kin to each other.
In the Ragman Roll, ("Cal of Documents relating to Scotland" II p. 203; "Chiefs of Grant" I p.19. See also "Prynne" III p 657; "Nisbet's Heraldry" vol II; "Remarks on Ragman Roll" p37) August 28th, 1296, Robert de Graunt del counte de Fyfe submitted at Berwick-on-Tweed. If this is the same man as the Robert le Grant above, he must have submitted while a prisoner, it is not improbable from the context, however, that this Grant was a churchman.
[8] Patrick le Grant ("Chiefs of Grant" I pp 18 & 19; "Cal of Documents relating to Scotland" II pp 128, 133, 139, 140, 146; "Hist Doc Scotland" I pp 247-335 passim) was castellan of John Comyn's castle of Clunie in Perthshire. His accounts range from September 15th 1291, until July 27th 1292, and consist of receipts of salary. From the first of these accounts we find that he was castellan on 24th August and from the last that he ceased to hold that office on July 28th 1292, on which day he delivered over, as directed by a precept from the bishop of Durham (Anthony Beck), the Castle of Clunie to Hugh of Erthe, Bailie of Sir John Comyn in the abthanage of Dull, and by whom Patrick Grant's salary had been paid.
David le Grant "Cal of Documents relating to Scotland" II p264, "Hist. Doc. of Scotland II pp 17 & 80, "Chiefs of Grant" I p.19 was Sheriff of Stirling for King Edward I in 1295 and 1296. On 8th September 1296, however, he is ordered to hand over the custody of the Castle and the Sheriffdom to Richard de Waldegrave. "Rot. Scot." I 30b. (On 3rd May 1335, we find David Graunte Ibid I 34 and William Graunt esquires [armigeris], who are among the Irish subjects ordered by Richard III to join him in Scotland.) Andrew le Grant "Chiefs of Grant" I p 24; "History of the Priory of Beauly" pp 78,9 is named as a witness with the Fentons and others in Sir Patrick Graham’s charter (see supra).
He and Sir Patrick Graham "Chiefs of Grant" I p.24 and III p.258 are again named together as witnesses in the charter conveying [9] Inverallan to John le Grant in 1316. He must, therefore, have been a person of some note. His name "Exchequer Rolls" vol. I pp354, 417 appears in the accounts rendered to the Exchequer on the 30th November 1331 and 8th March 1332-3, by the Provost of Inverness.
Sir William Fraser thinks he may be identical with an Alan Grant "Chiefs of Grant" I pp 24,5. See also "Memoires de la Maison de Grant" p41 par Charles Grant, Vicomte de Vaux 1796 mentioned by English historians as being present at Halidon Hill, and that he may, as is traditionally alleged, have been a brother to John le Grant of lnverallan.
Maurice Grant may also have been a member of this family "Chiefs of Grant" I p.25 He is first named as acting on behalf of the Provosts of Inverness "Exchequer Rolls" I pp310, 417, 440, 465 in rendering their accounts to Exchequer, at Berwick-on-Tweed on 16th March 1330-1 and at Scone 8th March l332-3. He also rendered the account for the regality of the Earl of Moray within the Sheriffdom of Inverness at Aberdeen on 30th December 1337. In 1340, if not for some time before that date, he filled the important office of Sheriff of Inverness, a post similar to that held by Sir Laurence le Grant.
Thomas le Grant "Chiefs of Grant" I p.25 who is inserted in pedigrees of the Grants as a son of John le Grant, also appears at this time. All that is known of him is that in 1333 he was one of an assize Registrum Episcopatus Aberdoniensis Vol. I., p 53 held at the Hospital Hall of Aberdeen upon a recognition of the possession by Reginald of Rane of certain lands in the shire of Aberdeen. He was probably a burgess of Aberdeen.
[10] This Thomas le Graunt "Memoires de la Maison de Grant" p41 par Charles Grant, Vicomte de Vaux 1796 is claimed as the ancestor of the Grants of Normandy through two Sons ascribed to him, Tassin or Thomassin (a not uncommon variation of Eustace), and William, who are said to have settled in that country in 1359, having come for that purpose with their brother-german, John Grant, Ambassador of Scotland (see infra).
A Thomas le Grant "Cal of Documents relating to Scotland" II p.469, who may or may not be the same as above, was, in 1304-5, plundered and maimed of a hand, by outlaws resetted by Sir Duncan of Feringdraut in the liberty of Arbroath.
As Lord of Stratherrick "Chiefs of Grant" I pp. xxiii and xxxix , III p.10, he granted about the year 1357 to his son-on-law William Pylche, burgess of Inverness, the lands of Kildreke and Glenbeg, lying within the lands of Inverallan, to be held by William Pylche and the heirs of his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick le Grant. He had issue
I.MALCOLM LE GRANT (see infra) [11]
II. ELIZABETH LE GRANT "Chiefs of Grant" I pp.xxix,
26,27 III p10 who married about 1357 William Pylche, burgess of Inverness,
afterwards knighted. They had issue Ibid I pp xxx, 34,35,
III pp 20, 22 apparently SIR WILLIAM PYLCHE, Lord of Clucabock and part
of Inverallan, who died before 1427. By his wife Elizabeth Pylche "Invernessiana"
pp47, 186,188 who survived him, dying before 1453, he had issue two daughters,
Elizabeth and Marjory Pylche. They were, about 1427, infeft in their father’s
lands of Dreggie and Glenbeg - part of lnverallan. In 1482 they, in their widowhood,
resigned (with reservation of liferents) their Inverallan lands, and also their
lands of Culcabok &c, in favour of Hay of Mayne, See
infra whose successors sold Inverallan in 1587 to John Grant fifth of
Freuchie.
On 25th September 1394 Ibid p 355 he is named as the possessor of a twenty merk land near Inverness in an agreement between Thomas (Dunbar), Earl of Moray and Alexander of the Isles, Lord of Lochaber. He was probably the father of ELIZABETH LE GRANT, "Chiefs of Grant" I p. xxiv, xxx, 29-33, III pp15/6 Lady of Stratherrick, grand-daughter and, in 1433, nearest heir, of Patrick le Grant.
[12] She married Yyy Mackintosh (it is very likely that Elizabeth's husband was James Mackintosh of Rothiemurchus (see "Chiefs of Grant" I p.32; "The Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan" by A.M. Shaw Mackintosh, 1903 edition p.409), son of the Shaw Mackintosh who led the Clan Chattan in the famous conflict on the North Inch of Perth and who, according to the Kinrara MS, married a daughter of "Gregor Grant", but there is no evidence of a Gregor Grant at this period. From the same source it would appear that James Mackintosh fell at the battle of Harlaw, 1411, so that if Elizabeth was his wife she would be a widow in 1419) and had issue a son, James Mackintosh who, on 28th August 1419, had a grant of the lands of Stratherrick from his mother. Nothing further is known regarding him.
Elizabeth le Grant Ibid vol III p259 and I p. xxx had also a daughter, who married Yyy Seres, as on 29th September 1433, as grand-daughter and nearer heir of Patrick le Grant, Lord of Stratherrick, Elizabeth conveys to JOHN SERES, her nearest heir, her grandson, in “direct line”, all her lands. He had possession of Inverallan, and his son, Patrick Seres, in 1482, disponed these lands to John Grant, see infra son of Sir Duncan Grant of Freuchie.
(We find that contemporary with this Sir John "Calendar of Papal Registers" "Papal Letters" vol III pp 172 and 598 is a Sir John le Grant of Hakusmith, who, on 10th April 1345 is, by a mandate from the Pope to the Archbishop of York, to be reinducted into the Church of Byrthorn Jorz, of which he had been despoiled by John de Bekingham, a rector in the diocese of Lincoln. On 10th March 1358, we find John Graunt and Joan his wife, of Lincoln in a List of Persons to whom indulgences were to be given to choose confessors.)
Some historians, notably Dr Abercromby, Dr Abercromby's "Martial Achievements &c" edit 1715 Vol II p124 in his "Martial Achievements of the Scots Nation,’’ assert that Sir John le Grant was in 1359 appointed ambassador to France, along with Sir Robert Erskine and Norman Leslie, and that he was associated with them in the treaty signed in the New Hall of [14] the Palais Royal on 29th June 1359 See supra and "Chiefs" I p.25. It may be here noted that, as mentioned above, Tassin (or Thomassin) and William Grant "Memoires de la Maison de Grant" 1796 p41 are said by Charles Grant, Vicomte de Vaux, in his Memoires, to have gone over with their brother-german, John Grant, ambassador of Scotland, in 1359, to settle in Normandy. If this can be relied on, he may be a son of the Thomas le Grant mentioned above, as the father of Tassin and William "Chiefs of Grant" I pp.36/7. Sir William Fraser, however, except that he admits he must be a cadet of the family, is quite uncertain as to his parentage; although he had been supposed to be by former genealogists the eldest son of John le Grant, first of Inverallan. As shown above, however, Patrick le Grant of Stratherrick seems clearly to have been the eldest son. He also considers that the balance of evidence Ibid pp 41/2 is against Sir John’s taking any part in the embassy to France.
On 5th December 1363, “Rot. Scot,” Vol I p 877 he received a safe conduct for himself and ELIZABETH, his wife, with ten persons, horsemen and footmen, and also another for himself and his tenants of his town of Easter Gordon in "le Merskes" in Scotland to come into England with their goods, etc., and their business being done to return.
In a charter R.M.S. 9th September, 1364 (confirmed by David II 9th September 1364), he appears at Kindromy Castle as witness to a charter by Thomas Earl of Mar of the lands of Auchtererne, in Cromar, to Ego Ferguson the date of the original charter was [15] probably before 1361, when the fortress of Kildrumie (Kildromy) fell into the hands of the Crown. "Fordun a Goodall" Vol. II p.365; "Scalacronica" p.202
On October 13th, 1366, "Rot Scot." I 905a he had a safe conduct to pass into England or across the sea. On 23rd May, 1368, "Liber de Melros" vol. II pp 435/6 he is a witness to a charter by Thomas of Baliol, brother to Thomas, Earl of Mar, at Cavers, resigning certain lands of the barony of Cavers to William, Earl of Douglas. He had a brother, Richard le Grant, a churchman of the diocese of Moray. See "Calendar Papal Registers" Petitions I pp 379, 562, 572 sub dates 1361, 1381, 1389. Alexander Stewart (the Wolf of Badenoch), Earl of Buchan, calls him his kinsman and fellow-commoner. He may be the same as a Richard le Graunt, chaplain mentioned in a licence dated at Eltham 16th January, 20 Edward III granted to John de Bohun and Cecilia his wife.
He married a lady whose Christian name was Elizabeth, see infra but whose surname has not been ascertained. He died before 10th December 1371, probably between 23rd May 1368, and 6th January 1368-9, when the lands of Dovely and the office of Castellan were bestowed on Richard Comyn.
From charter see infra of 10th December 1371,
we learn that he was the trustworthy follower not only of John, but of Thomas
Randolph, first Earl of Moray, who died in 1332, and that his services extended
back to the days of King Robert the [16]
Bruce, so that it is most probable that he was at Halidon Hill. In a fourteenth
century manuscript ("Miscellany Scot. Hist. Society"
vol II p 27 and note) Sir John Grant and his son are mentioned as being prisoners
at Halidon Hill. But instead of the expression Sir John le Graung le fitz "Hemingburgh
Chronicon" (Hans Claud Hamilton, II 308), Signet Library, and Knighton
(in "Twysden" p. 2564) have Alanus Graunt. It would, therefore, appear
that Sir John's eldest son was called Allan. But Fraser thinks that this Allan
is identical with Andrew Grant, and that he was a brother of John Grant, first
of Inverallan. See "Chiefs" I p25. He left issue
THOMAS LE GRANT "Chiefs of Grant" I pp 46/7,
“Invernessiana” pp 64/5 who appears as a witness to a charter
by Edua, one of the heiresses of Old Castle, dated 4th March, 1361-2. He is
also a witness to a charter by Nicholas of Forays (Forres), dated 4th February
1363. Ibid pp.57/8 see also pp.62/3. He received
from King Robert II "Reg. Moraviense pp 473/4
on 10th November 1371, a charter narrating the grants of successive Earls of
Moray to the late John le Grant, his father; and, further, for the latter’s
service in defence of the kingdom, conferring and confirming to the said Thomas
the lands of Dollynduff and Dovely (Dounduff and Dunphail), and the office of
forester of the King’s Park and Castle of Darnaway, with other privileges.
A Thomas le Grant "Exchequer Rolls" vol. II p97 rendered to the Exchequer various accounts connected with the Burghs of Inverness and Elgin. Thus, on 11th August 1362, the account, of Thomas Byset, Thomas le Grant and another, "custumars of Inverness and Elgin, is rendered at Perth” Ibid. pp. 248, 269, 320. On 10th March, 1367 and 17th January 1369 he and John Scot, as custumars of Inverness, render their accounts at Perth. On [17] 16th January, 1366-7, he, as bailie of Inverness, renders his accounts at Perth.
At Perth also on 12th January, 1367-8, "Exchequer Rolls" vol. II pp 278, 328, 338 and 18th January 1369-70, Thomas le Grant, also acting on behalf of the bailies of Inverness, renders his accounts. As Sir William Fraser observes, there is no further mention of Thomas le Grant in the Exchequer Rolls after January, 1369-70. It is not improbable, therefore, that the custumar of Inverness between January 1369-70, and November, 1371, became castellan of Darnaway, and ceased to act in the former capacity.
(On 4th February, 1389, Ibid. III p.313, the accounts of the bailies of Linlithgow are rendered at Perth by Thomas Graunt, but this very probably is not the same man as Thomas le Grant above.)
ROBERT GRANT, "Rot. Scot." vol. II pp20 & 29, the Ambassador. He, as armiger or esquire, Note: the word “armiger” not only identifies this Robert Grant as the same who was afterwards an Ambassador to France (“Rot. Scot.,” II., pp. 30, 31), but also distinguishes him from another Robert Grant, who, about the same time, received a safe conduct permitting him to trade in England. had a safe conduct into England and beyond sea from Edward III of England, dated 11th February 1379-80. On 18th October 1380, he received a safe conduct from Richard II to fight a duel with Thomas de l'Strother, an Englishman, at Liliattecross, on the Monday following the next St Martin’s Day, the duration of the safe conduct to he fixed by John, Duke of Lancaster.
On the 18th February l380-1, “Rot. Scot,” vol. II p. 34. he received a safe conduct into England to confer with Robert [18] Hales, the Prior of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, in England, touching the affairs of the said Hospital. On 16th November 1385, "Foedera" 16th November 1385, he, as escuier (esquire) received £40 (francs d'or) from a sum sent from France to be distributed among the Scottish nobles. In 1391, "Exchequer Rolls" III pp 248, 275, 701, and also p. lxx, he received a sum of money as his expenses while engaged in the affairs of the kingdom. From an entry in the Exchequer Rolls, rendered 14th February, 1389-90, we learn that he, John (Peebles), Bishop of Dunkeld, Chancellor of Scotland, and John Ramorgny, had been on an embassy to France. As a result of their efforts, a truce was concluded "Foedera" 18th June 1389 from 18th June 1389 until 16th August 1392. In 1391 he, accompanied by Walter Trail, Bishop of St Andrews and a herald called Douglas had gone on a special mission to France, and it was to them that the large sum of £468 10s 4d was paid on 15th March 1391-2. As a result of the mission, a solemn treaty Original Treaty in register House, Edinburgh, printed in “Exchequer Rolls" vol. III pp xcvii et seq. was signed by the French King, Charles VI, on 30th March 1391, in presence of Mr Duncan Petit, Archdeacon of Glasgow and Robert Grant who are described as "Maistre Donquen Petit et Robert Grant, escuier, embassateurs et messages". Before the 22nd March 1391-2, he got a fee of £20.
From accounts of 4th February 1392-3 and 26th March 1394, we see that his fee had been converted into a pension of £20 Ibid. pp 312, 344 to be paid yearly [19] for his services in France and elsewhere. After 26th March 1394, we hear nothing more of him. For fuller details of him see "Chiefs of Grant" vol. I pp 48-52 There is no proof as to his ancestry and descendants. Tradition assigns to him the position of a son of Sir John Grant. If this is so, he may have been a younger brother of Thomas Grant. He was probably the father of
He was most probably the husband of Matilda of Glencarnie, "Chiefs of Grant" I p. li, III pp 13/4 the daughter of Gilbert of Glencarnie who, on 15th February 1391-2, exchanged with Marjory, Countess of Moray, and Thomas of Dunbar, [20] Earl of Moray, her son, his paternal inheritance of Glencarnie for the lands of the two Fochabers on Speyside, and the life-rent lease of the lands of Mayne, near Elgin, to be held in feu and heritage of the Earls of Moray.
But on 26th March 1398, "Chiefs of Grant" III pp.14 /5 “Gilbert of Glenchernie, then Lord of Fochabirris tenand of that ilke land," entered into an agreement to sell these lands of Fochabers to Thomas of Dunbar, Earl of Moray, the former proprietor, for £100 sterling "of the usuale monay of Scotland".
The lords of Glencarnie Ibid. I pp. xlviii and xlix See Strathern article, “Scots Peerage”, “Registrum Moraviense,” pp.89, 93 were descended from Gilbert, the third Earl of Strathern. Gilbert (most probably a younger son of the third Earl), who about the year 1232 is designed son of Gilbert, late Earl of Strathearn and is mentioned as patron of the kirk of Duthil, entered into an agreement on 12th September 1232, with Andrew, Bishop of Moray, whereby it was provided that Gilbert and his heirs should hold, of the Bishops of Moray, the half davach of Kyncarny in feu farm.
It appears that this Gilbert had succeeded his brother Gilchrist, who died in 1198, in these lands, as on 16th April, apparently about the year 1205, at Forfar, King William the Lion had confirmed a gift made by Earl Gilbert to his son Gilchrist of the lands of Kinnebethin (Kinveachy) and Glencarnin to be held of the Earl in fee and heritage. "Chiefs of Grant" III p.1 A. charter by King Alexander II dated at Dunfermline on 12th February, 1220-6, confirmed this [21] grant "Chiefs of Grant" III p.2. King William the Lion had, about 1180, granted the lands of Kinbethach (Kinveachy) to Earl Gilbert. Ibid p.1 from an original charter in the charter chest of the Duke of Atholl.
The date of Ian Ruadh Grant’s death, see infra and “Chiefs of Grant,” I pp.54/5, is uncertain, but Matilda of Glencarnie died before 31st January, 1434, leaving issue the following:
I DUNCAN GRANT, afterwards Sir Duncan Grant of Freuchie.
II PATRICK MAC IAN Roy, See supra and “The Mackintoshes
& Clan Chattan,” p. 84; Macfarlane’s “Gen. Coll."
Vol. I p.183, Shaw’s “Moray,” I p.97, brother of Sir
Duncan Grant, is said by the Kinrara MS. to have married Janet, third daughter
of Malcolm, tenth chief of Mackintosh. To him by some is attributed the position
of ancestor to the Clan Phadruig or House of Tulloch Gorm. Some, however, say
he was illegitimate. “Macfarlane,” I p. 109.
On 28th July 1473, Marjory Lude, “Chiefs of Grant” I p. 61; III pp. 30/1 a widow, styling herself “Lady of half the Barony of Freuchie,” alienated her lands of Auchnarrows, Downan, Port, and Dalfour (Dellifure) to her son, Patrick Grant. He is also called Reoch. He died before 2nd December 1508, leaving a son, Yyy Reoch, who probably is the Patrick Reoch said to have died in 1513, in a Charter of Apprising of 1st May, 1585. Ibid, III pp. 266, 395. (Now it is rather strange that Sir Duncan Grant should have the Barony of Freuchie, or rather apparently half of it, and that Marjory Lude, a widow, should leave half of the barony [22] to Patrick Reoch (or Roy) Grant, her son. Could it be that she was the second wife and widow of Patrick MacIan Roy mentioned above, and that Sir Duncan and Patrick MacIan Roy each got half of the barony of Freuchie?)
Patrick Reoch Grant, “Chiefs of Grant" I, pp. lxxv., lxxvi., 152 and footnote; see infra, who died in 1513, had a grandson, Nicholas Cumming, from whom the lands in this charter were apprised by James Grant of Auchernach, and finally sold to John Grant, fifth of Freuchie, in 1589, the grandson and successor of John Grant, 4th of Freuchie, who had left 40 merks to Nichol Cumming "ane pure man.”
As Sir Duncan Grant, he was retoured first on 25th February 1464-5, “Chiefs of Grant," I pp. xxxvi, lii, 55, 64, 65 and III pp. 26, 28, and 29 and finally on 7th February 1468-9, as heir in the lands of Congash of his grandfather, Gilbert of Glencarnie, who is said to have died about thirty years before. From the first of these Retours we see he must have been knighted before that date. On the 25th September 1475, with consent of John Grant, his son and apparent heir, he granted a Precept for infefting James Douglas of Pittendreich in the fifth part of the half of Surastoun (Sheriffston). Ibid I p. 66, and III pp.32/3.
On the 26th March 1479, "Chiefs of Grant,” I p.67 “Family of Kilravock,” p.139 he was one of the arbitrators who gave decree in the dispute between the Mackintoshes and Rose of Kilravock as to the lands of Urquhart and Glenmoriston. His son, John Grant, was also all arbitrator.
We find that Duncan Grant “Exchequer Rolls” VI pp. 378, 483, 657 had a lease of Ballindalloch from 1456-1460. Glencarnie was let to Sir Duncan Grant Ibid, VII pp. 367, 407, 523, 577; IX pp. 47, 140, 267, 313, 362 from 1475 till his death.
In the Exchequer accounts rendered 31st July 1487, p. 499, we see there a question regarding a new lease to him, which seems to have been granted. "Exchequer Rolls,” X p.85.
He died 1485, “Chiefs of Grant,” I p.68 as appears from a short Latin Chronicle relating to the highlands, by James McGregor, Dean of Lismore, who died in 1542. It is said that he married Muriel Mackintosh, daughter [24] of Malcolm, tenth Chief of the Mackintoshes, but the evidence points to her having married John Grant, Sir Duncan’s son. Sir Duncan Grant had issue one son and two daughters.
I. JOHN GRANT, see supra younger of Freuchie, mentioned above with regard to a precept of his father in 1475, and also as an arbitrator in 1479. On 8th September 1478, “Chiefs of Grant” I pp. 69, 70 he received a grant from George, Earl of Huntly, of the liferent only of the Earl’s lands of Fermestoun, Kinrara, Gergask, and others, and is there described as son and apparent heir of Duncan Grant of Freuchie. It seems most probable that he is the John Mor Grant of Freuchie "The Mackintoshes of Clan Chattan" p.84 Macfarlane’s "Gen. Coll" vol. I p.183 who is stated by the Kinrara MS to have married Muriel Mackintosh, daughter of Malcolm, tenth Chief of the Mackintoshes.
He predeceased his father, Sir Duncan Grant. He died before 16th September 1483 and, according to a Chronicle of the Highlands compiled previous to the year 1542, he is said to have died at Kindrochat in Mar on 30th August 1482, and to have been buried in the Cathedral Church of Moray. He was infeft in the lands of Inverallan “Chiefs of Grant” I p. xxxi, III, pp. 261, 262 in a precept dated 9th May 1482, from the Superior, William Crawford of Federeth, on the resignation of Patrick Seres the same date. He left issue three sons,
1. JOHN, see infra who succeeded his grandfather as Laird of Freuchie; [25]
2. A son, PATRICK, is also assigned to John Grant, younger of Freuchie, who is claimed as the ancestor of the older family of Grants of Ballindalloch (see Appendix I, Grants of Ballindalloch).
3. WILLIAM, who appears to have been the third son of John Grant, “Chiefs of Grant” I pp. 70, 98, III p. 72, younger of Freuchie, is named in a Royal Remission dated 13th February 1527, and is said to be an ancestor of the Grants of Blairfindy. He may be the same as the William Grant who witnessed a Charter, 6th November, 1534 RMS 14th November 1534.
II CATHERINE GRANT, daughter of Sir Duncan Grant, first of Freuchie. She became the third wife of Lachlan Mackintosh, “Chiefs of Grant” I p.68 called “Badenoch,” and was the ancestress of the Chiefs of Mackintosh. Original Paper at Castle Grant, dated 20th February 1568. She is also said to have married Alexander Baillie of Dunain and Sheuglie. “Invernessiana” p.128
III MURIEL She married Patrick Leslie of Balquhain, and had issue. She died circa 1472 “Chiefs” I pp. 68, 500, "Collections for a History of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff,” Vol. I p.530.
| |
Part I |
|