Clan Elphinstone: Difference between revisions
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Some people believe that John de Elphinstone was previously named John de [[Clan Swinton|Swinton]] of [[Clan Swinton]]. Supporters of this theory claim that Clan Elphinstone, in common with many [[Scottish Borders|Borders]] clans, was founded from the [[Clan Swinton|Swinton Family]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}. |
Some people believe that John de Elphinstone was previously named John de [[Clan Swinton|Swinton]] of [[Clan Swinton]]. Supporters of this theory claim that Clan Elphinstone, in common with many [[Scottish Borders|Borders]] clans, was founded from the [[Clan Swinton|Swinton Family]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}. |
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There are several errors in the above. The Elphinstone family take their name from the lands of Elphinstone in East Lothian. |
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Sometime around 1340 a charter was issued by Thomas of Erth (Airth), knight, Lord of Walughtoun [Wauchton, East Lothian] granting to Alexander of Elfyngstoune, son of the late John of Elfyngstoune, all that land with pertinents, which belonged to the late Marjory, his mother, in the holding of Erthbeg (Airthbeg = Little Airth), which land the said Marjory resigned to Sir Thomas as superior in his full court held at Erth (Airth), in her free widowhood and of her own free will. To be held by Alexander and his heirs of his body, of the granter and his heirs, in fee and heritage with the fishings of Qhikslyk and pasture for six horses in the isle of Erth (Airth), with commonty pertaining, with payment of 1 pound of cummin at the feast of St Ethot, at Erth (Airth) yearly. [Charter witnessed by East Stirlingshire men among whom were John of Kalenter, William of Munghale, clerk] |
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On the basis of contemporary writs we may infer from this charter that Marjory was the widow of the father of Sir Thomas de Airth, Lord of Wauchton, and that she had subsequently married John de Elfyngstoune with whom she bore a son, Alexander de Elfyngstoune. The Airth property would have come to her in the agreement made at the time of her first marriage; to the father of Sir Thomas. As required by the laws of Scotland at that time she had to resign her claim to her eldest son, Thomas of Erth, as the feudal superior of Airth before he could accept Alexander as his principal tenant. In 1503 King James IV raised the status of the estate known as Airthbeg to that of a barony to be known as he barony of Elphinston. Today the estate is known as Dunmore, which name, like Elphinston, is a transferred name having been acquired by the Earl of Dunmore in the 1750's. |
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===15th Century=== |
===15th Century=== |
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Revision as of 11:58, 9 June 2013
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2008) |
Clan Elphinstone is a Lowland Scottish clan
History
Origins of the Name
The Clan Elphinstone is believed to have originated from Airth in Stirlingshire. The surname Elphinstone derives from the territory of Elphinstone in the parish of Tranent, East Lothian. The original name is thought to have been 'de Erth', which later became 'Elfinstun', and finally 'Elphinstone'. The de Erths inherited lands near Tranent through marriage and built a castle there. Deeds dating from 1235 bear the name ‘de Elfinstun’, and grants dating from 1250 record the name John de Elphinstone as a witness. Sir John Elfinstun married Margaret Seton of Clan Seton, the niece of King Robert I of Scotland[citation needed].
Some people believe that John de Elphinstone was previously named John de Swinton of Clan Swinton. Supporters of this theory claim that Clan Elphinstone, in common with many Borders clans, was founded from the Swinton Family[citation needed].
There are several errors in the above. The Elphinstone family take their name from the lands of Elphinstone in East Lothian. Sometime around 1340 a charter was issued by Thomas of Erth (Airth), knight, Lord of Walughtoun [Wauchton, East Lothian] granting to Alexander of Elfyngstoune, son of the late John of Elfyngstoune, all that land with pertinents, which belonged to the late Marjory, his mother, in the holding of Erthbeg (Airthbeg = Little Airth), which land the said Marjory resigned to Sir Thomas as superior in his full court held at Erth (Airth), in her free widowhood and of her own free will. To be held by Alexander and his heirs of his body, of the granter and his heirs, in fee and heritage with the fishings of Qhikslyk and pasture for six horses in the isle of Erth (Airth), with commonty pertaining, with payment of 1 pound of cummin at the feast of St Ethot, at Erth (Airth) yearly. [Charter witnessed by East Stirlingshire men among whom were John of Kalenter, William of Munghale, clerk]
On the basis of contemporary writs we may infer from this charter that Marjory was the widow of the father of Sir Thomas de Airth, Lord of Wauchton, and that she had subsequently married John de Elfyngstoune with whom she bore a son, Alexander de Elfyngstoune. The Airth property would have come to her in the agreement made at the time of her first marriage; to the father of Sir Thomas. As required by the laws of Scotland at that time she had to resign her claim to her eldest son, Thomas of Erth, as the feudal superior of Airth before he could accept Alexander as his principal tenant. In 1503 King James IV raised the status of the estate known as Airthbeg to that of a barony to be known as he barony of Elphinston. Today the estate is known as Dunmore, which name, like Elphinston, is a transferred name having been acquired by the Earl of Dunmore in the 1750's.
15th Century
A descendant, William Elphinstone, became rector of Kirkmichael at the age of twenty-five. He studied Civil and Canon Law in Paris, eventually becoming Professor of Law in that university. In 1484 he was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen and later Lord Chancellor of Scotland, a post he held until the death of King James III of Scotland in June 1489. In 1494 he was given a papal bull from Pope Alexander VI to found the University of Aberdeen. He died in 1514.
16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars
In 1513 during the Anglo-Scottish Wars, a cousin of William Elfinstun, Sir Alexander Elphinstone, led the Clan Elphinstone at the Battle of Flodden Field. Sir Alexander was slain in the battle, fighting in support of King James IV of Scotland
Alexander's son, also called Alexander, took over as chief and led the Clan Elphinstone at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547, where he was killed. The fourth Lord Elphinstone was appointed in 1599 as a judge of the Supreme Court of Scotland in 1599 and later Lord high Treasurer[citation needed].
18th to 19th Centuries & the Napoleonic Wars
The eleventh Lord Eliphinstone was lieutenant governor of Edinburgh Castle. His younger brother, George Keith Elphinstone, was a successful and distinguished naval commander. The squadron of ships he served on was used to protect British shipping interests off the eastern coast of America. In 1795 he was made vice-admiral and commanded the fleet that captured the Cape of Good Hope, compelling the Dutch fleet to surrender without a shot being fired. Elphinstone was rewarded for this victory with an Irish barony. He was later promoted to the rank of admiral, and created Baron Keith of Banheath. In 1814 he was raised to the rank of Viscount. William George Elphinstone, the Viscount's nephew, was a colonel who fought against the French at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 during the Napoleonic Wars.
Clan Chief
The present Chief of Clan Elphinstone succeeded as 19th Lord Elphinstone in 1994 at the age of 14.
Clan Castles
See also
External links
- http://www.myclan.com/clans/Elphinstone_33/default.php
- http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/dtog/elphinstone2.htm
