Clan Graham
Clan Graham | |||
---|---|---|---|
Greumaich nan cearc (Highland Grahams only) | |||
Historic seat | Mugdock Castle[3] | ||
| |||
| |||
| |||
|
Clan Graham (Greumaich nan Cearc
History
Origins of the clan
There is a tradition that the first Graham was one Greme who broke the Roman Antonine Wall driving the Roman legions out of Scotland.[5] However the likely origin is that the chiefs of Clan Graham were of Anglo-Norman origin.[5] The Manor of Gregham is recorded in William the Conqueror's Domesday Book.[5] When David I claimed the throne of Scotland, Graham was one of the knights who accompanied him.[5] Sir William de Graham was present at the erection of Holyrood Abbey, witnessing its foundation charter.[5]
The first lands that the chiefs of Clan Graham appear to have held were around Dalkeith in Midlothian.[5] Sir Nicholas de Graham attended the Parliament of 1290 where the Treaty of Birgham was signed.[5]
Wars of Scottish Independence
The Clan Graham fought at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296 where Sir Patrick de Graham of Kincardine was the only man of all the Scots not to retreat and instead fought to the death.[6]
Sir
The Clan Graham also fought against the English at the
In John Stewart's book, The Grahams, he states that "Most Scottish Clans would be proud to have one great hero. The Grahams have three." He refers to Sir John de Graham, the Marquis of Montrose and the Viscount of Dundee.[8] Stewart also wrote,
It is remarkable that the early Grahams were one and all exceedingly capable men. In an age when the reputation of many great public figures, alas, that of most of the Scottish nobility, were sullied by deeds of violence, and often deeds of blackest treachery, it is refreshing to find that the Grahams stand out as loyal and true to the causes they espoused. Their story is not one of rapid rise to power through royal favor, or even at the expense of their peers, but rather a gradual steady rise based on their undoubted ability and worthiness which seems to have endured from one generation to another.
15th and 16th centuries
The Clan Graham fought at the
17th century and Civil War
James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose
One of the most notable chiefs of the Clan Graham was James, Marquis of Montrose, a poet, but above all, the most distinguished royalist soldier of his time. He played a massive part in the Civil War in Scotland and the Grahams rallied to their chief.
In 1646 Montrose laid siege to the
John Graham, Viscount of Dundee
Another notable Graham was John, Viscount of Dundee also known as "Bonnie Dundee". By means of purchase and inheritance the Graham lands had become, by the late seventeenth century, among the richest in Scotland.
The Viscount of Dundee led a small Government Troop of Cavalry which was surprised and defeated at the
Dundee was appointed Commander in Chief of all Scottish Forces by King James VII but died at the
18th century and Jacobite uprisings
The Clan Graham took no side in the Jacobite Uprisings and remained neutral throughout. Highlanders can thank James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose for the repeal in 1782 of the Dress Act 1746 prohibiting the wearing of highland dress.[5] He persuaded Parliament to remove the law forbidding Scots to wear their tartan.[24]
Castles
- Mugdock Castle was the seat of the chiefs of the Clan Graham Dukes of Montrose.[3] It was held by the Grahams from the middle of the 13th century.[3]
- Buchanan Castle in Stirlingshire is the current seat of the chief of Clan Graham.[3]
- Claypotts Castle was held by the Grahams of Claverhouse.[3]
- Dalkeith Palace was held by the Grahams from the 12th century but passed to the Clan Douglas in about 1350.[3]
- Mains Castle (also known as Fintry Castle) was originally held by the Clan Stewart but it passed to the Grahams in 1350 and it was the Grahams who built the current castle.[3] The castle was sold to the Clan Erskine in the 19th century and then to the Cairds.[3] It was later given to the people of Dundee and today the grounds are a public park.[3]
- Inchtalla Castle was the seat of the Grahams who were Earls of Menteith.
- Kincardine Castle, Auchterarder was a substantial castle that was held by the Grahams from about 1250.[3] However the castle was demolished by Campbell Earl of Argyll in 1646.[3]
- Sir John de Graham Castle, also known as Graham's Castle,[3] or Dundaff Castle,[3] was said to be the birthplace of the legendary Sir John de Graham,[25] who fought at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.[3]
Tartan
Tartan image | Notes |
---|---|
Graeme tartan, as published in 1842 in Vestiarium Scoticum. There are two main families of Graham clan tartans, the Graham of Montrose tartans and the Graham of Menteith tartans. |
Chief
Since 1992, the chief of the family has been James, Duke of Montrose, Marquis of Graham and Buchanan, Earl of Kincardine, Viscount of Dundaff, Lord of Mugdock, Aberuthven and Fintrie, Baronet of Braco.
See also
- Graham (surname), for a list of notable people with the Graham surname
- Graham, for a list of Graham places
- Scottish clan, for a list of other Scottish clans
- The Grahamstown, South Africa) wears the Graham of Montrose tartan and badge.[26]
Notes and references
- docx). Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ a b c d Clan Graham Profile scotclans.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-899874-36-1.
- )
- ^ ISBN 0-00-470547-5.
- ^ a b c "The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans". W. & A. K. Johnston Limited. Edinburgh and London. 1886. Page 26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Electric Scotland. "Clan Graham History". www.electricscotland.com. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- )
- ^ Guthrie, William (1767). A General History of Scotland. Vol. 4. Paternoster Row, London: A. Hamilton, Robinson and Roberts. pp. 371-372. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ 1644 - Battle Of Tippermuir scotclans.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ The Battle of Tippermuir montrose-society.org.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ Battle of Inverlochy, 1645 Archived 27 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine scotwars.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ The flight of Argyll from the Battle of Inverlochy, 1645[permanent dead link] ambaile.org. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ "Battle of Auldearn, 9th May 1645" battlefieldtrust.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ The Battle of Auldearn montrose-society.org.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ "Battle of Alford, 2nd July 1645" battlefieldtrust.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ "Battle of Kilsyth, 15th August 1645" battlefieldtrust.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ "Battle of Philiphaugh, 13th September 1645" battlefieldtrust.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ Browne, James. (1875). History of the Highlands & of the Highland Clans Volume 1, Part 2. Page 425.
- ^ Keltie, John S F.S.A. Scot.General History of the Highlands 1645 - 1649 (Part 1) electricscotland.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ Sinclair, Robert. (2013). The Sinclairs of Scotland. Page 144.
- ^ Carbisdale: Montrose's Last Campaign bcw-project.org. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ Battle of Carbisdale, 1650 Archived 27 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine scotwars.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ Bain, Robert (1959). Margaret O. MacDougall (ed.). Clans & Tartans of Scotland (revised). P.E. Stewart-Blacker (heraldic advisor), foreword by The R. Hon. Countess of Erroll. William Collins Sons & Co., Ltd. p. 108.
- ^ Sir John De Graham's Castle canmore.rcahms.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ "First City - The Fighting Grahams" (PDF). www.rfdiv.mil.za. Defense Reserves, Republic of South Africa. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.