Walter fitz Gilbert of Cadzow
.
Origins
There is some confusion as to the ancestry of his grandfather, William de Hameldone, who could, it has been argued, be descended from the
Bruce A. McAndrew, in his work, Scotland's Historical Heraldry, argues for the Umfraville connection:
- "The earliest representation of the Hamilton arms appears on the Bute Mazer, where Gules, three cinquefoils ermine, presumably for Walter fitzGilbert, is accompanied by Gules, a chevron ermine between three cinquefoils for brother John (d 1328). On the basis of these arms, it has been customary to trace the Hamilton origins to Robert fitzPernel, Earl of Leicester (d1204), who bore a single cinquefoil ermine to the Hamiltons' three. However, no genealogical evidence supports this assumption and a more sensible proposition is that they were kin, or vassals of the Umfraville lords of Redesdale and the earls of Angus (1247-1321) and took their name from Hameldon in Northumberland. Indeed, it is stated that a Walter fitzGilbert married Emma de Umfraville in the 13th century and of course other client Umfraville families like Swinburne and Clenell likewise bore the cinquefoils."[2]
McAndrew also cites the work of J. Bain's, "Walter fitz Gilbert, ancestor of the Dukes of Hamilton," who further suggested that "Walter de Burghdon (Boroudoun), whose earlier seal attached to the Ragman Roll display a single cinquefoil and whose later seals display three cinquefoils, was identical with Walter fitzGilbert of Hameldone. Bain, of course, was not aware of the painted heraldric evidence that demonstrated that Walter de Burghdon (d1309) bore Argent, three cinquefoils sable when fighting in the Scottish Wars and his relative Gilbert de Burradoun bore Gules, on a bend argent, three cinquefoils sable in the Parliamentary Roll" [2]
Documentary evidence
Walter fitz Gilbert first appears as a witness to a charter of James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland granting land to the monks of Paisley Abbey in 1294, and also later in the year in another granting land to the same establishment. The other signatories were all minor landowners in Renfrewshire.[3] Fitz Gilbert was present at
The arms of fitz Gilbert are represented on the Bute mazer, a drinking cup exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland, that been dated to soon after Bannockburn, and was possibly commissioned by him. The National Museum of Scotland suggest that Walter fitz Gilbert may have been the brother of John fitz Gilbert probable Baillie of Bute.[4]
A much later writer, in the sixteenth century, Friar Mark Hamilton recorded family traditions about Walter fitz Gilbert and the origins of the family.[5]
Wars of Scottish Independence
During the risings of William Wallace, and later Robert the Bruce, Walter fitz Gilbert remained loyal to the English party, holding lands in Fife of King Edward.[6] By 1314 he was constable of Bothwell Castle in South Lanarkshire and was charged by Edward with its security:
- "The king commands Walter fitz Gilbert, constable of his castle of Bothwell to see that it is safely and securely kept, and delivered to no other person whatsoever, without the king’s letters patent under the Great Seal of England directed to himself" [7]
Following the defeat of
Later life
Joining the Bruce party, Walter fitz Gilbert was granted lands of
Walter fitz Gilbert was present at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, fighting in the division of the High Steward, (later Robert II of Scotland), but is thought to have escaped the carnage there. There is little else heard of him. He died prior to 1346, when his son David fought at the Battle of Neville's Cross as Laird of Cadzow.[10]
Marriage and issue
Walter fitz Gilbert married Mary Gordon, daughter of
- David fitz Walter of Cadzow, ancestor of the Dukes of Hamilton and Dukes of Abercorn
- John fitz Walter, ancestor of the Earls of Haddington and the Hamiltons of Innerwick
Notes
- ^ Fox Davies, A.C. (1969). The Complete Guide to Heraldry. London: T.C. and E.C. Clark. p. 91. 202.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-84383-261-4. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ a b Balfour Paul, p340
- ^ "Heraldry of the Bute Mazer". National Museums Scotland.
- ^ Thomas James Salmon, Borrowstounness and District (Edinburgh: William Hodge, 1913), pp. 24-5
- ^ Balfour Paul p341
- ^ Edward II. "Document 1/28/0 (CDS, iii, no. 243)". Paradox of Medieval Scotland. Paradox of Medieval Scotland. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ Barrow, Geoffrey W.S. (1988). Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland. Edinburgh University Press. p. 231.
- ^ Balfour Paul, p341
- ^ a b Balfour Paul, p342
Sources
- Balfour Paul, Sir James, The Scots Peerage Vol IV. Edinburgh 1907 [1]