Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 33 on 22/06/2007.

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The first Highland charge

This issue, James Irvine Robertson looks at the bloody history that surrounds Sir David Lindsay, 1st Earl of Crawford, and the battle at Glasclune

April 23, 1390, the Feast of St George, was a fine sunny day.

The windows of the houses lining old London Bridge were packed with spectators. Pennants and multicoloured awnings fluttered in the gentle breeze and a grandstand, ‘a summer castle,’ had been erected for King Richard and the ladies of his court.

Lord Welles had challenged any Scotsman to knightly combat, and Sir David Lindsay of Glenesk, under safe conduct and with 30 mounted followers, arrived to pick up the gauntlet. Their passage of arms was the highlight of the day’s entertainment. Their chargers thundered towards each other; lances crashed into shields; Lord Welles was unhorsed and the duel continued with daggers until Sir David lifted his armoured opponent by the point of his dagger and hurled him, once again, to the ground. Sir David then raised his defeated adversary and led him to Queen Anne.

The King presented the Scotsman with a silver cup and he spent three months being feted at the English court. He returned home to Glenesk in Angus and ‘in thankfulness for his victory he founded a chantry, of five priests, or vicars choral, within Our Lady Kirk at Dundee.’ Robert, son of Duncan of Atholl, disputed the right of Sir David to sole ownership the lands of Glenesk. Robert’s brother-in-law was the late Sir Alexander Lindsay, David’s father, and their respective wives were co-heiresses to these estates; Robert did not receive his full share, he thought. Early the following year, 1391, Sir David set up a me.....

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By James Irvine Robertson

Section : Scottish History

Page number : 38