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

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A noble and ancient family (Sinclairs)

James Irvine Robertson looks at the history of the Sinclairs, a clan with its roots deep in the soil of Scottish history

The origin of the Sinclairs, in the male line at least, is conventional enough.

The first of the family was said to be a kinsman of William of Normandy and came over with him to acquire England in 1066.

This progenitor took his name from St Clair sur Epte, a village heavily contested in the days following D-Day, where he held land.

Having issues with William the Conqueror, however, William ‘The Seemly’ St Clair accompanied the Saxon Princess Margaret Atheling to Scotland in 1068, where he was given territory of Rosslyn east of Edinburgh.

His son, Sir Henry St Clair, became a close confidant of David I, and two centuries later, another Sir Henry, 7th Baron of Rosslyn, was triumphant when the army of Edward I of England was decimated at the Battle of Roslin Glen, a victory often overlooked in Scottish history.

This Sir Henry’s son, another William, fought with Bruce at Bannockburn and was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. And, in one of the great romantic tales of Scots history, his son, yet another Sir William, joined the Black Douglas in 1330 to fulfill the deathbed request of King Robert Bruce for his heart to be taken on a crusade. They travelled to Spain, Douglas with his king’s heart strung round his neck in a silver casket. There they joined Alfonso of Castile to fight the heathen Moors. The forces met near Teba in southern Spain when the charge of the 25 Scottish knights split the army of the Moors. Sir William was isolated and beset by.....

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By James Irvine Robertson

Section : Scottish Clans

Page number : 52