Baron of Muirton: Difference between revisions
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==== Robertsons ==== |
==== Robertsons ==== |
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The Barony of Muirton has been associated with several families. The first known Crown Charter was granted in 1532 to the Abbot of Kinloss, who at the time was Robert Reid.<ref>{{Cite book|last=|first=|title=Records of the Great Seal of Scotland|publisher=|year=1532|isbn=|location=Edinburgh|pages=III.1172}}</ref> However, John Robertson is noted as the first Baron of Muirton. His eldest son Gilbert was married to Janet Reid, the sister of the Abbot Robert Reid.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Stewart J.|title=William Robertson and the Expansion of Empire|publisher=|year=1997|isbn=|location=|pages=98}}</ref> This family connection is probably what led to the Abbot enfiefing Robertson as his vassal.<ref name=":8" /> |
The Barony of Muirton has been associated with several families. The first known Crown Charter was granted in 1532 to the Abbot of Kinloss, who at the time was [[Robert Reid (bishop)|Robert Reid]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=|first=|title=Records of the Great Seal of Scotland|publisher=|year=1532|isbn=|location=Edinburgh|pages=III.1172}}</ref> However, John Robertson is noted as the first Baron of Muirton. His eldest son Gilbert was married to Janet Reid, the sister of the Abbot Robert Reid.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Stewart J.|title=William Robertson and the Expansion of Empire|publisher=|year=1997|isbn=|location=|pages=98}}</ref> This family connection is probably what led to the Abbot enfiefing Robertson as his vassal.<ref name=":8" /> |
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John Robertson, 1<sup>st</sup> of Muirton, was a younger son of Alexander the fifth Baron of Strowan and married to Margaret Crichton, granddaughter of James II. He was succeeded in the barony by his aforementioned son Gilbert Robertson of Muirton. Gilbert’s eldest son, David Robertson, was the third Baron of Muirton, and he was succeeded by his eldest son William Robertson of Muirton.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Douglas of Glenbevie, Bt.|first=Sir Robert|title=The Baronage of Scotland; Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Gentry of that Kingdom|publisher=|year=1798|isbn=|location=Edinburgh|pages=405-410,413-14}}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Robertson|url=https://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/robertson.htm|access-date=2020-10-06|website=www.electricscotland.com}}</ref> |
John Robertson, 1<sup>st</sup> of Muirton, was a younger son of Alexander the fifth Baron of Strowan and married to Margaret Crichton, granddaughter of James II. He was succeeded in the barony by his aforementioned son Gilbert Robertson of Muirton. Gilbert’s eldest son, David Robertson, was the third Baron of Muirton, and he was succeeded by his eldest son William Robertson of Muirton.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Douglas of Glenbevie, Bt.|first=Sir Robert|title=The Baronage of Scotland; Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Gentry of that Kingdom|publisher=|year=1798|isbn=|location=Edinburgh|pages=405-410,413-14}}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Robertson|url=https://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/robertson.htm|access-date=2020-10-06|website=www.electricscotland.com}}</ref> |
Revision as of 19:37, 16 October 2020
The Barony of Muirton is a feudal barony near Forres along the Findhorn River in Moray, Scotland.
The first known Crown charter was granted in 1532, to Abbott Robert Reid.
The title and rights of the Barony of Muirton are currently held by the M. Hon. Dr. Richard Bruce Culbert of Muirton, 32nd Baron of Muirton.
Feudal baronies originated during the Middle Ages and were lands held by barons in feu as “tenants in chief” of the monarch. The baron had the rights to the production of the land and was responsible to maintain law and order in the name of the king. He usually had to provide military forces in times of war, as well. Over time law enforcement and other powers were gradually stripped from barons. In Scotland, the Abolition of Feudal Tenures Act 2000 separated the title of Baron from the land and allowed it to be transferred as an incorporeal hereditament.[1]
LOCATION
The boundaries of the Barony have changed over the years but at one point it included Kinloss Abbey and its lands, the town of Kinloss, the lands and town of Muirton, the towns of Blackstob and Hatton, and the burgh of barony of Findhorn, including the mouth of the Findhorn River and the adjacent coast “lying in the ancient Sheriffdom of Elgin and Forres”.[2][3]. This is roughly the area from the ruins of the abbey, to Kinloss Golf Course, to the burgh of Findhorn and encompassing Kinloss Barracks on a modern map.
Abbey of Kinloss
The Abbey was founded in 1150 by David I for monks of the Cistercian order. The original monks were from Melrose Abbey.[4](Wiki). The Abbey was granted valuable salmon fishing rights on the Findhorn river by Robert the Bruce in 1312 and went on to become one of the largest and wealthiest religious houses in Scotland.[5]
The most renowned of the Abbots was Robert Reid, who erected multiple buildings at the abbey, including the library. Upon his death, he donated his estate to found the University of Edinburgh.
The Abbey was not originally part of the Barony, but the first known Crown Charter for the Barony of Muirton was granted to the Abbot of Kinloss (Robert Reid) on 16 May 1532. By 1611 both the Abbey lands and the Barony of Muirton were included in the Lordship of Kinloss. A Charter of Novadamus granted to Sir Robert Innes of Muirton in 1632, formed various properties in the Lordship of Kinloss, including the abbey and the land of Muirton, into a larger Barony of Muirton.
After the Reformation in Scotland the abbey was abandoned. Much of the stone from the buildings was taken by Cromwell in 1650 to build the Citadel in Inverness. Ruins of some of the buildings still remain and are part of a local cemetery.[6]
Burgh of Barony of Findhorn
Findhorn “appears to have always been … a part of the Barony of Muirton”.[7] It is one of the oldest seaports on the coast of the Moray Firth and was a trading port for exporting grain and timber to Holland and Flanders and importing wine and merchandise. There was significant salmon fishing at the mouth of the river and herring fishing at sea. In the seventeenth century it was the principal seaport for Moray, but trade to Findhorn declined over the years as the harbour was not able to handle the increasing size of trade vessels.[8]
Findhorn was erected into a burgh of barony in 1661 by act of Parliament.[7] It is located on the east side of the mouth of the Findhorn River. Apparently, the original town was one and a half miles northwest and was cut off and inundated by the sea in 1701, due to the shoreline eroding and shifting.[7]
[9] The overwhelming of the adjacent Barony of Culbin by drifting sands is noted to have happened contemporaneously.[10]
Today the town is a dormitory suburb with moorings for leisure craft.[8]
Findhorn Ecovillage, near the town, is an intentional community begun in 1962 and then continued as a sustainable development with the formation of the Findhorn Foundation in 1972.[11]
RAF Kinloss/Kinloss Barracks
In 1938, with the advent of WWII, much of the land of the barony was requisitioned (compulsorily purchased) by the government to build a new Royal Air Force base, RAF Kinloss. The airbase opened as a flight training center in 1939 with three 1000m grass runways. By 1940 Bomber Command had taken over operations and in 1942 the runways were paved, and the main runway extended to 1800m.
After the war, the mission of the base changed to antisubmarine warfare and search and rescue under Coastal Command. In 1997 the UK Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center was moved to RAF Kinloss and continued there until 2016.[12]
In 2012, control of the base was transferred to the British Army and it became known as Kinloss Barracks. Two regiments of Royal Engineers are currently based at Kinloss Barracks, 39th and 71st (Reserve). It is also home to a receiver station of the Defence High Frequency Communications Service. The airfield is still maintained as a relief field and for temporary deployment of aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth.[13]
Town of Muirton
James Calder of Muirton was granted a charter by Charles II in 1674 allowing him to use some of the lands of Muirton to create a burgh of barony of Muirton, with a weekly market on Thursdays and two annual fairs.[14] An Ordnance map in 1870 shows a few buildings labeled “Muirtown” at a site that is now the southeast corner of Kinloss Barracks(see below).[15]
Town of Kinloss
A charter by James IV in 1497 granted the Abbots a burgh of barony for the “town before the gate of the monastery” named Kinloss. It allowed a market on Tuesdays and fairs every year at the feast of the Assumption and Candlemas.[14][16]
The population of the town does not appear to have changed much over the last few centuries, as in 1755 was 1119, in 1841 it was 1202 and the current population is 1420. [17][18]
The modern town is situated adjacent to Kinloss Barracks.
HISTORY
Robertsons
The Barony of Muirton has been associated with several families. The first known Crown Charter was granted in 1532 to the Abbot of Kinloss, who at the time was Robert Reid.[19] However, John Robertson is noted as the first Baron of Muirton. His eldest son Gilbert was married to Janet Reid, the sister of the Abbot Robert Reid.[20] This family connection is probably what led to the Abbot enfiefing Robertson as his vassal.[16]
John Robertson, 1st of Muirton, was a younger son of Alexander the fifth Baron of Strowan and married to Margaret Crichton, granddaughter of James II. He was succeeded in the barony by his aforementioned son Gilbert Robertson of Muirton. Gilbert’s eldest son, David Robertson, was the third Baron of Muirton, and he was succeeded by his eldest son William Robertson of Muirton.[21][20][22]
Bruces
Mary Queen of Scots is noted to have stayed at the Abbey of Kinloss in 1582, but sometime after that the church lands were confiscated in the wake of the Reformation. Edward Bruce acquired much of the lands and became Commendator in 1601. Edward was the son of Sir Edward Bruce, 1st of Blairhall, and Alison Reid, sister of Robert Reid the Abbott.[23] He sold the abbey buildings to Alexander Brodie of Lethen but retained the lands and barony of Muirton. Muirton and the remaining lands of the abbey were formed into the Barony of Kinloss. Edward eventually became 1st Baron Bruce of Kinloss, Lord Kinloss and Lord Bruce of Kinloss. He was raised to the dignity of Lord of Session and when James VI ascended to the English throne, Lord Kinloss went with him and became a Privy Councilor and Master of the Rolls in London. In 1611 he was succeeded in his titles and in the “lands, lordship and barony of Kinloss, including the lands of Muirton” by his son Edward Bruce of Kinloss, 2nd Lord Kinloss.[24][25] This Edward was killed in duel with Edward Sackville, later 4th Earl of Dorset in 1613. His brother, Thomas Bruce, succeeded him, and eventually became the 1st Earl of Elgin.[26]
Mackenzies
At some time during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms the lands of Muirton fell into the hands of the Mackenzies and after several kinsmen held the lands, Alexander Mackenzie was granted a Crown Charter for the lands and Barony of Muirton. He was married to Marie Cuthbert of Drakies. The Cuthberts of Drakies were a cadet branch of the Cuthberts of Castlehill, near Inverness.[27]
Innes
At the end of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1672 Sir Robert Innes of Muirton was granted a Charter of Novadamus to the Barony of Muirton. He was succeeded by his son, also Robert and then by Sir Robert Calder, Bt., husband of Grisel Innes.[28][2]
Roses
During and immediately after the Glorious Revolution in 1688 there was a period of tumult and multiple transitions in the ownership of the barony. By the early 1700s the Roses of Kilravock held the Barony of Muirton, as Hugh Rose, 15th of Kilravock and his wife Beatrix Cuthbert of Castlehill were granted a royal charter in 1712 by Queen Anne[29]. Beatrix was the daughter of John Cuthbert 11th Baron of Castlehill. The Cuthberts were originally a Northumbrian family descended from “the kin of St. Cuthbert” who settled in the area near Inverness in the 13th century. There was a long connection between these families, as the Cuthberts of Castlehill were descended from George Cuthbert, 1st of Castlehill and his wife Marjory (Mary) Rose of Kilravock, daughter of Hugh Rose, third Baron of Kilravock.[30] [31][32][33] The Rose family is descended from a Norman family that settled in Nairn in the 1300s and has had their seat at Kilravock since 1460. The Roses of Kilravock have been the Chiefs of Clan Rose since that time. Hugh Rose (1663-1732) was, in addition to being baron of Kilravock and Muirton, Commissioner for the Justiciary, Sherriff of Ross (1706-1722, 1729-1732) and Member of Parliament for Nairn (1725-1732)[34].
Hugh Rose was succeeded by his son, Hugh Rose 16th of Kilravock in 1732 in both the Barony of Kilravock and the Barony of Muirton. The Roses kept a house in Findhorn during this period, but their seat was still at Castle Kilravock.[35] Just before the Battle of Culloden this Hugh Rose hosted both “Bonnie” Prince Charles and the Duke of Cumberland at the castle two days apart, apparently hedging his bet on the outcome of the Jacobite rising.[36] The Barony of Muirton then continued through a succession of Hugh Roses.
Munro Fergusons
On 3 November 1817, an Instrument of Sasine (in Latin) was recorded in favor of Hugh Andrew Johnstone Munro for the Barony of Muirton. He was later designed Hugh Andrew Johnstone Munro of Novar and Muirton and was well known as an art collector.[37] Upon his death his lands and titles fell to his cousin, Robert Munro Ferguson of Novar and Muirton. His son, Ronald Crauford Munro Ferguson of Novar and Muirton was granted by Queen Victoria a Crown Charter of Confirmation on the 18th July 1870 for the Barony of Muirton.[38]
Munro Ferguson served in the Army in India until 1884 and upon returning to Britain was elected to Parliament. He represented Ross and Cromarty and then Leith Burghs until 1914. Before the outset of WWI he accepted the post of Governor General of Australia, which he held until 1920. He was then elevated to the Peerage as Viscount Novar, of Raith in county Fife and Novar in the county of Ross. Upon returning from Australia, he was named Secretary of State for Scotland. He served in the House of Lords and on the board of directors of several companies. Upon his death in 1934, his lands and estates, including Muirton, were transferred to a family owned company and as noted above, most of the land became RAF Kinloss. The title Viscount Novar ended and the title Baron of Muirton became “dormant”.[39]
CURRENT BARON OF MUIRTON
The current holder of the title is the M. Hon. Dr. Richard Bruce Culbert of Muirton, 32nd Baron of Muirton. The title has been held since 2019 by assignation based upon the Crown Charter of 1870. He is descended from the Bruces, the Cuthberts of Castlehill and the Roses of Kilravock and is also related to the Robertsons and Abbott Robert Reid.[30][32] [40]
He is married to Lady Kristi Dawn Culbert, Baroness of Muirton and they have issue:
Miss Cailin Michelle Culbert of Muirton
Master Jacob William Culbert, Baron (younger) of Muirton
Muirton in Literature
The moors near the borders of the barony are reported to be the location of the famous scene involving the “weird sisters” and Macbeth and Banquo in Shakespeare’s historic play “Macbeth”.[10][41][42]
According to ”The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba”, the body of King Dubh (Duff) was hidden under a bridge over the Findhorn river after his murder. After its discovery it was removed to Iona and interred there. It has been suggested that Sueno’s Stone, nearby, was erected to depict his victory in battle and subsequent murder[43][44]
References
- ^ "The National Archives". Abolition of Feudal Tenure (etc.) Scotland 2000.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Brown, K.M. (2007–2019). The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707. St Andrews. pp. 1662/5/124 Ratification in Favour of Sir Robert Innes of Muirton.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ Crown Charter in Favour of Hugh Rose of Kilravock. Edinburgh, Scotland: National Records of Scotland. 1712. pp. SIG1/139/51.
- ^ Lewis, Samuel (1851). A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland... London: Clearfield. p. 416.
- ^ "Kinloss Abbey". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Kinloss Abbey". Kinloss Abbey. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Watson, J. & W. (1868). Morayshire Described: Being a Guide to Visitors... Elgin, Scotland, UK: Russell & Watson. pp. 280–282.
- ^ a b "Findhorn". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Shaw, Lachlan (1775). History of the Province of Moray. Edinburgh: William Auld. pp. 87–88.
- ^ a b The Traveller's Guide Through Scotland Vol.II. Edinburgh: John Thomson. 1824. p. 59.
- ^ "Ecovillage Findhorn". www.ecovillagefindhorn.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
- ^ "RAF Kinloss". Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Kinloss Barracks", Wikipedia, 2020-08-31, retrieved 2020-10-05
- ^ a b Marwick, Sir James David (1890). List of Markets and Fairs Now and Formerly Held in Scotland. Glasgow: The Royal Commissioners on Market Rights and Tolls. p. 91.
- ^ National Ordnance Survey Map, Elgin, Sheet VI. National Library of Scotland. 1870.
- ^ a b Stuart, LL.D., John (1872). Records of the Monastery of Kinloss with Illustrative Documents. Edinburgh: Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland. pp. xxxviii.
- ^ "Kinloss (United Kingdom)". City Population. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ New Statistical Account of Scotland, for Kinloss. Family History Library. pp. book 941.B4sa, series 2 Vol 13.
- ^ Records of the Great Seal of Scotland. Edinburgh. 1532. pp. III.1172.
- ^ a b Brown, Stewart J. (1997). William Robertson and the Expansion of Empire. p. 98.
- ^ Douglas of Glenbevie, Bt., Sir Robert (1798). The Baronage of Scotland; Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Gentry of that Kingdom. Edinburgh. pp. 405–410, 413–14.
- ^ "Robertson". www.electricscotland.com. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
- ^ "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
- ^ "Edward Bruce, 1st Lord Kinloss", Wikipedia, 2020-10-01, retrieved 2020-10-06
- ^ National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh. pp. Retours 28.
- ^ "Thomas Bruce, 1st Earl of Elgin", Wikipedia, 2020-10-05, retrieved 2020-10-06
- ^ Mackenzie, Alexander (1894). History of the Mackenzies. pp. I.3.
- ^ "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
- ^ Signature of the Lands of Muirtoun. Edinburgh: Great Seal of Scotland. 12 February 1712. pp. NRS.85.119.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ a b Hugh, Rose (1848). Genealogical Deduction of the Family of Rose of Kilravock.
- ^ "Cuthbert". www.electricscotland.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ^ a b "Cuthbert-Castlehill". sites.rootsweb.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ^ James VII (1686). Warrant of Bore Brieve to Charles Colbert of Seignelay. Act of Parliament of Scotland vol. viii.
- ^ "ROSE, Hugh I (1663-1732), of Kilravock, Nairn. | History of Parliament Online". www.historyofparliamentonline.org. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ^ "45 FINDHORN, KILRAVOCK (LB8675)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
- ^ "Rose Clan Crest, Motto, Family History, Rose Crest Gifts". www.scotsconnection.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ^ "Hugh Andrew Johnstone Munro of Novar", Wikipedia, 2020-03-28, retrieved 2020-10-14
- ^ Crown Charter of Confirmation in Favor of Ronald Crauford Munro Ferguson. Edinburgh: Records of the Great Seal of Scotland. 1870.
- ^ "Ronald Munro Ferguson, 1st Viscount Novar", Wikipedia, 2020-10-07, retrieved 2020-10-07
- ^ "Ancestry". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Murray, John (1883). Handbook for Travellers in Scotland 5th Edition. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. p. 385.
- ^ Stark, J. (1806). Gazeteer of Scotland... London: Archibald Constable and Co. pp. DYS.
- ^ "King Duff: Biography on Undiscovered Scotland". www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ^ Carlisle, Nicholas (1813). A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland and of the Islands in the British Seas Vol. II. Edinburgh: Bell and Bradfute. pp. 4C.