Clan Maitland
Encyclopedia
Origins of the clan
The name Maitland is of NormanNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
origin and was originally spelt Mautalent, Matulant or Matalan, it translates as "evil genius". The Mautalents come from the village of Les Moitiers d'Allonne near Carteret
Carteret
Carteret may refer to:*George Carteret, 1st Baronet , one of the first proprietors of New Jersey*George Carteret, 1st Baron Carteret...
in Normandy. The name is found to occur frequently in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
during the 12th and 13th centuries. The first time it is found in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
was Thomas de Matulant who was of Anglo-Norman origin. He was the ancestor to this noble family in Lauderdale
Lauderdale
Lauderdale, denoting "dale of the river Leader", is the dale and region around that river in south-eastern Scotland.It can also refer to:-People:*Earls of Lauderdale*Lord Lauderdale, member of The Cabal of Charles II of England-Place names:Australia...
. Thomas flourished in the reign of William the Lion and died in 1288.
During the reign of King Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
, Thomas's grandson, Sir Richard Matulant was one of the most powerful Lowland magnates, owning the lands of Thirlestane, Blythe, Tollus and Hedderwick.
Wars of Scottish Independence
Sir Richard Matulant's son joined King Robert the BruceRobert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
on his ascension to the crown. He supported the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn
Battle of Bannockburn
The Battle of Bannockburn was a significant Scottish victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence...
in 1314, however he died in 1315. Sir Richard Maitland whose distinguished exploits during the Wars of Independence earned him a place in Gavin Douglas's The Palis of Honour.
Two of his sons died when the Clan Maitland fought at the Battle of Durham also known as the Battle of Neville's Cross
Battle of Neville's Cross
The Battle of Neville's Cross took place to the west of Durham, England on 17 October 1346.-Background:In 1346, England was embroiled in the Hundred Years' War with France. In order to divert his enemy Philip VI of France appealed to David II of Scotland to attack the English from the north in...
in 1346. However his son John who was also the nephew of Sir Robert Keith
Clan Keith
Clan Keith is a Scottish clan associated with Aberdeenshire and Caithness.-Origins:It is said that a Scottish warrior slew the Danish General Camus at the legendary Battle of Barrie in 1010. For this, King Máel Coluim II of Scotland dipped three fingers into the blood of the slain and drew them...
, Great Marischal of Scotland and obtained a charter of lands of Thirlestane and Tollus.
15th century
Sir Robert Maitland was in charge of Dunbar CastleDunbar Castle
Dunbar Castle is the remnants of one of the most mighty fortresses in Scotland, situated over the harbour of the town of Dunbar, in East Lothian.-Early history:...
but surrendered it to the Earl of Mar
Earl of Mar
The Mormaer or Earl of Mar is a title that has been created seven times, all in the Peerage of Scotland. The first creation of the earldom was originally the provincial ruler of the province of Mar in north-eastern Scotland...
on his return to Scotland. His son Robert Maitland was one of the hostages for King James I of Scotland
James I of Scotland
James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...
on the liberation of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1424.
16th century & Anglo-Scottish wars
Robert's descendant, William Maitland of Lethington was killed when he led the Maitland contingent at the Battle of Flodden FieldBattle of Flodden Field
The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field or occasionally Battle of Branxton was fought in the county of Northumberland in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey...
during the Anglo-Scottish Wars
Anglo-Scottish Wars
The Anglo-Scottish Wars were a series of wars fought between England and Scotland during the sixteenth century.After the Wars of Scottish Independence, England and Scotland had fought several times during the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In most cases, one country had attempted to...
of the 16th century. William's heir Sir Richard Maitland, was a man of extraordinary talent who was appointed a judge of the Court of Session
Court of Session
The Court of Session is the supreme civil court of Scotland, and constitutes part of the College of Justice. It sits in Parliament House in Edinburgh and is both a court of first instance and a court of appeal....
and Keeper of the Privy Seal. He was also a distinguished poet and historian, and died in 1586 at the age of 90.
William Maitland of Lethington
William Maitland of Lethington
Sir William Maitland of Lethington was a Scottish politician and reformer, and the eldest son of the poet Richard Maitland....
was a conspicuous and distinguished politician of Mary, Queen of Scots' reign. He accompanied her north into the Scottish Highlands against the formidable and powerful Earl of Huntly
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly was a Scottish nobleman.-Biography:He was the son of John Gordon, Lord Gordon, and Margaret Stewart, daughter of James IV. George Gordon inherited his earldom and estates in 1524 at age 10...
chief of Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon, also known as the House of Gordon, is a Scottish clan. The chief of the clan was the powerful Earl of Huntly, now also Marquess of Huntly.-Origins:...
. William led his troops at the Battle of Corrichie in 1562 where the Earl of Huntly was killed. He even composed a prayer, which has been preserved, supplicating divine support and protection for the Royal forces in the day of battle.
William continued in service to Queen Mary until her surrender to the insurgent nobles at the Battle of Carberry Hill
Battle of Carberry Hill
The Battle of Carberry Hill took place on the 15th June 1567, near Musselburgh, East Lothian, a few miles east of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. It was part of the ongoing civil war that surrounded Mary, Queen of Scots and the ever changing sides that opposed her and supported her.-The conflict:In May of...
, but after that incident he openly joined them and took part in all their councils and proceedings. He was also present at the Battle of Langside
Battle of Langside
The Battle of Langside, fought on 13 May 1568, was one of the more unusual contests in Scottish history, bearing a superficial resemblance to a grand family quarrel, in which a mother fought her brother who was defending the rights of her infant son...
, which finally ruined Mary's cause in Scotland.
Sir John Maitland was created the 1st Lord of Thirlestane and married the heiress of Lord Fleming. He was Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland in the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, and his son was created the first Earl of Lauderdale
Earl of Lauderdale
Earl of Lauderdale is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1624 for John Maitland, 2nd Lord Maitland of Thirlestane, Berwickshire. The second Earl was created Duke of Lauderdale but died without male issue when the dukedom became extinct. The earldom passed to his brother Charles,...
. His sister, Anne married Robert, Lord Seton
Clan Seton
Clan Seton is a Scottish clan which does not currently have a chief, therefore it is considered an Armigerous clan.-Origins of the Clan:The name Seton is believed to be derived from the village of Sai in Normandy although other explanations have been suggested, such as from Tranent meaning "a sea...
son of the 1st Earl of Winton
Earl of Winton
The title Earl of Winton was once created in the Peerage of Scotland, and again the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It is presently held by the Earl of Eglinton....
. Through frequent marriages with the families of Fleming and Clan Seton
Clan Seton
Clan Seton is a Scottish clan which does not currently have a chief, therefore it is considered an Armigerous clan.-Origins of the Clan:The name Seton is believed to be derived from the village of Sai in Normandy although other explanations have been suggested, such as from Tranent meaning "a sea...
the Clan Maitland became loyal adherents to Mary, Queen of Scots, even when her fortunes were at their lowest.
17th century and Civil War
The secretary's only son, James, died without issue, and the Lethington estates passed to his brother, Sir John, first Baron Maitland, who began the construction of Thirlestane Castle in Lauder. His only son was created first Earl of Lauderdale in 1616. He was President of the Council and a Lord of Session.The earldom passed to his son, John, in 1645, when the fortunes of the family reached their zenith. He attended the Westminster Assembly
Westminster Assembly
The Westminster Assembly of Divines was appointed by the Long Parliament to restructure the Church of England. It also included representatives of religious leaders from Scotland...
of Presbyterian divines as a Scots commissioner in 1643. In 1647, despite his covenanting background he promoted the king's cause after he became a prisoner of the English parliament, and the Scots Parliament agreed to send an army into England on behalf of Charles in return for certain undertakings from him concerning the Church. Lauderdale was sent to Holland to persuade the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
to join with the Scots. He fought alongside Charles at the Battle of Worcester
Battle of Worcester
The Battle of Worcester took place on 3 September 1651 at Worcester, England and was the final battle of the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians defeated the Royalist, predominantly Scottish, forces of King Charles II...
in 1651, where he was captured, and he spent nine years in the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
.
After the Restoration, Lauderdale rose to become the most powerful man in Scotland, ruling virtually as viceroy. In 1672 he was created Duke of Lauderdale, but this title died with him. The duke employed Sir William Bruce to convert his castle at Thirlestane into a renaissance palace. The family earldom passed to his brother, Charles.
18th century & Jacobite uprisings
1715 uprisingAlthough Richard, the fourth Earl was Roman Catholic and a Jacobite, who followed James II to Stt Germain in France, his successors were not of that persuasion.
John Maitland, the fifth Earl (and brother of the fourth Earl) was a Senator of the College of Justice.
Charles Maitland the sixth Earl was appointed General of the Mint, and at the general election he was chosen one of the sixteen representative peers. He supported the British Government and was against Jacobitism
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
. He served as a volunteer, under the Duke of Argyll
Duke of Argyll
Duke of Argyll is a title, created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1701 and in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1892. The Earls, Marquesses, and Dukes of Argyll were for several centuries among the most powerful, if not the most powerful, noble family in Scotland...
, and fought with great gallantry at the Battle of Sheriffmuir
Battle of Sheriffmuir
The Battle of Sheriffmuir was an engagement in 1715 at the height of the Jacobite rebellion in England and Scotland.-History:John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, standard-bearer for the Jacobite cause in Scotland, mustered Highland chiefs, and on 6 September declared James Francis Edward Stuart as King...
against the Jacobites in 1715.
1745 - 1746 uprising
Although the Jacobite leader Prince Charles Edward Stuart
Charles Edward Stuart
Prince Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or The Young Pretender was the second Jacobite pretender to the thrones of Great Britain , and Ireland...
stayed at Thirlstane Castle and his army camped in the parklands after the victory at the Battle of Prestonpans
Battle of Prestonpans
The Battle of Prestonpans was the first significant conflict in the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The battle took place at 4 am on 21 September 1745. The Jacobite army loyal to James Francis Edward Stuart and led by his son Charles Edward Stuart defeated the government army loyal to the Hanoverian...
in 1745, the Maitland family were not Jacobites, and they escaped the forfeiture which ruined so many other families after the Forty-five.
The estate and Castle of Lethington was acquired by Lord Blantyre
Lord Blantyre
The title of Lord Blantyre was a title in the Peerage of Scotland; it was created in 1606 and became extinct in 1900.-Lords Blantyre :*Walter Stewart, 1st Lord Blantyre *William Stewart, 2nd Lord Blantyre...
in 1702, a gift from La Belle Stuart, Frances Stewart, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox
Frances Stewart, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox
Frances Teresa Stewart, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox was a prominent member of the Court of the Restoration and famous for refusing to become a mistress of Charles II...
. He renamed it as per her instructions, "Lennox's Love to Blantyre', which was shortened over the years to Lennoxlove.
Clan Maitland today
Today the Earls of Lauderdale are Hereditary Saltire Banner Bearers of Scotland.Clan Chief
The Rt. Hon. Sir Patrick Francis MaitlandPatrick Maitland, 17th Earl of Lauderdale
Patrick Francis Maitland, 17th Earl of Lauderdale FRGS , styled Hon. Patrick Maitland from 1953 to 1968, was a British Conservative politician.-Early life:...
, Bt, The 17th Earl of Lauderdale
Earl of Lauderdale
Earl of Lauderdale is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1624 for John Maitland, 2nd Lord Maitland of Thirlestane, Berwickshire. The second Earl was created Duke of Lauderdale but died without male issue when the dukedom became extinct. The earldom passed to his brother Charles,...
, Viscount of Lauderdale, Viscount of Maitland, Lord Maitland of Thirlestane, Lord Thirlestane and Boltoun, Chief of Maitland.
Clan Castles
- Thirlestane CastleThirlestane CastleThirlestane Castle is a castle set in extensive parklands near Lauder in the Borders of Scotland. The site is aptly named Castle Hill, as it stands upon raised ground. However, the raised land is within Lauderdale, the valley of the Leader Water. The land has been in the ownership of the Maitland...
is the seat of the Chief of Clan Maitland. - Tibber's CastleTibber's CastleThe ruins of Tibber's Castle lie on the west bank of the River Nith, within the estate of Drumlanrig Castle. The site is 2 miles north of Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, south west Scotland. It occupied a key site, defending Nithsdale, one of the main potential invasion routes into Scotland, and...
lands were granted 23 August 1369 to john Mautaland of Thirlestane by the Earl of March, whose sister Agnes he married at about that time. His son, Sir Robert Mautaland obtained a crown charter of the land. - Lennoxlove HouseLennoxlove HouseLennoxlove House is a historic house set in woodlands half a mile south of Haddington in East Lothian, Scotland. The house comprises a 15th-century tower, originally known as Lethington, and has been extended several times, principally in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries...
, previously Lethington was owned by the Maitlands until 1682; ownership passed to Blantyre-Stewarts; now seat of Dukes of HamiltonDukes of HamiltonThe Dukes of Hamilton were a junior ice hockey team that represented Hamilton, Ontario in the Ontario Hockey League for two seasons from 1989 to 1991.-History:...
since 1946.