Patrick Maclellan of Bombie
Encyclopedia
Patrick Maclellan of Bombie (d. c. 1450 Sheriff
of Galloway
, then the head of his family, and a staunch royalist declined an invitation to join William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas
, along with the Earls of Ross
and Crawford
and Ormond in a powerful alliance against the young King James II of Scotland
.
By marriage to his cousin, Margaret Douglas
(daughter of Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas
) William Douglas, a member of the 'Black Douglas' family thereby increased the powers vested in his family and estates to the point where he was the most powerful nobleman in the country. The alliance with the Earls of Ross and Crawford further strengthened his power base.
George Buchanan
's version of events suggests that Maclellan had previously killed one of the Douglas family by whom he had been insulted, but it is generally understood that the cause of quarrel was Maclellan's refusal to join the alliance. The Earl of Douglas, outraged with this opposition to his plot, laid siege to Raeberry Castle (MacLellan's Castle
) and captured Sir Patrick Maclellan forcibly removing him to the fortress of Threave Castle
, where Maclellan was held a prisoner.
Sir Patrick Gray
, Maclellan’s uncle, held a high office at the Court, and so was able to obtain a letter from the King requiring the earl of Douglas to release his prisoner. Sir Patrick Gray carried the dispatch himself, appearing with the king's letter. William Douglas, suspecting its message, refused to open the dispatch until after Sir Patrick Gray had dined. Treachery was afoot however, in the Douglas camp. Having received such a shrewd guest as Gray, and anticipating his intentions, the earl ordered Maclellan to be immediately put to death.
When confronted by Gray, Douglas expressed regret that it was beyond his power to fully concede to the royal request, and, conducting Gray to the courtyard, where Sir Patrick Maclellan's body had fallen, he is reported to have said, 'Yonder, Sir Patrick, lies your sister’s son'.
Grey recognising the treachery withdrew from the site of his murdered nephew, and only after an exchange of words was Gray closely pursued 'till near Edinburgh
', and escaped capture only by his skill as a horseman.
Sir Patrick Gray later had the pleasure reciprocating the invitation to dine with Douglas, on this occasion in the palace at Stirling, by direct invitation of the king. When Douglas refused to abandon the alliance, James stabbed him in the neck, and the king's attendants finished off the bloody deed throwing the mortal remains of Earl Douglas from a window.
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Galloway
Galloway
Galloway is an area in southwestern Scotland. It usually refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire...
, then the head of his family, and a staunch royalist declined an invitation to join William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas
William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas
William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas, 2nd Earl of Avondale was a Scottish nobleman. He was the eldest son of James Douglas, 7th Earl of Douglas and Beatrice Sinclair....
, along with the Earls of Ross
John of Islay, Earl of Ross
John of Islay was a late medieval Scottish magnate. He was Earl of Ross and last Lord of the Isles as well as being Mac Domhnaill, chief of Clan Donald....
and Crawford
Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford
Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford acceded 1446, died September 1453.Father: David Lindsay, 3rd Earl of Crawford Mother: Marjory OgilvieMarried Margaret Dunbar and had 3 children, Elizabeth, David 5th Earl born 1440 and Alexander the 7th Earl....
and Ormond in a powerful alliance against the young King James II of Scotland
James II of Scotland
James II reigned as King of Scots from 1437 to his death.He was the son of James I, King of Scots, and Joan Beaufort...
.
By marriage to his cousin, Margaret Douglas
Margaret Douglas, Fair Maid of Galloway
Margaret Douglas, Countess of Douglas known as the Fair Maid of Galloway was a Scottish noblewoman, a member of the Black Douglas family towards the end of the family's position as a major force in Scotland....
(daughter of Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas
Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas
Archibald Douglas was a Scottish nobleman and General, son of Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas and Margaret Stewart, eldest daughter of Robert III...
) William Douglas, a member of the 'Black Douglas' family thereby increased the powers vested in his family and estates to the point where he was the most powerful nobleman in the country. The alliance with the Earls of Ross and Crawford further strengthened his power base.
George Buchanan
George Buchanan
George Buchanan may refer to:*George Buchanan , Scottish humanist*Sir George Buchanan , Scottish soldier during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms*Sir George Buchanan , Chief Medical Officer...
's version of events suggests that Maclellan had previously killed one of the Douglas family by whom he had been insulted, but it is generally understood that the cause of quarrel was Maclellan's refusal to join the alliance. The Earl of Douglas, outraged with this opposition to his plot, laid siege to Raeberry Castle (MacLellan's Castle
MacLellan's Castle
MacLellan's Castle, in Kirkcudbright, south west Scotland, was the noble residence of the MacLellan family. It was completed in 1582 by Thomas Maclellan of Bombie.File:MacLellan's Castle 20080422 - great hall.jpg|The great hall of MacLellan's Castle...
) and captured Sir Patrick Maclellan forcibly removing him to the fortress of Threave Castle
Threave Castle
Threave Castle is situated on an island in the River Dee, 2.5 km west of Castle Douglas, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland...
, where Maclellan was held a prisoner.
Sir Patrick Gray
Patrick Gray
Patrick Gray may refer to:* J. Patrick Gray, American anthropologist* L. Patrick Gray , former Director of the FBI* Patrick Gray, 4th Lord Gray, * Patrick Gray, 6th Lord Gray,...
, Maclellan’s uncle, held a high office at the Court, and so was able to obtain a letter from the King requiring the earl of Douglas to release his prisoner. Sir Patrick Gray carried the dispatch himself, appearing with the king's letter. William Douglas, suspecting its message, refused to open the dispatch until after Sir Patrick Gray had dined. Treachery was afoot however, in the Douglas camp. Having received such a shrewd guest as Gray, and anticipating his intentions, the earl ordered Maclellan to be immediately put to death.
When confronted by Gray, Douglas expressed regret that it was beyond his power to fully concede to the royal request, and, conducting Gray to the courtyard, where Sir Patrick Maclellan's body had fallen, he is reported to have said, 'Yonder, Sir Patrick, lies your sister’s son'.
Grey recognising the treachery withdrew from the site of his murdered nephew, and only after an exchange of words was Gray closely pursued 'till near Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
', and escaped capture only by his skill as a horseman.
Sir Patrick Gray later had the pleasure reciprocating the invitation to dine with Douglas, on this occasion in the palace at Stirling, by direct invitation of the king. When Douglas refused to abandon the alliance, James stabbed him in the neck, and the king's attendants finished off the bloody deed throwing the mortal remains of Earl Douglas from a window.