Plenderleith
Encyclopedia
Plenderleith is a Scottish feudal Crown barony comprising approximately one half of Oxnam
Parish, Roxburghshire
, in the vicinity of Kelso, Scottish Borders
. The earliest references to the estates of Plenderleith (also known as Plenderlathe, Prendrelathe, Prendrelath, Pendirlath, and Prendirlath) date to 1175, when John de Plenderleith witnessed a charter in lands in Teviotdale during the reign of William the Lion. By the mid-13th century, the lands of Plenderleith were held by Nicholas de Prendrelathe, lay abbott
of Jedburgh Abbey
. In 1292, the estates passed to his daughter, Johanna, the wife of Sir John Wishart (Wishard/Wischarde/Whyssard/Wyssard).
Sir John was sent by Robert the Bruce
and John Comyn
, then Guardians of Scotland, in embassy to France
in 1302. Upon the Bruce's accession to the throne of Scotland
in 1306 as Robert I, he erected the lands of Plenderleith, then held by Sir John's son, William, into a barony, apparently in recognition of this service. When Sir William died, the lands and barony of Plenderleith passed to his daughter, Alicia. She subsequently married Sir George de Abernethy, 4th Baron of Saltoun, who, through the marriage, became Baron
of Plenderleith, as well.
In 1346, Edward Balliol
, who had usurped the title "King of Scots" with the support of Edward III of England
, declared Plenderleith forfeit to the crown as a result of Sir George's support for the Scottish king David II's
invasion of England
. Sir George had accompanied King David into England, and was captured with the king at the Battle of Neville's Cross
. During Sir George's internment in the Tower of London
, control of Plenderleith was awarded by Balliol to Sir Walter de Selby. After Sir Walter's death at Lydelle, Edward III proclaimed Sir Walter's son, James de Selby, as heir to his father's rights and titles in Plenderleith. Some time following David II's uncontested return to the Scottish throne in 1357, the barony was restored to Sir George, though as late as 1359, it was reported by Henry Ker, Sheriff of Roxburgh, that the "barony was in the allegiance of England."
The barony remained in the hands of the Abernethys of Saltoun
until 1612, when John, 8th Lord Saltoun, conveyed several of his estates, including the lands and barony of Plenderleith, to Sir James Stewart of Killeith, 4th Lord Ochiltree
, in order to satisfy debts. Lord Ochiltree, in turn, assigned Plenderleith to John Gordon of Cairnburrow (Lord Rothiemay) in 1617, who passed the barony to Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe
in 1620. These assignations were confirmed by James VI
. In 1707, John Ker
, 5th Earl of Roxburghe, was created 1st Duke of Roxburghe for his services in bringing about the Act of Union of 1707
. In 1755, his successor, John Ker, 3rd Duke and Earl of Roxburghe
, received a Crown Charter from George II
confirming to him the barony of Plenderleith. After Plenderleith had been held by the Earls and Dukes of Roxburghe
for over 300 years, the rights and title of Baron of Plenderleith passed by assignation from the Innes-Kers to the Harmons. The current and 31st Baron of Plenderleith is Clifford Harmon of Dallas, Texas
, who succeeded to the barony in 2007 following the death of his father. The heir apparent to the barony is Clifford Taylor Harmon IV.
In addition to the 1306 charter erecting the barony, Crown Charters confirming the barony were issued by James II
in 1464, Edward IV
in 1483, James VI in 1613 and 1620, Charles I
in 1635, and George II in 1755. The 1483 charter united the barony of Plenderleith to the barony of Abernethy, though it remained independently recognized in subsequent heirship proceedings and was later formally separated again.
Oxnam
Oxnam is a village near Jedburgh, in Roxburghshire in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It is a primarily residential town.The placename Oxnam is from Old English oxa "oxen" and ham "village", the meaning being "village where ox are bred"...
Parish, Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh...
, in the vicinity of Kelso, Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
. The earliest references to the estates of Plenderleith (also known as Plenderlathe, Prendrelathe, Prendrelath, Pendirlath, and Prendirlath) date to 1175, when John de Plenderleith witnessed a charter in lands in Teviotdale during the reign of William the Lion. By the mid-13th century, the lands of Plenderleith were held by Nicholas de Prendrelathe, lay abbott
Abbot of Jedburgh
The Abbot of Jedburgh was the head of the Augustinian canons of Jedburgh Abbey, Roxburghshire. It was founded by King David I of Scotland in 1138, and David's grandson and successor Máel Coluim IV ensured its promotion to the status of abbey before 1156...
of Jedburgh Abbey
Jedburgh Abbey
Jedburgh Abbey, a ruined Augustinian abbey which was founded in the 12th century is situated in the town of Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders just north of the border with England at Carter Bar...
. In 1292, the estates passed to his daughter, Johanna, the wife of Sir John Wishart (Wishard/Wischarde/Whyssard/Wyssard).
Sir John was sent by Robert the Bruce
Robert 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...
and John Comyn
John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch
John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lord of Lochaber or John "the Red", also known simply as the Red Comyn was a Scottish nobleman who was an important figure in the Wars of Scottish Independence, and was Guardian of Scotland during the Second Interregnum 1296-1306...
, then Guardians of Scotland, in embassy to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1302. Upon the Bruce's accession to the throne of 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...
in 1306 as Robert I, he erected the lands of Plenderleith, then held by Sir John's son, William, into a barony, apparently in recognition of this service. When Sir William died, the lands and barony of Plenderleith passed to his daughter, Alicia. She subsequently married Sir George de Abernethy, 4th Baron of Saltoun, who, through the marriage, became Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
of Plenderleith, as well.
In 1346, Edward Balliol
Edward Balliol
Edward Balliol was a claimant to the Scottish throne . With English help, he briefly ruled the country from 1332 to 1336.-Life:...
, who had usurped the title "King of Scots" with the support of Edward III of England
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
, declared Plenderleith forfeit to the crown as a result of Sir George's support for the Scottish king David II's
David II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
invasion 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...
. Sir George had accompanied King David into England, and was captured with the king at 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...
. During Sir George's internment 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...
, control of Plenderleith was awarded by Balliol to Sir Walter de Selby. After Sir Walter's death at Lydelle, Edward III proclaimed Sir Walter's son, James de Selby, as heir to his father's rights and titles in Plenderleith. Some time following David II's uncontested return to the Scottish throne in 1357, the barony was restored to Sir George, though as late as 1359, it was reported by Henry Ker, Sheriff of Roxburgh, that the "barony was in the allegiance of England."
The barony remained in the hands of the Abernethys of Saltoun
Lord Saltoun
Lord Saltoun, of Abernethy, is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1445 for Sir Lawrence Abernethy. The title remained in the Abernethy family until the death in 1669 of his great-great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter, the tenth Lady Saltoun. She was succeeded by her cousin...
until 1612, when John, 8th Lord Saltoun, conveyed several of his estates, including the lands and barony of Plenderleith, to Sir James Stewart of Killeith, 4th Lord Ochiltree
Lord Ochiltree
Lord Ochiltree of Lord Stuart of Ochiltree was a title in the Peerage of Scotland. In 1542 Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Avondale exchanged the lordship of Avondale with Sir James Hamilton for the lordship of Ochiltrie and by Act of Parliament was ordained to be styled Lord Stuart of Ochiltrie...
, in order to satisfy debts. Lord Ochiltree, in turn, assigned Plenderleith to John Gordon of Cairnburrow (Lord Rothiemay) in 1617, who passed the barony to Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe
Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe
Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe was a Scottish nobleman. He was the eldest son of William Ker of Cessford , and grandson of Sir Walter Ker of Cessford , who fought against Mary, Queen of Scots, both at Carberry Hill and at Langside.He helped James VI against Bothwell...
in 1620. These assignations were confirmed by James VI
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
. In 1707, John Ker
John Ker, 1st Duke of Roxburghe
John Ker, 1st Duke of Roxburghe, PC, FRS was the second son of Robert Ker, 3rd Earl of Roxburghe, and Margaret Hay, daughter of John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale. He was younger brother to Robert Ker, 4th Earl of Roxburghe....
, 5th Earl of Roxburghe, was created 1st Duke of Roxburghe for his services in bringing about the Act of Union of 1707
Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
. In 1755, his successor, John Ker, 3rd Duke and Earl of Roxburghe
John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe
John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe KG, KT, PC was a Scottish nobleman and bibliophile.Born in Hanover Square, London, on 23 April 1740, Ker succeeded his father to become the 3rd Duke of Roxburghe in 1755. It is said that he fell in love with Christina Sophia Albertina, oldest daughter of the Duke...
, received a Crown Charter from George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
confirming to him the barony of Plenderleith. After Plenderleith had been held by the Earls and Dukes of Roxburghe
Duke of Roxburghe
The Duke of Roxburghe is a title in the peerage of Scotland created in 1707 along with the titles Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford, Earl of Kelso and Viscount Broxmouth. John Ker, 5th Earl of Roxburghe became the first holder of these titles...
for over 300 years, the rights and title of Baron of Plenderleith passed by assignation from the Innes-Kers to the Harmons. The current and 31st Baron of Plenderleith is Clifford Harmon of Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, who succeeded to the barony in 2007 following the death of his father. The heir apparent to the barony is Clifford Taylor Harmon IV.
In addition to the 1306 charter erecting the barony, Crown Charters confirming the barony were issued by James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
in 1464, Edward IV
Edward IV of England
Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
in 1483, James VI in 1613 and 1620, Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
in 1635, and George II in 1755. The 1483 charter united the barony of Plenderleith to the barony of Abernethy, though it remained independently recognized in subsequent heirship proceedings and was later formally separated again.
Sources and Further Reading
- Calendar of the Laing Charters
- Senior-Milne, Graham (41st Baron of Mordington), The Feudal Baronies of Scotland (2005)http://www.peerage.org/genealogy/Baronies.htm
- Grant, Alexander, Franchises North of the Border: Baronies and Regalties in Medieval Scotland http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/633/1/Grant_Franchises.pdf See footnote 55
- Wishart, David, Genealogical History of the Wisharts of Pittarrow and Logie Wishart (Perth, by Wood & Son, 1914) http://www.wishart.org/books
- Fraser, Alexander (17th Lord Saltoun), The Frasers of Philorth, Vol. II (Edinburgh - MDCCCLXXIX), pages 51–52 http://books.google.com/books?id=FyANAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA51
- History of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, 1885 - 1886, pages 97–98 and 123-128 http://books.google.com/books?id=bPoXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA97
- Inquisitionum ad Capellam Regis Retornatarum Abbreviato
- Liber Sancte Marie de Melros (Edinburgh1837) http://books.google.com/books?id=gCIvAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA677, page 677
- National Archives of Scotland
- http://www.rampantscotland.com/ragman/blragman_p.htm
- Register of the Great Seal of ScotlandGreat Seal of ScotlandThe Great Seal of Scotland allows the monarch to authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. Wax is melted in a metal mould or matrix and impressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the monarch wishes to make official...
[Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum] - Robertson's Index of Charters (1797)
- http://www.rothi.co.uk/history.html
- Scottish Archives Network Gazetteer (Unit ID10361539)
- Scottish Barony Register
- Paul, James Balfour, The Scots Peerage (Edinburgh: D. Douglas 1904-14)
- Syllabus of Scottish Cartularies - Kelso; http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/scottishstudies/charters/Kelso.pdf, Charters 276 and 342
- http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp;jsessionid=441DAEA4C4D817F207C0926A109F2518?u_id=10361539&c_id=10107260