Simon Fraser (abt. 1266 - 1306)

Born about 1266 in Oliver Castle, Tweedmuir, Peeblesshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died Sep 1306 at about age 40 in London, England

Biography

Simon Fraser is a member of Clan Fraser.

Simon Fraser of Oliver Castle was last of the line of the Frasers of Oliver Castle (an estate in Peebleshire). He is not to be confused with Sir Alexander Fraser of Touch Fraser.^[1] as being the son of Sir Simon Fraser, knighted about 1288. To confuse family relationships his grandfather was also Sir Simon who flourished between 1264 to 1280. He inherited the lands of Oliver Castle in 1291 and on 12 July 1292 Edward I. issued a mandate for delivery to him of his paternal lands on payment of 100 merks of relief. It is interesting that this was a Charter by Edward but investigation of this fact is beyond scope of this Profile.

He is a known Balliol supporter and Nationalist. He fought at the Battle of Dunbar on 12 Apr 1296 and made submission and swore fealty to King Edward at Kirkham on 13 October.

His Father - Sir Simon Fraser of Oliver Castle

This line of the family were the hereditary keepers of the forests of Traquair and Selkirk and his father swore fealty to King Edward I. at Norham on 14 June 1291 (as Lord Symon Fraser). He was a supporter of Balliol and appointed by him to support his claim. He died in 1291 before his evidence and support was required and the King granted his keepership of the forests to William Comyn; he left a widow Maria, who married subsequently Richard Siward and left a number of children of which two are recorded; Simon (this Profile) and Thomas.

Service to Edward I.

He was taken to England as prisoner. He was married, to Maria, before this point as, on 2 January 1297, his wife Maria received an allowance of 50 merks out of his lands then valued at 200 merks. He joined Edward's army and in October 1298 he received a horse "ferrand pomel" for his own riding as a King's gift. Edward retained his wife and children as hostages for his performance.

He was with Edward in France and, on 13 January 1298 for his services rose to Knight Banneret and his estates restored to him.

He was with Edward at the Siege of Caerlaverock and appears on the Roll of his knights where he is described as bearing black dotted with roses of silver.^[2] The arms described are illustrated in the Roll and depicted in this Profile.

He was made keeper of the forest of Traquair before October 1300.

Service to Scotland

At some point before 1303 he joined with Comyn and is noted, together with him, leading the Scots to victory at the Battle of Roslin.

As a result all his estates were forfeited but later restored, in 1305, on payment of three years' rental.

In 1306 he joined the force of Robert de Bruce, and on 19 June distinguished himself at the Battle of Methven. He was captured later that year, 1306, at a subsequent engagement at Kirkencliff near Stirling by Sir Thomas de Multon and Sir John Jose. Fraser was sent to London, and hanged, drawn and quartered in September 1306. His head was impaled on a spike on London Bridge, alongside John Fraser, stated as a brother, and William Wallace. He also held lands in Kincardineshire and these lands went to his cousin, Sir Alexander Fraser of Cowie. His lands in the south, Peebleshire, were split between his daughters.

His wife is noted as Maria although her lineage is not known. They were clearly married prior to 1296 and the two children also recorded as hostages. They left two girls; co-heiresses of the estates of Oliver castle in Peebleshire and quite a prize.

Sources

1. ↑ Paul, James Balfour. "The Scots Peerage : founded on Wood's ed. of Sir Robert Douglas's Peerage of Scotland; containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom", Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1910, Vol. VII, Archive. org, p. 422
2. ↑ The Roll of arms of the princes, barons, and knights who attended King Edward I. to the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300