William Sinclair (abt. 1268 - 1357)

Born about 1268 in Gorton, Midlothian, Scotland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Biography

William Sinclair is a member of Clan Sinclair.

This person was created through the import of Dickinson Family Tree.ged on 31 March 2011. The profile has been modified by Doug Straiton in May 2014 based on Balfour-Paul's work; The Scots Peerage. William had no known children and there is no historical record of any wife.

Notable Events

He appears with his father and brother in the Homage Rolls of 1292 in which he is recorded as " Sancto Claro, Magifter Willielmus de (burgenfis Sancti Johannis de Perth)." William is recorded as being "Magister" which is often suggested as "Master" which is the littoral translation. Unfortunately it could also suggest a member of the clergy. It is known that he was tutored in the church of St. John the Baptist, the main church of the Perth district (indeed Perth was originally called St. John's town after the church). We have assumed that he was likely born around 1268.

Capture and Escape

There is evidence^[1] of a "Magister" William de St Clair being at the Battle of Dunbar on 27 April 1296 which is likely this William. He was captured along with other Scottish nobles in the castle after the battle and imprisoned at Gloucester Castle. The same William de St Clair escaped from Gloucester castle around 1301 along with a Duncan Urri as the heirs to Walter de Beauchamp, Castelan of Gloucester, are pardoned by Edward I from any repercussions from the escape.^[2]

Given that a warrant for his arrest would have been issued it seems probable that he joined the Independence movement. Certainly, after 1307, he found favour with Robert the Bruce.

Life in the Church

William succeeded Matthew de Crambeth as Bishop of Dunkeld in 1312. The actual Charter of confirmation is available^[3] and it is clear that he was, by this time, already a Canon of the Church.

In this role he had a safe-conduct from Edward II., of England, on 2 February 1313,^[4] but was required to turn aside to Berwick to receive an escort before proceeding to Edward. His safe-conduct was also conditional that he did not proceed further into Scotland than Berwick and that he had no communications with the "enemy" - the Scots under Bruce.^[5]

He distinguished himself in battle by repulsing an English force which had landed at Donibristle, Fife in Fife in 1317. Heading his own servants, and rallying the Scottish forces, the enemy were driven to their ships with a loss of 500 men.^[6]

He officiated at the coronation of Edward Baliol on 24 September 1332.^[7]

William died 27 June 1357.^[8] This is contrary to what it states in the People of Medieval Scotland dataset.

Sources

1. ↑ #S-2 Bain; ii, pg 177
2. ↑ #S-2 Bain; ii, no. 1399.
3. ↑ #S-4 Theiner monumenta, no. 398 http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/7286/#
4. ↑ It should be pointed out that the Balfour Paul states it to have been Edward I but he died in 1307 and the dealings at this period were with Edward II
5. ↑ #S-3 Bain's: iii, No. 301
6. ↑ Fordun, ii, pg 259
7. ↑ Fordun & Goodall, ii. 306.
8. ↑ Dunkeld Obituary, Hay MS.

• Source: Title: The Scots Peerage; Balfour Paul, Ed 1904; vol 6, page 565.
• Source S-2 Public Record Office. Calendar of documents relating to Scotland preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, London. Vol. II. Edinburgh: H. M. General Register House, 1881. Open Library
• Source S-3 Public Record Office. Calendar of documents relating to Scotland preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, London. Volume III. Edinburgh: H. M. General Register House, 1881. Open Library
• Source S-4 People of Medieval Scotland. People of Medieval Scotland
• Source: Ancestry Family Trees;