Alexander (Forrester) Forrester of Corstophine Knt. (bef. 1420 - aft. 1473)

Born before 1420 in Corstorphine, Midlothian Scotland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died after Sep 1473 after age 53 in Corstorphine, Midlothian Scotland

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Biography

Anderson states that Sir Alexander is the son of John, junior.^[1] He is followed by Balfour-Paul who only says that Sir Alexander is probably the son of John Forrester, younger of Corstorphine but provides no evidence.^[2] It seems more likely he is a son of Sir John Forrester of Corstorphine, Knt., by his second wife, supported by Nisbet's assertion that Sir John the Chancellor was succeeded by Archibald.^[3]

Sir Alexander is said by Balfour-Paul to have granted a charter in 1450 in which Henry Forrester of Niddry [Sir John the Chancellor's son] and Gilbert Forrester of Drylaw, his cousin are witnesses. He cites Acts & Decreets but this charter did not pass under The Great Seal. Presumably this would make Sir Alexander about 30 years of age at this point. Cousin is often just a reference for a relation. However equally as often it means a cousin and if this is correct it would make Sir Alexander more likely to be a son of Sir John, the Chancellor, as Gilbert's father was Sir John's brother.

Sir Alexander Forester of Corstorphine, Knt., was one of the witnesses to a charter of the Earl of Crawfurd, dated at Edinburgh 26th February, 1463.^[4]

He is said to have sat in the Parliament which met on 13th January 1463/4^[5] as Sir Alexander Forrester of Corstorphine.^[6] However once again we can see here the casual use of the designation "or Corstorphine" (normally reserved for the laird) as if John, junior, was his father, he is still living it would seem. Moreover, minor barons were able to appoint their proxies to appear in parliament on their behalf.

There are no entry fees in the Exchequer Rolls for this Sir Alexander formally taking possession of his father's properties.

In 1464 he led a pilgrimage to the shrine of Thomas á Becket at Canterbury, and another in 1466 to John de Amyace in Picardy being accompanied on both occasions by several of the neighbouring proprietors, with thirty followers in their train.^[7] Normally leaders of pilgrimages were middle-aged men.

Sir Alexander Forstare [sic] of Corstorphine, Knt., appears in an ecclesiastical lands charter with Archibald Forstare, Lord of Corstorphine, the latter being given as "in a state of good health". Witnesses include: Henry Forster of Niddry, John Forestar his son [note the different surname spellings in the same charter!], Gilbert Forestar of Drilaw, Philip Forestar his son, William Forestar & David Swinton, signed at Corstorphine 20th September 1473.^[8]

Sir Alexander Forstar [sic] of Corstorphine, Knt., is included in a long list of annual rents due in Edinburgh to The Church, dated 3rd July 1478.^[9] As this relates to ownerships of properties the fact that Sir Alexander is now already dead is not unusual.

Both Anderson & Balfour-Paul state that Archibald was Sir Alexander's son.

Research Notes

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p2513.htm#i25128

Sources

1. ↑ The Scottish Nation by William Anderson, Edinburgh, 1867, vol.v, p.250.
2. ↑ https://archive.org/stream/scotspeeragefoun04paul#page/84/mode/2up
3. ↑ Nisbet, Alexander, Systems of Heraldry, Edinburgh, 1722, vol.1, p.432.
4. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, no.786.
5. ↑ Acts of Parliament of Scotland, vol.12, p.29.
6. ↑ The Scottlsh Nation by William Anderson, Edinburgh, 1867, vol.v, p.250.
7. ↑ Anderson, 1867, p.250.
8. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, no.1320, confirmed at Edinburgh, 22nd October 1477.
9. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, no.1400.

See also:

• Forrester, W.R. (1966). House of Forrester. Google Books.[1]