Richard Glen (abt. 1248 - abt. 1292)

Born about 1248 in Lochwinnoc, Renfrewshire, Scotland

Descendants

Died about Nov 1292 at about age 44 in Scotland

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NOTICE: There is very little original source material for the early family of Glen. There is a publication Memorials of the Scottish family of Glen available but which is not detailed and largely inaccurate. There is another published genealogical research paper Genealogical Notes Regarding the Family of Glen, of Glenn by Thomas Allen Glenn which is more informative and is used, in the main, as the major source work.

Biography

Lineage

In his work, Glenn provides that Richard de Glen was descended from one of two, not related, Scottish families of Glen. This family assumed the surname from the estates of Glen in Renfrewshire. It is not clear where these lands might have been centered. It is mentioned that the Glen (valley) is Lochwinnoc, out of which flows the Black Cart Water.^[1] The estates, which is noticed as comprising Bar, Brigend, Lynthills, Gaytflat, and others, were granted, by David I., to Walter the Steward. Thus the family of Glen must have been their subordinate lords.

Glenn, in his work, speculates that "Lord Richard acquired "The Glen" through his mother, and that she was a daughter of one of the Stewards. From the grant of confirmation, we find that Gaytflat had been the inheritance of Richard the uncle of Lord Richard, who must have granted it to his grandnephew, John, whose father, as lord of the manor (Glen), confirmed the gift".

We know, from a Charter of 1292, that he is related to a family of Ness/Nase. The Charter indicates that the father of his uncle, again a Richard, was Robert and his father, Cubinus. Glenn then further provides that "the family of de Ness was from Ness, or Ness Strange, near Shrewsbury, and descended from the powerful Norman house of Déstrange, the first of whom is said to have been Guy Déstrange, younger son to the Duke of Brettaign. The de Ness accompanied Walter Fitz Alan from Shropshire to Scotland, and Henry de Ness held under the Steward in the lordship of Glen, 1180".^[2] There is no source for this but it is credible.

Events

In 1292, 25 September, Richard de Glen is noticed in a Charter of reallocation of his lands by Edward I. to Robert [de Keldsik], the abbot of Holm Cultram.^[3] It is clear from the Charter that he had been declared "a rebel" and his lands in the hands of the Crown, under the interim government of Edward I.. The date of this Charter was between the time when Edward established control in June 1291 and the date at which Balliol assumed the throne in November 1292.

He must have returned to the "peace of the King", c. early November 1292, as his lands again appear, under a grant, by Edward I. in 12 November 1292, where he appears under the designation of Richard de le Glen, "Lord of the Glen, in name and lands". In this Charter, the lands are confirmed, to be held of the King (in capite) by John de le Glen, his son and heir, his lands being called Gaytflat, in the tenure of the Glen. It also provides that Robert Nase and Cubinus were Richard's predecessors.^[4]

Again, in a purchase of ward, by Richard Fraser, two days after and dated 14 November 1292, on payment of 100 merks.^[5] In this Charter it is clearly stated that Richard de Glen was dead and that he had heirs, not named, which, at that time, were not yet of age, but Fraser was provided ward of lands and marriage.

Glenn, in his work, suggests that "At the time of confirmation of the Gaytflat lands, Lord Richard was in Holy Orders, having probably assumed the monastic habit upon the approach of death" but provides no source. The Charter record suggests he was "a rebel" in September 1292 but it is feasible that joining the church was a condition of his return to favour.

Family

The name or the events of his marriage is not recorded in source material. He is known to have had a son:^[6]

John de le Glen.

Rev. Rogers suggests another:

David de Glen. This person is noticed at the defense of Stirling castle under Sir William Oliphant in 1304 and, given his alignment with the Nationalist party and timings, appears to be a son of Richard de Glen. He was taken at the castle in 1304 and imprisoned. Although Rev. Rogers suggests that he returned to Scotland after an imprisonment of 54 days, fought under Bruce and sired three children this seems improbable. The period of 54 days was simply prior to when he was transferred to Newcastle. He spent between 1304 and November 1313 imprisoned in various English castles, predominantly Newcastle and was there with Bruce's daughter, Mary, in 1313.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Glenn; Genealogical Notes Regarding the Family of Glen, of Glenn
2. ↑ Glenn; Genealogical Notes Regarding the Family of Glen, of Glenn
3. ↑ Register and Records of Holm Cultram, no. 156e; cited from People of Medieval Scotland transaction factoid, no. 77758
4. ↑ Glenn; Genealogical Notes Regarding the Family of Glen, of Glenn
5. ↑ Stevenson, Docs., i, no. 301; cited from People of Medieval Scotland transaction factoid, no. 77296
6. ↑ Glenn; Genealogical Notes Regarding the Family of Glen, of Glenn
7. ↑ Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland; Bain's, iii, no. 340; cited from People of Medieval Scotland; Source 9102

See also:

• Memorials of the Scottish family of Glen

• Genealogical Notes Regarding the Family of Glen, of Glenn Genealogical Notes Regarding the Family of Glen, of Glenn by Thomas Allen Glenn