William Sinclair (1100 - 1185)

Born 1100 in Roslin Castle, Midlothian, Scotland

Ancestors

Died 1185 at about age 85 in Roslin Castle, Midlothian, Scotland

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Biography

No verification of the existence of this person other than on popular genealogy cites such as Geni, Ancestry, and My Heritage has been found. Further research is needed.

Research Notes

Disambiguation

Because the association of the Sinclair or St Clare family with Roslin dates only to 1280, and Rosslyn Castle itself was not built until the late 14th century, the following profiles must be considered to at least have legendary overtones, if not being entirely legendary:

• William Sinclair, born Scotland 1028
• Catherine de St Clair, born Normandy 1058 and married Hugh de Payen, possibly the first Knight Templar.
• Henry Sinclair, born Rosslyn Castle 1074
• William Sinclair, born 1100.
• Catherine St Clair, born Rosslyn, Midlothian, Scotland in 1109. Married Thomas I Payne, born 1145 in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, England, son of Hugh de Payne and his wife Catherine Saint Claire.
• Henry Sinclair, born Roslin 1110
• Henry de St Clair, born 1130 (date is a guess)
• Margaret de St Clair. born 1130 (date is a guess)

Name and Birth

William Sinclair was born 1100 in Roslin Castle, Midlothian, Scotland.^[1]

Parents

His father was Laird Henri De St Clair (1089-1110) ^[1] His mother was Rosabel Forteith (1090-1180)^[1]

Siblings

1. Henri The St Clair(1131–1162)^[1]

Death

He died in 1185 in Roslin Castle, Midlothian, Scotland^[1]

Research Notes

The relatioship of the Rosslyn Castle and the Sinclair family dates to 1280. Anything before that is legendary. See Space: Knights Templar Genealogy Legends

Roslin Castle

The Roslin Castle ^[2] in the village of Roslin in Midlothian, Scotland, is partially ruined, partially habitable, and currently owned by the Earl of Rosslyn. It is located around 9 miles south of Edinburgh, on the north bank of the North Esk, only a few hundred metres from the famous Rosslyn Chapel.

It was built in the 14th to 17th centuries, beginning with Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney ^[2] The Sinclair family, Earls of Caithness and Barons of Roslin, fortified the site, although the present ruins are of slightly later date. Following destruction during the War of the Rough Wooing of 1544, the castle was rebuilt. This structure, built into the cliffs of Roslin Glen, has remained at least partially habitable ever since. The castle is accessed via a high bridge, which replaced an earlier drawbridge. Roslin was renovated in the 1980s and now serves as holiday accommodation. ^[2]

The first castle on the Roslin site was built in either the late 14th or early 15th century, perhaps by Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, Baron of Roslin (c. 1345–1400). The castle was built on a rocky promontory near the site of the Battle of Roslin, where the Scots defeated the English in 1303. Henry's son Henry, 2nd Earl of Orkney (c. 1375-1422) built a new rectangular, round-cornered keep at the south-west corner. The castle contained a scriptorium during the 15th century, and five St Clair manuscripts, dating back to 1488, are in the National Library of Scotland. These include the Rosslyn-Hay manuscript, believed to be the earliest extant work in Scots prose. The castle was damaged by a domestic fire in 1452.Roslin suffered again from the artillery of Cromwell’s commander in Scotland, General Monck, in 1650. It was further damaged by a Reforming mob in 1688. By the 18th century the structure was dilapidated, though part of the east range has always remained habitable.^[2]

Sinclair Family Origins

The Sinclair, or St Clare, family were of French origin, and have held Roslin since 1280. ^[2]

The Saint-Clairs were Normans, and came over to England with William the Conqueror. Richard of Saint-Clair and Brittel of Saint-Clair are both mentioned in Domesday book. William of Saint Clair witnessed a charter granted by King Stephen in 1135. ^[3]

About the year 1160 Henry of Saint-Clair obtained a charter of the lands of herdmanston in haddingtonshire. Henry is the first Soinclair with whom we meet in Scotland. It is certain, however, that he was not the first of the name who settled in that country. His descenants are still in possession of Herdmanston. ^[3]

Roslin, or Roslyn, is a Gaelic word, and means ros linne, or the promontory of the pool. The place known by this name is about eight miles from Edinburgh. Willialmus de Sancto Claro, Miles, or William St. Clair, Knight, received in 1280 a charter of the lands and barony of Roslin. This William was the progenitor of the St. Clairs of Roslin and the Sinclairs of Caithness. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Henry. Sir William, son of Sir Henry, was killed in Spain in 1330. Sir William, son of Sir William, succeeded his grandfather in Roslin. He married Isabel, daughter of Malise, the Keltic Earl of Stratherne, Caithness, and Orkney, and had by her one son, Sir Henry, fourth of Roslin. ^[3]

Source

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Olin Laverne and Darlene Thomas Payne Family Tree. Ancestry Family Trees. William Sinclair Accessed Oct 17, 2018 jhd
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Wikipedia: Roslin_Castle Accessed Oct 17, 2018 jhd
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} The Rev. A. MacLean Sinclair. The Sinclairs of Roslin, Caithness and Goshen. The Examiner Publishing Company: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, 1901 page 6 Accessed October 17, 2018 jhd