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Clan Graham

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Clan Graham
Greumaich nan cearc (Highland Grahams only)[1]
Crest:A falcon Proper, beaked and armed Or, killing a stork Argent, Armed Gules
MottoNe oublie (Do Not Forget)[2]
Profile
DistrictLoch Katrine,Perthshire,DundeeandMontrose[2]
Plant badgeLaurel[2]
Pipe musicKilliecrankie[2]
Chief
The Most Noble James
The8th Duke of Montrose(An Greumach Mòr)
SeatBuchanan Castle[3]
Historic seatMugdock Castle[3]
Septsof Clan Graham
Airth, Allardyce, Auchinloick, Ballewen, Blair, Bonar, Bonnar, Bonner, Bontein, Bontine, Buchanan, Buchlyrie, Buntain, Bunten, Bunting, Buntyn, Conyers, Drumaquhassle, Duchray, Dugalston, Esbank, Fintry, Glenny, Graeme, Grahame, Grim, Grimes, Hadden, Haldane, Hasty, Hastie, Howe, Kilpatrich,Lingo,Longstaff, MacGibbon, MacGilvern, MacGilvernock, MacIlvern, MacShille, Menteith, Monteith, Montrose, Monzie, Orchille, Pitcairn, Pyatt, Pye, Pyott, Rednock, Sirowan, Sterling.[4]
Clan branches
Allied clans
Rival clans

Clan Graham(Greumaich nan Cearc[ˈkɾʲeːmɪçnəŋʲˈkʲaɾʃc]) has two main families ofScottish clans,the Grahams of Menteith (descended from the Earl Of Menteith) and the Grahams of Montrose (descended from the Duke of Montrose). Each have their own tartan patterns. William Graham became the 7th Earl of Menteith in 1610 in what is now Perthshire, Scotland. The Grahams of Montrose had territories in both theScottish HighlandsandLowlands,and the chief of the clan rose to become the Marquess and laterDuke of Montrose.

History[edit]

Origins of the clan[edit]

There is a tradition that the first Graham was oneGremewho broke the RomanAntonine Walldriving the Roman legions out of Scotland.[5]However the likely origin is that the chiefs of Clan Graham were ofAnglo-Normanorigin.[5]The Manor of Gregham is recorded inWilliam the Conqueror'sDomesday Book.[5]WhenDavid Iclaimed the throne of Scotland, Graham was one of the knights who accompanied him.[5]SirWilliam de Grahamwas present at the erection ofHolyrood Abbey,witnessing its foundationcharter.[5]

The first lands that the chiefs of Clan Graham appear to have held were aroundDalkeithinMidlothian.[5]Sir Nicholas de Graham attended the Parliament of 1290 where theTreaty of Birghamwas signed.[5]

Wars of Scottish Independence[edit]

The Clan Graham fought at theBattle of Dunbarin 1296 where SirPatrick de Grahamof Kincardine was the only man of all the Scots not to retreat and instead fought to the death.[6]

SirJohn de Graham,was a friend and follower ofWilliam Wallace.[7]Sir John de Graham is regarded as hero for rescuing Wallace at Queensbury.[7]Sir John de Graham was regarded as Wallace's right-hand man and Wallace was at his side when Graham was killed in 1298 at theBattle of Falkirk.[6][7]John de Graham's name is still perpetuated in the district of Grahamston.[7]The grave of Sir John de Graham in Falkirk churchyard is still to be seen, with table stones of three successive periods above it.[7]One great two-handed sword of Sir John the Graham is preserved atBuchanan Castleby theDuke of Montrose.[7]Another was long in possession of the Grahams of Orchil and is now treasured by theFreemasonLodge at Auchterarder.[7]

The Clan Graham also fought against the English at theBattle of Durhamin 1346, in support ofKing David IIof Scots.[7]The Grahams acquired the lands of Mugdock north of Glasgow, where they built a stout castle around 1370.

InJohn Stewart's book,The Grahams,he states that "Most Scottish Clans would be proud to have one great hero. The Grahams have three." He refers to Sir John de Graham, the Marquis of Montrose and the Viscount of Dundee.[8]Stewart also wrote,

It is remarkable that the early Grahams were one and all exceedingly capable men. In an age when the reputation of many great public figures, alas, that of most of the Scottish nobility, were sullied by deeds of violence, and often deeds of blackest treachery, it is refreshing to find that the Grahams stand out as loyal and true to the causes they espoused. Their story is not one of rapid rise to power through royal favor, or even at the expense of their peers, but rather a gradual steady rise based on their undoubted ability and worthiness which seems to have endured from one generation to another.

15th and 16th centuries[edit]

Mugdock Castlewas the clan's stronghold

The Clan Graham fought at theBattle of Sauchieburnled by the third Lord Graham.[7]The battle was fought on 11 June 1488, at the side of Sauchie Burn, a brook about two miles south ofStirling,Scotland. In 1504 Lord Graham, on account of his gallantry was madeEarl of Montrose.He would go on to lead part of the Scottish Vanguard against the English at theBattle of Floddenin 1513, part of theAnglo-Scottish Warswhere he was slain.[9][6]The Clan Graham was among the clans which fought against the English at theBattle of Pinkie Cleugh1547, where Robert, the eldest son of the second Earl, was killed.[7]

17th century and Civil War[edit]

James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose[edit]

Main article:James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose

One of the most notable chiefs of the Clan Graham was James, Marquis of Montrose, a poet, but above all, the most distinguished royalist soldier of his time. He played a massive part in the Civil War in Scotland and the Grahams rallied to their chief.[5]Montrose had had successive victories at theBattle of Tippermuir- with the support of Alaster M'Coll Keitach (known asAlasdair MacCollaMcDonald) and his Irish soldiers,[10][11]theBattle of Aberdeen,theBattle of Inverlochy (1645),[12][13]theBattle of Auldearn,[14][15]theBattle of Alford,[16]and theBattle of Kilsyth.[17]After several years of continuous victories, Montrose was finally defeated at theBattle of Philiphaughon 13 September 1645 by theCovenanterarmy ofDavid Leslie, Lord Newark,[5][18]restoring the power of theCommittee of Estates.[19]

In 1646 Montrose laid siege to theCastle Chanonry of Rosswhich was held by theClan Mackenzieand took it from them after a siege of four days.[20]In March 1650 he capturedDunbeath Castleof theClan Sinclair,who would later support him at Carbisdale.[21]Montrose was defeated at theBattle of Carbisdaleby the Munros, Rosses, Sutherlands and Colonel Alexander Strachan.[22][23]He was subsequently captured and executed in Edinburgh in 1650.[24]

John Graham, Viscount of Dundee[edit]

Main article:John Graham, 1st Viscount of Dundee

Another notable Graham was John, Viscount of Dundee also known as "Bonnie Dundee". By means of purchase and inheritance the Graham lands had become, by the late seventeenth century, among the richest in Scotland.

The Viscount of Dundee led a small Government Troop of Cavalry which was surprised and defeated at theBattle of Drumclogin 1679 by an overwhelming force of rebel Covenanters (estimates suggest Graham was outnumbered by about 4–1). However he was victorious at theBattle of Bothwell Brigwhere he put down a rebellion by the Covenanters. The battle was fought on 22 June 1679 inLanarkshire.

Dundee was appointed Commander in Chief of all Scottish Forces by King James VII but died at theBattle of Killiecrankiewhilst commanding theJacobite Forcesduring their victory over a much largerWilliamite Armyin 1689.

18th century and Jacobite uprisings[edit]

The Clan Graham took no side in the Jacobite Uprisings and remained neutral throughout. Highlanders can thankJames Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrosefor the repeal in 1782 of theDress Act 1746prohibiting the wearing of highland dress.[5]He persuaded Parliament to remove the law forbidding Scots to wear their tartan.[25]

Castles[edit]

Tartan[edit]

Tartan image Notes
Graemetartan,as published in 1842 inVestiarium Scoticum.There are two main families of Graham clan tartans, the Graham of Montrose tartans and the Graham of Menteith tartans.

Chief[edit]

James, Duke of Montrose

Since 1992, the chief of the family has beenJames, Duke of Montrose, Marquis of Graham and Buchanan, Earl of Kincardine, Viscount of Dundaff, Lord of Mugdock, Aberuthven and Fintrie, Baronet of Braco.

See also[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^Mac an Tàilleir, Iain."Ainmean Pearsanta"(docx).Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.Retrieved15 October2009.
  2. ^abcdClan Graham Profilescotclans. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  3. ^abcdefghijklmnoCoventry, Martin (2008).Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans.Musselburgh:Goblinshead. pp. 236–241.ISBN978-1-899874-36-1.
  4. ^Stewart, John of Ardvorlich(1958).The Grahams.Edinburgh & London:Johnston and Bacon,A Division of Geoffrey Chapman Ltd. p. 32.
  5. ^abcdefghijWay, George of Plean;Squire, Romilly of Rubislaw(1994).Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia.Glasgow:HarperCollins(for theStanding Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 148–149.ISBN0-00-470547-5.
  6. ^abc"The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans". W. & A. K. Johnston Limited. Edinburgh and London. 1886. Page 26.
  7. ^abcdefghijElectric Scotland."Clan Graham History".electricscotland.Retrieved28 January2012.
  8. ^Stewart, John of Ardvorlich(1958).The Grahams.Edinburgh & London:Johnston and Bacon,A Division of Geoffrey Chapman Ltd.
  9. ^Guthrie, William(1767).A General History of Scotland.Vol. 4.Paternoster Row,London: A. Hamilton, Robinson and Roberts. pp.371-372.Retrieved7 May2023.
  10. ^1644 - Battle Of Tippermuirscotclans. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  11. ^The Battle of Tippermuirmontrose-society.org.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  12. ^Battle of Inverlochy, 1645Archived27 October 2012 at theWayback Machinescotwars. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  13. ^The flight of Argyll from the Battle of Inverlochy, 1645[permanent dead link]ambaile.org. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  14. ^"Battle of Auldearn, 9th May 1645"battlefieldtrust. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  15. ^The Battle of Auldearnmontrose-society.org.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  16. ^"Battle of Alford, 2nd July 1645"battlefieldtrust. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  17. ^"Battle of Kilsyth, 15th August 1645"battlefieldtrust. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  18. ^"Battle of Philiphaugh, 13th September 1645"battlefieldtrust. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  19. ^Browne, James. (1875).History of the Highlands & of the Highland ClansVolume 1, Part 2. Page 425.
  20. ^Keltie, John S F.S.A. Scot.General History of the Highlands 1645 - 1649 (Part 1)electricscotland. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  21. ^Sinclair, Robert. (2013).The Sinclairs of Scotland.Page 144.
  22. ^Carbisdale: Montrose's Last Campaignbcw-project.org. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  23. ^Battle of Carbisdale, 1650Archived27 October 2012 at theWayback Machinescotwars. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  24. ^Grossman, Mark (2007).World Military Leaders: A Biographical Dictionary.New York: Facts On File. p. 234.ISBN978-0-81607-477-8.
  25. ^ Bain, Robert (1959). Margaret O. MacDougall (ed.).Clans & Tartans of Scotland (revised).P.E. Stewart-Blacker (heraldic advisor), foreword by The R. Hon. Countess of Erroll. William Collins Sons & Co., Ltd. p. 108.
  26. ^Sir John De Graham's Castlecanmore.rcahms.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  27. ^"First City - The Fighting Grahams"(PDF).rfdiv.mil.za.Defense Reserves, Republic of South Africa. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2 May 2014.Retrieved8 June2014.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clan_Graham&oldid=1230035700"