| Clan Middleton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Motto | FORTIS IN ARDUS ("Brave in difficulty") [1] |
| Profile | |
| District | Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire |
| Clan Middleton no longer has a chief, and is an armigerous clan | |
| Historic seat | Fettercairn House [2] |
Clan Middleton is a Lowland Scottish clan. It is recognised as such by the Court of the Lord Lyon, but as it does not currently have a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms it is considered an armigerous clan.
The early history of Clan Middleton is described in detail in the 17th century work of Frederic van Bossen, who claimed that the first Lord of Middleton was Freskin, the brother of Kenneth de Cunninghame; and the son of Kenneth and Lady Sponsa, who was the sister of Albinack ap Crinain. Freskin's name was an assumed name, and he was christened at birth with the name Malcolm. He was a direct descendant (the great-grandson) of Prince Malcom of Cumberland (Strathclyde). Though it is claimed by van Bossen that his great-great-grandfather was King Duffus, a careful review of Frederic van Bossen's notes refutes this and argues that the father of Prince Malcolm is more likely to be King Dyfnwal of Strathclyde. In these records an extended family line with the names of both spouses is provided for all five generations, except for the name of Freskin de Middleton's de Fettercairn's brother, Kenneth. [3] [4] [5]
Although there are multiple lands in Scotland that are named Middleton, it is believed that the family took its name from those near to Laurencekirk in Kincardineshire. [6] This agrees with Clan Cunningham records, which show a Robert de Cunningham held land in the region of Laurencekirk in the late 12th century. [7] These lands were confirmed by a charter from William the Lion (c. 1142 – 4 December 1214). [6] In 1296, Humfrey de Middleton of Kincardyn appeared on the Ragman Rolls rendering homage to Edward I of England. [6] Robert de Middleton was taken prisoner at Dunbar Castle in the same year. [6]
The Middleton family came to prominence in the 17th century. [6] John Middleton, son of Middleton of Caldhame, was a professional soldier who served the king of France, in Hepburn's Regiment. [6] In 1642 he returned to Scotland and supported the opponents of Charles I of England. [6] Firstly, as a cavalry commander and later as a general. [6] Middleton was with David Leslie, 1st Lord Newark's cavalry when they surprised and defeated James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose at the Battle of Philiphaugh in 1645, pursuing him northwards. [6] Middleton also negotiated the terms when Charles I surrendered for Montrose to take ship to the Continent. [6] Middleton later joined forces with James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton in an attempt to rescue the king in 1648, but was taken prisoner after the Battle of Preston. [6] He later escaped and re-joined the royalists only to be wounded and captured again at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. [6] He was tried for treason, but again escaped and joined Glencairn's rising, only to be defeated by George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, and went into exile again on the Continent. [6] At The Restoration, Charles II of England created him Earl of Middleton as well as Lord Clermont and Fettercarin. [6] He was later also created Lord High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland and Governor of Tangier in 1667, where he died. [6]
John Middleton's only son was Charles, the second and last Earl of Middleton who was ambassador to the imperial court of Vienna and Secretary of State for Scotland. [6] Charles did not approve of the actions of James II of England and VII of Scotland, but did not support the Glorious Revolution of 1688 or the subsequent ascension of Queen Mary and William of Orange, fleeing to France. [6] His sons were captured attempting an invasion of Scotland with French troops and were subsequently sent to the Tower of London, but later released. [6] The title was then forfeited and never restored. [6]
Sir Thomas Middleton of Rosefarm was a distinguished agriculturalist and deputy director general of the Department of Food Production during World War I. [6] He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1936. [6]
Castles that have been owned by the Clan Middleton have included:
Donnchad mac Crinain was king of Scotland (Alba) from 1034 to 1040. He is the historical basis of the "King Duncan" in Shakespeare's play Macbeth.
Máel Coluim mac Cináeda was King of Alba (Scotland) from 1005 until his death in the year 1034. He was one of the longest-reigning Scottish kings of that period.
Kincardineshire, also known as the Mearns, is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area on the coast of northeast Scotland. It is bounded by Aberdeenshire on the north and west, and by Angus on the south.
Earl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia and is the premier earldom in the Peerage of Scotland. The earl or countess of Sutherland is also the chief of Clan Sutherland.
Fettercairn is a small village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, northwest of Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire on the B966 from Edzell. Fettercairn is also reached via the Cairn O' Mount road (B974) from Deeside.
Clan Mackay is an ancient and once-powerful Highland Scottish clan from the far North of the Scottish Highlands, but with roots in the old Kingdom of Moray.
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Clan Douglas is an ancient clan or noble house from the Scottish Lowlands.
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John Middleton, 1st Earl of Middleton was a professional soldier and mercenary from Kincardineshire in Scotland. Beginning his career in the Thirty Years War, during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms he fought for the Covenanters and Parliamentarians until 1648, when he switched sides to the Royalists.
Clan Drummond is a Highland Scottish clan. The surname is rendered "Druimeanach" in modern Scottish Gaelic.
Clan Crichton is a Lowland Scottish clan that historically ruled Dumfries.
Clan Macnab is a Highland Scottish clan.
Clan Cunningham is a Scottish clan. The traditional origins of the clan are placed in the 12th century. However, the first contemporary record of the clan chiefs is in the thirteenth century. The chiefs of the Clan Cunningham supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Clan Cunningham feuded with the Clan Montgomery. Historically, the chief of Clan Cunningham held the title of Earl of Glencairn. However, in modern times the chief of the clan is Cunningham of Corsehill. On 18 December 2013, Sir John Christopher Foggo Montgomery Cunninghame, Baronet of Corsehill, was recognized by Lord Lyon as Clan Chief after the chiefship had been vacant for over 200 years.
Clan Ogilvy, also known as Clan Ogilvie, is a Highland Scottish clan. Originating from Angus, Scotland, the progenitor of the Clan received a barony from King William the Lion in 1163. In 1491, King James IV elevated Sir James Ogilvy as Lord Ogilvy of Airlie.
Clan Montgomery is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.
Sir George Munro, 1st of Newmore (1602–1693) was a 17th-century Scottish soldier and member of parliament from the Clan Munro, Ross-shire, Scotland. He was seated at Newmore Castle. Between 1629 and 1634 Munro held command in the Swedish army during the Thirty Years' War, and from 1642 in the Scottish Covenanter army during the Irish Confederate Wars before changing his allegiance to the Royalist cause of Charles I in 1648 during the Scottish Civil War and Irish Confederate Wars.
George Mackenzie, 2nd Earl of Seaforth was a Highland clan chief and Scottish nobleman, who played an equivocating role in Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
William de Moravia was a Scottish nobleman, Earl of Sutherland and chief of the Clan Sutherland, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
Thomas Mackenzie of Pluscarden, also known as of Pluscardine was a Scottish soldier and member of parliament of the 17th century. He was a member of the Clan Mackenzie, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
