Clan Erskine
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Clan Erskine is a Lowland Scottish clan.
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[edit] History
[edit] Origins of the Name
Erskine is an area to the south of the River Clyde and ten miles to the west of Glasgow. The name is believed to be ancient or Old British for green rising ground. In the 13th century during the reign of King Alexander II of Scotland the first known person of the name Erskine was Henry Erskine who was also the owner of the Barony of Erskine.
[edit] 14th century & Wars of Scottish Independence
During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Erskine were supporters of King Robert the Bruce.
[edit] 15th Century
In 1435 Alexander Stewart, the Earl of Mar died and Sir Robert Erskine claimed the title. this also made him the chief of Clan Mar. However the King withdrew the earldom in 1457 stating that it could only belong to a Royal Stuart. Ten years later Sir Robert was created the first Lord Erskine. This unlawful succession was finally interrupted by Mary, Queen of Scots, who saw that the rightful heir John Erskine, 17th Earl of Mar was restored.
[edit] 16th century & Anglo Scottish Wars
During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the 4th 'Lord Erskine' led the Clan Erskine at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 where he was slain.
Mary Queen of Scots had been in the care of the 5th Lord Erskine and when he died she made John Eskine the 6th Lord Erskine the Earl of Mar: John Erskine, 17th Earl of Mar.
[edit] 18th century & Jacobite Uprisings
At the beginning of the Jacobite Uprisings it seemed likely that the Erskines would support the British government. However the chief of Clan Erskine, John Erskine, 22nd Earl of Mar had traveled to London in 1714 expecting the post of Secretary of State of Scotland. However he was not given the job and as a result he became a Jacobite. He then raised an army of over ten thousand men for the Jacobite cause. This force was not used to its potential during the Battle of Sheriffmuir on 13 November 1715 where the Jacobites were defeated. The Earl of Mar then fled Scotland to Saint-Germain in France, whereupon he betrayed his Jacobite associates. He lost his line of the Earldom of Mar and it was not restored until 1824.
[edit] Clan Chief
The current Chief of Clan Erskine is James Erskine, 14th Earl of Mar who descends from the Earl of Mar#Earls of Mar, seventh Creation (1565) (as deemed by the House of Lords in 1875).
It should be noted that the Clan Mar now has a separate chief; Margaret of Mar, 30th Countess of Mar who descends from the Earl of Mar#Earls of Mar, first Creation.
[edit] Clan Castles
- Kildrummy Castle was the seat of the Clan Erskine until it was abandoned after the failed Jacobite Uprisings in 1716.
- The Dun Estate and House of Dun was home to the Clan Erskine family from 1375 until 1980, but archaeological evidence shows that people have lived here for at least 9,000 years. John Erskine of Dun was a key figure in the Scottish Reformation.
- In 1626 John Erskine, 18th Earl of Mar acquired Corgarff Castle.
- In 1613 Kellie Castle was purchased by Sir Thomas Erskine, Earl of Mar, who had saved the life of King James VI of Scotland during the Gowrie Conspiracy by killing Sir Alexander Ruthven. The King stayed at Kellie in 1617 during his only visit to Scotland after the Union of the Crowns, and he appointed Erskine as Earl of Kellie in 1619.
- In 1544 Dryburgh Abbey given to the Earl of Mar by King James VI of Scotland.
- The Clan Erskine also held seats at various times at Alloa Tower, Dirleton Castle, Braemar Castle and Rosslyn Castle.
