Roger de Kirkpatrick

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Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick of Closeburn was a Scottish gentleman, and an associate of Robert the Bruce. His birth and death dates are unknown. He was probably born at, and lived at, the Kirkpatrick stronghold of Closeburn Castle.

Robert the Bruce quarreled with John "the Red" Comyn, in church of the Minortie Friars in Dumfries on 10 February 1306, over the succession to the throne of Scotland. The Bruce desired that they unite against the English claimant Edward I and, upon the Comyn's refusal to do so, lost his head and desperately wounded the Red Comyn with his dagger.

He rushed from the church and encountered his attendants outside. Bruce told him them what had happened and said, "I must be off, for I doubt I have slain the Red Comyn," [1] "Doubt?" Kirkpatrick of Closeburn answered, "I mak sikker," ("I'll make sure," or "I make sure") and rushing into the church, dispatched Comyn. [2]

Kirkpatrick and Bruce were chased three nights by Comyn's followers but were never caught. Later, when Bruce was crowned king of Scotland in 1306, he granted his own arms to Kirkpatrick. Upon the escutcheon he also placed three pillows to denote the three nights they slept in the woods while fleeing. "I mak sikker" became the family motto. [3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Chambers's Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge 1891
  2. ^ Chambers's Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge 1891
  3. ^ Clan Kirkpatrick


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