Peter G. M. Dale
2020-05-20 17:41:34 UTC
Greetings,
I’m currently researching the Dishington family of Ardross, Fife and its possible descent from Elizabeth, sister of Robert (the Bruce) I of Scotland. I’d be interested in any thoughts on my notes below related to the Dishington family. In particular, whether it is possible to glean any further details of:
1. the relationship amongst the Dishington family and Scottish kings Robert I, David II and Robert III;
2. relationships amongst the various Dishingtons, i.e. father to son, and the odd 2x charters issued by Robert III to both William IV and Thomas Dishington dealing with the same property; and
3. can dates of death and ages (i.e. majority) be identified from any of the attached charters?
Any assistance or insight would be very much appreciated!
Cheers,
Pete
pdale (at) peterdale (dot) com
Nature of the Relationship between King Robert I the Bruce and William I Dishington
Facts
[1] William I Dishington (c 1290 – c 1365), purported husband of Elizabeth de Bruce, was the recipient of a charter from King Robert I.
"Document 1/53/531 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 78) – Description - Robert, king of Scots, has [given, granted, and?] confirmed to our beloved and faithful William of Dissington, knight, for his homage and service, the land of Balglassie in his thanage of Aberlemno (ANG), with one mark annual rent from his mill of Aberlemno, in extent ten markates of land; holding in feu and heritage, for the service of one archer in his army, and three suits of court at his sheriffdom court of Forfar at the three chief pleas, and making (i.e., paying) multure to his mill of Aberlemno, and suit of the aforesaid lands owed and wont, and paying nothing to the prior of Restenneth.
Firm date - 25 March 1306 X 7 June 1329 -- Probable date - 24 June 1314 × -- Dating Notes - inauguration × death of King Robert I; prob. after battle of Bannockburn”
(Website - People of Medieval Scotland, 1093-1371 - Document 1/53/531 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 78). Web Address -
https://www.poms.ac.uk/record/source/10477/
[2] John Dishington (b c 1320), purported brother of William I, is stated to have likewise received a charter from Robert I in which he is described by the king as his nephew (or close male relation) “Dilecto nepoti suo” [Our beloved nephew/close male relative].
"Robert Lord of Annandale ... leaving issue by Margaret Countess of Carrick his wife ... (g) Elizabeth, to Sir William Dishington of Ardross (h) Knight. ... (g) Charta Roberti I. Dilecto nepoti suo Joanni Dishingtoun militi Terrarum de Langhermestoun. (h) Charta in publicis Archivis."
('The Peerage of Scotland', (1716), by George Crawfurd, pp. 70-71. Web Address –
https://archive.org/details/peerageofscotlan00craw/page/144/mode/2up)
[3] William II Dishington (c 1315 - before August 3, 1387) received a number of charters from David II. He is described variously as a “Bachelor” (a tenurial and lordship relationship). However, in a charter dated September 18, 1369 he is described by David II as his kinsman “Cognatus/consanguineus” [kinsman/male cousin].
“Transaction: Gift of Kilbrackmont (FIF) -- Document 1/54/635 (RMS, i, no. 327) -- Description - David, king of Scots, has given his beloved relative William of Dissington, knight, land of Kilbrackmont (FIF), which was Walter Bisset of Clerkington's, and which Walter resigned; holding by William and his heirs and his assigns; in feu and heritage, in one free and integral barony, with bondsmen and bondages, neyfs and their offspring, with tenancies and services of freeholders, with pit and gallows, sake and soke, toll team and infangenthef; as freely as Walter held it; for service owed and wont. -- Firm date - 18 September 1369 -- Dating Notes - 18 Sept., regnal year 40 -- Place date (modern) Edinburgh.
Witnesses - Alexander Lindsay, knight (mid 14C); Archibald Douglas, lord of Galloway, earl of Douglas (d. 1400); Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); Walter of Leslie, knight; William Douglas, earl of Douglas and Mar (d. 1384); William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385)”
(Website - People of Medieval Scotland, 1093-1371 - From Source - 1/54/635 (RMS, i, no. 327). Web Address - https://www.poms.ac.uk/record/factoid/101709/)
[4] Thomas Dishington (b c 1375), son of William III and grandson of William II, received a charter from Robert III in which he is described as his nephew or close male relative “dilecto nepoti nostro” [our beloved nephew/close male relative].
ADDENDA. The two following Extracts have come to the editor’s knowledge since Appendix I. was printed off. REGNANTE ROBERTO TERTIO. EX ROTULO LXXVIII. [1]. [Carta Thome de Dischingtoun.]l Robertus Dei gratia rex Scotorum omnibus probis hominibus totins terre sue clericis et laicis salutem. Sciatis nos dedisse concessisse et hac presenti carta nostra confirmasse dilecto nepoti nostro Thome de Dischingtoun, totas et integras terras baronie de Ardros cum pertinentiis, jacentes infra vicecomitatum de Fyff • que fuerunt Willelmi de Dischingtoun militis patris sui, et quas idem Willelmus non vi aut metu ductus nec errore lapsus sed sua mera et spontanea voluntate per literas suas resignationis cum fuste et baculo in presentia testium subscriptorum nobis sursum dedit pureque et simpliciter resignavit ac totum jus et clameum que in dictis terris cum pertinentiis habuit quitum clamavit imperpetuum • Tenendas et habendas predictas terras cum pertinentiis eidem Thome et heredibus suis de nobis et heredibus nostris in feodo et hereditate imperpetuum per omnes rectas metas et divisas suas antiquas in boscis planis moris marresiis aquis stagnis viis semitis pratis pascuis et pasturis molen- dinis multuris et eorum sequelis cum curiis et escaetis et earum exitibus cum aucupationibus venationibus et piscariis petariis et turbariis ac omnibus aliis com- moditatibus libertatibus aisiamentis ac justis suis pertinentiis quibuscunque tam sub terra quam supra terram tam non nomi- natis quam nominatis procul et prope ad dictas terras cum pertinentiis spectantibus sen juste spectare valentibus quomodolibet in futurum libere quiete plenarie integre honorifice bene et in pace • Reddendo nobis et heredibus nostris dictus Thomas et heredes sui de dictis terris cum per- tinentiis unum denarium argenti annuatim apud maneriem de Ardros ad festum Penthecostes nomine albefirme si petatur tantum pro wardis releviis et maritagiis sectis curie oneribus secularibus servitiis exactionibus seu demandis que de dictis terris cum pertinentiis in futurum exigi poterunt aliqualiter vel requiri • Reser- vato tamen liberotenemento dictarum terrarum cum pertinentiis dicto Willelmo patri suo pro toto tempore vite sue. In cujus rei testimonium presenti carte nostre sigillum nostrum precepimus apponi. Testibus carissimo fratre nostro Waltero comite de Catnes, Johanne Senescalli de Achingown filio nostro naturali, Johanne Berclay de Kyppow, Alexandro Vaus, Willelmo Joos capellano nostro, Thoma de Leky et Jacobo de Dalrumpill clerico nostro. Apud Southenan, vicesimo octavo die mensis Novembris anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo secundo et regni nostri anno tertio decimo. [1] From Extract, certified by Mr. John Skene clerk register, in Elie charter chest.”
(‘The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1306-1424’, New Edition, (1912), edited by John Maitland Thomson, p. 651. Web Address –
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101038096846&view=2up&seq=680&size=150)
[5] John Dishington (c 1560) – a descendant of the Lairds of Ardross
[In October 1599, the attempted settlement of the Isle of Lewis by men from Fifeshire was successfully opposed by the Macleods] ... "Those who escaped set sail for Orkney, and among them was John Dishington, a younger son of the laird of Ardross. Acknowledged as a relative by the Earl of Orkney, his lordship's father being an illegitimate son of James V., John Dishington was by him appointed sheriff and commissary of Orkney and Shetland."
(‘Register of the Collegiate Church of Crail’, (1877), by Rev. Charles Rogers, p. 15. Web Address –
https://books.google.ca/books?id=FscIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA14&dq=%22william+dishington%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjdj_HMyoLpAhXWgnIEHYdZAIw4ChDoAQhAMAM#v=onepage&q=%22dishington%22&f=false)
Relationships
[A] Robert I was the son of Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Brus,_6th_Lord_of_Annandale) and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie,_Countess_of_Carrick).
[B] David II (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_II_of_Scotland) was the son of Robert I and Elizabeth de Burgh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_de_Burgh), second wife of Robert I.
[C] Robert III (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_III_of_Scotland) was the son of Robert II (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_II_of_Scotland) and Elizabeth Mure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Mure). Robert II was, in turn, the son of Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Stewart,_6th_High_Steward_of_Scotland) and Marjorie Bruce (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Bruce). Marjorie was the daughter of Robert I and Isabella of Mar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_Mar), the first wife of Robert I.
Analysis
From a review of the Facts and Relationships above we can attempt to come to some conclusions. As (i) John I, and presumably his brother William I, were related to Robert I, (ii) William II to David II, and (iii) Thomas to Robert III, how are these three kings related to each other? Robert I is the father of David II by his 2nd wife. Robert III is the grandson of Robert I by his 1st wife. Thus the commonality of relationship, amongst John I, William II and Thomas to Robert I, David II and Robert III, appears to be Robert I and his parents as opposed to, for example, his wives given that the relationship between David II and Robert III is via a different mother and grandmother, respectively.
The relationships discussed above, amongst members of the Dishington family and these three Scottish kings, corroborate, but do not prove, the purported descent of the Dishington family via a sister of Robert I who married William I Dishington.
Qualifications
The above analysis is qualified by the fact that the identities of the wives of William II and William III Dishington are currently unknown.
I’m currently researching the Dishington family of Ardross, Fife and its possible descent from Elizabeth, sister of Robert (the Bruce) I of Scotland. I’d be interested in any thoughts on my notes below related to the Dishington family. In particular, whether it is possible to glean any further details of:
1. the relationship amongst the Dishington family and Scottish kings Robert I, David II and Robert III;
2. relationships amongst the various Dishingtons, i.e. father to son, and the odd 2x charters issued by Robert III to both William IV and Thomas Dishington dealing with the same property; and
3. can dates of death and ages (i.e. majority) be identified from any of the attached charters?
Any assistance or insight would be very much appreciated!
Cheers,
Pete
pdale (at) peterdale (dot) com
Nature of the Relationship between King Robert I the Bruce and William I Dishington
Facts
[1] William I Dishington (c 1290 – c 1365), purported husband of Elizabeth de Bruce, was the recipient of a charter from King Robert I.
"Document 1/53/531 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 78) – Description - Robert, king of Scots, has [given, granted, and?] confirmed to our beloved and faithful William of Dissington, knight, for his homage and service, the land of Balglassie in his thanage of Aberlemno (ANG), with one mark annual rent from his mill of Aberlemno, in extent ten markates of land; holding in feu and heritage, for the service of one archer in his army, and three suits of court at his sheriffdom court of Forfar at the three chief pleas, and making (i.e., paying) multure to his mill of Aberlemno, and suit of the aforesaid lands owed and wont, and paying nothing to the prior of Restenneth.
Firm date - 25 March 1306 X 7 June 1329 -- Probable date - 24 June 1314 × -- Dating Notes - inauguration × death of King Robert I; prob. after battle of Bannockburn”
(Website - People of Medieval Scotland, 1093-1371 - Document 1/53/531 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 78). Web Address -
https://www.poms.ac.uk/record/source/10477/
[2] John Dishington (b c 1320), purported brother of William I, is stated to have likewise received a charter from Robert I in which he is described by the king as his nephew (or close male relation) “Dilecto nepoti suo” [Our beloved nephew/close male relative].
"Robert Lord of Annandale ... leaving issue by Margaret Countess of Carrick his wife ... (g) Elizabeth, to Sir William Dishington of Ardross (h) Knight. ... (g) Charta Roberti I. Dilecto nepoti suo Joanni Dishingtoun militi Terrarum de Langhermestoun. (h) Charta in publicis Archivis."
('The Peerage of Scotland', (1716), by George Crawfurd, pp. 70-71. Web Address –
https://archive.org/details/peerageofscotlan00craw/page/144/mode/2up)
[3] William II Dishington (c 1315 - before August 3, 1387) received a number of charters from David II. He is described variously as a “Bachelor” (a tenurial and lordship relationship). However, in a charter dated September 18, 1369 he is described by David II as his kinsman “Cognatus/consanguineus” [kinsman/male cousin].
“Transaction: Gift of Kilbrackmont (FIF) -- Document 1/54/635 (RMS, i, no. 327) -- Description - David, king of Scots, has given his beloved relative William of Dissington, knight, land of Kilbrackmont (FIF), which was Walter Bisset of Clerkington's, and which Walter resigned; holding by William and his heirs and his assigns; in feu and heritage, in one free and integral barony, with bondsmen and bondages, neyfs and their offspring, with tenancies and services of freeholders, with pit and gallows, sake and soke, toll team and infangenthef; as freely as Walter held it; for service owed and wont. -- Firm date - 18 September 1369 -- Dating Notes - 18 Sept., regnal year 40 -- Place date (modern) Edinburgh.
Witnesses - Alexander Lindsay, knight (mid 14C); Archibald Douglas, lord of Galloway, earl of Douglas (d. 1400); Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); Walter of Leslie, knight; William Douglas, earl of Douglas and Mar (d. 1384); William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385)”
(Website - People of Medieval Scotland, 1093-1371 - From Source - 1/54/635 (RMS, i, no. 327). Web Address - https://www.poms.ac.uk/record/factoid/101709/)
[4] Thomas Dishington (b c 1375), son of William III and grandson of William II, received a charter from Robert III in which he is described as his nephew or close male relative “dilecto nepoti nostro” [our beloved nephew/close male relative].
ADDENDA. The two following Extracts have come to the editor’s knowledge since Appendix I. was printed off. REGNANTE ROBERTO TERTIO. EX ROTULO LXXVIII. [1]. [Carta Thome de Dischingtoun.]l Robertus Dei gratia rex Scotorum omnibus probis hominibus totins terre sue clericis et laicis salutem. Sciatis nos dedisse concessisse et hac presenti carta nostra confirmasse dilecto nepoti nostro Thome de Dischingtoun, totas et integras terras baronie de Ardros cum pertinentiis, jacentes infra vicecomitatum de Fyff • que fuerunt Willelmi de Dischingtoun militis patris sui, et quas idem Willelmus non vi aut metu ductus nec errore lapsus sed sua mera et spontanea voluntate per literas suas resignationis cum fuste et baculo in presentia testium subscriptorum nobis sursum dedit pureque et simpliciter resignavit ac totum jus et clameum que in dictis terris cum pertinentiis habuit quitum clamavit imperpetuum • Tenendas et habendas predictas terras cum pertinentiis eidem Thome et heredibus suis de nobis et heredibus nostris in feodo et hereditate imperpetuum per omnes rectas metas et divisas suas antiquas in boscis planis moris marresiis aquis stagnis viis semitis pratis pascuis et pasturis molen- dinis multuris et eorum sequelis cum curiis et escaetis et earum exitibus cum aucupationibus venationibus et piscariis petariis et turbariis ac omnibus aliis com- moditatibus libertatibus aisiamentis ac justis suis pertinentiis quibuscunque tam sub terra quam supra terram tam non nomi- natis quam nominatis procul et prope ad dictas terras cum pertinentiis spectantibus sen juste spectare valentibus quomodolibet in futurum libere quiete plenarie integre honorifice bene et in pace • Reddendo nobis et heredibus nostris dictus Thomas et heredes sui de dictis terris cum per- tinentiis unum denarium argenti annuatim apud maneriem de Ardros ad festum Penthecostes nomine albefirme si petatur tantum pro wardis releviis et maritagiis sectis curie oneribus secularibus servitiis exactionibus seu demandis que de dictis terris cum pertinentiis in futurum exigi poterunt aliqualiter vel requiri • Reser- vato tamen liberotenemento dictarum terrarum cum pertinentiis dicto Willelmo patri suo pro toto tempore vite sue. In cujus rei testimonium presenti carte nostre sigillum nostrum precepimus apponi. Testibus carissimo fratre nostro Waltero comite de Catnes, Johanne Senescalli de Achingown filio nostro naturali, Johanne Berclay de Kyppow, Alexandro Vaus, Willelmo Joos capellano nostro, Thoma de Leky et Jacobo de Dalrumpill clerico nostro. Apud Southenan, vicesimo octavo die mensis Novembris anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo secundo et regni nostri anno tertio decimo. [1] From Extract, certified by Mr. John Skene clerk register, in Elie charter chest.”
(‘The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1306-1424’, New Edition, (1912), edited by John Maitland Thomson, p. 651. Web Address –
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101038096846&view=2up&seq=680&size=150)
[5] John Dishington (c 1560) – a descendant of the Lairds of Ardross
[In October 1599, the attempted settlement of the Isle of Lewis by men from Fifeshire was successfully opposed by the Macleods] ... "Those who escaped set sail for Orkney, and among them was John Dishington, a younger son of the laird of Ardross. Acknowledged as a relative by the Earl of Orkney, his lordship's father being an illegitimate son of James V., John Dishington was by him appointed sheriff and commissary of Orkney and Shetland."
(‘Register of the Collegiate Church of Crail’, (1877), by Rev. Charles Rogers, p. 15. Web Address –
https://books.google.ca/books?id=FscIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA14&dq=%22william+dishington%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjdj_HMyoLpAhXWgnIEHYdZAIw4ChDoAQhAMAM#v=onepage&q=%22dishington%22&f=false)
Relationships
[A] Robert I was the son of Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Brus,_6th_Lord_of_Annandale) and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie,_Countess_of_Carrick).
[B] David II (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_II_of_Scotland) was the son of Robert I and Elizabeth de Burgh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_de_Burgh), second wife of Robert I.
[C] Robert III (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_III_of_Scotland) was the son of Robert II (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_II_of_Scotland) and Elizabeth Mure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Mure). Robert II was, in turn, the son of Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Stewart,_6th_High_Steward_of_Scotland) and Marjorie Bruce (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Bruce). Marjorie was the daughter of Robert I and Isabella of Mar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_Mar), the first wife of Robert I.
Analysis
From a review of the Facts and Relationships above we can attempt to come to some conclusions. As (i) John I, and presumably his brother William I, were related to Robert I, (ii) William II to David II, and (iii) Thomas to Robert III, how are these three kings related to each other? Robert I is the father of David II by his 2nd wife. Robert III is the grandson of Robert I by his 1st wife. Thus the commonality of relationship, amongst John I, William II and Thomas to Robert I, David II and Robert III, appears to be Robert I and his parents as opposed to, for example, his wives given that the relationship between David II and Robert III is via a different mother and grandmother, respectively.
The relationships discussed above, amongst members of the Dishington family and these three Scottish kings, corroborate, but do not prove, the purported descent of the Dishington family via a sister of Robert I who married William I Dishington.
Qualifications
The above analysis is qualified by the fact that the identities of the wives of William II and William III Dishington are currently unknown.