The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that Kingdom. ... By George Crawfurd, Esq;.

KEITH, Earl Marischal,

ACcording to our Historians, this noble ancient Family derives its Origin from a certain brave Man who signaliz'd himself in the Battle of Bar|ry against the Danes, in the Reign of King Malcolm II. where Camus the Danish General was slainf 1.1. His noble Services were rewarded by that Prince with the Barony of Keith in Lothian, from whence his Posterity took their Surname; and either he or some of the first who descended from him, were dignified with the hereditary Title and Office of Marischal of Scot|land; for we don't find by our History,

or any other Document, that this Of|fice was ever in any other Family, than that of the Keith's.

In the Reign of King William, call'd, The Lyon, Henry, the Son of Philip de Kieth, was the King's Marischal, as appears from a Deed which he made to the Monks of Kelso, of the Patro|nage of the Church of Kieth, in pure and perpetual Alms, for the Health of his Soula 1.2. By Adda his Wife, Daugh|ter and Heir of Hugo de Lorensb 1.3, he had Harveus his Son, Father of Sir John Kieth, Kt. who releas'd to the Convent of Kelso, all Right or Title he had to the said Church, Sicut says he, Charta Herveii Marischalli Pa|tris mei testaturc 1.4. Robert Kieth his Son confirmed to the Religious of Kel|so the Deeds of his Ancestors to that Convent, adding moreover, of his own Gift, the Church of Hundebeth, with the Lands thereunto belonging, pro salute animae suae, whose Son or Successor, another Robert de Kieth, upon the Accession of John Baliol to the Crown, Anno 1292, had a Charter from that Prince of his own Lands of Kieth, Michalstoun, Ellem, Mule net, in liberam warrenamd 1.5. But no sooner did that misfortunate Prince unking himself by surrendring the Sovereignty of his Crown to a Foreign Prince, then the Marischal deserted him, and went over to Robert Bruce, and contributed his utmost Endea|vours to bring that brave Prince to the Throne, who had so gloriously redeem|ed his Country from Slavery and U|surpation, King Robert had a great Va|lue and Esteem of Sir Robert Kieth, inso|much as in 1325, he sent him Ambassa|dor together with the E. of Murray, to France, to treat with that Crown upon very weighty Affairs relating to the Two Nations, which was performed by them with Honour and Conducte 1.6. This brave Man had so lively a Sense of Freedom and the Liberty of his Country, that when the English at|tack'd us in both during the Minority of King David II. tho' Sir Robert Kieth could not, but by this Time be well advanced in Age. yet he was perso|nally ingaged in the Battle of Duplin, in Defence of his Country, where he had the Misfortune to lose his Life, the 3d of August 1332f 1.7, leaving Two Sons, Robert his Successor, and Sir William Kieth, Kt. who was slain at the Battle of Durham, in the Service of his Country.

Which Sir Robert Kieth was conspi|cuous for his Wisdom, Loyalty, and Valour in the Time of King David II. He left a Son Sir Edward Kieth, who was slain at the Battle of Dur|ham, Anno 1346g 1.8, leaving Issue by Isobel de Kieth his Wife, Sir William, and John, who was the Founder of the House of Inner••gie, which Lands he obtained by a Marri|age of an Heir Female of the Chynesh 1.9, whose Arms he thereupon took into his own.

Sir William Kieth, Marischal, made a very great Figure under King David Bruce, in the 1369, he was appointed one of the Commissioners on the Part of Scotland, to treat with the English touching a Peace betwixt the Two Realms, which was concluded by themi 1.10. He married Margaret, Daughter and Heir of Sir John Fraserk 1.11, with whom he obtained a vast Estate in the County of Kincardine and elsewhere, by her he had

John his eldest Son, who died in the Lifetime of his Father, leaving Issue by . . . . his Wife, Daughter of King Robert II.l 1.12 a Son, Robert, ap|parent Heir to his Grandfatherm 1.13, But he dying without Male Issue, his Heir Female was married to Alexan|der, first Earl of Huntly, and his Estate and Honour fell to Robert Kieth

his Unclea 1.14. Sir William had like|wise Two Daughters, M••uriella mar|ried to Bobert, Duke of Albanyb 1.15, and Christian to Sir William Lindsay of Byresc 1.16, Ancestor to the present Earl of Crawford.

Which Sir Robert was in great Fa|vour with King Robert III. under whom he held sundry Offices of Ho|nour and Trust, besides his own here|ditary Honour, which he discharged with Reputation and Fidelity. He married . . . . Daughter of . . . . By her he had William his Heir, and Elisa|beth married to Sir Alexander Irvin of D••umd 1.17, in vicecom. de Aberdeen.

Sir William Kieth Marischal was one of the great Men who shew'd them|selves most forward for the redeeming and restoring of King James I. from his Captivity in England. And when the Treaty for his Liberation was hap+pily brought about, Sir William gave his Obligation in the strictest Manner, that either he himself o•• his eldest Son should be an Hostage for the Ransome 1.18. By Elizabeth his Wife, Daughter of Da|vid, first Earl of Cranfordf 1.19, he had John, who died in the Lifetime of his Father, Sans Issue, and Sir Wil|liam, who was by the Favour of King James II. created Earl Marischal, an|no 1455g 1.20, He married Margaret, Daughter of James, Lord Hamiltounh 1.21. By her he had a Son, William, and a Daughter, Janet, married to John L••st, Grandson and Heir apparent to George, first Earl of Rothesi 1.22, but had no Issue.

Which William, Earl Marischal, in the turbulent Times of King James III. acted a most wise and prudent Part, and so tempered his Duty to that misfortunate Prince with his Af|fection to his Country, that he en|deavoured by all possible Means to preserve the Honour of the one, and the Interest of the other. He married Elizabeth, Daughter of Alexander Earl of Huntly, by whom he had Robert his eldest Son, who was slain at the Battle of Flowdoun, 9th September 1513, in the Blossom of his Youth, before his Father, and William, of whom came the Kieths of Troupk 1.23; also two Daugh|ters, Janet married to William, Earl of Montrosel 1.24, and Elizabeth to Wil|liam Lord Sinclairm 1.25, and had Issue

Robert Kieth, Esq Son and Heir apparent of William Earl Marischal, in the Lifetime of his Father, married Beatrix, Daughter of John Earl of Mortounn 1.26, by whom he had William, who was Heir to his Grandfather, and Robert Abbot of Deero 1.27, of whom was the Lord Dingwall, in the Time of King James VI. Elizabeth married to George Earl of Huntlyp 1.28, Janet to John Lord Glamesq 1.29, Agnes to Sir Archbald Douglas of Glenbervy, An|cestor to the Duke of Douglas.

Which William, Earl Marischal, was one of the Peers who concurr'd in the Reformation of Religion, tho' I don't find he did otherways meddle in the great Changes that ensued. He mar|ried Elizabeth, eldest Daughter and Co-Heir of Sir William Kieth of In|nerugier 1.30, by whom he had Two Sons and Seven Daughters.

William his eldest Son, who married Elizabeth, Daughter of George Ea••l of Errols 1.31, and dying on the 10th of August 1580t 1.32, le••t a Son George, who succeeded his Grandfather, like|wise Three Daughters, Mary married to Sir Robert Arbuthnot of that Ilku 1.33, Barbara to Alexander Forbes of Pi••••l••|gox 1.34, Mary to William Kieth of L••d|quhairny 1.35, and had Issue.

Robert Commendator of Deer, who had by the special Favour of King James VI. that Abbacy erected to him in a Temporal Lordship, by the Stile and Title of Lord Altree. He married Elizabeth, Daughter and Heir of Robert Lundy of Benholma 1.36, by whom he had One Daughter, Mar|garet married to John Erskine of Danb 1.37; so the Peerage fail'd, and his E|state fell to the Family of Marischal.

Alison eldest Daughter, married to Alexander Lord Abernethy of Saltoun, and had Issue.

Agnes to James Earl of Murray, Re|gent; and again, to Colin Earl of Ar|gyle.

Marion to John Campbel of Calderc 1.38: and had Issue.

Elizabeth to Sir Alexander Irvine of Drumd 1.39 and had Issue.

Beatrix to John Allardice of that ilke 1.40, and had Issue.

Jean to James Crichton of Frendraughtf 1.41, and had Issue.

Margaret to Sir John Kennedy of Blair|quhang 1.42 and had Issue.

This Earl dying very aged, on the 7th of October 1581h 1.43, was succeed|ed in his Estate and Honour by his Grandson

George Earl Marischal, who was by the Care of his Grandfather well brought up; and for the further Im+provement of his Education, was sent Abroad, where he spent Two or Three Years in Foreign Parts, and studied under the best Masters, parti cularly the celebrated Mr. Beza. U|pon his Return, having the Reputa+tion of a very fine Gentleman, he was made a Privy Councellor, and then in 1589, was sent Ambassador-Extraor|dinary to Denmark, to espouse Anne a Daughter of that Crown, in Name of King James VI. in which he appeared with all the Lustre the Wealth of Scot|land could adorn him with, all or most being upon his own proper Charge; which the King received as so great an Obligation, that he always lov'd and esteem'd him very much as a Man to be rely'd on in Point of Honour and Fidelity.

In the 1593, when a Rising toward a Rebellion was threatned in the Northern Parts, His Majesty named the Earl Marischal his Lieutenant, with a Power to raise what Forces he should judge necessary for that Ser|vice, and he behav'd so well through|out the whole Affair, that he intirely suppress'd the Insurrection, without the Effusion of one Drop of Blood, which made his pacifick Master very much applaud and commend his Con|duct. The same Year his Lordship made a noble Foundation of a College at Aberdeeni 1.44, which he indued with sufficient Funds toward the Support and Maintenance of a Principal and Three Professors of Philosophy; and tho'other Professors have been since ad|ded by the Piety and Bounty of other great and learned Men; yet the Earl being the first Founder, his Memory on that Account, ought to be alwise honoured by all the Lovers of Learn|ing, with that Gratitude and Respect which so signal a Piece of Service to his Country and Posterity deserves.

Tho' the Earl Marischal was his Master, the King's particular Favou|rite, I don't find he was ever in any publick Character or Office in the State, save that he was High Com|missioner to the Parliament 1609, which his Majesty conferr'd on the Earl, more to do him Honour than for any Profit could accrue to him there|by: But that was what he did not care for, his own Estate being one of the best in Scotland. And continuing in great Favour with his Prince, and Men of

all Qualities, he died exceedingly lamented, on the 2d of April 1623a 1.45, and was inter'd with his Ancestors, at the Church of St. Brides, with this Epitaph upon him.

Cum Patriam & Proavos raris virtutibus ornes, nonne ergo debet Scotia multa tibi. Ecclesia, Turrts, Pallatia splendida abunde, ingenio jam stant edificata tuo. Est Marischalla domus Borea lux maxime pura, Semper Romani a Dogmate Pontificis. Rex & Regna tibi debent quo{que} Danica, quod tu Curaris Thalamis consociare suis. Sic merito Rex, Religio, Respub. musae L••gens in Tumulo nunc Marischalle tuo. Struxit Aberdoniae Solymam, fundavit Athenas, Phoebus ubi cantant, & sacra turba vigent.

This noble Lord married first Mar|garet, Daughter of Alexander Lord Hume, by whom he had William his Successor, and a Daughter Anne, mar|ried to William Earl of Mortoun; Se|condly, Margaret Daughter of James Lord Ogilvy, by whom he had Sir James Kieth of Benholm, who by Ag|nes his Wife, Daughter of Sir David Lindsay of Edzielb 1.46, had a Daughter married to Sir Archbald Primrose of Dalmeny, Clerk-Register in the Reign of King of Charles II. Ancestor to the Viscount of Primrose.

William Earl Marischal was a great Patron of Learning and Virtue, which recommended him much to the Fa|vour of King Charles I. who finding him a Man of great Honour and Fi|delity, call'd him to his Privy Coun|cil, where the carry'd himself very well in every Thing relating to the Crown and to the Government in Church and State. He died in the Prime of his Age, on the 28th of October 1635c 1.47, leaving Issue by Mary his Wife, Daughter of John Earl of Mar, Three Sons, William and George, both Earls Marischal, John Earl of Kintore; also Two Daughters, Mary married to John Lord Kilpon••, Son and Heir of William Earl of Airth and Monteith, and Jean to Alexander Lord Pitsligo.

Which William, in the Time of the Civil War, adhered to the King, and upon his own Charge, levied a Troop of Horse, for his Majesty's Service, at the Head of which he behaved with great Courage at the Battle of Preston. Afterward remaining firm in his Fide|lity to the Crown, he appear'd no less zealous for the Restoration of K. Charles II. but while he was raising Forces by his Interest and Industry in the Northern Parts, he was surpriz'd at Eliot, and taken Prisoner by a Party of English detach'd from the Garison at Dundee, Anno 1560, and from thence sent to London by Sea, and imprisoned in the Tower; where, after Ten Years Imprisonment su|stain'd with great Firmness and Con|stancy, he lived to receive some Re|ward of his Merit, after the Return of the King, who made him first a Privy Councellor, and afterward Lord Privy-Seal; which Office he dischar|ged till his Death, in 1670. He mar|ried first Elizabeth, Daughter of George Earl of Winton, by whom he had Three Daughters, Margaret married to Sir James Hope of Hoptoun; and a|gain to Sir Archbald Murray of Black|barony, Mary to Robert Viscount of Arbuthnot, Jean to George Lord Banff; Secondly, Anne Daughter of Robert Earl of Mortoun, but by her he had no Issue.

To William Earl Marischal, suc|ceeded Colonel George Kieth his Bro|ther, who was a great Asserter of and Sufferer for the Royal Cause. During the Usurpation, he married Mary, Daughter of George Earl of Kinoul, and departing this Life in 1694, was succeed by

William Earl Marischal his Son, who was not in the Measures of the Court, either in the Reign of King William, or in the first Years of Queen Anne, was very opposite to the Union of the King|doms;

for, beside what other Reasons he might have for his Opposition, he thought his Family might suffer by the suppressing his heritable Office of Great Marischal of Scotland, with Relation to which he entred a Protestation in Parliamenta 1.48, before the Conclu|sion of the Union, in these Words.

'I do hereby protest, that what|ever is contained in any Article of the Treaty of Union betwixt Scot|land and England, shall in no Man|ner of Way derogate from, or be prejudicial to me or my Successors in our heretable Office of Great Ma|rischal of Scotland in all Time com|ing, or in the full and free Enjoy|ment and Exercise of the whole Rights, Dignities, Titles, Honours, Powers, and Privileges thereto be|longing, which my Ancestors and I have possessed and exercised as Rights of Property these Seven Hundred Years; and I do further protest, that the Parliament of Scotland, and Constitution thereof may remain and continue as formerly: And I de|sire this my Protestation to be inser|ted in the Minutes, and recorded in the Books of Parliament, and there|upon take Instruments.'

Upon the great Change which hap|pen'd in 1710, when the Earl of Ox|ford came to be the chief Minister of State, the Earl Marischal was elected one of the Peers to serve in the Parliament of Great-Britain, as one of the Representatives of the Peer|age of Scotland; in which Capacity when he had not served full Two Years, Death cut the Thread of his Life, on the 27th Day of May 1712b 1.49, leaving Issue by Mary his Wife, Daugh|ter of James Earl of Perth, George his Son and Heir, James Kieth Esq Lady Mary married to John Earl of Wigtoun, and Lady Anne Kieth, a Lady justly esteemed for her Wit and Beauty, and all the Qualities worthy her noble Birth.

Which George being a young Noble|man of very bright Parts, and his Ge|nius leading him to a military Life, Queen Anne, to encourage and counte|nance his promising Inclinations, gave him, when he was Lord Kieth, and only a Youth, a Troop of Horse, and then preferred him to be Captain of her Majesty's Guards, upon a Vacan|cy thro' Demise of the Earl of Craw|ford, February 3d, 1714c 1.50; and he con|tinued in the Post till some Time after the Accession of King George to the Crown, his Lordship was removed, and his Command given to the Earl of Delorain.

ARMS.

Argent on a Chief, Gules, Three Palets Or, Supporters Two Stags. Crest, a Stag's Head, all proper, Motto, Veritas vincit.

Notes

• f 1.1

  Hist. Scot.
• a 1.2

  Reg. of Kelso, M S. in Bibleoth. Jurid.
• b 1.3

  Ibidem.
• c 1.4

  Ibidem.
• d 1.5

  Dalrymple's Histori|cal Collections.
• e 1.6

  Foedera Scotiae, M S.
• f 1.7

  Hist. Scot. by Mackenzie.
• g 1.8

  Abercrombie.
• h 1.9

  Charta in Pub. Arch.
• i 1.10

  Rymer's Foedera Angliae.
• k 1.11

  Charta penes D. P. Fraser de Dores.
• l 1.12

  Charta in Rotolis Roberti II.
• m 1.13

  Ibidem.
• a 1.14

  Charta in Rotolis Roberti II.
• b 1.15

  Ibidem.
• c 1.16

  Charta penes me
• d 1.17

  Menteth's Theatre of Mortality, Pag. 86.
• e 1.18

  Rymer's Foedera Angliae.
• f 1.19

  Geneal. familiae Kiethorum, M S.
• g 1.20

  Ibidem.
• h 1.21

  Ibidem.
• i 1.22

  Charta penes Comitem de Rothes.
• k 1.23

  Charta in Pub. Arch••vis.
• l 1.24

  Charta penes Duc••m de Montrose, ad annum 1516.
• m 1.25

  Charta in Pub. Archivis, ad annum 152••.
• n 1.26

  Ibidem, ad annum 1506.
• o 1.27

  Letters of State during the Reign of Queen Mary, ad annum 1544, M S. in Bio. Ju••id. Edinb.
• p 1.28

  Charta in Pub. Arch.
• q 1.29

  Ibidem.
• r 1.30

  Ibidem.
• s 1.31

  Ibidem ad annum 1553.
• t 1.32

  Johnstoni Heroes.
• u 1.33

  Charta in Pub. Archivis.
• x 1.34

  Ibidem.
• y 1.35

  Mr. David C••lderwood's Church-History, M S. in Bibl. Academiae Glasguen.
• a 1.36

  Charta in Rotolis Jacobi VI.
• b 1.37

  Ibidem.
• c 1.38

  Ibidem, ad annum 1577.
• d 1.39

  Ibidem.
• e 1.40

  Ibidem.
• f 1.41

  Ibidem.
• g 1.42

  Ibidem.
• h 1.43

  Johnstoni Heroes.
• i 1.44

  Middleton's Appendix to Bishop Spotiswood's History.
• a 1.45

  Mr. Arch. Simson's Hist. of the Church of Scotland, from whom I borrowed this Epitaph.
• b 1.46

  Charta in Rotolis Jacobi VI.
• c 1.47

  Balfour's Annals, M S.
• a 1.48

  Rolls of Parliament.
• b 1.49

  History of Europe for 1712.
• c 1.50

  Life of Q. Anne.