The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.

BALFOUR Lord BURLEIGH.

THE sirname of BALFOUR is of great antiquity in the county of Fife, and was first assumed by the possessors of the ba∣rony and castle of Balfour, a beautiful seat, lying near the confluence of the waters of Ore and Leven.

We find, by our histories and records, that there were several considerable men of that sirname in this country above five hundred years ago.

Ingelramus de Balfour, vicecomes of Fife, is witness to a charter of mortification to the monastery of Arbroath,* 1.1 by king Alexander II. dated the 15th year of his reign, anno 1229.

In the same reign, Henricus de Balfour is witness to a donation by Malcolmus comes de Angus,* 1.2 de terris in territorio de Kirriemuir, to the same monastery. And we find that Henricus de Balfour obiit, et tumulatur in eccle∣sia abbatiae de Melross,* 1.3 anno 1246.

Michael de Balfour is witness in a charter of Duncan earl of Fife,* 1.4 together with Willi∣am Wishart bishop of St. Andrews, betwixt 1272 and 1279.

Johannes de Balfour is witness to a charter of William de Valoniis,* 1.5 anno 1284.

At king Robert Bruce's parliament, which was held at Air, for settling the succession to the crown,* 1.6 anno 1315, the seals of Michael de Balfour vicecomes of Fife, and David de Balfour, are appended to that famous act.

In 1347,* 1.7 Adam de Balfour obiit, et tumula∣tur in ecclesia abbatiae de Melross, &c. &c.

It appears from our histories, that the Bal∣sours were a very numerous and flourishing family in Fife in the reign of king David Bruce, when Johannes de Balfour, dominus de eodem, miles, died without sons, and left only one daughter, Margaret, his sole heiress, who married dominus Robertus de Bethune familia∣ris regis Roberti II.* 1.8 who thereby got posses∣sion of the barony and mannor of Balfour, which his posterity still enjoys, but he re∣tained the name of Bethune, and of him se∣veral families of that sirname are descended.

And though there are many considerable families of the name of Balfour in Scotland at this day, yet we must here confine our∣serves to the families of Burleigh and Mont∣whanie, as these two are united in this noble house.

The ancestor of the family of Burleigh ap∣pears to have been,

I. MICHAEL de BALFOUR, of whom af∣terwards.

The first of the other family was sir Mi∣chael Balfour,* 1.9 who obtained the lands of Montwhanie, in exchange for the lands of Pittencriess, by a charter from king David II. dated in 1353. Of this sir Michael, was lineally descended sir James Balfour of Mont∣whanie,* 1.10 who married the heiress of Burleigh, in the reign of queen Mary, hereafter men∣tioned; all documented by charters in our pu∣blic records. We now return to the family of Burleigh.

I. MICHAEL de BALFOUR, first of the house of Burleigh, is witness to a donation of Walter de Moravia to the monks of Culross, together with Thomas Bisset,* 1.11 dominus de Fife, circa annum 1362. He appears to have been father of another,

II. MICHAEL de BALFOUR,* 1.12 who is one of the judges in a perambulation of the lands of Kirkness and Lochore, anno 1395.

He lived after 1420, and was succeeded by his son,

III. Sir JOHN BALFOUR, knight, design∣ed of Balgarvie, who got the lands and estate of Burleigh erected into a free barony,* 1.13 to him and his heirs, by a charter from king James II. anno regni nono, anno domini 1446. He left issue two sons.

1. Michael,* 1.14 his heir.

2. James, ancestor of the Balfours of Den∣miln, Kinnaird, Forret, and others.

IV. MICHAEL BALFOUR of Burleigh succeeded,* 1.15 and dying about 1490, left issue a son and successor,

V. MICHAEL BALFOUR of Burleigh, who got from his father the lands of Burleigh in Kinross-shire, the lands of Balgarvie in Fi••e, the mill of Bannockburn, or Stioch, in Stir∣ling-shire; all contained in one charter under the great seal of king James IV.* 1.16 dated 5th July 1490, in which he is designed filius et haeres Michaelis, &c.

He got from the same prince,* 1.17 a charter terrarum in dominio de Stragartnie.

Also a charter of the lands of Easter Bal∣garvie.* 1.18

There is likeways a charter from king James V.* 1.19 terrarum baroniae de Burleigh, Mi∣chaeli Balfour de Burleigh, &c.

He married Margaret daughter of— Mushet of Tolgart or Burnbank, by whom he had a son,

VI. DAVID BALFOUR of Burleigh,* 1.20 who succeded him, and got a charter from king James V. terrarum de Star, cum maresia, &c. anno 1527.

Also a charter Davidi Balfour de Burleigh,* 1.21 terrarum de Kinloch, cum dimidietat. molen∣dan. ejusdem, &c. anno 1528.

He died before 1542, having married Ag∣nes, daughter of—Forrester of Corstor∣phine, ancestor of lord Forrester, by whom he had a son and successor.

VII. Sir MICHAEL BALFOUR of Bur∣leigh and Balgarvie, knight, who was served heir to his father in 1542, and that same year got a charter of the lands of Strickinness.* 1.22

There is also a charter under the great seal of queen Mary,* 1.23 Michaeli Balfour de Burleigh, militi, dimidietat. terrarum, et villae de Kinloch, cum molendino, Smiddielands, Brew∣lands, &c.

He married Christian, daughter of John Bethune of Creich, by whom he had but one child.

VIII. MARGARET BALFOUR, heiress of Burleigh, who succeeded him, and married sir James Balfour of Montwhanie, lineally de∣scended from sir Michael Balfour, who got a charter of the lands of Montwhanie from king David II. anno 1353, before mentioned.

This sir James of Montwhanie, upon his marriage with the heiress of Burleigh, was afterwards designed by that last title.

He was a faithful subject to queen Mary, who appointed him clerk-register;* 1.24 he was also governor of the castle of Edinburgh when the queen surrendered herself to the lords at Carberryhill.

Before her majesty went to Lochleven∣castle, as an instance of her esteem and re∣gard for sir James, she gave him a small gold bell, with her name on it, and an enamelled cup and cover, said to have been king Mal∣colm Canmore's; both which are now in the possession of Mrs. Balfour, the heir of line of this sir James.

They had issue five sons and three daugh∣ters.

1. Sir Michael, afterwards lord Burleigh.

2. Alexander, designed of Balgarvie, of whom there are several descendants in the male line still subsisting.

3. Sir Henry, who was general in the Unit∣ed provinces, and served under the prince of Orange with great reputation.

4. William, who went into Ireland, mar∣ried —Hamilton, heiress of Glenally, as∣sumed her name, and one of their descendants was created lord Glenally.

5. David, who was a captain in his bro∣ther sir Henry's regiment, and perished at sea going over to Holland.

1st daughter,—married to sir Michael Arnot of that ilk.

2.—married to sir—Henderson of Fordell.

3.—married to—Barclay of Collairny.

IX. Sir MICHAEL BALFOUR, their eld∣est son, succeeded to both his father's and mo∣ther's estates,* 1.25 and got charters from king James VI. of the barony of Montwhanie, Kir∣bester, and several other lands and baronies; and also a charter of the lands and barony of Burleigh,* 1.26 to his heirs-male whatever, carry∣ing the name and arms of Baltour, &c. dated 29th November 1606.

He was a man of good parts, and much esteemed by king James VI. who was pleased to raise him to the dignity of the peerage, by

the title of lord Balfour of Burleigh, anno 1604, according to the M. S. account of the family: But according to Mr. Crawfurd, anno 1606; and according to sir James Bal∣four, sir Robert Sibbald, and Mr. Nisbet, on 16th of July 1607: And though I have not seen the patent, yet I presume it was to his heirs-general, because his daughter succeed∣ed to both his estate and honours, as will be shown hereafter; and he afterwards got a charter under the great seal,* 1.27 Michaeli Balfour, domino Balfour de Burleigh, terrarum baroniae de Kilwinning, &c. to him, et haeredibus et assignatis quibuscunque, dated 7th September 1614.

And being a man of great skill and know∣ledge in the management of state affairs, he was employed in several foreign negotiations, and was his majesty's ambassador at the courts of Tuscany and Lorrain, and acquitted him∣self with honour and reputation.

He married Margaret, daughter of— Lundin of that ilk, by whom he had an only daughter, his sole heiress, viz.

X. MARGARET, baroness of Burleigh, who succeeded her father in both his estate and honours, as before noticed.

She married Robert, son of sir Robert Ar∣not of Ferny, chamberlain of Fi••e, who there∣upon changed his name to Balfour, and, in her right, became possessed of the lordship of Burleigh.

'Tis said, that immediately upon his mar∣riage, he got a letter from the crown, entit∣ling him to succeed to the honours also; and certain it is he enjoyed them; for he made a great figure in Scotland as lord Buileigh, during the civil war in the reign of king Charles I. was deeply engaged on the parlia∣ment's side, and had a great share in all the public transactions of those troublesome times; for this sir ROBERT, second lord Burleigh, was president to the parliament that met in June 1640, and again to that in November, that same year; also to that which met in January 1641; and was made a privy coun∣sellor during life by the parliament, which met in November that year.

He was president to the committee for try∣ing malignants in the north, anno 1644; one of the committee of estates, anno 1645; also one of the committe for bringing in public money,* 1.28 and felling malignants lands, anno 1646; and after the murder of the king, he was one of the colonels of Fi••e, for putting the kingdom in a posture of defence, anno 1649; and that same year was one of the last committee of estates, one of the commission∣ers of exchequer, and one of the lords of the treasury, &c. All which is fully narrated in the records of those times.* 1.29 He was also said to be one of the chief contrivers of the solemn league, and had several private meetings with Oliver Cromwell, anno 1648.

By the said Margaret, baroness of Burleigh, he left issue a son,

John lord Burleigh,—and four daugh∣ters.

1. Jean, married to David earl of Wemyss.

2. Margaret, married to sir James Craw∣furd of Kilbirnie.

3. Isabel, married to Thomas lord Ruth∣ven.

4.—married to her cousin,—Ar∣not of Ferny.

They all had issue.

He died anno 1662, and was succeeded by his son,

XI. JOHN, third lord Burleigh, who mar∣ried Isabel, daughter of sir William Balfour of Pitcullo, lieutenant of the tower of London, in the reign of king Charles I. by whom he had three sons and six daughters.

1. Robert, his heir.

2. John Balfour of Ferny, who was a lieu∣tenant-colonel in the reign of king James VII. and left issue two sons and several daughters. 1. Arthur, who was father of John Balfour, now of Ferny. 2. John, who succeeding by entail to the estate of captain William Craw∣furd, now carries the name and arms of Craw∣furd, is married, and hath issue.

3. Henry Balfour of Dunbog, who was a major of dragoons, had several children, and is now represented by his son Henry Balfour of Dunbog, Esq; who is married, and hath a numerous issue.

1st daughter, Margaret, married to An∣drew lord Rollo, and had issue.

2. Isabel, who died unmarried.

3. Aemilia, married to sir John Malcolm of Innerteil, and had issue.

4. Jean, married 1st to—Oliphant of Gask: 2dly, to sir Robert Douglas of Kirk∣ness, and had issue.

5. Susan, married to Robert Douglas of Strathendry, and had issue.

6. Anne, married to captain Robert Sin∣clair, but had no issue.

He died 1688, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XII. ROBERT, fourth lord Burleigh, who was constituted one of the commissioners for executing the office of lord Register of Scot∣land, anno 1689.

He married lady Margaret, daughter of George earl of Melvil, by whom he had one son,

Robert, master of Burleigh,—and two daughters.

1. Margaret, now representative of the family.

2. Mary, married to Alexander Bruce of Kennet, Esq; and had issue.

He died anno 1713.

XIII. ROBERT, master of Burleigh, only son of the fourth lord, in the year 1707, had the misfortune to kill a man; for which he was tried before the lords of justiciary, found guilty, and condemned to suffer death; but he made his escape from prison in his sis∣ter's dress, a few days before he was to have been executed.

He afterwards engaged in the rebellion 1715, was attainted of high treason, where∣by the estate and titles of Burleigh were for∣feited to the crown.

He died without issue anno 1757; and had it not been for the above attainder, the ho∣nours would have devolved upon his eldest sister Margaret, as the peerage appears to have been granted to heirs whatever.

XIII. MARGARET BALFOUR, eldest daughter of Robert fourth lord Burleigh, is now heir of line of that noble family, and, failing heirs of her body, the representation devolves upon Mr. Bruce of Kennet, son and heir of Mary, second daughter of the said lord.

ARMS.

Argent, on a cheveron, sable, an otter's head erased, of the first.

Crest, on a wreath, a rock, and thereon a lady, holding in her right hand the head of an otter, and in her left the head of a swan.

Supporters, on the dexter side, an otter sejant, proper; on the sinister, a swan of the last.

MOTTO, Omni solum forti patria.

CHIEF SEAT,

At the castle of Burleigh in Kinross-shire.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sir Rob. Sib∣bald's hist. of Fife, p. 141.
• * 1.2

  Ibid. et char∣tul. of Ar∣broath.
• * 1.3

  Chron. of Melross.
• * 1.4

  Char. penes vicecom. de Stormont.
• * 1.5

  Chartul. of St. Andrews, p. 502.
• * 1.6

  Sir Rob. Sib∣bald, &c.
• * 1.7

  Chartul. of Melross.
• * 1.8

  Sir Ja. Bal∣four's annals. Sir Rob. Sib∣bald, Craw∣furd, &c.
• * 1.9

  Char. penes magist. Cal∣derwood de Polton.
• * 1.10

  Chart. in pub. archiv. inter 1400 et 1550.
• * 1.11

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. 195.
• * 1.12

  Chartul. of the priory of St. Andrews, p. 2.
• * 1.13

  Char. in arch. Rob. II. Sir Ja. Balfour, Sir Rob Sib∣bald, and Crawfurd.
• * 1.14

  Nisbet, vol. I. p. 169. and Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.15

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.16

  Ibidem.
• * 1.17

  Ibidem.
• * 1.18

  Ibidem.
• * 1.19

  Ibidem.
• * 1.20

  Ibidem.
• * 1.21

  Ibidem.
• * 1.22

  Ibidem.
• * 1.23

  Ibidem.
• * 1.24

  Sir Ja. Mel∣vil's memoit
• * 1.25

  Chart in pul. archiv. inte•• ann. 1577 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1600.
• * 1.26

  Ibid. haere∣dibus maseu lis quibuscun cognomen, e••arma de Bal four gerenti bus, &c.
• * 1.27

  Ibidem.
• * 1.28

  Rescind. acts of parl. from p. 33 to 102.
• * 1.29

  Bp. Guthrie's memoirs, p. 119 and 262.