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;.

KEITH Earl MARISHAL.

HISTORY and remotest antiquity are agreed, that the family of Keith is one of the most ancient and illustrious the Scotch nation ever has produced: a family, fruitful in a race of great men, who, not indebted to the nobility of their origin, have always re∣flected greater glory on their progenitors, on the hereditary titles and offices they enjoyed, than they ever deduced from them.

Our best antiquaries derive their origin from a certain great man called Robert, who per∣formed glorious exploits against the Danes, when they invaded Scotland with a numerous army in the reign of king Malcolm II.* 1.1 tho' some trace their origin much higher; however, this hero remarkaby distinguished himself at the battle of Barry or Camustone in Angus, where, with his own hand, he killed the fa∣mous Camus, general and champion of the Danish army, whereby the Scots gained a compleat victory, anno 1010.

King Malcolm, in recompence of his great and signal services, bestowed upon him several lands, particularly the barony of Keith in East-Lothian, from which his posterity assumed their sirname. He also appointed him here∣ditary great marishal of Scotland, which high office hath continued in his family, and hath never been enjoyed by any other since that time.

Of this great warrior was lineally descend∣ed, Herveus, or Hervieus de Keth, of whom we have many authentic documents in the ar∣chives of the kingdom, which sufficiently prove that he was great marishal of Scotland, and proprietor of the lands and barony of Keth; and as he was undoubted progenitor of this il∣lustrious family, from him we deduce their descent by unquestionable vouchers.

I. HERVEUS de KETH, great marishal of Scotland, flourished in the reign of king Da∣vid I. who succeeded to the crown anno 1124, and died anno 1153.

This Herveus had a dispute with the abbot and convent of Kelso,* 1.2 who claimed the church of Keth, in the village of this Herveus, de∣signed Herveus de Keth marescallus regis Sco∣tiae, at a convention held on that cause, to which J. bishop of Glasgow, and R. abbot of Jedworth, are witnesses, inter annos 1164 et 1174, in which last year the bishop died.

That there had been many meetings and conventions about this contest, sufficiently appears from the writs in the chartulary of Kelso.

At last the pope interposed his authority, and Joceline bishop of Glasgow, and Osbert prior of Paisley, were delegated by him as judges of the plea,* 1.3 which had long sublisted between the monks of Kelchou, and Herveus great marishal, about the church of Keth, in the village of the said Herveus, &c. Their sentence in favours of the monastery was con∣firmed by Richard bishop of St. Andrews, who died anno 1178;* 1.4 and Joceline having been constituted bishop of Glasgow, anno 1174,* 1.5 the controversy must have been deter∣mined between these two periods.

It may here be observed, that of old there were two Keiths; that which belonged to this family was promiscuously called Keith-Hervey,* 1.6 and Keith-Marishal; the other, which sometime belonged to the Frasers, was called Keith-Symons, or Keith-Hundely (now Hum∣by;) but the great marishals soon became proprietors of both, as will be shown here∣after.

Herveus de Keth lived to a great age, died betwixt the years 1190 and 1195, and was father of

II. MALCOLMUS de KETH, who, in a donation to the monastery of Arbroath,* 1.7 is de∣signed son of Herveus de Keth, great mari∣shal of Scotland, anno 1178.

And in a donation to the monastery of Kelso,* 1.8 concerning the teinds of the miln of of Molla, Malcolm, son of Herveus de Keth, great marishal of Scotland, is a witness anno 1185.

He is also mentioned in another donation to the same monastery,* 1.9 together with Robert de Ednem, Thomas de Heriz, &c. before the year 1190.

This Malcolm appears to have died before his father, for we never find him designed great marishal. He left issue two sons.

1. Philip de Keth.

2. David de Keth, who enjoyed a share of the marishal's office with his brother,* 1.10 as in se∣veral donations to the monasteries of Arbroath and Cambu••kenneth, we find Philip and Da∣vid de Keth, designed brothers and great ma∣rishals of our lord the king, between the years 1195 and 1199. This David had a son Rich∣ard,* 1.11 who is said to have been progenitor of those who assumed Marishal for their sir∣name, of whom there were several families in Scotland afterwards; but some historians have most erroncously taken them for great marishals of Scotland, tho' it is most certain that that office was never enjoyed by any fa∣mily but the Keiths, as before observed.

III. PHILIP de KETH, great marishal of Scotland, eldest son of Malcolm, succeeded his grandfather,* 1.12 and in a donation to the mona∣stery of Arbroath, is designed Philip de Keth, great marishal of our sovereign lord the king, about the year 1195.

Also in a charter of king William, of a do∣nation to the monastery of Dunsermline,* 1.13 Phi∣lippus de Keth, great marishal of Scotland, is particularly mentioned, before the year 1210.* 1.14

He is likewise designed great marishal of Scotland, in several other authentic writs be∣fore the year 1214.

He married Eda, daughter and heiress of Hugo de Lorens,* 1.15 by Eda his wife, daughter and heiress of Symon Fraser of Keth-Hundely, with whom he got the lands of the other Keth, whereby he became proprietor of both, and by her lest issue a son and successor,

IV. HERVEUS de KETH,* 1.16 who, in a dona∣tion to the monastery of Coldinghame, is de∣signed great marishal of Scotland, son of Phi∣lip great marishal, &c. anno 1222.

He is designed in the same manner,* 1.17 in a donation to the monastery of Arbroath, in the year 1226.

This Hervens, (now proprietor of Keth-Humbie) confirmed all the donations of the church of Keth,* 1.18 together with the commonty and easements of all the lands of Keth, &c. made by Symon Fraser to the monastery of Kelso, about the year 1236.

All which donations, with the lands, fo∣rest, &c.* 1.19 lying in the tenement of the said Herveus de Keth, are confirmed by a charter from king Alexander II. anno 1238.

He died in the end of the reign of the king A∣lexander II. and left issue a son,

V. Sir JOHN, who succeeded him, and is designed great marishal of Scotland, when he confirms all the donations of his predecessors, and particularly those ceded to the monastery of Kelso, by the determination of the late con∣troversy, and as they are contained in the charter of Herveus great marishal of Scotland, his father, in king Alexander II's charter, an∣no 1238 before mentioned, &c. He likewise added to that donation some other lands in his ground of Keth, all contained in one char∣ter, which is without date,* 1.20 but by the witnes∣ses appears to have been about the year 1250.

He also confirms a donation to the mona∣stery of Soltray,* 1.21 of the lands of Johnston in East-Lothian, of which he was superior, in the beginning of the reign of king Alexander III.

He married a daughter of the earl of Bu∣chan, by whom he had two sons.

1. Sir William, his heir.

2. Sir Adam de Keth,* 1.22 who being bred to the church, was rector of the church of Keth∣Marishal, anno 1292.

He died before the year 1270, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VI. Sir WILLIAM KETH, great marishal of Scotland,* 1.23 in a charter of confirmation by Malcolm earl of Lennox, of a donation to the monastery of Paisley, sir William de Keth, sir William Livingston, knights, Gilbert Drum∣mond and Patrick Lindesay are witnesses 1270.

The Keiths by this time were become very numerous in Scotland, and we find many of that sirname mentioned in authentic docu∣ments, whom we can connect with no parti∣cular family. viz.

Sir Robert Keth,* 1.24 anno 1240.

Robertus de Keth, in the reign of king A∣lexander III.

Bernard de Keth,* 1.25 anno 1274.

Philip de Keth, with Mary his wife, an∣no 1296, as in Rymer's foedera angliae.

Alisandre de Keth, in the same year, as in Prynne.

Sir Edward Keith of Synton.

Sir Walter Keth.

And many others needless to be here in∣serted.

Sir William married Barbara,* 1.26 daughter of Adam lord Seton, ancestor of the earl of Winton, by whom he had three sons, and one daughter.

1. Sir Robert.

2. Sir Richard de Keth, ancestor of the family of Galston.

3. Philip de Keth,* 1.27 who being bred to the church, was rector of Bygar.

His daughter,—, was married to William lord Douglas,* 1.28 called the Hardy, an∣cestor to the duke of Douglas.

He died before the year 1296, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VII. Sir ROBERT KETH, great marishal of Scotland, who confirms to the monastery of Soltray the tenement of Johnston, &c. by a charter, in which sir Richard de Keth, Knt. sir Philip de Keth,* 1.29 rector of the church of Bygar, his brothers, sir Adam de Keth, rector of Keth-Marishal, his uncle, and John de Keth, his son and heir, are witnesses, about the year 1296.

He was a man of great parts, a worthy pa∣triot, and had a large share of the troubles wherewith his country was oppressed for ma∣ny years, and embraced every opportunity of exerting his courage with the loyalists, in the reign of king Robert Bruce.

When king Edward I, of England thought he had compleated the conquest of Scotland, and pretending to show them a little favour, he allowed them to chuse ten of their own countrymen to represent them in parliament to be held at London,* 1.30 of which number sir Robert Keth the marishal was one, anno 1304.

He was soon thereafter appointed one of the guardians of Scotland by king Edward,* 1.31 in the year 1305.

And though he was for some time on the Baliol's side,* 1.32 when the country was over-run by the English, yet no sooner did king Ro∣bert begin to assert his title to the crown, than he joined him, was faithful and steady in his interest ever after, and was one of his chief favourites and fastest friends.

He was very instrumental in gaining the battle of Innerury,* 1.33 which was amongst the first of king Robert's conquests, for which he got a grant of several lands, and particularly a royal seat called Hall-forest, &c.

He was appointed justiciar of Scotland be∣north the river Forth,* 1.34 and is designed the noble marishal of Scotland, and justiciar be∣yond the river Forth, in the year 1309.

He had a considerable command at the bat∣tle of Bannockburn,* 1.35 and contributed not a little to the king's obtaining that glorious victory, anno 1314.

He was one of the magnates Scotiae (or Scoch nobles or grandee••) who signed that famous letter to the pope,* 1.36 asserting the inde∣pendency of Scotland, anno 1320.

And being no less an able statesman than a brave soldier,* 1.37 was that same year sent ambas∣sador extraordinary to the court of France, to negotiate some affairs of the utmost import∣ance, and he acquitted himself entirely to the king's satisfaction.

He was afterwards one of the commission∣ers appointed to treat with the English;* 1.38 a truce was concluded, and he was one of the guarantees, anno 1323.

In a donation of king Robert to the mo∣nastery of Coldinghame, Robert de Keth,* 1.39 great marishal of Scotland, is a witness, anno 1328.

And in another charter of king Robert, confirming all the donations of his predeces∣sors to the monastery of Kelso,* 1.40 Gilbert de Haya, lord high constable, and Robert de Keth, great marishal of Scotland, are wit∣nesses, in the 23d year of king Robert's reign, anno 1329.

He married Barbara Douglas (but of what family we know not) by whom he had issue two sons.* 1.41

1. John, his apparent heir.

2. Sir William Keth, a brave and valiant knight, who performed many gallant actions

against the enemies of his country. He was governor of Berwick,* 1.42 which he desended to the last extremity, and is often designed cu∣stos Bervici by the English, anno 1333, 1334, &c. He was appointed by the estates of Scotland ambassador extraordinary to the court of England,* 1.43 and obtained a safe conduct for himself and sixty horsemen in his retinue, anno 1335, and was at last killed at the siege of Stirling, anno 1336.

Sir Robert was killed in his old age, with most of his kindred and clan,* 1.44 fighting gallant∣ly for his king and country at the battle of Duplin, anno 1332, cum plerisque ex familia, nobilibus, &c. says Boethius.

VIII. JOHN de KETH, designed son and heir of sir Robert Keth, great marishal of Scotland, in the confirmation of the lands of Johnston to the monastery of Soltray,* 1.45 before noticed, died in the year 1324, which ap∣pears by an entail made by his father of his whole estate in favours of his grandson sir Ro∣bert, and the heirs-male of his body, in the year 1325.

IX. Sir ROBERT de KETH, great mari∣shal of Scotland, son of John, succeeded his grandfather in the year 1332, and inherited all his virtues.

He was no less a steady friend to king Da∣vid than his grandfather had been to king Ro∣bert,* 1.46 and performed many brave actions a∣gainst the English. He was designed great marishal of Scotland, and high sheriff of A∣berdeen in many authentic writs still extant, between the years 1335 and 1342.

He married Margaret, daughter of sir Gil∣bert Hay of Errol,* 1.47 lord high constable of Scot∣land, and ancestor of the earl of Errol, by whom he had a son,

Sir Edward,—and two daughters.

1.—married sir Robert Maitland of Thirlestane and Leithington, ancestor of the earl of Lauderdale.

2.—, married—, Irvine of Drum.

The marishal accompanied king David in his expedition to England,* 1.48 and lost his life in the service of his country at the battle of Durh••un, where his royal master was taken prisoner, in the year 1346.

He was succeeded by his son,

X. Sir EDWARD KETH, great marishal of Scotland,* 1.49 who was designed sir Edward de Keth, knight, in an inquisition, where his fa∣ther is designed Robert de Keth, great ma∣rishal of Scotland, &c. in the year 1341.

He married, 1st, Christian, eldest daughter of sir John Menteith, by lady Helen his spouse,* 1.50 daughter of Gratney earl of Mar. By her he had issue only one daughter,

Janet, married to Thomas lord Erskine, ancestor of the earls of Mar, of the sirname of Erskine.

He married,* 1.51 2dly, Isabel de Keth, said to be a daughter of the family of Galstoun, by whom he had two sons, and one daughter.* 1.52

1. Sir William, his heir.

2. John, who married Mariota de Cheyne, only daughter of Reynald de Cheyne of In∣nerugie, widow of John Douglas of Strabrock, by whom he got he got the lands and baro∣nies of Innerugie, Strabrock, &c. and was ancestor of the Keiths of Innerugie, &c. of whom sir Robert Keith of Ludquhairn, colo∣nel of a regiment of foot in his Danish maje∣sty's service, is now the male representative.

His daughter, Catharine, married Alexander Barclay,* 1.53 ancestor of the family of Urie.

He died before the year 1350, and was succeended by his eldest son,

XI. Sir WILLIAM,* 1.54 who is designed great marishal of Scotland, son of sirEdward de Keth, &c. in the year 1354.

He was a man of great parts, and was of∣ten employed in negotiations of importance, in the reign of king David II. and always ac∣quitted himself with fidelity and honour.

William, great marishal of Scotland,* 1.55 was nominated one of the commissioners by the estates of the kingdom, to treat with the Eng∣lish about king David's liberation in the year 1357, which was happily accomplished that same year.

After the king's return, he was again sent to England upon king David de Bruce his af∣fairs in the year 1358,* 1.56 and got a safe conduct from the king of England, for himself and six∣ty horsemen in his retinue.

He was a third time appointed one of the commissioners to the court of England,* 1.57 when a truce was concluded to last for fourteen years after 1369; and the marishal was one of the guarantees of the treaty.

In a parliament called by king Robert II. John of Carrick,* 1.58 lord chancellor, Walter de Bygar, lord chamberlain, James de Lindsay, nephew to the king, William de Keth, great marishal of Scotland, and several others, are particularly mentioned in a parliament held at Scoon, 3d April 1374.

This sir William, with Robert de Keth his son,* 1.59 are mentioned in several authentic writs in the chartulary of Aberdeen, in the years 1378, 1382, and 1393, &c.

He married Margaret, only daughter and sole heiress of sir John Fraser, by whom he

got a vast estate in the county of Kincardin: by her he had issue three sons, and four daugh∣ters.

1. John de Keth.

2. Robert, afterwards great marishal of Scotland.

3. Alexander Keth of Crabstane, Balme∣die, &c. who, in the chartulary of Aberdeen, is designed son of sir William the great ma∣rishal,* 1.60 and brother of the duke of Albany, in the year 1403, and had the command of the horse at the battle of Harlaw, against Donald of the Isles, in the year 1411.

1st daughter,* 1.61 Muriella, married to Robert duke of Albany, governor of Scotland, &c.

2. Janet, married to Philip Arbuthnot of that ilk.

3. Christian, married to sir William Lind∣say of Byres.

4. Elizabeth, married to sir Adam Gordon of Huntly.

John de Keth, first son and heir apparent of sir William, great marishal of Scotland, married a daughter of king Robert II. and shared the office of great marishal with his fa∣ther.

He got a charter from king Robert,

"to his beloved son John, great marishal of Scotland, son of William great marishal, and Margaret Fraser,* 1.62 &c. all and sundry the lands and possessions, &c. which be∣longed to the saids great marishal and Margaret, &c. reserving to the said Willi∣am, during all the days of his life, the of∣fice of great marishal, &c. &c. &c."

dat∣ed at Perth, 7th January 1374.

He died in the year 1375, leaving issue a son,

Robert de Keth, who died also before his grand-father, leaving no male-issue, and but one daughter, Jean, married to Alexander first earl of Huntly, who died likeways without issue, which ended the whole descent of John•• eldest son of William, great marishal of Scot∣land.

The marishal lived to a great age, and dy∣ing betwixt the year 1406 and 1408, was succeeded by his son,

XII. Sir ROBERT KEITH, great marishal of Scotland,* 1.63 second son of sir William, who, upon his father's resignation, got a charter under the great seal,

"to Robert Keith, son of William great marishal, of the lands of the forest of Cowie, &c."

in the year 1376.

And another charter of the barony of Strathachyne,* 1.64 and several other lands, upon the resignation of his father the marishal, and Margaret Fraser his mother, dated same year.

He got also, upon his father's resignation, the lands and barony of Troup,* 1.65 and sheriffship of Kincardin, upon which he got a charter from Robert duke of Albany, governor of Scotland, dated in 1406.

He then got a charter from Robert duke of Albany,

"to our beloved brother Ro∣bert Keith,* 1.66 lord of Troup, son and heir of William the great marishal, &c."

who now resigns all his lands and offices to him and the heirs-male of his body, &c. &c. &c. The resignation is dated 20th September 1406, and the charter of confirmation dated 12th March thereafter.

This Robert is designed sir Robert Keith, knight,* 1.67 great marishal of Scotland, in a char∣ter under the great seal hereafter narrated, dated in the year 1408.

He made a great figure in the reign of king James I.* 1.68 and was one of the commissioners appointed by the estates of the kingdom, to treat about his majesty's liberation (who was then a prisoner in England) in the year 1421; and when it was accomplished,* 1.69 the great ma∣rishal was one of the hostages for payment of the ransom, in 1423.

The estates of the hostages were then va∣lued,* 1.70 and the marishal's was estimated at eight hundred merks sterling per annum, a very considerable estate in those days.

He married lady Elizabeth Lindsay, daugh∣ter of David earl of Crawfurd, by whom he had three sons, and two daughters.

1. Sir William, his heir.

2. John de Keith, who got from his father the lands and barony of Troup, by a charter of confirmation under the great seal,

"to John Keith,* 1.71 son of Robert the great ma∣rishal, and the heir-male of his body; which failing, to the heirs-male of Alex∣ander his son, &c. reserving the superiori∣ty to his own heirs, the great marishals, &c."

The resignation is dated in the year 1408, and the confirmation in 1413.

3. Alexander de Keith, of whose succession we can give no account.

1st daughter,—, married to Hugh Arbuthnot of that ilk.

2. Elizabeth, married to Alexander Irvine of Drum.

He died before the year 1442, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XIII. Sir WILLIAM, afterwards lord Keith, and earl marishal, who made an entail of his whole estate, in which he is designed great marishal of Scotland,

"to, and in fa∣vours of Robert his eldest son,* 1.72 and the heirs-male of his body; which failing, to William his second son, and the heirs-male

of his body; then to John his third son, and Alexander his fourth son, and the heirs-male of their bodies, &c."

which is con∣firmed by a charter under the great seal, in the year 1442.* 1.73

He was a man of singular worth, integrity and honour, and highly esteemed by his ma∣jesty king James II. who raised him to the dignity of the peerage, first by the title of lord Keith, about the year 1450, then by that of earl marishal, about the year 1455.

In the parliament called by the king,* 1.74 on 6th July 1451, we find him designed lord Keith, and great marishal of Scotland.

He was appointed one of the guarantees of a treaty of peace with the English,* 1.75 in the year 1457, and sat in the parliament called to meet 4th July 1458,* 1.76 and was then design∣ed earl marishal.

He married Mary, daughter of James first lord Hamilton, by lady Eupheme Graham, daughter of Patrick earl of Strathearn,* 1.77 sister of Malise earl of Menteith, great grand-child of king Robert II. both by father and mother, and widow of Archib••ld earl of Douglas and duke of Turenne, by whom he had issue four sons, and two daughters.

1. Robert, designed master of Keith, who was sherif••-depure of Kincardin,* 1.78 in conjunc∣tion with Alexander Ogilvie of Innerquhari∣ty, in the year 1444. He married a daugh∣ter of lord Seton, by whom he had one daugh∣ter, Jean, married, 1st, to lord Gray; 2dly, to Alexander lord Gordon. He died without male-issue, anno 1446.

2. William, his father's heir.

3. John.

4. Alexander.—These two last are men∣tioned in their fathers entail above-recited but we cannot give any further account o•• them.

1st daughter, lady Janet, married, 1st, to John Lesly,* 1.79 grand-son and apparent heir to George earl of Rothes; and, 2dly, to Tho∣mas Stewart lord Innermeath.

2. Lady ••gidia, married to James second lord Forbes, and had issue.

He died before the year 1476, and was succeeded by his second son,

XIV. WILLIAM, second earl marishal, who got a charter,* 1.80 under the great seal, of the l••••ds of Garvalt, &c. in the year 1476.

And got charters of several other lands and baronies,* 1.81 betwixt the years 1480 and 1508.

He sat in the parliament called by king James III. 1st July 1476, and in all the suc∣ceeding parliaments of that prince's ••••••bulent reign;* 1.82 and being a man o•• found judgment, and steady loyalty, he endeavoured, by all means imaginable, to allay the heats which then subsisted among the nobility, and at last brought the king to his untimely end.

He married Mariota, daughter of— lord Erskine, by whom he had two sons.

1. William.

2. Robert de Keith, who, in a charter un∣der the great seal,* 1.83 is designed brother-german to William earl marishal, in the year 1511.

He is said to have had another son,

John, of whom Robert Keith, Esq; envoy extraordinary at the court of Russia, is line∣ally descended.

He died before 1510, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XV. WILLIAM, third earl marishal, who made a mortification to the Blackfriars of A∣berdeen,* 1.84 for the safety of the souls of himself and Elizabeth Gordon his spouse, of William de Keith earl marishal, his father, and M••riot Erskine his mother, &c. in the year 1510.

He assisted at the parliament called by king James IV.* 1.85 to meet at Edinburgh that year.

He was likeways a faithful and loyal sub∣ject both to king James IV.* 1.86 and V. and got charters, under the great seal, of several lands and baronies.

He gave a charter to sir William Ogilvie of Strathearn,* 1.87 confirmed by a charter under the great seal, to which William Keith of Troup, Gilbert Keith of Pittendrum, his se∣cond and third sons, and Robert Keith his brother-german, are witnesses, 6th March 1511.

He married,* 1.88 in his father's lifetime, lady Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Alexander earl of Huntly, by whom he had four sons, and five daughters.

1. Robert, lord Keith.

2. William de Keith, to whom his father gave the lands and ba••ony of Troup,* 1.89 upon which he got a charter under the great seal in the year 1493. He was killed with his bro∣ther, at the battle of Flowdon, without issue.

3. Gilbert de Keith, who got from his fa∣ther the lands of Pittendrum;* 1.90 but afterwards resigned them,* 1.91 and got the lands of Troup upon the death of his brother.

4. Alexander de Keith, who obtained from his father the lands of Pi••tendrum, which his brother had resigned. Of this Alexander are deseeded Alexander Keith, in the East-India company's service, and Robert, his bro∣ther, an officer in the guards, who are grand∣son•• of Alexander Keith, late sheriff-depute of the Mearns:* 1.92 also Alexander Keith of Ravel∣ston, Esq; in the county of Edinburgh.

1st daughter,* 1.93 lady Janet, married to Wil∣liam earl of Montrose.

2. Lady Elizabeth,* 1.94 married to William lord Sinclair.

3. Lady Jean, married to John lord Glam∣mis, ancestor of the earl of Strathmore.* 1.95

4. Lady Agnes,* 1.96 married to sir Archibald Douglas of Glenbervie, ancestor of the duke of Douglas, &c.

5. Lady Beatrix,* 1.97 married to Alexander Fraser of Philorth, ancestor of lord Salton.

When John duke of Albany, governor of Scotland, went to France, to renew the league with king Francis I. 1520, William earl ma∣rishal had the custody of the young king James V. in the castle of Edinburgh, in the earl of Mar's absence, in which trust he behaved so well, that the king ever after highly esteem∣ed him,* 1.98 and granted him many charters, with great privileges and jurisdictions.

He died about the year 1530.* 1.99

XVI. ROBERT, lord Keith, first son and apparent heir of William third earl marishal, a man of great spirit and magnanimity, mar∣ried lady Elizabeth Douglas,* 1.100 daughter of John earl of Morton, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

1. William, his grandfather's heir.

2. Robert de Keith, commendator of Deer, ancestor of lord Dingwall. Vide title Ding∣wall.

1st daughter, Elizabeth,* 1.101 married to George earl of Huntly.

2. Christian,* 1.102 married to sir Robert Arbuth∣not of that ilk.

He accompanied king James IV. to the fa∣tal field of Flowdon, where he lost his life with his royal master in the 1513.

XVII. WILLIAM, fourth earl marishal, eldest son of Robert lord Keith, succeeded his grandfather.

He got a charter under the great seal, con∣taining a novo damus, confirming, erecting, &c. his lands in the northern counties; also the lands and manours of Kincardine, with the office of constable of the same,* 1.103 &c. dated in the year 1531.

He got also charters of divers other lands.* 1.104

He was a man of good parts, great integri∣ty, and in high favour with queen Mary, who nominated him one of the twelve peers, by whom the affairs of the nation were to be managed.

He carried with him all his friends and fol∣lowers, who were fit to bear arms, to the bloody battle of Pinkie, where many of them were slain, in the year 1547.

He was a great promoter of the reformati∣on, but opposed all irregular proceedings in that affair.

He married Margaret Keith, daughter and coheiress of sir William Keith of Innerugie,* 1.105 by whom he got an opulent fortune; upon which he got charters,* 1.106 to him and her, of lands lying in the counties of Caithness, In∣verness, Elgin, Banff, Lithgow, Kincardine, &c. in the years 1538 and 1540.

By her he had issue two sons and seven daughters.

1. William, lord Keith.

2. Robert, commendator of Deer, after∣wards lord Altree. Vide title Altree.

1st daughter, lady Anne, married, 1st, to James earl of Murray, regent of Scotland, natural brother to queen Mary, to whom she had two daughters.* 1.107 She married, 2dly, Co∣lin earl of Argyle, and was mother of earl Archibald.

2. Lady Elizabeth,* 1.108 married to sir Alex∣ander Irvine of Drum.

3. Lady Alison,* 1.109 married to Alexander lord Abernethy of Salton.

4. Lady Mary,* 1.110 married to sir John Camp∣bell of Calder.

5. Lady Beatrix,* 1.111 married to John Allar∣dice of that ilk.

6. Lady Janet, married to James Crich∣ton of Frendraught.* 1.112

7. Lady Margaret,* 1.113 married to sir John Kennedy of Blairquhan.—They all had is∣sue.

While queen Mary was prisoner in Eng∣land, he meddled in no public affairs, but re∣tired to his castle of Dunotter, from whence he never stirred abroad, and was therefore nick∣named, by the common people, William in the Tower. And as he lived there at a very small expence, and died in a good old age, in the year 1581, he left behind him an im∣mense estate to his grandson and heir, George, afterwards earl marishal, son of,

XVIII. WILLIAM, lord Keith, common∣ly called master of Marishal, first son and ap∣parent heir of the above William. He got charters under the great seal, in his father's lifetime,* 1.114 to William master of Marishal, of a great many lands.

He was at the battle of Pinkie with his fa∣ther, where he was taken prisoner, and con∣fined till he paid a ransom of 2000 l. ster∣ling, upon which he was liberate,* 1.115 sat in the parliament 1560, and was appointed one of the privy council by queen Mary.

He married lady Elizabeth Hay, daughter of George earl of Errol,* 1.116 by whom he had four sons and three daughters.

1. George, who succeeded his grandfather.

2. William, a youth of great hopes, who accompanied his brother when he went to his

travels, but was unhappily killed in a scuffle at Geneva, when but a very young man.

3. Robert, who got from his father the lands of Benholm, which he afterwards sold to John Gordon, from whom they were bought back by George earl marishal, this Robert's eldest brother.* 1.117

4. John de Keith, of whose posterity we can give no account.

1st daughter, Mary, married to sir Robert Arbuthnot of that ilk.

2. Barbara, married to Alexander Forbes of Pitsligo.

3. Margaret, married to sir William Keith of Ludquhairn.

He was one of the privy council to queen Mary in 1561 and 1569,* 1.118 as before noticed, and died before his father in 1580.

XIX. GEORGE, fifth earl marishal, eldest son of William the master, succeeded his grandfather anno 1581, and got charters un∣der the great seal of a vast number of lands,* 1.119 to George earl marishall, &c.

He was a man of fine natural parts, which, by the care of his grandfather, were greatly improved by a liberal education. He studied several years with the best masters at the uni∣versities abroad; and, in the course of his tra∣vels, he visited most of the courts of Europe, in the space of about seven years.

When he returned to his native country, he soon gained the esteem of every body, and was acknowledged to be one of the finest gentlemen of the age.

He became greatly in favour with king James VI. who appointed him one of his pri∣vy council.

In the year 1589, he was sent ambassador extraordinary to the court of Denmark, to espouse princess Anne, a daughter of that crown, in name of king James VI. and being possessed of one of the greatest estates in this country, he appeared with all the lustre and magnificence with which the wealth of Scot∣land could adorn him, and that mostly upon his own charges. He had in his retinue Andrew Keith lord Dingwall, sir James Scrimgeour of Dudhope, Mr. John Skeen king's advocate, Mr. George Young arch-dean of St. Andrews, and several other persons of distinction, and acquirred himself so much to the satisfaction of the king and ministry, that they granted him a full, ample, and honourable acquittance and discharge,* 1.120 by an act of the privy council, in which are inserted several ancedots, very much to his honour, and wherein his great a∣bilities and fidelity are fully set furth.

In the year 1593, this earl made a noble foundation of a college at Aberdeen, called the marishal college, and endowed it with sufficient funds for the support and mainte∣nance of a principal and four professors of phi∣losophy, of which this family are perpetual patrons; and the seal of the college bears the arms of earl marishal quartered with those of the town of Aberdeen.

After king James went up to England, his esteem and favour for the earl never abated. He conferred upon him the greatest honours that a subject is capable of, and appointed him his high commissioner, or vice-roy, to repre∣sent his royal person in the parliament of Scotland in the year 1609.* 1.121 He served his majesty in every station of life, with fidelity, honour, and reputation.

He married, 1st, Margaret, daughter of Alexander fourth lord Home,* 1.122 by whom he had a son,

William, lord Keith,—and two daughters.

1. Lady Anne, married to William earl of Morton, to whom she had a numerous issue. Vide title Morton.

2. Lady Margaret, married to sir Robert Arbuthnot of that ilk.

He married, 2dly, Margaret, daughter of James lord Ogilvy,* 1.123 ancestor of the earl of Airly, by whom he had two sons.

1. James, who got from his father the lands of Benholm,* 1.124 in the year 1619, and married a daughter of sir Alexander Lindsay of Edzel, by whom he had three daughters, 1. Elizabeth, married to sir Archibald Primrose of Dalmeny, clerk-register in the reign of king Charles II. ancestor of the earl of Rose∣berry. 2. Margaret,* 1.125 who died unmarried. 3. Agnes, married to Patrick Smith of Braco, grandfather of David Smith of Methven, Esq; but this James died without male issue.

2. John de Keith, who was also provided to the lands of Benholm, by his father's de∣stination, failing heirs of his brother's body;* 1.126 but these lands were sold by James in the reign of king Charles I. and whether John had any succession or not we can give no ac∣count.

This noble lord died at his castle of Dun∣otter, April 2d 1623, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XX. WILLIAM, sixth earl marishal, who got charters under the great seal of many lands and baronies,* 1.127 to William earl marishal, &c.

He was a man of great learning and inte∣grity, which made him highly esteemed by king Charles I. who called him to his privy council, where he soon discovered him∣self to be well affected to the crown and go∣vernment in church and state.

He married lady Margaret Erskine, daugh∣ter of John earl of Mar, by lady Mary Stew∣art, daughter of Esme duke of Richmond and Lennox,* 1.128 by whom he had three sons and two daughters.

1. William, lord Keith.

2. George, who succeeded his brother.

3. John, afterwards earl of Kintore. Vide title Kintore.

1st daughter, lady Mary, married to John lord Kilpont,* 1.129 son and heir of William earl of Airth and Menteith.

2. Lady Jeaen,* 1.130 married to Alexander lord Pitsligo.

He died in the flower of his age, univer∣sally lamented, 28th October 1635, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XXI. WILLIAM, seventh earl marishal, who was a great loyalist, and adhered firmly to the interest of the royal family, during all the time of the civil war.

He raised a troop of horse upon his own charge, marched with them into England, in hopes of procuring the king's liberation in the year 1648, and fought gallantly upon their head at Preston, where the king's army was defeated, and the earl narrowly escaped being made prisoner: however, he got safe back to Dunotter castle,* 1.131 where he had the honour to entertain king Charles II. the duke of Buckingham, &c. &c. in the year 1650. He never left his majesty while he staid in Scotland, and gladly would have accompanied him into England, had he not been expressly ordered by the king to remain with the earls of Crawfurd and Glencairn, to govern the na∣tion; but while he was busily employed in raising forces for the royal cause, he was sur∣prised, with several of his friends, at Elli∣ot in Angus, by a strong party of English horse, and sent prisoner to London by sea; where, after a ten year's confinement in the tower, which he bore with great sirmness and constancy, he was released at the happy re∣storation of king Charles II. who, in recom∣pence of his great merit and sufferings, nomi∣nated him one of his privy council in the year 1660,* 1.132 and soon thereafter made him lord pri∣vy seal, which office he enjoyed till his death.

He married lady Elizabeth Seton, daugh∣ter of George earl of Winton,* 1.133 by whom he had four daughters.

1. Lady Mary,* 1.134 married to sir James Hope, ancestor of the earl of Hopeton.

2. Lady Elizabeth,* 1.135 married to Robert viscount of Arbuthnot.

3. Lady Jean, married to George lord Banff.

4. Lady Isabel,* 1.136 married to sir Edward Turner, a man of a vast estate in England.

The earl dying without male issue in the year 1661, his estate and honours devolved upon his brother,

XXI. GEORGE, eighth earl marishal, a man of undaunted courage and intrepidity, who, in his younger days, served in the wars in France, and soon rose to the degree of a colonel; but when the unhappy civil war broke out, he returned to his native country, and immediately joined the loyalists,* 1.137 and suf∣fered many hardships during ••he usurpation.

He died in an advanced age in the year 1694, leaving issue, by lady Mary Hay, daugh∣ter of George earl of Kinnoul, one only son and successor,

XXII. WILLIAM, ninth earl marishal, a man of an active spirit, solid judgment, great hospitality, and a true lover of his country, and so strongly attached to the interest of the Stewart family, that he never came into the measures of the court, during all the reign of king William,* 1.138 and a great part of queen Anne's.

He opposed with all his interest the union of the two kingdoms in every article, as being inconsistent with the liberty, and derogatory to the honour of his country in general, and that of his hereditary office of great marishal in particular,* 1.139 wherefore he entered a solemn protest against it, which is still upon record, and will be a lasting monument of the sincere regard he had for the ancient privileges of his country.

He was elected one of the sixteen Scotch peers to serve in the parliament of Great Bri∣tain, in the year 1710.

He married lady Mary Drummond, daugh∣ter of James earl of Perth, lord high chancel∣lor of Scotland, by lady Jean Douglas, daugh∣ter of William marquis of Douglas, by whom he had issue two sons and two daughters.

1. George, his heir.

2. James Keith, who betaking himself to a military life, served in the wars abroad, rose to the highest degree in the army, and was inferior to no general of his time for mi∣litary capacity. After the battle of Dum∣blain, where he was engaged with his brother earl marishal, he went abroad to seek prefer∣ment at the Spanish court; but not finding a quick promotion there, he entered into the service of Peter the Great, emperor of Russia, who soon promoted him to the rank of a ge∣neral officer. He afterwards went into the service of Frederick III. king of Prussia, who raised him to the rank of a field marshal; but after many signal services, when the right wing of the Prussian army was surprised by

the Austrians under marshal Daun, at Hoch∣kirchen, he making a glorious defence, was unfortunately killed, 14th October 1758, and was buried in the church-yard of Hochkir∣chen; but the king of Prussia, who could not sufficiently regret the loss of so great a com∣mander, had his corpse taken up and sent to Berlin, where he was interred a second time, with great military honours.

The earl's Ist daughter, lady Mary, was married to John earl of Wigton, whose only child, lady Clementina Fleming, married to Charles, tenth lord Elphingston, to whom she hath a numerous issue.

2. Lady Anne, married to Alexander lord Gairlies, now earl of G••lloway, to whom she had two sons, who died young, and a daugh∣ter, lady Mary, married to Kenneth lord For∣trose, to whom she had a numerous issue.

The earl died in the year 1712, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XXIII. GEORGE, tenth earl Marishal, who having been engaged in the rebellion 1715, was attainted of treason, and his estate and honours forfeited to the crown. He went beyond seas, and at different times resided at the courts of France, Spain, Rome, and Prussia.

In 1750, he was appointed ambassador ex∣traordinary by his Prussian majesty to the court of France, and was afterwards invested with the order of the Black Eagle.

In 1759, he went by Turin to the court of Spain, being, as was generally believed, sent there from the king of Prussia, who ap∣pointed him governor of Neufchatell.

In the same year 1759, there was a pardon obtained for him from king George II. upon which he came over to England, has since suc∣ceeded to the estate of Kintore, and went a∣gain to his government of Neufchatell.

ARMS.

Argent, on a chief gules, three pallets or.

CREST; on a wreath, a stag's head erased proper, and attired with ten tynes or.

SUPPORTERS; two stags proper attired, as the crest.

MOTTO; Veritas vincit.

Note, The two battoons in saltire semee of thistles, and ensigned on the top with im∣perial crowns behind the shield, were born as badges to the office of lord marishal of Scot∣land.

CHIEF SEATS,

Were at Dunotyr-castle, in the shire of Kincardine, and Fetteresso, in the same coun∣ty; also at Inverngy and Newburgh, in the county of Aberdeen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cambden, A∣bercrombie, vol. 1. p. 207. Stewart's hist. of the royal family, and many other authors.
• * 1.2

  Chartulary of Kelso, penes MacFarlane, p. 72.
• * 1.3

  Ibid. p. 73.
• * 1.4

  Ibid. p. 74.
• * 1.5

  Ibidem.
• * 1.6

  Ibid. p. 67, & Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.7

  Chartulary of Arbroath, pe∣nes MacFar∣lane, p. 105.
• * 1.8

  Chartulary of Kelso, p 127, 128, and 132.
• * 1.9

  Ibid. p. 228.
• * 1.10

  Chartulary of Arbroath and Cambusken∣neth, and Dal∣rymple's col∣lections.
• * 1.11

  Origin. writs penes Mac∣Farlane, vol. II. p. 91, 92, &c. ad ann. 1••21, 1229, and 1236.
• * 1.12

  Chartulary o Arbroath, p 153.
• * 1.13

  Chartulary of Dunsermline, p. 194.
• * 1.14

  Original book of writs, char∣tulary of Cam∣buskenneth, &c.
• * 1.15

  Chartulary of Kelso, penes eundem.
• * 1.16

  Chartulary of Coldingham, penes eund, p. 29.
• * 1.17

  Origin. writs, p. 59, v. II.
• * 1.18

  Chartulary of Kelso, p. 67.
• * 1.19

  Ibid. p. 71.
• * 1.20

  Ibid. p. 69.
• * 1.21

  Chartulary of Soltray.
• * 1.22

  Chartulary of Soltray.
• * 1.23

  Chartulary of Levenax, pe∣nes MacFar∣lane, p. 54.
• * 1.24

  Chartulary of Drybrugh.
• * 1.25

  Chartulary of Newbottle.
• * 1.26

  M. S. hist. of the family.
• * 1.27

  Chartulary of Soltray.
• * 1.28

  Home's hist. of Douglas.
• * 1.29

  Chartulary of Soltray.
• * 1.30

  Abercrombie vol. I. p. 520
• * 1.31

  Rymer, tom. II. p. 970.
• * 1.32

  Abercrombie, vol. I. p. 637.
• * 1.33

  Chart. in pub. arch. et penes comitem de Marishal.
• * 1.34

  Chartulary of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and sir Rob. Si••∣bald s history of F••fe.
• * 1.35

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. 4.
• * 1.36

  Fordun, vol. II. p. 275.
• * 1.37

  Rymer, tom. III. p. 809.
• * 1.38

  Ibid. p. 102••.
• * 1.39

  Chartulary of Coldinghame p. 375.
• * 1.40

  Chartulary of Keho, p. 452.
• * 1.41

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. ••
• * 1.42

  Rymer, tom. IV. p. 566, 594, &c.
• * 1.43

  Ibid. p 639, and 677.
• * 1.44

  Boethius, Bu∣chanan, A∣bercrombie.
• * 1.45

  Haddington's collections.
• * 1.46

  Book of ori∣ginal writs belonging to MacFarlane chartularies of Soitray and A∣••erdeen, Haddington's collect. &c.
• * 1.47

  Charta penes comitem de Errol.
• * 1.48

  Fordun, vol. II. p. 343.
• * 1.49

  Chartulary of Aberdeen, pe¦ne, MacFar∣lane, p. 158.
• * 1.50

  Writs of the fam. of M••art
• * 1.51

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. 4.
• * 1.52

  Chart. in pub. archiv. and chartulary of Arbroath, (where he is designed son of sirEdward, and brother of William great marishal of Scotland, in the year 1354) and Aberdeen, p. 272, in the year 1378.
• * 1.53

  Charta penes dom. de Urie, ad ann. 1351.
• * 1.54

  Chartulary of Arbroath, v. II. p. 87.
• * 1.55

  Rymer, tom. VI. p. 43.
• * 1.56

  Ibid. p. 8••.
• * 1.57

  Ibid. p. 633.
• * 1.58

  Chartulary of Aberdeen, p. 443.
• * 1.59

  Ibid. p. 219. 226, 263, and 272.
• * 1.60

  Chartulary of A••erdeen, p. 288.
• * 1.61

  Stewart's hi∣story, p. 114.
• * 1.62

  Charta in ar∣chivis regis Roberti II.
• * 1.63

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.64

  Ibidem.
• * 1.65

  Ibidem.
• * 1.66

  Ibidem.
• * 1.67

  Ibidem.
• * 1.68

  Rymer, tom. X. p. 125.
• * 1.69

  Ibid. p. 3••7.
• * 1.70

  Ibid. p. 327.
• * 1.71

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.72

  Ibidem.
• * 1.73

  Ibidem.
• * 1.74

  Records of parlt. in the lawiers libra∣ry Edinburgh.
• * 1.75

  Rymer, tom. XI p. 403.
• * 1.76

  Records of parliament.
• * 1.77

  Charta penes ducem de Ha∣milton.
• * 1.78

  Writs of the fam. of Skeen.
• * 1.79

  Chart. penes comitem•• de Rothes.
• * 1.80

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.81

  Ibidem.
• * 1.82

  Records of parliament.
• * 1.83

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.84

  Writs of the college of A∣berdeen.
• * 1.85

  Records of parliament.
• * 1.86

  Chart. in pub archiv.
• * 1.87

  Ibidem.
• * 1.88

  Contract pe∣nes ducem de Gordon, ad ann. 1482.
• * 1.89

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.90

  Ibidem.
• * 1.91

  Precept of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the lands of Pit∣tendrum, Pit∣blae, &c. di∣lec••o filio no∣stro, Alexan∣dro Keith, quas Gilber∣tus filius no∣ster in manus nostras in resig∣navit, &c.
• * 1.92

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. 6.
• * 1.93

  Charta penes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de Montrose, ad ann. 1516.
• * 1.94

  Chart. in pub. archiv ad an∣num 1526.
• * 1.95

  Ibidem.
• * 1.96

  Ibid. et chart. penes famil. de Douglas.
• * 1.97

  Lives of the offic. of state.
• * 1.98

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.99

  Privy seal.
• * 1.100

  Charta penes comitem de Morton.
• * 1.101

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.102

  Writs of the family of Ar∣buthnot.
• * 1.103

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.104

  Ibidem.
• * 1.105

  Privy seal.
• * 1.106

  Ibid. et chart. in pub. archiv. and Had ling∣ton's collecti∣ons, page 92 and 93, &c.
• * 1.107

  Chart. under the great seal.
• * 1.108

  Ibidem.
• * 1.109

  Haddington's collections.
• * 1.110

  Chart. in ar∣chivis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 VI.
• * 1.111

  Haddington's collections.
• * 1.112

  Ibidem.
• * 1.113

  Ibidem.
• * 1.114

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.115

  Records of parliament, and Keith's history.
• * 1.116

  Privy seal.
• * 1.117

  Ibidem.
• * 1.118

  Ibidem.
• * 1.119

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.120

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. 8th. where part of his discharge is narrated.
• * 1.121

  Records of parliament.
• * 1.122

  Privy seal.
• * 1.123

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.124

  Ibidem.
• * 1.125

  Contract pe∣nes Methven, ad ann. 1652.
• * 1.126

  Privy seal.
• * 1.127

  Ibidem.
• * 1.128

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.129

  Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.130

  Ibidem.
• * 1.131

  Ibid. Nisbet's appendix, and M. S. hist. of the family.
• * 1.132

  Chart. in pub. arch.
• * 1.133

  Ibidem.
• * 1.134

  Paper in the Earl of Hope∣ton's custody.
• * 1.135

  Writs of the family of Ar∣buthnot.
• * 1.136

  Writs of the sam. of Win∣ton.
• * 1.137

  M. S. hist. of the family.
• * 1.138

  Ibidem.
• * 1.139

  Protestatlarge in Crawfurd's peerage, page 323, and Nis∣bet's append. p. 10.