EDMONSTONE

1. HENRY

In 1348 "Henricus de Edmundiston" was a witness to a charter. In 1359 an inquest before the Baillie of
Musselborough declared that "Henricus de Edmundiston" had died and that "Johannes de Edmundiston"
was his legitimate son and heir and that he held land of the Abbey of Dumfermline.

Issue-
 2I. JOHN
-

Ref:

The History of the Family of Edmonstone of Duntreath- Sir Archibald Edmonstone, Duntreath, 1875
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880

2I. JOHN (HENRY 1)

Sir John was often employed by King David II in missions to England and he received the Barony of
Boyne, Banffshire.

In 1352 John was appointed coroner to the district of Lothian. In 1363 he joined the escort for King David
II to England to negociate a truce. In 1367 and 1369 safe conducts were issued to John and several others to
travel to England on the king's business. The truce was concluded at Edinburgh Castle on 20 July 1369 and
was signed by John de Edmondiston, Miles. After King David's death, Sir John travelled to England for
King Robert II in 1372 and in 1373 he was part of an envoy to Rome as an entry in the Exchequer Rolls
shows expenses for the group of £406-13s-4d. John was one of King Robert's ambassadors to France on 31
Jan. 1374 carrying instructions to intercede with Charles V in influence the Pope and Cardinals on behalf of
King David's widow, Margaret Logie in a suit brought before the papal court. They also demanded
reparation for attacks by Norman pirates on Scottish traders.

In 1381 John was issued a passport along with 16 men and horses to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land,
and another for the following year for their return.

John was granted the lands and barony of Boyn, Banff by King David II in 1369, and lands near
Haddington in East Lothian by Robert II. He seems to have been a trader as well as land owner as King
Richard II allowed him to take 200 quarters of malt with his own ships from a port on the Lincolnshire
coast to any port in Scotland.

Issue-
 I. John- m. Princess Isabella Stewart
 3II. ARCHIBALD-

Ref:

The History of the Family of Edmonstone of Duntreath- Sir Archibald Edmonstone, Duntreath, 1875
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880

3II. ARCHIBALD (HENRY 1, JOHN 2)

In 1399 King Robert III accepted the challenge of Robert Morley, and English knight, that he would take a
golden cup from the table unless prevented by a Scottish knight. Morley was prevented from doing so by
James Douglas of Strabnock. Morley then headed south to Berwick where he engaged in single combat
with Hugo Wallace and Archibald Edmonstone. Archibald received his knighthood in reward.

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In 1406 the king was frantic to save his son James from his brother, the duke of Albany, and made
arrangements for him to go to France. James left Rothesay Castle on Bute supposedly headed to St.
Andrews to continue his education at the college there. Instead he was taken to North Berwick and then
rowed out to Bass Rock where he was joined by an escort of men his father could trust, among them was
Sir Archibald. The party was picked up by a merchant ship, the Maryenknyght of Danzig, full of wool and
hides, and sailed down the Leith. On 22 March as the ship came around Flamburgh Head it was captured by
pirates who promptly sailed to London where a delighted Henry IV sent the young prince to the Tower, but,
King Henry apparently released prince James' escort. In 1411 Sir Archibald carried letters to the Duke of
Albany asking them to negociate the prince's release, which did not occur until 1424. When King James
returned to Scotland in 1424 he distributed the lands of the Duke of Albany's family to his supporters which
included Archibald's son William.

Issue-
 4I. WILLIAM- m. Princess MARY STEWART

Ref:

The History of the Family of Edmonstone of Duntreath- Sir Archibald Edmonstone, Duntreath, 1875
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880

4I. WILLIAM (HENRY 1, JOHN 2, ARCHIBALD 3)

m. 1425 Princess MARY STEWART (m.1. Earl of Angus, 2. James Kennedy, 3. Sir William Graham of
Kincardine)
d. 1460

Duntreath Castle

In 1435 William was granted the lands of Duntreath, Stirlingshire which was a portion of the forfeited
estates of Lennox. The Chamberlain's Rolls for 1434 for the Earldom of Lennox states that the Bailiff of the
Crown "non onerat se de fermis terrarum de Erlelevin (Arlehaven), Drumfyn (Dumfoin), et Duntreyne
(Duntreyve or Duntreath)... quia Rex William de Edmonstone de eisdem (because the King has infeft
William Edmonstone in them)". In Gaelic Duntreath means "hill of the chief" and since 1435 it has been
the principal seat of the Edmonstones.

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The castle at Duntreath was built by Sir William. The square tower was built about 1452. The cellars on the
south side of the kitchen were used as dungeons, and have been converted into a garage.

Issue-

 5I. WILLIAM-

Ref:

The History of the Family of Edmonstone of Duntreath- Sir Archibald Edmonstone, Duntreath, 1875
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880

5I. WILLIAM (HENRY 1, JOHN 2, ARCHIBALD 3, WILLIAM 4)

m. MATILDA STEWART, d. of Walter Stewart, second son of Duke Murdoch of Albany.

d. 1486

Seal of William Edmonstone of Duntreath, c.1470

Sir William took an active part in public affairs during the reign of James III and was one of the Lords of
the Articles several times.

Upon their marriage, Isabella, the Duchess of Albany, granted the lands of Duntreath to William and his
wife Matilda with the proviso that his father retained a life rent. The substitutes are Andrew, Allan and
Murdoch Stewart, Matilda's brothers. William's marriage to Matilda is also attested to by a precept of
sasine to the lands of Dumgoyak and other portions of Duntreath dated 17 May 1456. Also, Lord Avondale,
Matilda's brother, acquired the life rent of the earldom of Lennox and the guarantee of the lands of
Duntreath to his brother-in-law, Sir William Edmonstone.

In the charter chest of the Duke of Montrose is a deed dated 24 June 1477 which referred to the resignation
of the lands of Lennox which were previously held by the Edmonstone family to the Chancellor, Lord
Avondale by John, Lord Darnley on the stipulation that "our cousing Wilyeam Edmonstoun of Duntreath
be made sicker (sure)... of the lands of Duntreth, Dungroyabir, the Quhilt, Ballewane, Blairgaro (Blairgar),
Enbaly (?Edinbelly), the Glyn and Carcane lyande in the same Erledome quhilk he has be infeftment and
gyft heretably of our progenitour (King James II) of before, that our said Chancellor and cousing Willyam
of Edmonstoun beand contenetaid sicker, as said is, in the best forme that can be divisit... Wrytten under
our privat sele, and sbuscryvit with our hand at Stirling, the 21st day of June, and of our regne the thritene
yer (1472/3). Subscript litere. James."

The charter of confirmation by James II which is referred to was made at Stirling 10 Dec. 1452: "To
Willeilmo de Edmonstone de Culloden and Mary Countess of Angus (our aunt) in conjunction with their
son, of the lands of Duntreath, Arleywin, Dunguyock, with the mill thereof. The Quilt lying to the south

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side of the Burn of Blane, and the half of the lands of Balleun Easter, the Cluney's Glen, and Gartkalon, and
mill thereof, all lying within the earldom and shire aforesaid, and all by the same charter erected into a free
barony, to be called the Barony of Duntreath. On the resignation of the above William of Culloden and
Marion Stewart, Countess of Angus, the King's aunt, father and mother of the said William Edmonstone,
the younger, tenure in fee and heritage for ever. Cum furca et foss (gibbet and jail), yok, yak (priviledge of
trying actions), thol et theim (relating to franchises of market), infangandthef, and outfangandthef (power to
execute justice when a thief is caughter with the spoils) and so on, a long amplification, reddendo, a pound
of pepper yearly at Duntreath at the feast of the nativity of John the Baptist, if asked only. Reserving to the
same William of Culloden, and the said Marion, Countess of Angus, and longest liver of them their
liferent." The witnesses included William Turnbull, Bishop of Glasgow, William, Lord Crichton,
Chancellor, and "dearly beloved cousin Andrew, Lord Gray, Master of the Household."

The Acts of Parliament from 1464 show that he was one of the lords who took control of the government
during the turbulent minority of James III. In May 1469 he was made Justice General. In 1471 and in 1478
he was one of the Lords of the Articles, the standing committee that prepared measures for the Scottish
Parliament.

William was instrumental in restoring the Lennox lands and on 2 Aug. 1472 John, Earl of Lennox, by grant
gave the Superiority of Duntreath to Sir William Edmonstone, allowing him to hold the lands immediately
of the King and confirming the charter of 1452 from James II "in respect of the great kindness, labour and
expense of the said William, in recovering the Earl's part of the Earldom of Lennox." A charter exempting
the Barony of Duntreath from the jurisdiction of Lennox's courts is dated 5 Aug. 1472.

On 30 Jan. 1480 a charter of confirmation from King James III shows that Sir William bought the lands of
Cambus Wallace, near Doune.

Issue-

 6I. ARCHIBALD- m. JANET SHAW, d. 1502

 II. James- m.1. Elizabeth Cunningham of Polmaise, 2. Helen Murray of Touchadam
 III. James- Prior of the Collegiate Church of Kirkeugh, St. Andrews
 IV. John- m. d. of Sir John Stewart of Ardgowan & Blackhall
 V. George-
 VI. William- deputy master of the household of James IV
 VII. ______- m. Lawrence, Lord Oliphant

Ref:

The History of the Family of Edmonstone of Duntreath- Sir Archibald Edmonstone, Duntreath, 1875
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880

6I. ARCHIBALD (HENRY 1, JOHN 2, ARCHIBALD 3, WILLIAM 4, WILLIAM 5)

m. JANET, daughter of Sir James SHAW of Sauchie, Comptroller of Scotland

d. 1502

Before his father's death, Archibald seems to have held a post at court. In the Treasurer's account book for
1477 is the following: "Given to Archibald of Edmonstowne, 12th of September, to buy a pair of spurs to
the King, 4s. From Thome of Yare, and deliveret to Archibald of Edmonstone, 17 Decembris, 2 elnes and
ane half for vallous for a porte mantell to the King, price above, 45s,. sum £5,12s.6d".

On 1 June 1488 Archibald was granted sasine of the lands of Duntreath and also coroner of the western
portion of Stirlingshire to "Archibald, son and heir of William unquhile William of Duntreath".

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Doune Castle

Sir Archibald of Duntreath was made Captain of Doune castle by James IV and Steward of Monteith and
Strathgartney "anent the stanching of thift reif and enormities, proof that lawlessness was rife".

Issue- last child by his mistress.

 I. William- m.1. Sybilla Baillie of Lamington, 4. Sibylla Carmichael of that Ilk, d. 9 Sept. 1513 Flodden
 II. James- m. Agnes Ridheugh of Tillychadell. Comptroller of Scotland
 III. Jacob-
 7IV. JANET- m. WILLIAM GRAHAM
 V. Catherine- m. John, 2nd Earl of Eglinton
 VI. Christian- m. John, 2nd Lord Ross of Halkhead
 VII. Elizabeth- m. John, Master of Montgomery
 VIII. Margaret- m. George Buchanan of Buchanan
 IX. Beatrix- m. James Muschat of Burnbank, Perthshire
 X. Helen-
 XI. James- of Ballowan

Ref:

The History of the Family of Edmonstone of Duntreath- Sir Archibald Edmonstone, Duntreath, 1875
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880

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