| Clan Crichton | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Crest: A dragon spouting out fire, proper | |||
| Motto | God send grace | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Lowlands | ||
| Chief | |||
 | |||
| David Crichton of that Ilk[1] | |||
| Chief of clan Crichton, The Crichton of that Ilk | |||
| Seat | Monzie Castle,Crieff[1] | ||
| Historic seat | Crichton Castle | ||
| |||
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Clan Crichton is aLowlandScottish clan that historically ruled Dumfries.[2]
One of the earliest baronies aroundEdinburgh was formed from the lands ofKreitton and is mentioned in charters of the early 12th century.[2] In 1128 Thurstan de Crechtune witnessed the foundation ofHolyrood Abbey byDavid I of Scotland.[2] A presumed descendant, Thomas de Crichton, is listed on theRagman Rolls of 1296, swearing fealty toEdward I of England.[2] Thomas's three sons each extended the family's holdings.[2] The second son, William, married Isobel de Ross who was the heiress to the barony of Sanquhar inDumfriesshire.[2]
In 1464 Sir Robert Crichton of Sanquhar was sheriff of the county of Dumfries. From 1468 to 1469 he was also Coroner ofNithsdale.[2] In 1487 his eldest son, Robert Crichton, was created a peer with the titleLord Crichton of Sanquhar byJames III of Scotland.[2]
Another descendant of Thomas de Crichton wasSir William Crichton who in 1439 was appointed to the office of Chancellor of Scotland, during the minority ofJames II of Scotland. Crichton organised the infamous "Black Dinner" atEdinburgh Castle of which he was constable.The Earl of Douglas and his brother were invited as guests of honour to a royal banquet at the castle, where King James was in residence. After the dinner the two Douglases were dragged from the boy king's presence and executed on Castle Hill. TheClan Douglas, never slow to take revenge, laid siege to the castle, which Crichton surrendered to the king, and a truce was declared. The Douglases would go on to make an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Crichton, who was later given the titleLord Crichton.[2]
The second Lord Crichton obtained the barony of Frendraught in Banffshire through marriage.[2] The third Lord Crichton sided with theDuke of Albany in his rebellion against his own brother,James III of Scotland. Crichton garrisonedCrichton Castle against the king, but the rebellion failed and as a result the Crichton estates were forfeited for treason.[2]
In about 1552, William Crichton, third Lord Sanquhar, was killed in the house of theRegent Arran, byLord Sempill (chief ofClan Sempill).[2] The sixth Lord Sanquhar died in disgrace, having been accused of being involved in the murder of afencing master who had blinded Crichton in one eye years before.[2]
James Crichton is perhaps the most celebrated member of the Clan Crichton. He is known in history as "Admirable Crichton" due to his superb mental and physical prowess. He is said to have mastered all of the knowledge of his time and been able to speak and write in ten different languages, all by the age of twenty; he was also a feared swordsman. James Crichton studied at theUniversity of St Andrews then travelled toParis, where he challenged professors of the city to dispute with him on any branch of science or literature, offering to answer in any of his ten languages. The following day he was declared champion at a publicjoust. In 1582 Crichton was set upon by a gang, of which he killed five. Recognizing the sixth—the gang leader—as one of his own students, he dropped his guard, whereupon he was stabbed in the heart.[2]
During theCivil War anotherJames Crichton, 1st Viscount Frendraught supported the royalistJames Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose.[2] Crichton was present at Montrose's defeat at theBattle of Carbisdale (also known as the Battle of Invercarron) in 1650.[2] It is said that Crichton gave his horse to Montrose so that he could escape.[2] Crichton was taken prisoner.[2]
Thedouble-barrelled surname originates from the fact that the chiefs are direct descendants of theMaitland family, theEarls of Lauderdale, andClan Makgill.Royal Navy CaptainFrederick Maitland married Margaret Dick. Dick's grandmother was an heiress ofClan Makgill of Rankeilour and a descendant ofJames Crichton, 1st Viscount Frendraught of Clan Crichton through inter-marriage. One of their direct descendants Charles established his right to the chiefship and was recognised by aLyon Court decree in 1980.[3][4]
Members of the extended Maitland-Makgill-Crichton family include distinguished military officers, many of whom served in the various Scottish regiments during both World Wars, such as Major-GeneralEdward Maitland-Makgill-Crichton[5] and BrigadierHenry Maitland-Makgill-Crichton.
Incomplete list
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