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Barclay Clan
Barclay Crest: Out of a chapeau azure ermine a
hand holding a dagger proper.
Barclay Clan Motto: Aut Agere Aut Mori (Either
action or death).
Barclay Clan History: The Barclay surname is of
Norman origin. Family tradition suggests that Roger, Provost of
Berkeley, Gloucestershire, had a son, John de Berchelai, who in 1076
travelled to Scotland with the train of Queen Margaret. Margaret
married Máel Coluim mac Donnchada (Malcolm III "Canmore"). Malcolm
Canmore granted John lands at Towie in the parish of Turriff,
Aberdeenshire. The Barclay’s, through marriages and alliances soon
established themselves as an influential family throughout
Aberdeenshire and Banffshire.
John's de Berchelai’s son, Walter is said to have been the 3rd Laird of
Gartly in Strathbogie, and his Grandson, Sir Walter, was Chamberlain of
Scotland 1165-1189. As little is written of the Towie branch until the
1500’s it appears that Gartly line, for several hundred years, were
main branch of the Barclay family in North East Scotland.
Sir Walter de Berkeley, the 8th Laird of Gartley
signed the Ragman Roll and did homage at Berwick 1296. In 1305 he was
appointed Sheriff of Banff by King Edward I.
Andrew de Berkley, the 9th Laird of Gartley
supported Robert the Bruce, and was executed by the English after
raiding into Yorkshire in 1322.
Sir John de Berkeley the 10th Laird of Gartley
witnessed the grant by Sir William Keith, Marischal of Scotland in
1351, of the lands of Mathers in St Cyrus, Kincardineshire, to his
brother Alexander.
George Berclay the 5th Laird of Mathers along with
his uncles Patrick and John and several local lairds murdered and
boiled John Melville of Glenbervie, Sheriff of the Mearns in 1421.
Melville was overly zealous in attention to his duties and his
arrogance made him extremely unpopular among the local lairds.
The Lairds complained vociferously over the years to Murdoch the Duke
of Albany. The Duke became weary of the constant complaints and is
quoted as stating to Berclay 'sorrow gin that sheriff were sodden and
supped in broo'.
Taking the Dukes statement literally, Berclay
together with his uncles, and the local Lairds invited Melville to a
great hunt in the forest of Gavock, where a large fire and cauldron of
boiling water had been earlier prepared. After luring the unsuspecting
Melville to the area he was beaten down, stripped and thrown into the
cauldron. After boiling the Sheriff for some considerable time the
protagonists each had a spoonful of the soup. Berclay was some years
later pardoned for his role in the affair.
Sir Alexander Barclay the 13th Laird of Gartley
was slain at the battle of Arbroath in 1446.
In 1516 King James V. granted Walter Berclay of
Towie a charter uniting all Barclay lands into one Barony of
Barclay. Towie Barclay castle was constructed in the mid-16th
and was held by the Barclay family until it was sold in 1755.
Thomas the Rhymer’s poem, “Towie Barclay of the
glen happy to the maids, but never to the men”, was said to be a curse
on the males of the Barclay family. The “curse” was given a great deal
of credence locally and was said to have been the reason for the sale
of the castle.
Colonel David Barclay the first Laird of Urie
served with distinction under Gustavus Adolphus the King of Sweden. He
returned home to fight in the civil war. In 1647 he purchased the lands
and barony of Urie from William, 7th Earl Marischal. His grandson,
David, went on to found Barclays bank in London.
Click here to buy a unique personalised Clan Barclay certificate.
Click
here for Barclay Tartan.
Click
here to buy Barclay Clan crests, jewellery and gifts.
Click
here for Barclay Kilts and Highland Dress.
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