Clan Crichton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Crichton |
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| Motto | God send grace | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Lowlands | ||
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| David Crichton of that Ilk | |||
| Chief of clan Crichton, The Crichton of that Ilk | |||
| Seat | Monzie Castle, Crieff | ||
| Historic seat | Crichton Castle | ||
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Clan Crichton is a historic Scottish clan from the Scottish Lowlands. This clan was very important in the area of Dumfries in Scotland.
Contents
History of Clan Crichton
Where Did the Clan Crichton Begin?
The Crichton family name comes from the lands of Kreitton near Edinburgh. These lands were mentioned in old documents from the early 1100s. In 1128, a man named Thurstan de Crechtune was a witness when David I of Scotland started Holyrood Abbey.
Later, Thurstan's son, Thomas de Crichton, swore loyalty to Edward I of England in 1296. Thomas had three sons, and each of them helped the family get more land. His second son, William, married Isobel de Ross. She was the heir to the Sanquhar area in Dumfriesshire, which added to the family's power.
What Happened in the 1400s and 1500s?
In 1464, Sir Robert Crichton of Sanquhar was a sheriff in Dumfries. He also worked as a Coroner for Nithsdale from 1468 to 1469. In 1487, his oldest son, Robert Crichton, was given the important title of Lord Crichton of Sanquhar by James III of Scotland.
Another important Crichton was Sir William Crichton. In 1439, he became the Chancellor of Scotland. This was during the time when James II of Scotland was still a young boy.
Sir William Crichton was involved in a famous event called the "Black Dinner" at Edinburgh Castle. He was in charge of the castle at the time. The Earl of Douglas and his brother were invited to a royal dinner at the castle. After the meal, the two Douglas brothers were taken away and executed.
The Clan Douglas quickly sought revenge. They attacked Edinburgh Castle, but Crichton eventually gave it up to the king. A peace agreement was made. The Douglas clan later tried to harm Crichton, but they failed. Crichton was then given the title Lord Crichton.
The second Lord Crichton gained more land in Banffshire through marriage. However, the third Lord Crichton joined the Duke of Albany in a rebellion against his own brother, James III of Scotland. Crichton defended Crichton Castle against the king. But the rebellion failed, and the Crichton family lost their lands because of this act of disloyalty.
Around 1552, William Crichton, the third Lord Sanquhar, died in a conflict with Lord Sempill, the chief of Clan Sempill. The sixth Lord Sanquhar faced serious trouble. He was accused of being involved in the death of a fencing teacher who had accidentally injured Crichton's eye years before.
One of the most famous members of the clan was James Crichton. He was known as "Admirable Crichton" because he was incredibly smart and talented. People said he knew everything important from his time. He could also speak and write in ten different languages by the age of twenty! He was also a skilled swordsman.
James Crichton studied at the University of St Andrews. Then he traveled to Paris. There, he challenged professors to debate him on any topic, promising to answer in any of his ten languages. The next day, he was declared a champion at a public joust. In 1582, Crichton was attacked by a group of people. He defended himself and defeated five of them. When he recognized the leader as one of his own students, he lowered his guard. Sadly, he was then fatally injured.
What Happened in the 1600s?
During the Civil War, another James Crichton, 1st Viscount Frendraught supported the king's side. He fought alongside James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose. Crichton was at the Battle of Carbisdale in 1650, where Montrose was defeated. It is said that Crichton gave his horse to Montrose so he could escape. Crichton himself was captured.
Modern History of the Clan
Today, the chiefs of Clan Crichton have a double-barrelled surname: Maitland-Makgill-Crichton. This is because they are also related to the Clan Maitland (the Earls of Lauderdale) and Clan Makgill.
A Royal Navy Captain named Frederick Maitland married Margaret Dick. Margaret's grandmother was an heir from Clan Makgill. She was also a descendant of James Crichton, 1st Viscount Frendraught through marriage. One of their direct descendants, Charles, proved his right to be the chief of the clan. He was officially recognized in 1980.
Many members of the Maitland-Makgill-Crichton family have been important military officers. They served in Scottish regiments during both World Wars. Examples include Major-General Edward Maitland-Makgill-Crichton and Brigadier Henry Maitland-Makgill-Crichton.
Who Are the Clan Crichton Chiefs?
This is a partial list of recent chiefs:
- Charles Maitland-Makgill-Crichton (1942-1992)
- David Maitland-Makgill-Crichton (born 1972)
Where Are the Clan Crichton Castles?
- Crichton Castle was the home of the Clan Crichton chief from the late 1300s to the 1400s.
- Sanquhar Castle was built by the Crichtons in the 1200s.
- Blackness Castle was built by the Crichtons in 1445.
- Monzie Castle is where the current chief of Clan Crichton lives.
- Frendraught Castle was the home of the Crichtons who held the titles Baron of Frendraught and Viscount Frendraught in the 1600s.
- Crichton Chateau is the current home of Michael Crichton, who calls himself the chief of the American branch.
See also
- Lord Crichton
- Earl of Dumfries
- Scottish clan
- Creighton (disambiguation), another way to spell the name
