Clan Rutherford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Rutherford |
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| Motto | Nec sorte, nec fato (Neither by chance nor fate) | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Scottish Borders | ||
| District | Jedburgh | ||
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| Clan Rutherford has no chief, and is an armigerous clan | |||
| Historic seat | Rutherford Castle Hunthill Castle Eggerston Castle |
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Clan Rutherford (also spelled Rutherfurd) is a historic Scottish clan. It comes from the Scottish Borders area. The clan is officially recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. This is the official who deals with Scottish heraldry and clans. However, Clan Rutherford does not currently have a recognized clan chief. This means it is known as an armigerous clan.
Contents
History
Clan Origins
Old Stories
The Rutherford lands are near Maxton, Roxburghshire. There are two old stories about how the clan got its name. One story says a man named Ruther helped an ancient Scottish king. He guided the king safely across a ford (a shallow part of a river) in the River Tweed. This helped the king win a battle against the Northumbrians. The king rewarded Ruther with land. He was then named after the "ford" that brought him good luck.
Another story says an English army made a mistake. They left a strong position above the River Tweed. They attacked a Scottish force on the other side. The English tried to cross the river but were badly beaten. The Scots then named the place Rue the Ford. This meant "regret the ford." No matter which story is true, the English certainly came to regret facing the Rutherfords. The Rutherfords were fierce defenders of their lands. They were also keen to raid the rich lands of the Northumbrians.
First Records
Around 1140, a man named Robertus Dominus de Rodyrforde was mentioned in an old document. This document was called a charter. Between 1161 and 1272, Nichol de Rutherford also appears in several charters. In 1390, Sir Richard Rutherford was a witness to another charter. He was a favorite of Robert III of Scotland, the king. In 1398, he was an ambassador to England. His sons became wardens of the Marches. These were officials in charge of the border areas. A younger son of Richard received the lands of Chatto and Hunthill. The main Rutherford family line eventually ended. Their lands then went to the Tranquair family.
16th Century Conflicts
The Rutherford name was still feared in the Scottish Borders. Thomas Rutherfurd, known as the Black Laird of Edgerston, was famous. He led daring attacks against the English. His most famous exploit was the Battle of the Red Swire in July 1575.
This battle happened when English and Scottish border officials met. They wanted to discuss problems and settle complaints. The Scots demanded that a well-known English outlaw be handed over. But the English warden, Sir John Forster, said the outlaw could not be found. The Scottish warden, Sir John Carmichael, doubted this. The English warden then insulted Carmichael's family. English archers then shot arrows at the Scots. The Scots were surprised and pushed back. Carmichael was even captured. However, the Clan Rutherford quickly arrived. They made the English army run away. They freed Carmichael and captured the English warden and his officers.
17th Century and Civil War
The Rutherford Lairds of Edgerston fought bravely for Charles I of England. This was during the Civil War. Rutherford used his own money to raise a troop of horsemen. He fought in England until 1646, when the king surrendered. He supported the king again later. But he was badly wounded. His entire troop was wiped out at the Battle of Dunbar (1650).
Lieutenant General Andrew Rutherford was from a different branch of the clan. He was made Lord Rutherford in 1661. This was a noble title. In 1663, he became Governor of Tangier in Morocco. Sadly, he was killed in battle there in 1664. He had been given the higher title of Earl of Teviot. But since he died without children, this title ended. The Lord Rutherford title, however, passed to a cousin.
Modern History
The Lord Rutherford title is also now extinct, meaning it no longer exists. From 1839 to 1851, Andrew Rutherford was a Member of Parliament for Leith. He also held a high legal position called Lord Advocate. Later, he became a judge, known as Lord Rutherford.
A very famous Rutherford was Ernest Rutherford. He made huge discoveries in science. He found the alpha particle. He also developed the nuclear theory of atomic structure. This work laid the groundwork for nuclear physics in the 20th century. In 1914, he was knighted. In 1925, he received a special honor called the Order of Merit.
Clan Castles
Many castles have belonged to the Clan Rutherford. Here are some of them:
- Rutherford Castle: This castle was in Rutherford. The Rutherford family owned it from at least the mid-1100s. However, its exact location is not known today.
- Hunthill Castle: This was a strong tower located near Jedburgh. It was replaced by a house in the 1800s. The Glendinnings first owned it. But it passed to the Rutherfords in the 1400s. They built the tower there.
- Edgerston Castle: This castle is six miles southeast of Jedburgh. The Rutherfurds owned it. In 1544, it was taken by Scots who supported the English. However, the Rutherfords were among the clans who defeated the English at the Battle of Ancrum Moor the next year. In 1695, Thomas Rutherfurd built the middle part of the current house. It's not clear if he used parts of an older tower.
John Rutherfurd (1748–1834) of Edgerston made many improvements. In 1793, he added two wings and a round tower. His uncle, Baron Robert Rutherfurd, wrote about it. He said that with the additions, Edgerston House would be "one of the finest seats in the Shire." Another uncle wrote that it was "one of the handsomest and most commodious of any in this county." The last addition to Edgerston was a tower built in 1840. William Oliver-Rutherfurd built this tower. It is a fully equipped house. On the hill above Edgerston House, you can see the remains of a peel tower. This was a small, fortified tower. The Rutherfurds used it for defense against other families they were feuding with. They also used it to defend against the English.
- Chatto: This is near Morebattle. It is the site of a castle. The Rutherfurds of Chatto owned this castle from the 1300s or early 1400s.
