Clan Sandilands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Sandilands |
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| Motto | Spero Meliora (I Hope for Better Things) | ||
| Chief | |||
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| The Right Honourable James Andrew Douglas Sandilands | |||
| 15th Lord Torphichen | |||
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Clan Sandilands is a Scottish clan, which is like a big family group with a shared history. It's also seen as a smaller part, or 'sept', of the even bigger Clan Douglas. This means they have close ties and a shared past.
History of Clan Sandilands
Where the Sandilands Name Comes From
The name Sandilands comes from a place called Sandilands in an area of Scotland known as Clydesdale. The family might have first come to Scotland from Northumberland (which is in England) a long time ago, during the time of Malcolm III of Scotland.
Fighting for Scotland's Freedom
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, a brave knight named Sir James de Sandilands fought very well against the English. Because of his great service, the King of Scotland, David II of Scotland, gave him a special royal document for his lands.
Sir James married Eleanor, who was the only daughter of Sir Archibald Douglas. Sir Archibald was an important leader in Scotland at the time. James Sandilands also received land in Calder from his wife's brother, William IV, Lord of Douglas. Sadly, Sir James Sandilands was killed in a big battle called the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333.
The 1400s: Family Ties and Troubles
Sir James Sandilands' son, also named James, was sent to England as a hostage for the Scottish King, James I of Scotland. He only returned to Scotland two years before he passed away.
This James Sandilands was supposed to inherit a lot of land from the Douglas family. However, the land went to George Douglas instead, who was the natural son of James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas.
After this, the Sandilands family found themselves in conflict with the powerful Clan Douglas. But the Sandilands family stayed very loyal to King James II of Scotland. Sadly, John Sandilands (James's son) and his uncle were killed by Patrick Thornton, who was working for the Douglas family.
The Sandilands lands then went to James Sandilands. He married Margaret Kinloch, who was an heiress. One of their sons, James Sandilands of Cruvie, started a new branch of the family. This branch later became known as the Lords Abercrombie.
The 1500s: Religion and New Titles
Sir James Sandilands of Calder was a good friend of John Knox, a famous religious reformer. Sir James was also the leader of a strong religious and military group called the Knights of St John. Their main base was at the Priory of Torphichen.
When this group was closed down, Sir James managed to get control of many of its lands. He paid a large sum of gold to the King and an annual rent. Before this, the leaders of the Knights of St John had a special seat in Parliament, called 'Lord St. John of Torphichen'. This was a title linked to their job, not passed down in a family. Sir James kept his seat in Parliament and was given a new title: Lord Torphichen. He didn't have any children, so the title went to James, the grandson of his older brother. This James became the second Lord Torphichen.
The 1600s: Royal Connections and Civil War
Sir James Sandilands of Slamannan, who was the first Lord Torphichen's half-brother, worked closely with King James VI of Scotland. He was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber and later looked after Blackness Castle.
The second Lord Torphichen had four sons. John, who became the fourth Lord, supported King Charles I of England. However, he strongly advised against a plan called the Engagement. This plan was for Scottish soldiers to invade England to help the King. But the plan did not go well and ended in failure.
The 1700s: Jacobite Risings
The 1715 Uprising
James Sandilands, 7th Lord Torphichen supported the Treaty of Union, which joined Scotland and England. He took his place in Parliament in 1704. He also served in the army in Europe. He returned to Scotland during the Jacobite rising of 1715. In this uprising, he fought for the British government at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. In 1722, King George I of Great Britain appointed him as a Commissioner of Police.
The 1745 Uprising
James Sandilands' oldest son was hurt during the battles of the Jacobite rising of 1745. He was fighting against the forces of Charles Edward Stewart, also known as the Young Pretender. Sadly, Sandilands later passed away from an illness.
His second son, Walter Sandilands, became a lawyer. He then inherited the title of Lord Torphichen while he was the sheriff of Midlothian. Walter's son, James Sandilands, was a colonel in the Coldstream Guards. He was also chosen to represent Scottish nobles in the House of Lords from 1790 to 1800. He was followed by his first cousin, another James. The current Lord Torphichen, who still lives at Calder, is directly related to this James.
Clan Chief
The current chief of Clan Sandilands is The Right Honourable James Andrew Douglas Sandilands, who is the 15th Lord Torphichen.
Tartan
The tartan pattern that is connected to the Sandilands family is the Douglas tartan.
See also
