Henry I St Clair of Herdmanston facts for kids

Henry St Clair was an important Scottish noble from the 12th century. He held the titles of Lord Herdmanston and Carfrae. His family, the Clan Sinclair, was well-known in Scotland.

Who Was Henry St Clair?

Henry St Clair lived in Scotland during the 1100s. He was a noble, which meant he was part of a powerful and important family. Nobles often owned large areas of land and had special duties. Henry was known for his loyalty and service to the Scottish kingdom.

Starting His Journey

In 1162, Henry St Clair received a special document called a charter. This charter gave him ownership of the lands of Herdmanston in East Lothian. He received this land from Richard de Morville, who was the Constable of Scotland. A Constable was a high-ranking official, like a chief officer, in the king's court. Henry earned this land for his military service.

At that time, it was quite rare for Scottish families to be granted their own ancestral estates so early. Even though Herdmanston was not a huge estate, it was an important start for Henry's family.

Important Roles and Family

Henry St Clair was involved in important events in Scotland. In 1180, his name appeared as a witness in the official records of the Scottish Parliament. This shows he was a trusted and respected figure.

Later, in 1189, Henry was acting as the Sheriff of Lauderdale. A sheriff was like a local governor or law enforcer for a specific area. This role meant he was responsible for keeping order and managing royal affairs in Lauderdale.

Henry also received another important piece of land, the barony of Carfrae, also in Lauderdale. This was given to him by William de Morville.

Henry St Clair had a daughter named Ada. She married Petrus de Haga, who was from Bemersyde. Henry's heir, meaning the person who would take over his titles and lands after him, was his son, Alan de St Clair.

See also

• Barony of Roslin
• Lord Sinclair
• Earl of Caithness