Hugh de Giffard facts for kids

Hugh de Giffard was an important noble in Scotland a long time ago. He was even held as a hostage to help free King William the Lion in 1174.

The Giffard Family in Scotland

Where the Giffards Came From

Some people say the Giffard family came to Britain with William the Conqueror. This was with a person named Walter, Count de Longueville. Other historians believe the family came from a place called Longueville-la-Gifart in France. They were connected to another family, the de Warennes. The village of Gifford in East Lothian, Scotland, is named after this family. A nearby stream, Gifford Water, also shares their name.

Early Giffards Arrive in Scotland

Two members of the Giffard family came to Scotland with Ada de Warenne. Ada was the daughter of William de Warenne. She married Prince Henry, the son of King David I of Scotland. These two Giffards were Hugh (the first one mentioned) and William. William was a cleric, which means he was a church leader. He became an important advisor to King David I. Hugh, who was from England, received land in East Lothian. He decided to settle there. William traveled with King David in Perthshire. He witnessed many important documents, called charters. These included the founding document for Jedburgh Abbey. Both Hugh and William also witnessed a charter where King David gave land at Crail. Later, from King Malcolm IV of Scotland, Hugh received land at Yester. This area was in the parish of St. Bothans, East Lothian. Hugh continued to appear in royal charters until after 1189. He witnessed many documents for King William the Lion. Under King William, Hugh became very important.

William de Giffard of Yester

Hugh's son and heir was William de Giffard of Yester. In 1200, William was sent on a special mission to England. He also witnessed several charters for King William, 'The Lion'. In 1244, he helped guarantee a treaty with England. He must have been quite old by then.

Hugh de Giffard of Yester and Goblin Ha'

William's son was Hugh de Giffard of Yester. This Hugh was a very important person. He was one of the Guardians of Alexander III of Scotland and his Queen. He was also one of the Regents of the Kingdom. Regents are people who rule when the king is too young or unable to. He was appointed a Regent by the Treaty of Roxburgh in 1255. Hugh de Giffard had his own sheriff, which was common for important nobles back then. This Hugh de Giffard built a castle, or tower house, at Yester. It was located on a high point between two streams. A famous part of the castle is a hidden underground room. It's called Bohall or Hobgoblin Hall, also known as Goblin Ha'. The story goes that Hugh de Giffard built this cavern using magic! The famous writer Sir Walter Scott even wrote about it in his poem Marmion. A historian named Walter Bower wrote about Hugh's death in 1267. He mentioned that the castle, or at least its cavern and dungeon, was said to be built by "demonic art."

The Giffard Family's Descendants

Hugh de Giffard of Yester had three sons:

• William de Giffard of Yester
• Hugh, who was an ancestor of the Giffards of Sheriffhall.
• James, who, along with another Hugh, swore loyalty to King Edward I of England in 1296.

He also had four daughters, though some historians think they might belong to a later generation:

• Euphemia, who married Sir Archibald Macdowall.
• Johanna, who married Sir Robert Maitland. She brought the land of Lethington to her husband's family. They were ancestors of the Earls of Lauderdale.
• Jonat, who married Adam de Seton.