Richard Fraser of Touchfraser facts for kids
Sir Richard Fraser was an important Scottish noble (a person of high rank) who lived in the late 1200s and early 1300s. He became the owner of lands called Touchfraser (also known as Tulchfraser) in Stirlingshire. He inherited these lands after his grandfather, Sir Gilbert Fraser, passed away around 1263.
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Sir Richard Fraser's Life and Times
Sir Richard Fraser was the son of John Fraser of Touchfraser and Alicia de Conigburg. We first learn about him in 1276. At that time, he was a witness to an important event in East Lothian. He was already known as a miles, which means a knight.
In 1289, Sir Richard was sent to a court hearing in Carham on Tweed. He went with his cousin, Sir Simon Fraser, and other important people. This meeting was ordered by King Edward I of England. They were there to discuss a claim from a merchant who said that King Alexander III of Scotland owed him a lot of money.
Supporting John Balliol
After Queen Margaret, Maid of Norway, died in 1290, there was a time when Scotland didn't have a clear ruler. This period is called an interregnum. During this time, Sir Richard, like all members of the Fraser family, supported John Balliol to become the new King of Scotland.
On July 8, 1291, Sir Richard swore loyalty to King Edward I of England. King Edward then chose him to help review the arguments from different people who wanted to be the Scottish king. In the end, John Balliol was chosen. The next year, Sir Richard was present when Balliol showed his respect to King Edward twice.
Around the same time, in November 1292, King Edward gave Sir Richard the right to manage the lands of a person who had passed away. This included the right to arrange the marriage of the heir. Sir Richard paid 100 merks for this special privilege.
Sheriff of Berwick
In 1293, King Balliol made Sir Richard the vicecomes (which means sheriff) of Berwick. In 1296, King Balliol and King Edward had a disagreement. An English criminal had run away to Scotland. When Sir Richard talked with the English sheriff, he said he couldn't decide what to do because he hadn't been sheriff for long. Because of this, King Edward took away Sir Richard's lands.
Sir Richard was reportedly captured when King Edward attacked Berwick Castle. However, his lands were given back to him when he swore loyalty to King Edward again on September 3, 1296.
Wars of Scottish Independence
On August 28, 1296, Sir Richard swore loyalty to King Edward I for his lands in Stirlingshire and Dumfriesshire. He was not taken prisoner to England after the Battle of Dunbar. Instead, in May 1297, King Edward invited him to serve in his war against France. Sir Richard also helped his cousin, Sir Simon Fraser, who was a Scottish prisoner at Bamburgh Castle.
It's not clear if Sir Richard went to France. However, on September 26, he was asked to help Bryan Fitzallan against William Wallace. Later, in 1306, it seems he fought for Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Methven. After this battle, some English soldiers tried to claim lands that had been taken from Sir Richard.
The last time Sir Richard is mentioned in history is in 1307. He tried to get money back from King Edward I for managing the lands of Richard de Glen. But King Edward refused, calling Sir Richard a rebel. We don't know if Sir Richard was married or when and where he died.
Sir Richard Fraser's Family
It is believed that Sir Richard had one son named Andrew Fraser, who passed away before 1297. Sir Richard's grandsons were:
- Sir Alexander Fraser (died 1332), who inherited Sir Richard's lands. His family line became the Frasers of Philorth, also known as the Lords Saltoun.
- Sir Simon Fraser (died 1333), whose family line became the Frasers of Lovat, Lords Lovat.
- Sir Andrew Fraser (died 1333).
- Sir James Fraser, 1st of Frendraught (died 1333).
Sir Richard Fraser's Legacy
In 1879, Alexander Fraser, the 18th Baron Saltoun, said that Sir Richard Fraser should have been given a much higher place in the family's history. He felt that even though we don't have many records about Sir Richard, what we do know shows how important he was.
Images for kids
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Arms of Richard Fraser of Touchfraser: A blue shield with six silver cinquefoils (flower shapes), arranged 3, 2, and 1.
