Roger de Kirkpatrick facts for kids
Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick was a brave Scottish gentleman who lived in the 1300s. He was a distant relative and close friend of Robert the Bruce, who later became King of Scotland. Roger was also a cousin to the famous Scottish hero, William Wallace. He was born around 1280 at his family's home, Closeburn Castle.
A Role in Scottish Government
In 1305, King Edward I of England tried to take full control of Scotland. He made new rules for how Scotland would be run, treating it more like a region than a separate country. As part of these changes, Roger de Kirkpatrick was chosen for an important job. He became one of the main officials, called a "justiciar," responsible for keeping order in a part of Scotland called Galloway. He worked alongside an English official named Walter de Burghdon.
The Meeting in Dumfries
Roger de Kirkpatrick was a loyal supporter of Robert the Bruce. On February 10, 1306, Roger was with Bruce at a church in Dumfries. Here, Bruce had a very serious argument with another powerful Scottish leader, John "the Red" Comyn.
Historians have different ideas about exactly what happened that day. Some stories say that Bruce had suggested he and Comyn work together against King Edward I of England. However, Comyn might have told the English king about this plan, which led to the big argument in Dumfries.
"I Mak Sikker"
During the heated meeting, Bruce wounded Comyn with his dagger. Bruce then rushed out of the church and met his friends, including Kirkpatrick, waiting outside. Bruce told them what had happened, saying he wasn't sure if he had killed Comyn.
Roger de Kirkpatrick famously replied, "I mak sikker!" This old Scottish phrase means, "I'll make sure!" or "I make sure." With those words, Kirkpatrick quickly went back into the church to finish the job.
Less than two months after this event in Dumfries, Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scotland. To honor the Kirkpatrick family for their loyalty and bravery, King Robert granted them a special family symbol, known as an armorial. The famous words "I mak sikker" became the official motto for the Kirkpatrick family.
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