William St Clair, 16th Baron of Roslin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William St Clair
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| Baron of Roslin | |
Baron of Roslin coat of arms
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| Predecessor | William St Clair, 15th Baron of Roslin |
| Successor | John St Clair, 17th Baron of Roslin |
| Died | 1650 |
| Noble family | Clan Sinclair |
| Father | William St Clair |
| Mother | Jean or Janet Edmondstone |
William St Clair (died 1650) was an important Scottish nobleman. He held the title of the 16th Baron of Roslin. This meant he was a powerful landholder and leader in his family, the Clan Sinclair.
Early Life and Family
William St Clair was the son of William St Clair, 15th Baron of Roslin. His mother was Jean or Janet Edmondstone. When his father passed away in 1610, William inherited the family lands and title of Roslin.
His Role as Baron
As the Baron of Roslin, William had many responsibilities. In 1630, he received a special official document, called a charter. This charter gave him the role of "Hereditary Protectorate" over the Scottish Freemasons. This meant his family had a long-standing, inherited duty to oversee and protect the masons (skilled builders) in Scotland.
William also made improvements to his family's home, Roslin Castle. He added new parts to the old castle and built a structure over its underground vaults. He was a very loyal supporter of King Charles I of England.
His Final Years
William St Clair lived during a difficult time in Scotland, known as the Civil War. He died during this conflict in 1650. He was laid to rest in Rosslyn Chapel. This happened on the very same day that the Battle of Dunbar was fought, September 3, 1650.
Years later, in the early 1700s, his tomb was opened. Records from that time say his body was found wearing full armor and a red velvet cap. He was resting on a stone slab, not in a coffin, just like his ancestors.
His Children
William St Clair married Dame Anna Spotswood in 1609. Anna was the daughter of John Spottiswoode, who was a very important church leader. He was first the Archbishop of Glasgow and later the Archbishop of St Andrews, as well as the Chancellor of Scotland.
William and Anna had many children:
- William St Clair: He died in France before his father. He had two daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth.
- John St Clair, 17th Baron of Roslin: He became the next Baron after his father.
- James St Clair, 18th Baron of Roslin: He became Baron after his older brother.
- Lewis St Clair: He was a Captain in the army and died during a battle called the Siege of Hallingsted.
- Henry St Clair
- Patrick St Clair
- Charles St Clair
- Robert St Clair
- George St Clair: He died when he was young.
- Archibald St Clair: He never married.
- Rachel St Clair: She married Hume, the Laird of Foord.
- Rachel St Clair: She never married.
- Margaret St Clair: She died when she was young.
- Helen St Clair: She married three times. Her husbands were John Rollo of Bannockburn, then Stirling of Herbertshire, and finally Colin Mckenzie.
See also
