History
Origins of the clan
The Sinclair’s were a noble family which has its origins in Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, in
Normandy, France. William “The Seemly” Saint Clare, among others, accompanied
William the Conqueror on his invasion of England in 1066. He also accompanied
Margaret, daughter of Edward the Exile to Scotland in 1068, where she eventually married
Malcolm III of Scotland. In return for his efforts, the king supposedly granted Sinclair the
barony of Roslin "in free heritage".
Battle of Alnwick, Northumbria England (1093) – Sir Henry Sinclair (1060 - 1110) led a
successful attack on England at Alnwick Castle. After the battle during a ceremony where
the keys to the castle were to be handed over to the Scottish King an Englishman speared
Malcolm III of Scotland to death. Today the castle still remains a very impressive fort with
a central keep and a massive encircling wall.
Battle of the Standard (1138) – Here Sir Henry Sinclair (1100 - 1165) won high distinction
in defending Scotland and was rewarded lands in Cardaine. He was later sent to England as
a Scottish ambassador to resolve land disputes. He also succeeded in claiming back
Northumberland for Scotland.[1]
Legend has it that the Earls of Caithness engaged in a long succession of feuds with their
neighbours and within the family. Many of the clan's most notable battles were between
them and the Clan Sutherland. Rebellion of the Sinclairs (1222) – This Sinclair rebellion
does not seem to have been recorded in any chronicle or record accounts and is completely
unknown to scholars of the period. The origins of the story probably rest in 18th century
romantic literature. The story goes that the trouble was over tithes imposed by the Bishop
of Caithness whose seat was at Dornoch, and is probably based on a diocesan dispute
resolved by King Alexander. The Sinclair Earls of Caithness (according to the story, but in
fact the Sinclairs would not become northern landowners for another century) had long
resented the fact that the bishopric was under Sutherland control and decided to exploit the
discontent over tithes, to get rid of the bishop and have the seat moved. There was soon a
riot, said to be incited by Sinclair gold. The unfortunate bishop was roasted alive and his
cathedral was set on fire. The rioters then headed north to join up with their Sinclair allies.
Once again the Lord of Sutherland was given responsibility by the crown for restoring law
and order, and for punishing Sinclair for his instigation of the incident. The Sutherland
force was gathered and the far northeast was laid waste in a campaign of revenge and
repression. Wick and Thurso were burned and the Sinclair stronghold razed to the ground.
Eighty men were tried at a summer court session at Golspie and there was strict
punishment for the rioters. Four of the ringleaders were roasted and then fed to the town
dogs for good measure.
Scottish-Norwegian War
•
Battle of Largs (1263) – Sir William Sinclair (1190 – 1270) led the soldiers of King
Alexander III of Scotland to repel the last Norwegian invasion. Today a column
marks the spot where the battle took place. Every September a Viking festival
celebrates the event.[2]
A Victorian era, romanticised depiction of a member of the clan by R. R. McIan, from The
Clans of the Scottish Highlands, published in 1845.
•
Battle of Lewes (1264) – Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, England had
gained great influence over other barons and bishops. They drew up the Provisions
of Oxford. King Henry III objected. Civil war broke out. The rebellious barons
won, capturing the King. After years of conflict the Crown was returned to his son
Edward. King Alexander III of Scotland had ordered Sir William Sinclair to assist
King Henry III in a bloody victory. Sinclair escaped unharmed.[2]
Wars of Scottish Independence
•
Battle of Dunbar (1296) – Sir William Sinclair of Rosslyn was captured and died
later, probably in the Tower of London. Henry his son was also captured and later
sent to St. Briavels Castle.[2]
•
Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297) – This battle, was about a mile north of Stirling.
The castle was recaptured from England's King Edward I, by the Scottish at the end
of 1299, a year after William Wallace was replaced as Guardian of Scotland by
Robert Bruce, Earl of Caqrrick and John II Comyn, Lord of Badenoch.
•
Battle of Roslin (1303) – Scots under John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, defeated an
English force at Roslin Glen in two, possibly three, separate engagements.[2][3]
•
Battle of Loudon Hill (1307) – King Robert the Bruce defeated the English.
•
Battle of Bannockburn (1314) – Contrary to myths of 18th century origin, Sir
William Sinclair (1300 – 1330) did not lead Knights Templar into that battle. He
also signed a truce for permanent peace between Robert the Bruce of Scotland and
King Edward II of England.
•
Battle of Donibristle (1317) –William Sinclair, Bishop of Dunkeld, rallies Scots
army to defeat an English invading force in Fife.
•
Battle of Teba Sir William Sinclair, heir to Henry, and his brother John are among
the Scots killed attempting to carry Bruce's heart to the Holy Land. They were
buried in Rosslyn Chapel.
•
Battle of Neville's Cross (1346) – Sir John Sinclair of Herdmanston is taken
prisoner after the battle.
•
In 1379, the family obtained the Earldom of Orkney, and in 1455 received land in
Caithness. The earldom of Orkney was later resigned by order of King James III of
Scotland.
Roslin Castle in Midlothian, early seat of Clan Sinclair
Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney
•
Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, Baron of Roslin, and Lord of Shetland (c.1345-c.
1400), was a Scottish explorer nobleman. He is sometimes identified by the
alternative spelling Henry St Clair. He was the grandfather of William Sinclair, the
builder of Rosslyn Chapel. He is also noted for being the subject of legend that he
undertook early explorations of Greenland and North America in about the year
1398.[4][5] According to a biography published many years after his death, he died in
battle against the English around the year 1400.[2]
Henry II Sinclair, Earl of Orkney
•
Henry II Sinclair, Earl of Orkney was taken prisoner leading his tenants and
associates against the English at Battle of Homildon Hill in 1402 but was soon
released. In 1406 he escorted Prince James to France but the ship was captured by
the English. Both were imprisoned in the Tower of London. In 1407 he escaped or
was released on payment of a ransom from the Tower.[2]
William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness
•
William Sinclair, Earl of Caithness and Orkney, and Baron of Roslin, Chief of the
Sinclair clan, split the family lands, giving the lands of Caithness to his elder son
William Sinclair, 2nd Earl of Caithness in 1476, and the lands at Roslin to his
younger son. It was around this point that the spelling "Sinclair" came into general
use, although the Earls of Roslin still prefer to use the older form of "St. Clair".[2]
16th century clan conflicts and Anglo-Scottish wars
Sinclair Plant badge: Whin (Gorse)
•
Battle of Flodden Field (1513) – During the Anglo-Scottish Wars, William Sinclair,
2nd Earl of Caithness was one of the nobles fighting for King James IV of
Scotland. He had previously sat in Parliament. In battle King James observed Sir
William leading his followers, all wearing green. The King asked and found they
were of Caithness, led by the Earl. King James wrote the renewal of Sir William's
Earldom on a drumhead, the only parchment available. The drumhead was carried
by runner to Sir William's lady. Sir William died in battle the next day, leaving the
Earldom to his son John. William, 2nd Earl helped lead the right wing of the
Scottish army army that beat the English left wing. Unlike some he returned to help
the rest of the Scots and was killed. There was a loss of 300 Sinclairs including
George Sinclair of Keiss, Henry 3rd Lord Sinclair, Sir John Sinclair of
Herdmanston, The Bishop of Caithness as well as King James IV of Scotland.[2]
•
Battle of Somersdale, 1529, May, at the , John Sinclair, 3rd Earl of Caithness (1490
– 1529) 3rd Earl of Caithness, died leading 500 men to help James Sinclair defend
the Orkneys. He was succeeded by his son George Sinclair 4th Earl of Caithness.
William, 4th Lord Sinclair was taken prisoner.[2]
•
Battle of Solway Moss, 1552, Scots, commanded by Oliver Sinclair of Pitcairns
were beaten by the English and Oliver Sinclair was taken prisoner, he died in 1560.
[2]
•
In 1568 Henry 3rd Lord Sinclair assisted Mary Queen of Scots to escape from
Lochleven Castle.[2]
•
In 1570 John Sinclair, Master of Caithness, son of George Sinclair 4th Earl of
Caithness burned the Cathedral in pursuit of men from the Clan Murray who had
taken refuge in the steeple. John was later imprisoned in Sinclair & Girnigoe Castle
by his father until 1577.[2]
•
Battle of Dail-Riabhach, 1576, involving the Clan MacKay and Clan Sinclair.[6]
•
Battles of Allt Camhna and Leckmelm, 1586, involving the Clan Sinclair, Clan
MacKay, Clan Gunn, Clan Sutherland and Clan MacLeod.[7]
•
Battle near Wick (1588) – Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland divorced his
obnoxious Sinclair wife in 1573. He waged all out war with her father and Clan
Sinclair before gaining a decisive victory outside Wick in 1588, when more than a
hundred Sinclair clansmen were killed in a pitched battle on the seashore. Earl
Alexander later married Jean Gordon, the divorced wife of the Earl of Bothwell,
third husband to Mary Queen of Scots. The Sinclair's Girnigoe Castle withstood a
siege by the Earl of Sutherland and his forces of the Clan Sutherland in 1588. In
1589 George Sinclair 4th Earl invades and ravishes the lands of the Clan
Sutherland.
•
In 1592 3 April George 5th Earl of Caithness resigned Earldom in return for
novodamus and remainder to his son William Sinclair. On 11 December William
Sinclair of Mey was knighted by King James VI of Scotland.[2]
17th century clan conflicts and Civil War
An Adolph Tidemand painting representing Sinclair's forces landing in Norway
•
In 1601, 21 October, Henry 5th Lord Sinclair died and was succeeded by grandson
Henry.[2]
•
In 1606, George 5th Earl of Caithness, was, by an Act of Parliament allowed to
change the name of Girnigoe Castle to Sinclair Castle. See: Sinclair & Girnigoe
Castle.[2]
•
Battle of Kringen, 1612, Otta, Norway, George Sinclair was killed with most of his
men in an ambush.[2]
•
In 1614 Henry Sinclair Wadsetter (1570 – 1614) died leading 100 men to besiege
the Kirkwall Castle. He became paralyzed and died at night. Kirkwall Castle was an
Orkney waterfront stronghold built by Prince Henry 1390.[2]
•
In 1650 James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was defeated at the Battle of
Carbisdale. He was supported by the Sinclairs and Major Sinclair helped Montrose
to escape but he was later betrayed by MacLeod of Assynt, imprisoned in Ardvreck
Castle, tried and killed.[2]
•
At the Battle of Dunbar (1650) Sir William Sinclair of Rosslyn was killed leading
the Clan Sinclair. He was the last Knight to be buried in full armour below Rosslyn
Chapel. General Monk sacked Rosslyn Castle but the Chapel was spared although
used for stabling horses. Sir John Sinclair of Rosslyn sent to Tynemouth Castle.[2]
•
In 1651 at the Battle of Worcester the Clan Sinclair led by John 9th Lord Sinclair
fought for King Charles II. John Sinclair was captured by Cromwell's forces
Imprisoned in the Tower of London and then at Windsor Castle until 1660 when he
was liberated by General Monck.[2]
•
Battle of Altimarlech (1678) – A battle took place between Clan Campbell and
Clan Sinclair. Legend has it that so many Sinclairs were killed that the Campbells
were able to cross the river without getting their feet wet. Clearly, however, the
Sinclairs had influence in high places as only a few years later, in 1681, they
regained the earldom by an order of Parliament.[8][9]
•
In 1657 George Sinclair 6th Earl of Caithness was present when Oliver Cromwell
was proclaimed Chief Magistrate of the three nations in Edinburgh.[2]
•
In 1698 George Sinclair 7th Earl of Caithness died. He was succeeded by John
Sinclair of Murchill (Murkle) 8th Earl, his cousin.[2]
18th century and Jacobite Uprisings
During the 1715 Jacobite Risings the Clan Sinclair supported the Jacobite cause, however
by the time of the 1745 Jacobite Rising the Sinclairs supported the British Hanoverian
Government.[2]
1715 Jacobite Rising
Interior of Rosslyn Chapel
•
In 1708 Chief John, Master of Sinclair (Son of Henry Lord Sinclair) Kills Ensign
Schaw and Captain Alexander Schaw in duels. He was exiled to Prussia but later
pardoned by Queen Anne of Great Britain.
•
In 1715 John Master of Sinclair captured a vessel with 420 stand of arms bound for
the for the Earl of Sutherland.
•
In 1715 at the Battle of Sheriffmuir David Sinclair of Brabsterdorran fights for
Jacobite cause, as did John, Master of Sinclair who fled to Orkney and then to
Europe.
•
In 1733, 3 November, John Sinclair of Murkle the younger son of John 8th Earl
created Lord Murkle.
•
In 1736 Sir James Sinclair glazed the windows for the first time of Rosslyn Chapel,
relaid the floor with flagstones and repaired the roof of the chapel.
•
In 1736 Sir James Sinclair of Rosslyn resigned his office as hereditary Grand
Master Mason of Scotland to the Scottish Lodges on their foundation. He was later
Reappointed for his life.
•
In 1739, 17 June, Major Malcolm Sinclair 'A good and faithful servant of Sweden'
was charged with affairs of State, he was assassinated at Grunberg in Siesia by
agents of Czarina Anna of Russia.
1745 Jacobite Rising
•
In 1745, 4 June, Sir James Sinclair of Rosslyn, a Lieutenant general with The Royal
Scots was appointed the Commander of the British Forces in Flanders.
•
In 1746, 16 April, at the Battle of Culloden. Sir James Sinclair of Rosslyn
commanded The Royal Scots on the British Hanoverian government side. About
500 Caithness Sinclairs were ready to join the Jacobites, but instead followed their
chief James Sinclair, who supported the Hanoverians.
•
In 1750 Sir William Sinclair of Dunbeath Founded Baptist Church at Keiss.
Colonial wars
•
In 1759, Lt. A. Sinclair Carried the Colours for General Wolfe at the Battle of the
Heights of Abraham. He later became a Major General.
•
In 1761, 10-Mar, Sir James Sinclair M.P. who should have been 11th Lord Sinclair
was gazetted a General.
•
In 1777, 29-Dec, at the Battle of Charlestown, Virginia, USA John Sinclair, son and
heir of William, a Major in 76th Foot wounded in the groin by a musket ball when
reconnoitring with Sir Henry Clinton