Battle of Arbroath
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Arbroath was fought on January 24, 1445 (or by another version in 1446) at Arbroath
in Scotland. It was between rivals claimants to the post of Baillie
of the Regality.
Members of Clan Oliphant
fought on the side of the Clan Ogilvy
who were also supported by men from the Clan Seton
, Clan Gordon
and men from the Clan Forbes
of Pitsligo at
Their enemy was the Master of Crawford and his Clan Lindsay
who advanced with over one thousand men. His father, the Earl of Crawford
, rode between the two armies in an attempt to call a truce. However, an ill-advised Ogilvie, thinking that this was the start of the Lindsay's attack, threw his spear at the Earl, hitting him in the mouth and killing him instantly.
So began the battle, which went in Clan Lindsay
's favour. Here fell Ogilvie of Inverquharty, Forbes of Pitsligo, Brucklay of Gartley, Gordon of Borrowfield, and Sir John Oliphant of Aberdalgie
(father of Laurence, first Lord Oliphant), along with 500 or so Ogilvis. However, the Lindsays lost a disproportionate amount of men, most notably the Earl himself. http://web.archive.org/web/20091027094723/http://www.geocities.com/clanoliphant/arbroath.htmlhttp://web.archive.org/web/20091027104131/http://www.geocities.com/clanoliphant/arbroath.txt
Arbroath
Arbroath or Aberbrothock is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland, and has a population of 22,785...
in Scotland. It was between rivals claimants to the post of Baillie
Baillie
A baillie or bailie is a civic officer in the local government of Scotland. The position arose in the burghs, where baillies formerly held a post similar to that of an alderman or magistrate...
of the Regality.
Members of Clan Oliphant
Clan Oliphant
-Origins of the clan:The earliest record of the name was Osbernus Olifardus circa 1046 in Normandy.The first known Oliphant landholding was in England at Lilleford in Northampton by the family of David Olifard, who is commonly held to be the progenitor of the clan...
fought on the side of the Clan Ogilvy
Clan Ogilvy
-Origins of the clan:The Ogilvys are one of the most distinguished families in Scotland and take their name from Gillebride the second son of Gille Chriosd, Celtic Earl of Angus...
who were also supported by men from the Clan Seton
Clan Seton
Clan Seton is a Scottish clan which does not currently have a chief, therefore it is considered an Armigerous clan.-Origins of the Clan:The name Seton is believed to be derived from the village of Sai in Normandy although other explanations have been suggested, such as from Tranent meaning "a sea...
, Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon
Clan Gordon, also known as the House of Gordon, is a Scottish clan. The chief of the clan was the powerful Earl of Huntly, now also Marquess of Huntly.-Origins:...
and men from the Clan Forbes
Clan Forbes
Clan Forbes is a Lowland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.-Origins:Concerning the origin of this Scottish clan, John of Forbes, the first upon record, seems to have been a man of importance in the time of William the Lion, and was the father of Fergus, from whom the clan are descended....
of Pitsligo at
Their enemy was the Master of Crawford and his Clan Lindsay
Clan Lindsay
-Origins of the Clan:There is currently no known proven path pertaining to the origin of the Clan Lindsay. However, several possible theories have been advanced over the years. First is the theory proposed in 1769 by biographer/historian, Richard Rolt, in which he claimed that the Lindsays were...
who advanced with over one thousand men. His father, the Earl of Crawford
Earl of Crawford
The title Earl of Crawford is one of the most ancient extant titles in Great Britain, having been created in the Peerage of Scotland for Sir David Lindsay in 1398. It is the premier earldom recorded on the Union Roll.The title has a very complex history...
, rode between the two armies in an attempt to call a truce. However, an ill-advised Ogilvie, thinking that this was the start of the Lindsay's attack, threw his spear at the Earl, hitting him in the mouth and killing him instantly.
So began the battle, which went in Clan Lindsay
Clan Lindsay
-Origins of the Clan:There is currently no known proven path pertaining to the origin of the Clan Lindsay. However, several possible theories have been advanced over the years. First is the theory proposed in 1769 by biographer/historian, Richard Rolt, in which he claimed that the Lindsays were...
's favour. Here fell Ogilvie of Inverquharty, Forbes of Pitsligo, Brucklay of Gartley, Gordon of Borrowfield, and Sir John Oliphant of Aberdalgie
Aberdalgie
Aberdalgie is a village in the Scottish council area of Perth and Kinross. It is located southwest of Perth, to the south of the B9112 road in Strathearn....
(father of Laurence, first Lord Oliphant), along with 500 or so Ogilvis. However, the Lindsays lost a disproportionate amount of men, most notably the Earl himself. http://web.archive.org/web/20091027094723/http://www.geocities.com/clanoliphant/arbroath.htmlhttp://web.archive.org/web/20091027104131/http://www.geocities.com/clanoliphant/arbroath.txt