William (Borthwick) Borthwick Ist of Borthwick (bef. 1350 - aft. 1425)

Born before 1350 in Scotland

Descendants

Died after 16 Jul 1425 after age 75 in Scotland [uncertain]

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William (Borthwick) Borthwick Ist of Borthwick was a member of Scottish Nobility. Join: Scotland Project Discuss: Scotland

Biography

William (Borthwick) Borthwick Ist of Borthwick is a member of Clan Borthwick.

William Borthwick was the son of Thomas Borthwick^[1] and the 1st of Borthwick.^[2]

In 1368 Alan de Lawedre (who was hereditary baillie of Lauderdale in which the lands of Legerwood lay) appeared in Parliament as Procurator for William de Borthwick, son and heir of Thomas de Borthwick.^[3]

"In the reign of King Robert II, Sir William Borthwick was possessor of the lands of Catkune in Edinburghshire, as appears by a charter of 1378. These lands he called Borthwick after his own name. On the estate of Harvieston in the parish of Borthwick are the ruins of a very ancient castle, known by the name of the old castle of Catkune, which is traditionally assigned as the seat of the family before it became possessed of the domain of Locherworth. Previous to their assumption of the title of Borthwick of that Ilk they were promiscuously designated as 'of Catkune', 'Legerwood', and 'of Herriotmuir'."^[4]

An indenture at Howdenstank was made between Sir William de Borthwick & Sir John de Remorgny, Knt., and Adam Forstar [?Forrester], Esq., Commissioners for Scotland, with Commissioners for England agreeing for the return of prisoners etc., and the due observance of the truce. A further Indenture was made by Sir William de Borthwick, Knt., and others agreeing on additional articles on 6th November.^[5]

On 13th June 1404 Sir William Borthwick, Knt., and 22 others had a Safe-Conduct and Protection to travel to England from King Henry IV. Borthwick continued in English negotiations including being a hostage, and a Commissioner to treat with England for truce, right up until October 1411.^[6]

Sir William de Borthwick received the lands of Borthwick in a new charter.^[7]

On 5 November 1413 William de Borthwick, Knt., was one of the witnesses to a charter.^[8] to John Stewart, Earl of Buchan.

On 4th August 1416 Sir William Borthwick of that Ilk, Knt., and William Borthwick his son and heir were witnesses to a charter.^[9]

In a charter of 28th February 1416/17 by Archibald, Earl of Douglas, the witnesses included 'my kinsmen' John de St. Clair and William de Borthwick, Knts., and Robert de Ramsay, Lord of Dalhousie, Adam de Hepburn, Lord of Hailes, and William de Borthwick, son and heir of the said William de Borthwick. ^[10]

No wife has been identified but he had issue:

1. William^[2]
2. George^[2]
3. John^[2]
4. Janet^[2]

William was still living on 16 Jul 1425 but was dead by 16 Oct 1430.^[2]

Timeline

• 1378 - a William Borthwick is on a charter granting him the lands of Catkune, in the reign of King Robert II.^[1][11]
• 1398-1415 - Scottish Ambassador to England.
• 1410 - granted charter of lands of Borthwick, Selkirkshire by Regent Albany
• 1423 - He was a commissioner to treat for the King's release.
• 1424-1427 He was a hostage for King James the 1st

Research Notes

Sir William Borthwick (d.1429), who, through his particular service to Archibald, 4th Earl of Douglas, brought the family into contact with the royal court. The name of his spouse is not recorded. Before the return of King James I from captivity in England in 1424 William was briefly Captain of Edinburgh Castle (whose Keeper was the Earl of Douglas). The accounts of the Custumars of Edinburgh show that for some years up to 1420 Borthwick (and others) were abusing their power to seize moneys due to be paid to the crown, and were exporting goods without paying custom.

'Clan Borthwick' is unreliable as an authentic source. If only because the Borthwicks were never, ever, a clan. Their origins lie on the continent in Livonia, then Hungary.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Douglas, Robert, "The Peerage of Scotland, Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Nobility of that Kingdom, from their Origin to the present Generation. Collected from the Public Records and Chartularies of this Country, the Records and other Writings of the Nobility and the Works of Our Best Historians", Edinburgh: R. Fleming, 1764, Archive.org, p. 76
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} The Scots Law Times 3rd July 1987 (ISSN 0036-908X), Court of the Lord Lyon - Lord Borthwick, Petitioner, 2 June 1986, p. 5
3. ↑ Acts of Parliament, "Peerage of Scotland: A Genealogical and Historical Account of all the Peers of that Ancient Kingdom; their Descents, collateral Branches, Births, Marriages, and Issue.", Edinburgh: private, 1844, Vol. I, Hathitrust, pp.147-8
4. ↑ Anderson, William, "The Scottish Nation; or. The surnames, families, literature, honours, and biographical history of the people of Scotland", Edinburgh: A. Fullerton & Co., 1867, Vol. I, Archive.org, p. 338
5. ↑ Bain, Joseph, ed., "Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland Preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, by Joseph Bain, London", Edinburgh: H. M. General Register House, 1888, Vol. IV, Archive.org, pp. 107-8, no. 510, pp. 108-9, no. 512
6. ↑ Bain, Joseph, ed., "Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland Preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, by Joseph Bain, London", Edinburgh: H. M. General Register House, 1888, Vol. IV, Archive.org, p. 138, no 658; p. 139, no 664; p. 141, no 675; pp. 145-46, no 707; pp. 149-50, no 729; p. 152, no 741; p. 160, no 793; p. 162, no 804; pp. 162-63, no 805; p. 164, no 811
7. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, no.928, dated 4th June 1410.
8. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, no.37
9. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, no,255.
10. ↑ National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, Dundas MSS. Ch.B. 51.
11. ↑ Burke, John Bernard, "A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland", London: Harrison Pall Mall,1871, Ed. 5 Vol. I, Google Books, p. 126 "Borthwick of Crookston and Borthwick Castle"'

See also:

• The Peerage: Sir William Borthwick, 1st of Borthwick

• Gregory Lauder-Frost for original sources.