Sibella Carmichael

SIBELLA CARMICHAEL (aka SIBILLA, SIBELL, SIBELLE or SIBILLE CARMICHELL)

SPURIOUS PEDIGREE

The parentage of Sibella Carmichael cannot be identified with any degree of certaintly. According to Sir William Fraser, Sibilla Carmichael is the daughter of Carmichael of that Ilk, ancestor of the Earl of Hyndford. Maxwell Memoirs, i, p. 468 Darryl Lundy's Peerage identifies her father as Sir Michael Carmichael of Hyndford. Darryl Lundy's Peerage but no one of that name is noticed in Sir James Balfour Paul's account of the family of the Earls of Hynford in the Scots Peerage. The Scots Peerage, IV, pp. 563-97 Citing Stirnet, Clan MacFarlane identifies her father as John Carmichael of Park and Hyndford. Clan MacFarlane but Stirnet is actually less certain and simply suggests that she may be the daughter of John Carmichael of Hyndford. Stirnet: Carmichael 01

Date and Place of Birth

A date and place of Birth cannot be identified for Sibella Carmichael. Marlyn Lewis has suggested that she was born in about 1489 but this is nothing more than just a bad guess. Royal Ancestors Sibilla Carmichael is certainly known to have married Sir Robert Maxwell of Calderwood before 25 October 1493 Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1424-1513, charter number 2181 on p. 460 and in view of this it might be supposed, from a legal standpoint at least, that she cannot have been any younger than twelve years of age on this date. From this It might be deduced that she was probably born before 1482, considerably before, perhaps.

Date and Place of Death

A date and place of death cannot be identified for Sibella Carmichael. Marlyn Lewis says she died before March 1523. Royal Ancestors but if she has been correctly identified as the wife of James Hoppringle. then she was still alive on 19 October 1529. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A. D. 1513-46, charter number 853 on p. 187

First Marriage

Sibella Carmichael married Sir Robert Maxwell of Calderwood. Maxwell Memoirs, i, p. 468 They were married before 25 October 1493, the date upon which they had a charter under the Great Seal of Scotland for the barony of Maldislee in the sheriffdom of Lanark. Sir Robert had previously resigned this barony in order to receive a new grant in favour of himself and his wife. They were to hold of the crown in conjunct fee and liferent and the land was destined to pass to their lawful heirs, whom failing to Sir Robert's own lawful heirs. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1424-1513, charter number 2181 on p. 460

The Death of her First Husband

Sibella Carmichael is noticed as the widow of Sir Robert Maxwell of Calderwood on 8 May 1511. On that date she had a gift of the ward of all the lands her late husband held of the crown. Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1908), Vol. I, A.D. 1488-1529, charter number 2249 on pp. 342-43

Second Marriage

Sibella Carmichael, the lady of Calderwood, married James Hoppringle. Maxwell Memoirs, i, p. 468 They were married before 19 October 1529. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A. D. 1513-46, charter number 853 on p. 187

Children of the First Marriage

1. Robert Maxwell of Calderwood
2. Alexander Maxwell of Newlands

Possible Child of the First Marriage

It cannot be regarded as certain but it is possible that Sibella Carmichael had a daughter named Janet Maxwell. The Laird of Calderwood is certainly reported to have had a daughter named Janet Maxwell, who is said to have married John Hamilton of Haggs. Memoirs of the House of Hamilton, p. 300 Stirnet reports this suggestion. Stirnet: Hamilton 20

1. Janet Maxwell

Genealogical Accounts

1. William Fraser, Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollock, Vol. I. Memoirs & Charters (Edinburgh 1863), 497 pp.
2. William Fraser, Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollock, Vol. II. Correspondence (Edinburgh 1863), 453 pp.
3. Darryl Lundy's Peerage: Sir Robert Maxwell of Calderwood
4. Maxwell 03
5. The Scots Peerage etc. (David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1907), Volume IV, pp. 563-97
6. Clan MacFarlane and associated clans genealogy: Sibella Carmichael
7. Royal Ancestors