Sir Gilbert de Hamilton, Knight

1 - 'The House of Hamilton' by John Anderson reports that Gilbert may have been of the family of the Beaumont/Bellomont Earls of Leicester

2 - Sir Gilbert Hamilton fought on the side of Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn as one of the seven Royal Knights or bodyguards and is even reported to have slain the ÙSGreat Lieutenant of EnglandÙT. In 1329 it was Sir Gilbert Hamilton that gave the funeral oration at the burial of King Robert the Bruce at Dunfermline Abbey. History is not clear whether Kinneil Estate was given to Sir Gilbert or his son Sir Walter, but the Hamilton family history seems to err on the side of Sir Walter. However since Sir Gilbert clearly outlived King Robert, was his bodyguard at Bannockburn (while Sir Walter sided with King Edward) and was chosen to give King RobertÙus funeral oration it seems more likely that Kinneil Estate was gifted to Sir Gilbert Hamilton although it may be that some paperwork was done afterwards officially giving ownership to Sir Walter.

Following is by: Thomas James Salmon

The barony of Kinneil is one of their most ancient possessions, and is associated with many interesting events in the history of the family. According to ÙSFfrier Mark Hamiltonis RistorieÙT King Robert the Bruce gave all the lands of Kinneil to Sir Gilbert Hamilton ÙSfor his trew service and greit manheid,ÙT and especially for having slain ÙSfor King Robertis pleasour the great lieutennand of Yngland upon Kynnale Muir.ÙT Sir Gilbert had been with the Bruce on the field of Bannockburn, and was one of the seven knights that kept the KingÙus person. For Sir GilbertÙus exploit upon Kynnale Muir, he tells us, ÙSKing Robert gaif till him his armis till weir in Scotland thre sink fuilzies2 in. ane bludy field.ÙT in connection with the alleged ÙSexploitÙT on the muir, Mr. MÙuKenzie has stated that in a place formerly known as Kinneil Muir a remarkable stone lay near the road, which was at one time used as a thoroughfare between Linlithgow and Falkirk or Stirling. It was seven feet long, live feet broad, and three feet thick. Its upper surface bad been roughly dressed, a groove had been cut round the border with a cross in the centre. The stone had a monumental appearance, but there was no vestige of tradition regarding it.The only explanation that occurs is that it might have been meant to mark the resting-place of ÙSthe great lieutennand of Yngland,ÙT whoever that worthy was. Early in the nineteenth century the stone, being an obstruction to the plough, was blown to pieces and removed. But to return to ÙSSchir Gilbert.ÙT We are told he persevered continuallv with Ring Robert ÙSin trew service on till ye end of his dayis, and was at his buriing in ye Abbay of Dunfermling. He appears to have been ÙSane naturall oratour.ÙT and gave the funeral oration on that occasion.

We have no desire to discredit the alluring narrative of the learned ÙSFfrierÙT concerning Sir Gilbert and his adventures at Bannockburn, and on Kinneil Muir, but his statements do not accord with the information given in AndersonÙus ÙSMemoirs of the House of Hamilton,ÙT or in the recent work of the Lyon King, Sir J. Balfour Paul. [3]

Sources 1.[S280] Stirnet Genealogy, Peter Barns-Graham, Rzmisc02: For Randolph: The Scots Peerage (Moray), Burke s Extinct Peerages1883 (Randolph of Moray) (Reliability: 3)

2.[S280] Stirnet Genealogy, Peter Barns-Graham, Hamilton01 (Reliability: 3)

3.[S280] Stirnet Genealogy, Peter Barns-Graham, 1 - Hamilton01 (Reliability: 3)

Hamilton history

This great historic family is known to be of English origin. The name is taken from some of the many English Manors, called “Hamilton” in Leicestershire, Yorkshire or Hampshire.

The common ancestor of the Hamiltons was Sir Gilbert de Hamilton, younger son of Robert, 2nd Earl of Leicester¬ shire, who was the son of Robert de Bellamont, 1st Earl of Leicestershire in England and Count of Mellent in Normandy, by the daughter of Hugh, Count of Oermanders, son of Henry I, King of France. From Sir Gilbert de Hamilton, through the Earl of Leicestershire, the line goes back to Bernard, brother of Rollo, first Duke of Normandy.

Sir Gilbert de Hamilton lived in the reign of Alexander ll, King of Scotland, married Isabella Randolph, sister of Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray. He had two sons, Walter and John I. Walter de Hamilton swore fealty to Edward I in 1292 and was granted many estates in Scotland. He was the common ancestor of the Scottish branch of Hamiltons, married Mary, daughter of Sir Adam Gordon, by whom he had two sons, David and John. John Hamilton II was father of Sir Alexander Hamilton of Innerwick, who before 1389 married Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Thomas Stewart.

Sir John Hamilton lll succeeded his father before 1392, and married Janet Douglas, daughter of Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith, ancestor to the Earl of Morton by the Lady Agnes Dunbar, daughter of Patrick, 9th Earl of March and Dunbar, and descended maternally and paternally from the royal family of Scotland, through the sister and aunt of Sir Robert Bruce.

James Hamilton I, the son of John Hamilton III, and Janet Douglas, married Janet Livingstone, daughter of Sir Alexander Livingstone of Calendar. They had issue, James II (his heir) Alexander, Gavin and daughter, Mary, wife of William Keith.

James Hamilton II, Earl of Arran, married Mary, eldest daughter of James II, King of Scotland, and widow of Thomas Boyd, and became in time Regent of Scotland and Earl of Arran.

Alexander Hamilton, second son of James Hamilton I and Janet Living-stone was the ancestor of the Hamiltons of Silverton Hill and the Hamiltons of Newton, which, after the family of Abercorn, were the nearest cadets to the Ducal House.

Alexander Hamilton of Silverton Hill, had a son James, who by his wife, a daughter of the house of Douglas, ac¬ quired the estate of Newton.

References

• Hamilton family of Charles county, Maryland. by Kelley, Maria Louisa Hamilton, 1960-. Publication date 1930. Page 9-10. < Archive.Org >