Sir Robert Boyd II

Sir Robert was one of the Scottish barons who were forced to swear fealty to Edward I, King of England in 1298. The next year he joined William Wallace and did everything he could to expel the English.

http://home.austarnet.com.au/dfgoonan/BOYDpg.htm

Family History (from Burke's Peerage):

A descent for the Boyd's has been claimed from Simon, Brother of Walter High Steward of Scotland 1160 and ancestor in the male line of the Stuart or Stewart dynasty that ruled first Scotland and then England and Ireland as well. A Sir Robert Boyd was certainly living 1205, and one Robert "the" or "le" Boyd, allegedly grandson of Simon, fought for Alexander III against invading Norsemen at the indecisive Battle of Largs 1263. Another Robert Boyd was one of the first to join William Wallace's rising against the dominant English in the last years of the 13th century, but no link between these and the Boyd's below is proven.

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Notes from Sally Walmsley

Sir Robert Boyd II(12..- 1300) was listed in the Ragman Roll in 1296 as swearing fealty to King Edward I of England. However, in the following year he joined Sir William Wallace in his fight to liberate Scotland from Edward I. 'Blind Harry' in his epic poem 'Wallace' wrote in Book III of Sir Robert :-

And Robert Boid quhilk wald no longer hide

Under the thrillage of Segis ofIngland

To that fals King he had nevir made band.

and again in ook XI: -

Robert Boyd quhilk was wys and wicht.

Sir Robert distinguished himselt at the battle of Loudoun Hill, where the English army was completely routed on their way to Ayr. 'Blind Harry' wrote (in translation):-

For he (WW) behaved himself so worthily

with Robert Boyd, and all the chivalry,

That not a Southron ere eventide

Might any longer in that stour abide.

Following that battle, Sir Robert Boyd II was in the van in the capture of Ayr castle from the English. He accompanied Wallace in his affary into England, and commanded the west gate at the seige of York. He died in 1300, perhaps as a result of his warlike efforts, to be succeeded by his son the third Sir Robert.