Sir Walter Fitz Gilbert de Hamilton, 1st Laird of Cadzow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_fitz_Gilbert_of_Cadzow

During the risings of William Wallace, and later Robert the Bruce, Walter fitz Gilbert remained loyal to the English party, holding lands in Fife of King Edward.[3] By 1314 he was constable of Bothwell Castle in South Lanarkshire. Following the defeat of Edward II of England at the Battle of Bannockburn, numerous fleeing English noblemen sought refuge there, including the Earl of Hertford. A detachment of the Scots army, under King Robert's brother Edward Bruce arrived at Bothwell and demanded that the castle and its occupants yield, Fitz Gilbert complied and surrendered the castle and left Hertford and his retinue to their fate.

Wars of Scottish Independence

During the risings of William Wallace, and later Robert the Bruce, Walter fitz Gilbert remained loyal to the English party, holding lands in Fife of King Edward.[5] By 1314 he was constable of Bothwell Castle in South Lanarkshire and was charged by Edward with its security:

"The king commands Walter fitz Gilbert, constable of his castle of Bothwell to see that it is safely and securely kept, and delivered to no other person whatsoever, without the king’s letters patent under the Great Seal of England directed to himself"

Following the defeat of Edward II of England at the Battle of Bannockburn, numerous fleeing English noblemen sought refuge there, including the Earl of Hertford. A detachment of the Scots army, under King Robert's brother Edward Bruce arrived at Bothwell and demanded that the castle and its occupants yield, Fitz Gilbert complied and surrendered the castle and left Hertford and his retinue to their fate.

Later life

Joining the Bruce party, Walter fitz Gilbert was granted lands of Dalserf, previously owned by the Comyn faction, and was later rewarded with the barony of Cadzow and Cadzow Castle on the banks of the Clyde. He was a Justice of Lanark in 1321, and was knighted the following year. In 1323 he was granted the lands of Kinneil, Larbert and Auldcathy in present day West Lothian, and Kirkcowan in Wigtownshire.

Walter fitz Gilbert was present at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, fighting in the division of the High Steward, (later Robert II of Scotland), but is thought to have escaped the carnage there. There is little else heard of him. He died prior to 1346, when his son David fought at the Battle of Neville's Cross as Laird of Cadzow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Halidon_Hill

Notes 1 - As a lowland family, albeit a strong one, Hamilton does not warrant the official status of Highland clan; however, according to Collins' "Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia," Hamilton is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. It takes its name from the English town of Hambledon. Principals among Clan Hamilton are entitled Duke, not Chief. These Dukes of Hamilton descend from Walter Fitz-Gilbert de Hameldone, who served as governor of Bothwell Castle for the English during the Scottish War of Independence. Walter later joined Robert the Bruce, and received from him the Barony of Cadzow. [ http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Heritage/FSCNS/Scots_NS/Clans/Hamilton.html ]

2 - It is recorded that, in 1323, Walter Hamilton, the son of Sir Gilbert Hamilton, was gifted Kinneil Estate by Robert the Bruce, and although Hamilton House was the family's main seat, their house at Kinneil became an important residence, conveniently located for Edinburgh and the Royal Court. Walter fought on the side of the English at Bannockburn, but changed allegiance after the capture of Bothwell Castle, for which he was in charge of the defence, by King Roberts's soldiers. Robert later knighted him. By: Ken Wright The Following is by: Thomas James Salmon the first of the family is given as Walter Fitz-Gilbert (Walter son of Gilbert). He appears under that designation in 1294 or thereabouts. Walter is reported to have sworn fealty to King Edward 1. in 1296 at Berwick, and remained an English partisan till the capture of Bothwell Castle by a detachment of the Scottish army after Bannockburn. Walter is reported to have joined the Bruce after his capture at Bothwell Castle, and was knighted. Later, King Robert made him several grants of land, and among those the lands of Kinneil. Sir Walter was twice married, and the grant of Kinneil in 1323 was to him and Mary Gordon, his second wife, and to his heirs by her.

3 - Walter fitz Gilbert, featured on the Ragman Rolls in 1292 and 1296 as de Hamildon and de Homildon, and elsewhere as de Hambleton, witnessed a Stewart charter to Paisley Abbey 1294 as Walterus filius Gilberti, tenant in the royal barony of Cadzow, received grants of Dalserf (previously held by his stepmother) and later of the barony of Kinneil. He was present at the battle of Halidon Hill 19 July 1333 and died before 1336 having m 1st Helen, by whom he had issue not now known; and m 2nd Mary dtr of Sir Adam Gordon of Gordon by whom he had issue: [1, 2]

Sources [S387] Hamilton of Cadzow, (http://www.baronage.co.uk/bphtm-03/hamilton.html)

[S819] E-mail, From Don Thompson rec: 12 Dec 2012 MacFarlane information from Bruce MacFarlane: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=mygrtgrt & the Andersons from Mabel Manz : http://madcitydon.com/candacraig/mabel_manz.html (Reliability: 3)

[S280] Stirnet Genealogy, Peter Barns-Graham, Gordon01 (Reliability: 3)