Sir William Wallace, 6th of Craigie, 11th of Riccarton

SIR WILLIAM WALLACE OF CRAIGIE

Sir William Wallace of Craigie is the son of Sir John Wallace of Craigie. The Book of Wallace I: 37 A date and place of birth has not been identified for him. He was alive on 12 April 1459, when James II, King of Scots, arranged a marriage for him, RMS: 692 although he was probably still a minor child on this date. As much is certainly suggested by the fact that arrangement were not made for the financial support of his wife until 24 February 1473. RMS: 1108

Death

A date and place of death has not been identified for Sir William Wallace of Craigie. He was alive on 13 July 1477 RMS: 1786 but probably died before 3 February 1499, when his son John confirmed George Wallace's possession of the lands of Ellerslie. RMS: 2527

Marriage

Sir William Wallace of Craigie married Margaret of Dunbar, daughter and heiress of David Dunbar of Cockburn. She had previously been married to Alexander Lindsay, fourth Earl of Crawford. Stirnet: Wallace 03

Children

1. Sir John Wallace of Craigie, 7th of Craigie, 12th of Riccarton
2. William Wallace

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

24 May 1458: Precept directed from King James II to Robert, Lord Boyde, William Wallace of Cragy and Hugh Montgomery, his baillies in that part specially constituted for infefting Alexander Hume in the said lands conform to GD3/1/1/41/5. Given under testimony of the Great Seal at Irvine in the 22nd year of his reign. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/1/41/6

                    2

12 April 1459: Copy of Letter by King James II. confirming Indenture between Gilbert Lord Kennedy and William Wallace of Craigy, by which it is agreed that John Wallace son and heir of the said William Wallace of Craigy shall marry Marian Kennedy daughter of the said Gilbert Lord Kennedy. Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kennedy Family, Earls of Cassillis, reference GD25/1/76

Note: It would appear from this letter that the family of Gilbert Lord Kennedy and that of William Wallace of Craigie had been involved in a blood feud, and that James II, King of Scots, proposed or imposed this marriage alliance as part of the settlement. Marion Kennedy appears to have died young, though, and John Wallace of Craigie subsequently married Lord Kennedy's younger daughter Margaret. The Book of Wallace I: 40

                   3

12 April 1459: James II, King of Scots, approves and confirms an agreement by which Gilbert, Lord Kennedy, and William Wallace of Craigie, agree to end the war and fighting between them. The agreement includes a contract of marriage for John Wallace, son and heir of William Wallace of Craigie, and Mariotam, daughter of Gilbert, Lord Kennedy. RMS: 692

                   4

24 February 1472-73: Charter by which James III, King of Scots, confirms that he has given possession of the ten merk lands of Thornlie in the barony and sheriffdom of of Renfrew, and various other lands in the barony of Kyle Stewart and lordship of Riccartoune in the sheriffdom of Ayr, to John Wallace and his wife Margaret Kennedy. The lands in question have previously been resigned by Sir William Wallace of Cragy, in order to obtain a new grant in favour of his son and his wife. RMS: 1108

                   5

23 March 1474-75: Retour of special service of David Hepburne as heir of deceased Patrick Hepburne of Walchtoune, his maternal uncle, in the barony of Walchtoune by a majority verdict of the assise, held before James Cokburne of Newbigine, sheriff of Edinburgh in the constabulary of Hadingtoun, Edinburgh, 23 Mar. 1473/4. Assise: William, lord Borthwic, Alexander, lord Glammis, Thomas Kirkpatrik of Closebarne, William Wallace of Cragy, Robert Dalzel of that Ilk, John Ross, John Carmychel of Balmade, Mr William Levinax, William Rothven of that Ilk, Richard Congiltoun of that Ilk, Thomas Wawane, William Levintone, Hugh Muntgumery, Thomas Crago of Crag and Thomas Mudie. 5 tags, one seal. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Hope Family of Luffness, East Lothian, reference GD364/1/336

                   6

14 October 1476: Charter in favour of Thome Hume, son of Alexander, Lord Hume. Witnesses: Wil. Wallace de Cragy and others. RMS: 1258

                   7

13 July 1477: Charter if favour of Roger Cathkert and his wife Cristine Lokart. Witnesses: Wil. Wallace de Cragy and others. RMS: 1786

                   8

3 February 1499: Charter by which Johnne Wallace of Cragy confirms that he has given his lands of Ellerslie to his cousin George Wallace, son of Patrick Wallace of Ellerslie. Patrick Wallace of Ellerslie had previously resigned these lands into the hands of the feudal superior, his cousin Johnne Wallace of Cragy, in order to obtain a new grant in favour of his son George, and George's wife Katherine Graham. The charter was witnessed by William Wallace, brother german of John Wallace of Cragy, and others. RMS: 2527

Genealogy

1. The Book of Wallace. Volume I: pp. 33-91 for Wallace of Craigie
2. Stirnet: Wallace 03