William Abernethy of Saltoun

WILLIAM ABERNETHY OF SALTOUN younger

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

17 March 1406 x 16 March 1407: Computandum est cum duce . . . . . William Abernethy, grandson of the Governor, receives payment from the customs of Edinburgh: "Et eidem domino duci, per recepcionem Willelmi de Abernethi, nepotis sui, ut patet per literas dicti domini ducis de precepto et dicti Willelmi de recepto ostensas super compotum, xti., de quibus computandum est cum dicto domino duce." Exchequer Rolls IV: 42

                   2

7 March 1406 x 21 March 1407: William Abernethy receives an annuity of the prioress of Haddington: "To Prioress of Haddington, as p. 21,] ut patet per literas doniini gubernatoris de precepto et Willelmi de Abirnethy nepotis sui de recepto ostensas super compotum, de duobus termiuis hujus compoti, xl s. Exchequer Rolls IV: 63

Printed Evidence

Rotuli Scaccarii Regum Scotorum. The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland. Edited by George Burnett, Lyon King of Arms. Volume IV. A.D. 1406-1436. (H, M, General Register House, Edinburgh, 1880), 783 pp. including index and corrigenda

Biographical Summary by Darryl Lundy

Sir William Abernethy of Saltoun, younger, was the son of Sir William Abernethy, 6th of Saltoun and Lady Mary Stewart. He married Margaret Borthwick, daughter of Sir William Borthwick, 1st of Borthwick. He died on 24 July 1411 at Harlaw, Scotland, killed in action. He fought in the Battle of Harlaw on 24 July 1411. Children of Sir William Abernethy of Saltoun, younger and Margaret Borthwick (1) William Abernethy, 7th of Saltoun4 d. b 1428
(2) Laurence Abernethy, 1st Lord Saltoun of Abernethy b. c 1400, d. b 13 Mar 1460/61.

The Battle of Harlaw

The Battle of Harlaw (Scottish Gaelic: Cath Gairbheach) was a Scottish clan battle fought on 24 July 1411 just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. It was one of a series of battles fought during the Middle Ages between the barons of northeast Scotland against those from the west coast.

The battle was fought to resolve competing claims to the Earldom of Ross, a large region of northern Scotland. The Duke of Albany, regent of Scotland, had taken control of the earldom as guardian of his niece Euphemia Leslie. This claim was contested by Donald, Lord of the Isles, who had married Euphemia's aunt Mariota. Donald invaded Ross with the intention of seizing the earldom by force.

First he defeated a force of Mackays at Dingwall. He captured the castle and then advanced on Aberdeen with 10,000 clansmen. Near Inverurie he was met by 1,000–2,000 of the local gentry, many in armour, hastily assembled by the Earl of Mar. After a day of fierce fighting there was no clear victor; Donald had lost 900 men before retreating back to the Western Isles, and Mar had lost 500. The latter could claim a strategic victory in that Aberdeen was saved, and within a year Albany had recaptured Ross and forced Donald to surrender. However Mariota was awarded the earldom of Ross in 1424 and the Lords of the Isles would keep the title for much of the 15th century.

The ferocity of the battle gave it the nickname "Red Harlaw". It is commemorated by a 40 foot (12 m) high memorial on the battlefield near the town of Inverurie, supposedly by the church at Chapel of Garioch, and by ballads and music.

Battle

According to the Scotichronicon, the two armies joined battle on the eve of the feast of St James[29] – Friday, 24 July 1411.[20][30] The same source puts Donald's army at 10,000 islanders and men of Ross,[29] although it was probably far less.[25] They were armed with swords, bows and axes, short knives and round targe shields.[28]

Tradition has it that they faced a force numbering between 1000 and 2000 men,[31] although it was probably several thousand,[25] with significant numbers of knights.[25] Sir Gilbert de Greenlaw died at Harlaw and his tombstone at Kinkell Church[32] gives an idea of how Mar's knights were equipped. Sir Gilbert carries a hand and a half sword and wears an open-faced bascinet helmet with a mail-reinforced arming doublet beneath plate armour.[33] Mar's men also carried spears, maces and battle axes.[28] Tradition has it that the black armour in the entrance hall of Aberdeen's Town House belonged to Robert Davidson, Provost of Aberdeen,[34] who fell in the battle alongside most of the burgesses with him.[28]

On spotting the islanders, Mar organised his force into battle array, with the main army behind a small advance guard of men-at-arms under Sir James Scrymgeour (Constable of Dundee, the hereditary standard-bearer of Scotland) and Sir Alexander Ogilvie of Auchterhouse (Sheriff of Angus).[28] He probably split the army into three, with the knights as a cavalry reserve and the infantry arranged in schiltrons, close-packed arrays of spearmen.[25] There is no mention of significant numbers of archers.[25] The islanders were arranged in the traditional cuneiform or wedge shape, with Hector Roy MacLean commanding the right wing and the chief of Clan Mackintosh on the left.[28]

At first the clansmen launched themselves at Scrymgeour's men, but failed to make much impression on the armoured column and many were slain.[28] However, every wave of islanders that was repulsed, was replaced by fresh men.[28] Meanwhile Mar led his knights into the main body of Donald's army with similar results.[28] The islanders brought down the knights' horses and then used their dirks to finish off the riders.[28]

By nightfall, the ballads claim that 600[25] of Mar's men were dead, including Ogilvie and his son, Scrymgeour, Sir Robert Maule, Sir Thomas Moray, William Abernethy, Alexander Straiton of Lauriston, James Lovel, Alexander Stirling and Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum; according to Maclean history the latter duelled with Hector Maclean until both were dead.[28] Many families lost not just their chief but every male in their house; Lesley of Balquhain died with six of his sons.[35] Donald lost 900 men,[25] a much smaller proportion of his total force, but including his two seconds-in-command.[30][36]