Roger de Kirkpatrick
Encyclopedia
Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick of Closeburn (fl.
14th century) was a Scottish
gentleman
, a 3rd cousin and associate of Robert the Bruce
, and a 1st cousin of Sir William Wallace
. He was born circa 1280 at the Kirkpatrick stronghold of Closeburn Castle
.
Kirkpatrick was appointed one of the deputy justiciars of Scotland, given responsibility for Galloway in partnership with the English justiciar Walter de Burghdon. This appointment is recorded in the Ordinances of 1305, by which Edward I attempted to order the administer of a Scotland reduced to the status of a 'land' instead of a realm. An ally of Robert Bruce, Kirkpatrick was present in the church of the Minortie Friars in Dumfries
on 10 February 1306 when Bruce quarreled with John "the Red" Comyn
and killed him. The exact sequence of events is disputed by historians but some traditions suggest that Bruce proposed that he and Comyn unite against Edward I
, a plan which Comyn subsequently betrayed to the English king, a betrayal which led to the conflict at Dumfries and Comyn's death. Kirkpatrick's presence is attested to be a tale ('wholly fabulous' according to Geoffrey Barrow) that Bruce, having wounded Comyn with his dagger, rushed from the church and encountered his attendants outside. Bruce told them what had happened and said, "I must be off, for I doubt I have slain the Red Comyn," "Doubt?" Kirkpatrick of Closeburn answered, "I mak sikker," ("I'll make sure," or "I make sure") and rushing into the church, finnishing Comyn.
Kirkpatrick and Bruce were chased three nights by Comyn's followers but were never caught. Less than seven weeks after the killing in Dumfries, Bruce was crowned King of Scotland; he granted his own arms to Kirkpatrick. Upon the escutcheon he also placed three pillows to denote the three nights they slept in the woods while fleeing. "I mak sikker" became the family
motto.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
14th century) was a Scottish
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
gentleman
Gentry
Gentry denotes "well-born and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past....
, a 3rd cousin and associate of Robert the Bruce
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
, and a 1st cousin of Sir William Wallace
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
. He was born circa 1280 at the Kirkpatrick stronghold of Closeburn Castle
Closeburn Castle
Closeburn Castle is a tower house, probably of the 14th century, but possibly older, and is one of the oldest continually inhabited houses in Scotland...
.
Kirkpatrick was appointed one of the deputy justiciars of Scotland, given responsibility for Galloway in partnership with the English justiciar Walter de Burghdon. This appointment is recorded in the Ordinances of 1305, by which Edward I attempted to order the administer of a Scotland reduced to the status of a 'land' instead of a realm. An ally of Robert Bruce, Kirkpatrick was present in the church of the Minortie Friars in Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
on 10 February 1306 when Bruce quarreled with John "the Red" Comyn
John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch
John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lord of Lochaber or John "the Red", also known simply as the Red Comyn was a Scottish nobleman who was an important figure in the Wars of Scottish Independence, and was Guardian of Scotland during the Second Interregnum 1296-1306...
and killed him. The exact sequence of events is disputed by historians but some traditions suggest that Bruce proposed that he and Comyn unite against Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
, a plan which Comyn subsequently betrayed to the English king, a betrayal which led to the conflict at Dumfries and Comyn's death. Kirkpatrick's presence is attested to be a tale ('wholly fabulous' according to Geoffrey Barrow) that Bruce, having wounded Comyn with his dagger, rushed from the church and encountered his attendants outside. Bruce told them what had happened and said, "I must be off, for I doubt I have slain the Red Comyn," "Doubt?" Kirkpatrick of Closeburn answered, "I mak sikker," ("I'll make sure," or "I make sure") and rushing into the church, finnishing Comyn.
Kirkpatrick and Bruce were chased three nights by Comyn's followers but were never caught. Less than seven weeks after the killing in Dumfries, Bruce was crowned King of Scotland; he granted his own arms to Kirkpatrick. Upon the escutcheon he also placed three pillows to denote the three nights they slept in the woods while fleeing. "I mak sikker" became the family
Clan Kirkpatrick
Clan Kirkpatrick is a Lowland armigerous Scottish clan. There are several variations of the Kirkpatrick name; Kilpatric, Kilpatrick, and Gilpatrick. The names Kilpatrick and Kirkpatrick may have been interchangeable at one time. The clan is recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon, however the clan...
motto.