Rural estates | 1300s

Introduction

In the 14th century, Scotland was in wars of independence against both English kings and the Roman Catholic Church. In 1300, Robert the Bruce resigned his role as ‘guardian’ of Scotland but later won key battles against the English, notably a victory at Bannockburn. In 1328, English king Edward III signed the Treaty of Northampton which recognised Scottish independence and Robert the Bruce as King of Scots; Robert then married Edward III’s sister, Joanna. Only a year later, Robert the Bruce died and David II took the Scottish throne, followed by Robert II and Robert III.

Meldrum men seem to have been on the field at two great battles against the English: The battle of Neville’s Cross, near Durham, in 1346, and the Battle of Otterburn, in Northumberland, in 1388.

Early 14th Century

—In 1306–07, Thomas de Melkedrum, the minor-age son and heir of William de Melkedrum, petitioned that he might have reasonable sustenance (’Meldrum’, Black, 1946, p. 593, citing Bain, 1900, vol. 2, pp. 140, 209.]

—In 1317, Willelmus (William) de Melgedrum was one of the ‘burgenses rure manentes’ (rural estate owners) named in the first Court Roll of the Burgh of Aberdeen. [Dickinson, 1957, p. 16.]

Mid-Late 14th Century

—In 1341, Philip de Meldrome witnessed the grant of the barony of Dalkeith to William de Douglas. [Black, 1946, p. 593, citing RHM (Registrum honoris de Morton: a series of ancient charters ...), 1853, vol. 2, p. 45.]

—On 17 October 1346, Sir Philip de Meldrum, eldest son of John de Melgdrum, was killed at the Battle of Neville’s Cross, fought between the English (loyal to King Edward III) and Scottish armies (led by David II, the son of Robert the Bruce) near Durham. The Scots attacked England to honour an alliance with France, which was then being attacked by the English at Calais (part of the Hundred Years War).

—During the reign of King Robert II (1371-1390), Philip de Meldrum was granted a charter to the lands of Crichnalade and Creichen Walter in the thanage of Fermartyn [Temple, 1894, p. 20.]

—In 1358, William de Meldrwm witnessed charters of confirmation by Robert the Steward in 1358. [Black, 1946, p. 539, citing Inchaffray (Charters, bulls and other documents relating to the Abbey of Inchaffray …), 1908, p. 126.]

—In January 1360, Helen Meldrum, Lady Kelly, resigned the lands of Kellie to her [husband?] Walter Oliphant. [MacFarlane, 1750, vol. 2, p. 101.]

—In 1363-1364, David de Meldrum of Bynnys received a charter for half the lands of West Bynnys, in the barony of Abercorn, from William More of Abercorn. [MacGregor, 2021, vol. 6, p. 818.]

—William de Meldrum of Cleish received a charter from King Robert III for 1/3rd of the lands of Cleish (with the mill), West Cleish, Bordland, Neviston and Mill of Neviston, all in the barony of Cleish. He also held the lands of Craigton, in the barony of Abercorn, which he transferred to James de Dundas in 1417. [MacGregor, 2021, vol. 6, p. 820.]

—In 1395, Willelmus de Meldrom was involved in a perambulation (official survey) of the boundaries of Kyrknes and Louchor. [Black, 1946, p. 583, citing RPSA (Liber cartorum prioratus Sancti Andree in Scotia …), 1841, p. 3.]