User:Rupertirving/Irvings of Bonshaw : An Old Scots Border Clan

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Irvings of Bonshaw : An Old Scots Border Clan is of encyclopaedic interest and of interest to all those individuals interested in family history, Scottish history and history of the Clan Irving.

The Clan

“The Borderer, bred to war, Knew the battle’s din afar, And joyed to hear its swell.

On active steed, with lance and blade, The light armed pricker plied his trade, Let nobles fight for fame:

Let vassals follow where they lead, Burghers to guard their townships bleed, But WAR’S THE BORDERERS’ GAME!”

(Sir Walter Scott: Marmion)

Origins of the Name

Colonel John Beaufin Irving (1844-1925) was the heritable Chief of the Irving Border sept and it was his publication, drawing on a variety of sources almost worldwide in his quest to pull together the strands of the Irving diaspora that provides one of the principal sources for much that is written about the Clan today.

Accepting that the early peoples of Scotland consisted generally of Picts, Gaels and, later, Norsemen and Angles, it can be reasonably argued that the Irvings were Gaels and were part of the population movement between modern day Northern Ireland and the south west of Scotland. The Irvings spread along the southern border of Scotland, and are now generally recognised as Borderers.

The name of ‘Erivine’ or, contracted, ‘Irving’ or ‘Irvine’, is understood by most researchers to come from either the ancient Celtic word ‘Erin-viene’ or ‘Erin-fiene’, which means a ‘true Westland man’ or from the region itself, for example, the ancient place name for the town of Irvine in Ayrshire or the Parish of Irving in Dumfriesshire.

Incidentally, in both old Gaelic and Welsh language, ‘Erin’ is used to mean the ‘west’ and the words ‘viene’ or ‘fiene’ means ‘himself’ or ‘man’, or to be politically correct ‘person’. Erin is used to describe what is now known as modern day Ireland and being situated west of Alba or Albion, terms used to describe the ancient kingdom of Scotland.

In an early record, Col. J B Irving says his great-great-grandfather William, who succeeded to Bonshaw in 1696 and married the eldest daughter of Lord Rollo in 1698, signed his name as ‘Irwing’. On his matriculation of Arms at Lyon Court (Reg. Vol.1 page 335) his name is spelt ‘William Irvine’ and in subsequent documents it is spelt ‘Irving’ and ‘Irwing’.

In Latin documents of the Chamberlain of Scotland at the time of Robert the Bruce, the name is spelt ‘Wilielmo De Irwyn’, who is believed to have been the recipient of the Forest of Drum from Robert the Bruce in 1323, and ‘Rogero De Irwyn’. In the charters of Drum, the name is spelt ‘De Irwin’ and ‘De Irwyn’. Most probably the use of ‘De’ stems from the Norman influence and was in common usage at the time.

Latterly in publications of the 1800’s, the name is spelt ‘Irving’, ‘Irvine’, ‘Irvin’, ‘Irwin’, ‘Erwing’, ‘Ervine’, ‘Urwen’ and even to the extent of ‘Hurven’ and ‘Irwenis’.

The Spelling of the Name of Irving has been a fruitful source of error and no doubt there will be many other spellings yet to be found. As Colonel J. B. Irving stated in his book –

“...although there were many ways of spelling it, yet it was all the same name and referring to members of the one Clan – Irving”.

History of the Clan

Much of what has been written about the history of the Border Irvings & Irvines stems from two principal publications: “The Book of the Irvings &c” by Colonel John Beaufin Irving in 1907 and “The Original of the Family of the Irvines or Erinvines”, by Dr Christopher Irvine M.D., Historiographer Royal of Scotland, in his short family history written in 1678. It is these two sources that provide a consistent thread to the Clan’s history.

However, modern day research has uncovered some embellishment of the historical facts yet nonetheless we should not let this detract from the colourful history of the Border Irving/Irvine Clan. This article keeps to the known historical facts and touches on some of the misconceptions.

The tradition starts with the statement that the Irvings of Bonshaw are descended from Duncan of Eskdale, a younger brother of Crinan, father of Duncan I of Scotland.

The paternal grandfather of Duncan of Eskdale and Crinan was the Abthane of Dule and lay Abbott of Dunkeld, also called Duncan. This latter Duncan is believed to have been a direct descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages who was High King of Ireland early in 5th century. He appears to have been appointed as Governor of Strathclyde when the region was conquered by the Saxons and given to Malcolm I (943-964 AD). As Governor, his residence is supposed to have been the old fort of Eryvine or Orewyn, so he is known as the 1st of Eryvine. He was killed at the battle of Duncrub circa 964 AD. A standing stone on the battle site north of Dunning, Perthshire, marks Duncan’s tomb.

Duncan 1st of Eryvine was succeeded by his eldest son, Duncan, and according to various sources, some believe that this Duncan was the progenitor of the oldest families in Great Britain; the families of Dunbar, Irvings and Homes are said to be descended from him. Duncan 2nd of Eryvine was succeeded by his eldest son, Crinan, who married Beatrix (or Bethoc) daughter of Malcolm II (995-1034 AD) and by her, was father of Duncan I (1034-1040 AD) who reigned as King of Scotland for six years. It has been said that Crinan was the progenitor of all the kings of Scotland down to Alexander III (1249-1286 AD) and in the female line of all the sovereigns of Scotland to present day with, apparently, the exception of Macbeth (1040-1057 AD) who murdered his son, Duncan I, in 1040 and reigned for seventeen years.

In 1018, Duncan of Eskdale was appointed as Governor of Cumbria with his nephew, Duncan, as ‘Rex Cumbrorum’ based at Carlisle and Castle Owryn (now known as Castle O’er).

When Malcolm Caennmor introduced the parish system towards the end of the 11th century, the Irving lands in Kirtledale became the parish of Irving, retaining its identity until the end of the 16th century when it was split into the parishes of Annan and Kirkpatrick-Fleming. The Irving lands during the 11th century were extensive, stretching from Annandale to Liddesdale.

David I (1124-1153 AD) granted feudal superiority of Annandale in 1124 to the Norman family De Brus who retained it until accession of Robert De Brus, Earl of Carrick, to the throne of Scotland in 1306. The Irvings became vassals perhaps for the first time in their history, initially under De Brus and then for more than four centuries, finally achieving independence under the Johnstons. Robert De Brus was a guest at Bonshaw Tower in 1298 when he fled the English court of Edward I and there is a cave in the Kirtle cliffs at Cove, within which Robert De Brus was hidden on more than one occasion.

The tradition extends to the story of a ‘William De Irwyn’, second son of the chief of Bonshaw, being taken into the service of Robert De Brus, holding various offices at the court, and ultimately being rewarded with part of the Forest of Drum in 1323 and free barony for his devotion to duty.

The story suggests that the Irvines of Drum are descended from the Irvings at Bonshaw as a consequence.

This story has been investigated by James Irvine-Fortescue of Kingcausie in his treatise “Memorandum on the Origins of the Family of Irvine of Drum” (July 2000), a well researched and thorough document. The researched theory gives a strong indication that the first Irvine of Drum most probably originated from the south-west of Scotland but he was a hard working individual, achieving recognition and status in the Royal household and served his sovereign through some very troubled times.

This theory is supported by both David Irvine 26th Baron of Drum and the House of the Irvings of Bonshaw. Copies of the aforementioned treatise and the response from the House of the Irvings of Bonshaw can be provided on request.

The next mention historically of the Border Irvings is not for another two hundred years.

In July 1484, at the battle of the Kirtle, where the Duke of Albany and the Douglases were routed, the Master of Maxwell was killed and just across the Kirtle water from Bonshaw Tower, the Merkland Cross marks the spot.

During the 16th century the Irvings of Bonshaw played a leading part in Border warfare and in national politics under the chiefship of Edward Irving of Bonshaw (1555-1605). It was during this century that a feud existed between the Johnstons and Irvings on one side and the Maxwells with their supporters on the other.

At the battle of Solway Moss in 1542, Christopher Irving of Bonshaw commanded the light horse, surviving the battle and continuing the resistance against Henry VIII. From 1543 through to 1548, there were continued border clashes between the English Wardens, the Earl of Lennox, Lords Dacre and Wharton in particular, and the Scottish forces. In one conflict, Christopher Irving of Bonshaw led a running battle with English forces from Durisdeer down Nithsdale but eventually getting caught in a flanking attack by the English and incurred heavy losses. Having been taken prisoner, he renewed his former oath and was later released.

A truce between England and Scotland in 1550 gave many a Border Clan the opportunity of renewing old feuds. In 1554, the Kirkpatricks slew a younger son of Christopher Irving of Bonshaw. The Irvings bided their time until 1563 when Edward Irving of Bonshaw, the new laird, slew the Laird of Closeburn, Chief of the Kirkpatricks.

In 1564, at a meeting of the Scottish Privy Council on 21st December, the marriage of Christopher, the son of Edward Irving of Bonshaw, and Margaret, daughter of Johnston, was forbidden by resolution. The objection at the time was due to the increasing influence and power held by the Irving-Johnston alliance in the West Marches. Two years later the marriage took place with little consequence.

During 1566, the Irvings fell out of favour with Queen Mary, having given her support in her early struggles, so, as with every good Borderer, they changed sides and joined the then Regent Moray. Three years later, Moray appointed one of Bonshaw’s younger sons, Edward, as Governor of Annan.

In 1570, the Earl of Sussex raided Dumfriesshire with 4,000 men, damaging many towers and castles, Bonshaw being one of them. Over the next few years of the Regencies of the earls of Mar and Lennox, the Irvings fell into and out of favour. One chief, Edward Irving of Bonshaw, spent a short time in prison (1572) but was released.

During 1585-1586, the Irvings and Johnstons were at war with the Maxwells. This seemed to have been started by the Maxwells raiding Johnston territory but culminated with a peace treaty with Johnston handing over the lands of Irving to Maxwell. The Irvings had no intention of complying with these terms and when Maxwell claimed Kirkconnel for example, he met with defiance from William Irving, a son of the laird of Bonshaw, and retreated. On 16th June 1585, Maxwell laid siege to Bonshaw but retreated with no result. Maxwell made two further attempts during 1585 at taking Bonshaw without success.

Early in 1586, the Irvings and Johnstons, backed by the Grahams of Netherby, took Maxwell and his ‘police force’ by surprise, captured and held him prisoner even though he was seriously wounded. In May, a force of Maxwells, Douglases and others raided Kirtledale. Later in the same year, feuds were set aside whilst the Borderers joined together to oust the Regent Arran.

During the last decade of the 16th century, there was an ongoing feud between the Bells of upper Kirtledale and the Irvings of lower Kirtledale. This may well have been started by the shooting of “Fair Helen of Kirkconnel”, date of which is uncertain.

In December 1593, the Irving-Johnston alliance, under Sir James Johnston of Lochwood met the Maxwells at Dryfe Sands. The battle that followed was notable in that it was the last Clan battle to be fought in Scotland. The result is that Johnston inflicted a crushing defeat on the Maxwells with Lord Maxwell being slain on the field. The Maxwells never fully recovered.

After the end of the 16th century, life on the Borders quietened down considerably.

During the Civil War in the middle of the 17th century, the Irvings supported the Royalists and anti-Presbyterians.

Between 1672-1677, the general registration of armorial bearings of the nobility of Scotland, William Irving of Bonshaw registered the ancient armorial achievement of Irving of Bonshaw, these being: “.....bears argent three hollin leaves proper above the shield ane helmet befitting his degree mantled vert doubled argent next is placed ane torse for his crest ane arm gauntleted holding ane branch of hollin consisting of seven leaves all proper. The motto is ane scroll Haud Ullis Labentia Ventis”.

The next notable historical mention is of the birth of Colonel Paulus Aemilius Irving in 1714 at Bonshaw, he entered the Army and in 1759 was i/c of 15th Regiment of Foot under General Wolfe during the capture of the Heights of Abraham at Quebec. He later became Governor of the Province of Quebec. His son, General Sir Paulus Aemilius Irving was created “Baronet of Woodhouse and Robgill”; the title became extinct in 1852 with the death of the third baronet.

John Irving, younger of Bonshaw, was appointed Collector of Land Tax for Dumfriesshire in 1732 and a Commissioner for Supply in 1741. He took no part in the Rebellion of 1745, but William Irving of Gribton and his eldest son James, Edward Irving of Wysebie and John Irving of Whitehill were all reported for aiding Prince Charles.

In 1765, William Irving of Bonshaw entailed the estate. In 1770, he built the new mansion which now forms the main living quarters. He died two years later leaving an only son, a minor at six years of age.

John Robert studied law and in 1793 was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates where he was taught by Alexander Irving, Lord Newton, of the Irvings of Newton (a cadet branch of the Irvines of Drum) who was Professor of Civil Law at Edinburgh University from 1800-1826. By the time he died in 1839, the Bonshaw estate was in decline. He left two daughters, from one the Winter-Irvings (Australia) are descended. His successor, the Reverend John Irving, drew up a new entail of the estate but this was broken by his successor when he died in 1870. Robert Nasmyth Irving succeeded to the estate but wasted most of his life away from Bonshaw, leaving it heavily mortgaged.

Colonel John Beaufin Irving, the next heir of line and heritable Chief, was the exact opposite of his predecessor.

A grand old soldier and a member of the Royal Company of Archers, the sovereign’s bodyguard in Scotland, and was very keen on Bonshaw and in preserving the Irving Clan.

On Robert Nasmyth Irving’s death, he went to law to recover what he could of the estate, with no entail to aid him, and after a protracted lawsuit he eventually won and settled at Bonshaw. He dedicated his life to the Clan, publishing his famous and monumental book “The Book of the Irvings &c” in 1907. This publication drew on the many sources and references from all over the world, notably American.

Colonel Irving was succeeded by his youngest and surviving son, Captain Sir Robert Beaufin Irving, KB, OBE, RD, DL, who had a long and distinguished career at sea. He fought at the battle of Jutland in WWI and served in the eastern Mediterranean. After the war, he joined the Cunard line and was captain of the Aquitania, Majestic and the Queen Mary in 1936 and the following year achieved the Blue Riband. In 1938, he was appointed as Commodore of the Cunard White Star Line and that year he achieved acclaim by docking the Queen Mary in New York unaided during a dock strike. He was granted a knighthood in 1943 and retired in 1944.

Sir Robert died in 1954 and his successor was Commander G. R. I. Irving RN.

The Borderer Irvings & Irvines fragmented in the late 19th century and early 20th century. This was in the main due to the social and economic conditions of the time. Great Britain as a nation was engaged in a number of conflicts, the Boer War, WWI and WWII, in addition to which the dominance of Great Britain as a worldwide trading power gave opportunities to many seeking fame and fortune.

There are now branches of the Border Irvings & Irvines in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The Irvines of Drum

Perhaps the most distinguished of the Irving & Irvine families are the Irvines of Drum, at Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire.

The Irvines of Drum are considered to be a separate Clan by virtue of their geographical, historical and economic isolation from the Border Irvings & Irvines. To be realistic, the Irvings of Bonshaw and Irvines of Drum are two Clans but one family from a common ancestral background. This is not a new precedent but is accepted for many larger, and divided Clans, such as the Campbells, Macdonalds, Macleans &c.

The Irvines of Drum were founded by a grant of part of the Forest of Drum and by Royal Charter in 1323. No less than six lairds of Drum have been knighted, two successive lairds offered the Earldom of Aberdeen by Charles I and Charles II but finally declined. The 24th Baron of Drum entered into an agreement with the National Trust of Scotland whereby on his death the property passed to the Trust for preservation. David Irvine of Drum is the 26th Baron and lives in a property once owned by the estate.

The Irving Border Towers

The Tower at Bonshaw and the house attached to it stand on level ground bounded on the east by a cliff with the Kirtle water flowing below, to the south by a steep ravine and to the west by the farmyard and rough ground of Bonshaw Mains that stands over where ditches and ramparts once stood. To the north the cliff gradually merges into the hillside.

To the west lie the lands of Dumbretton, while Robgill is to south with Woodhouse a little further downstream and Cove beyond closer to the Border. Wysebie is across the river, a little to the north of Bonshaw and further upstream lies Braes on the right bank and on the left is Old Kirkconnel. There are lesser well known stone towers, one being at Kirkpatrick further down the Kirtle water.

Of all these old Irving Border Towers that lay within Clan territory, only Bonshaw and Robgill, the ruins of Woodhouse, Stapleton and New Kirkconnel at Ecclefechan remain.

The present Tower at Bonshaw is known to have been built in the 1560’s but there has been a previous construction on the site between 1542 and 1548. The English failed to burn down or indeed to blow up the tower with their cannon. It has successfully withstood four sieges by the Maxwells in the 16th century and was described by Lord Scrope, The English Warden of the West Marches, as “one of the strongest howses of that border”.

Bonshaw, Robgill, Woodhouse, Stapleton and Cove were the principal strongholds of the Clan to which should be added many other places of smaller importance – Wysebie, Brotts, Beltenment, Dronnock Wood, Skaills, Graitney Hill – all close to the Border with the auld enemy – England

Border Irving tartan – “Irving of Bonshaw”

Strictly speaking, the Lowland and Borderer Clans did not necessarily possess such a thing as a tartan but wore a version of plaid, woven in whatever colours were handy at the time. During the Victorian era, and perhaps combined with the raising of the various Scottish Regiments at that time, there was a strong revival and interest in Scotland and all things Scottish. Tartan became fashionable and is now identified very closely with each individual Clan both in the Highlands, Lowlands and in the Borders.

The “Irving of Bonshaw” tartan was designed by the Scottish Tartans Society for Captain R.A.S. Irving RN (Retd) and Mr R.C. Irving, direct descendants of Colonel John Beaufin Irving and Captain Sir Robert Beaufin Irving, and is formally registered with The Scottish Register of Tartans in Edinburgh.

The “Irving of Bonshaw” or “Border Irving” tartan is for all those of the original Border Clan Irving of Bonshaw and for all Border Irvings, Irvines and variant spellings of the Name. The purpose is to distinguish from other persons bearing the Name who may wish to wear the Clan Irvine as an alternative.