Any form of research, whether historical, anthropological or genealogical has moments of excitement and moments of despair. By following the main thrust of your hypothesis, tiny glimmers of light present themselves, only to be extinguished when the evidence either runs dry or does not exist at all. Good research accepts these nul-hypothesis and moves on, bad research is when nonsense is added to build an agenda to suit the author/s. More on that later.
In the news article published in an Annandale newspaper nearly 150 years ago and covered in our last blog, a claim was made that ‘the Kirkconnel Barony (including Springkell House) was possessed by a John de Carruthers, but as he was born out of wedlock, it reverted at his death in 1427 to the Earl of Douglas as the over lord‘.
Now this is exciting stuff, as the implication here is that Carruthers were possibly in ownership of a 3rd Barony in Annandale, albeit for a short time. However, after further investigation we note that at the time of John de/of Carruthers, Kirkconnel which is an ancient parish in Annandale, Dumfriesshire and annexed after the Reformation, to Kirkpatrick-Fleming was never a Feudal barony in its own right nor has it ever been. However, it did progressively came under the feu ownership of the Irvings of Bonshaw, a neighbouring border clan, but not during this period .
This is confirmed by charters from the 14th century to include the Drumlanrig charter inventories (Douglas of Drumlanrig absorbed the Mouswald land after the extinction of Mouswald) and local legal records ie judiciary and exchequer roles, who mention the extensive holdings of Carruthers lairds, which also referenced many local tenements tied to the baronies and confirmed it seems, that although owning lands near to, we never owned parts of Kirkconnel parish itself.
Although Irving of Bonshaw have never had a free Barony, they began to influence and own the feudal holdings in and around Kirkconnel from the mid to late 15th century, and more so under Edward of Bonshaw it seems in the 17th century.
In fact, in relation to Carruthers, Kirkconnel is only mentioned under a transaction of 1715, when George 10th of Holmains wished to terminate a tack of land in Ecclefechan. A tack was a term-lease between a tacksman tenant and a superior landlord, different from a feu, which is stronger form of land lease akin to full ownership. In this instance Holmains was the landlord and William Irving of Kirkconnel was the tacksman.
As such, we can’t always believe what we read, irrelevant of how exciting the information may seem. However, this is not suggesting that John de Carruthers did not live on land in Kirkconnel parish but it seems he did not own the ‘Barony of Kirkconnel‘ as a the barony did not exist.
So, Kirkconnel was never part of a Carruthers barony and as such the information was a red herring. What we do know and are proud to state is that Carruthers played a crucial role in the border conflicts between Scotland and England during the 12th century. This region was characterized by its lawlessness and frequent skirmishes, making it a hotspot for clan and riding family activity. Both Mouswald and Holmains, played their part in the turbulent history of the borderlands where clans/families engaged in reiving—raids and skirmishes aimed at stealing livestock and asserting territorial claims. However, like other riding families, their actions were often driven more by loyalty to direct family and clan rather than to any national allegiance. This lawless environment fostered a culture of conflict that defined the region for many centuries to come.
- NB. In Scotland, at least within Dumfriesshire, Carruthers would be seen as a riding family, not a clan, although evidence would suggest the collective names have always been interchangeable. As such Carruthers recognises itself as both a Clan and Family.
- NB. Because our ownership covered a patchwork of large estates throughout Annandale interspersed with the estates of other families, the term ‘Carruthersland’ which some are now using, is a misnomer and has never been used to describe either our origins nor collectively, our estates.
But what is a feudal Barony?
In Scotland, it is a historical title granted by the Crown. Following the abolition of feudalism in 2004, these titles became non-territorial dignities, meaning they do not necessarily confer nor reflect land ownership but remain simply as personal honours. As such although recognised as ‘noble’ they are not classed as peers of the realm and are not ‘Lords of Parliament’, which is a part of the peerage.
A feudal barony was a social structure introduced to Scotland by the Norman Lords who arrived at the invite of David I, the de Brus, who would initially become Lords of Annandale and progressing to being Kings of Scotland, being part of that group. The institution of the Scottish baronage predates the Scottish peerage and as such the coexist.
The system was like any other pyramid structure, with the Monarch retaining overall control of the lands, Lords and below them Lairds (two different things) managing large estates and being responsible for local governance. While at the bottom of the pile, peasants/tenants who worked the lands and who provided labour in turn for protection and a place to live and work. As Carruthers is a topographical name taken from the lands they owned, so too was the latter ie the workers, who progressively took the name of their feudal superiors. As such, like many other border and lowland names not all Carruthers are off the chiefly line, nor do they need to be, to be accepted members of the family. In fact and very importantly, our Chief recognises all with the name Carruthers and its derivations, accepting that their name and thus heritage originated in the lands of Carruthers in Dumfriesshire in the Scottish border.
In respect of our own baronies of Mouswald and Holmains, their role would be to maintain order in their ranks (hence the Unruly Clans Act of 1587 mentioning Holmains), administer justice, to collect tithes and taxes and offer military/militia support as defence to external threats.
So sadly, the outcome of all this is further research and acceptance that Carruthers were important enough to govern two Baronies – Mouswald and Holmains, the latter being the larger it seems based on their ability to put horsemen on the field in times of conflict.
As with all research, evidence is key and the correct key opens doors, but as with other forms of investigation and as further proofs appear, sometimes what we thought was accurate has to be revisited and updated, or alternatively totally ignored. It is far too easy to read something and jump to assumptions and sadly when claims are made where there is serious doubt to their validity regarding our family, one has a duty of care to challenge it.
As such, the continued attempt to somehow link the warlord Caratacus with both Carruthers and Caer Rydderrch is covered here.
There is literally NO evidence: linguistic, genetic, genealogical nor historical, that links Carruthers with Caratacus. It seems the claims are made by a few very amateur researchers, based on no real researchable nor provable facts. As such the claim and link between Carruthers and Caratacus should be considered unfounded, unless primary academic research from reputable and reliable researchers demonstrates otherwise i.e. put up or ……..
Sadly, claims such as these detract from the rich tapestry of evidence linking our family within Annandale and Scotland and attempt, albeit feebly, to undermine our proven history and Chiefly line going back to the 11th century, a line which has been confirmed by the Lyon Court. Rather than attempting to undermine our heritage, surely we should all celebrate, through our evidenced research our respected place in Scottish clan and family society, both here at home in Scotland and with our diaspora overseas. At the end of the day, official recognistion based on proofs, does that.
Sometimes therefore, one has to wonder if these individuals are really of Carruthers ancestry and believe they have our family’s best interest at heart? The niggling question is why do they do igo, agenda, finances, who knows, but their claims are so off kilter they must know what they are doing, without any real robust evidence nor proofs.
Anyway, as has been said many times before, do your own investigations, look for the facts and know that we will always do the same.
Promptus et Fidelis
Non Sto Solus
