Pitcaple Castle (6)
The best know event in which the Leslies of Pitcaple got entangled, was the 'Tragedy of Frendraught'. I have told this story before, but I will write it out again here, as told by Andrew Leith-Hay in his book 'The Castellated Architecture of Aberdeenshire', printed in 1849, and of which I recently came by a copy! It is, as they used to say in my father's day, a 'ripping yarn'! I shall type it out in full.
"The dispute which occurred between Crichton of Frenraught and Gordon of Rothiemay led to disastrous consequences, and amongst others the well known and often related burning of the house of Frendraught, in which strife James Leslie, second son to the laird of Pitcaple, was much implicated. The lands of these proprietors (Crichton & Gordon) being adjacent, disputes as to right of property led to personal hatred, and of course, as was inevitably the case in those licentious days, the friends of either party espousing the cause of the hostile barons, armed to support the pretensions of their respective champion.
With others, the above mentioned James Leslie joined the Crichtons, and on the 1st of January 1630, they left Frendraught for Rothiemay, with the purpose either of making its owner their prisoner, of of insulting him by fierce defiance on his own territories.
Information of this onslaught having been given to the laird of Rothiemay, he resolved to set forth and encounter his assailants, accompanied by his son and a small party of horsemen and foot. Having crossed the river Deveron, his party soon encountered the Crichtons, and a serious conflict took place, which terminated in the defeat of the Rothiemay party. Considering the violence of feeling, and the nature of the encounters of these times, the loss of life seems to have been unusually limited. The laird of Rothiemay died of his wounds, as did the brother of Gordon of Lesmore, while on the side of the Crichtons, John Meldrum of Reidhill was the only person seriously wounded.
John Gordon, the eldest son of the deceased laird, resolving to revenge the death of his father, collected his followers and assisted by the freebooter, James Grant, and his associates, he resolved to lay waste the lands of Frendraught, in which he had greater probability of success from the absence of Crichton, then in England, who lost no time in submitting his case to the king, and soliciting the interference of the law to check these violent and reckless proceedings.
A commission was in consequence issued by the Lords of the Council, empowering Frendraught and others to apprehend John Gordon and his associates. This delegation proving insufficient, the Council sent Sir Robert Gordon, Tutor to Sutherland, and Sir William Seton of Killesmuir, to the north with fresh powers; and believing that additional influence would be requisite to produce an amicable settlement, and to quiet the district agitated by warfare of these hostile barons, the commissioners were instructed to solicit the aid of the Marquis of Huntly and the Earl of Moray, in their labours for the restoration of amity and peace.
The Commissioners lost no time in proceeding to the North, and having separated at Aberdeen, Sir Robert Gordon went to Strathbogie, but was disappointed in seeing the Marquis of Huntly, who had gone to attend the funeral of the laird of Drum. The day of Sir Robert's arrival at Strathbogie, the Grants, James and Alexander, descended from the mountains, with a party of two hundred Highlanders, to join in the foray against the laird of Frendraught. The intervention of the commissioner now became most important, and the result eminently successful. Having heard of the advance of the Grants, he immediately proceeded to Rothiemay, where he found John Gordon and his vassals armed, and in the act of setting forward to meet their lawless associates. It so happened that the Earl of Sutherland, the nephew of Sir Robert, was then at Rothiemay on a visit, and joining him in persuasion, they not only induced John Gordon and his friends to desist from their intention, but they prevailed upon James Grant to disperse his band and retire to the wilds from whence they came.
Subsequently the commissioners visited Huntly Castle, and, in conjunction with the Marquis, prevailed upon the hostile lairds to reconcile their differences, and refer all matters in dispute to their decision. The terms of this adjustment were agreed to by the parties, and they shook hands in apparent amity and reconciliation.
The laird of Frendraught had no sooner brought this serious quarrel to an end, than a dispute arose with the laird of Pitcaple. John Meldrum of Reidhill having been wounded in the scuffle where old Rothiemay lost his life, had been allowed some compensation by Frendraught in recompense of his partizanship, but Meldrum conceiving this gratuity disproportioned to his own estimate of his services, he thought abuse might induce Frendraught, particularly when accompanied by threats, to bestow upon him a more liberal allowance.
Frendraught continuing obstinate, Meldrum acted very much in the custom of the times, and without ceremony carried off two horses from the park, for which act he was prosecuted for theft, and refusing to appear, was declared rebel. Meldrum had taken refuge in the house of John Leslie of Pitcaple, whose sister he had married. As a commissioner, Frendraught on the 27th September 1630, went in search of Meldrum, and on the lands of Pitcaple he met with James Leslie, the second son of that family, and one of his former adherents in the skirmish with Rothiemay.
Instead of giving Frendraught assistance in the object of his visit, Leslie remonstrated with him, bringing to his recollection the services performed in his behalf by his brother-in-law, Meldrum, and himself, in his feud with Rothiemay. This seemed to soften the laird of Frendraught, but Robert Crichton of Conland became incensed at the freedom with which Leslie addressed his kinsman, and high words having passed, Conland drew a pistol from his belt and shot young Leslie in the arm, but with such effect that he was carried home apparently in a dying state.
This laid the foundation of the fearful tragedy, which events growing out of this quarrel tended to produce. The Leslies confederated and flew to arms, while Frendraught, apprehensive of the powerful attack he had every reason to anticipate, proceeded on the 5th October to solicit the intervention of the Marquis of Huntly and also of the Earl of Moray. With the latter he was unsuccessful, but Lord Huntly agreed to mediate.
Accordingly a messenger was dispatched to Pitcaple requesting his attendance at the Bog of Gight (Huntly's castle). The laird learning Frendraught was at the Bog, determined to proceed there without an escort; but having assembled and equipped about thirty horsemen, he marched to the conference. Upon his arrival, as might naturally be expected, he complained bitterly of the injury which his son had sustained, declared his determination to be revenged and declined to listen to any amicable adjustment until it was ascertained whether his son would survive the wound he had received. Irritated at the defence made by the Marquis for Frendraught, Pitcaple mounted and abruptly left the castle with his followers.
Hearing that the Leslies were assembled and watching the return of Frendraught, Lord Huntly detained him for two days, and would not then permit him to depart without an escort, ordered to see him home safely. At the head of this party were John, Viscount Aboyne, and the laird of Rothiemay. They arrived without interruption at Frendraught, where they were hospitably received and entreated to remain for the night. To this they unfortunately acceded and the following dreadful occurrence took place :-
The sleeping apartment of the Viscount was in the old tower of Frendraught, leading off from the Hall; immediately below this apartment was a vault, wherein there was, according to (the historian) Spalding "ane round holl devised of old, just under Aboyne's bed." His page, English Will, as he was called, and Robert Gordon from Sutherland, slept in the same room. The laird of Rothiemay with some of his servants were in an upper chamber, immediately over that in which the Viscount slept; and in an apartment directly above the latter were laid George Chalmer of Noth, Captain Rollock, one of Frendraught's party, and George Gordon, servant to Aboyne.
About midnight, the whole tower almost instantaneously took fire, and so suddenly and furiously spread over and consumed the edifice, that of its inmates the Viscount, the Laird of Rothiemay, English Will, Colonel Ivat, a friend of Aboyne's and two other persons, perished.
Robert Gordon, who lay in the same room with the Viscount, made his escape, as did George Chalmer and Captain Rollock. As Robert Gordon saved his life, it is probable that Lord Aboyne might also have done so, had he not resisted advice to get away as fast as possible, instead of which he ran to the chamber of Rothiemay and awakened him to his danger. While performing this friendly action, the staircase took fire and cut them off from all means of retreat; they then appeared at a window looking to the court, calling for assistance, which in all probability it was impossible to afford them.
Spalding, without explaining what possible effort under such circumstances could have saved the inmates at the summit of the tower enveloped in flames, with its narrow staircase and surrounding wood work on fire, and filled with smoke, seems to reflect on the conduct of the family of Frendraught. He states "The laird and the lady with their servants all seeing and hearing this woeful crying, but made no help, nor manner of helping, which they perceiving, they cried oftentimes mercy at God's hands for their sins, syne clasped in other's arms, and cheirfully suffered this cruel martyrdome."
Pitcaple Castle (6)
The best know event in which the Leslies of Pitcaple got entangled, was the 'Tragedy of Frendraught'. I have told this story before, but I will write it out again here, as told by Andrew Leith-Hay in his book 'The Castellated Architecture of Aberdeenshire', printed in 1849, and of which I recently came by a copy! It is, as they used to say in my father's day, a 'ripping yarn'! I shall type it out in full.
"The dispute which occurred between Crichton of Frenraught and Gordon of Rothiemay led to disastrous consequences, and amongst others the well known and often related burning of the house of Frendraught, in which strife James Leslie, second son to the laird of Pitcaple, was much implicated. The lands of these proprietors (Crichton & Gordon) being adjacent, disputes as to right of property led to personal hatred, and of course, as was inevitably the case in those licentious days, the friends of either party espousing the cause of the hostile barons, armed to support the pretensions of their respective champion.
With others, the above mentioned James Leslie joined the Crichtons, and on the 1st of January 1630, they left Frendraught for Rothiemay, with the purpose either of making its owner their prisoner, of of insulting him by fierce defiance on his own territories.
Information of this onslaught having been given to the laird of Rothiemay, he resolved to set forth and encounter his assailants, accompanied by his son and a small party of horsemen and foot. Having crossed the river Deveron, his party soon encountered the Crichtons, and a serious conflict took place, which terminated in the defeat of the Rothiemay party. Considering the violence of feeling, and the nature of the encounters of these times, the loss of life seems to have been unusually limited. The laird of Rothiemay died of his wounds, as did the brother of Gordon of Lesmore, while on the side of the Crichtons, John Meldrum of Reidhill was the only person seriously wounded.
John Gordon, the eldest son of the deceased laird, resolving to revenge the death of his father, collected his followers and assisted by the freebooter, James Grant, and his associates, he resolved to lay waste the lands of Frendraught, in which he had greater probability of success from the absence of Crichton, then in England, who lost no time in submitting his case to the king, and soliciting the interference of the law to check these violent and reckless proceedings.
A commission was in consequence issued by the Lords of the Council, empowering Frendraught and others to apprehend John Gordon and his associates. This delegation proving insufficient, the Council sent Sir Robert Gordon, Tutor to Sutherland, and Sir William Seton of Killesmuir, to the north with fresh powers; and believing that additional influence would be requisite to produce an amicable settlement, and to quiet the district agitated by warfare of these hostile barons, the commissioners were instructed to solicit the aid of the Marquis of Huntly and the Earl of Moray, in their labours for the restoration of amity and peace.
The Commissioners lost no time in proceeding to the North, and having separated at Aberdeen, Sir Robert Gordon went to Strathbogie, but was disappointed in seeing the Marquis of Huntly, who had gone to attend the funeral of the laird of Drum. The day of Sir Robert's arrival at Strathbogie, the Grants, James and Alexander, descended from the mountains, with a party of two hundred Highlanders, to join in the foray against the laird of Frendraught. The intervention of the commissioner now became most important, and the result eminently successful. Having heard of the advance of the Grants, he immediately proceeded to Rothiemay, where he found John Gordon and his vassals armed, and in the act of setting forward to meet their lawless associates. It so happened that the Earl of Sutherland, the nephew of Sir Robert, was then at Rothiemay on a visit, and joining him in persuasion, they not only induced John Gordon and his friends to desist from their intention, but they prevailed upon James Grant to disperse his band and retire to the wilds from whence they came.
Subsequently the commissioners visited Huntly Castle, and, in conjunction with the Marquis, prevailed upon the hostile lairds to reconcile their differences, and refer all matters in dispute to their decision. The terms of this adjustment were agreed to by the parties, and they shook hands in apparent amity and reconciliation.
The laird of Frendraught had no sooner brought this serious quarrel to an end, than a dispute arose with the laird of Pitcaple. John Meldrum of Reidhill having been wounded in the scuffle where old Rothiemay lost his life, had been allowed some compensation by Frendraught in recompense of his partizanship, but Meldrum conceiving this gratuity disproportioned to his own estimate of his services, he thought abuse might induce Frendraught, particularly when accompanied by threats, to bestow upon him a more liberal allowance.
Frendraught continuing obstinate, Meldrum acted very much in the custom of the times, and without ceremony carried off two horses from the park, for which act he was prosecuted for theft, and refusing to appear, was declared rebel. Meldrum had taken refuge in the house of John Leslie of Pitcaple, whose sister he had married. As a commissioner, Frendraught on the 27th September 1630, went in search of Meldrum, and on the lands of Pitcaple he met with James Leslie, the second son of that family, and one of his former adherents in the skirmish with Rothiemay.
Instead of giving Frendraught assistance in the object of his visit, Leslie remonstrated with him, bringing to his recollection the services performed in his behalf by his brother-in-law, Meldrum, and himself, in his feud with Rothiemay. This seemed to soften the laird of Frendraught, but Robert Crichton of Conland became incensed at the freedom with which Leslie addressed his kinsman, and high words having passed, Conland drew a pistol from his belt and shot young Leslie in the arm, but with such effect that he was carried home apparently in a dying state.
This laid the foundation of the fearful tragedy, which events growing out of this quarrel tended to produce. The Leslies confederated and flew to arms, while Frendraught, apprehensive of the powerful attack he had every reason to anticipate, proceeded on the 5th October to solicit the intervention of the Marquis of Huntly and also of the Earl of Moray. With the latter he was unsuccessful, but Lord Huntly agreed to mediate.
Accordingly a messenger was dispatched to Pitcaple requesting his attendance at the Bog of Gight (Huntly's castle). The laird learning Frendraught was at the Bog, determined to proceed there without an escort; but having assembled and equipped about thirty horsemen, he marched to the conference. Upon his arrival, as might naturally be expected, he complained bitterly of the injury which his son had sustained, declared his determination to be revenged and declined to listen to any amicable adjustment until it was ascertained whether his son would survive the wound he had received. Irritated at the defence made by the Marquis for Frendraught, Pitcaple mounted and abruptly left the castle with his followers.
Hearing that the Leslies were assembled and watching the return of Frendraught, Lord Huntly detained him for two days, and would not then permit him to depart without an escort, ordered to see him home safely. At the head of this party were John, Viscount Aboyne, and the laird of Rothiemay. They arrived without interruption at Frendraught, where they were hospitably received and entreated to remain for the night. To this they unfortunately acceded and the following dreadful occurrence took place :-
The sleeping apartment of the Viscount was in the old tower of Frendraught, leading off from the Hall; immediately below this apartment was a vault, wherein there was, according to (the historian) Spalding "ane round holl devised of old, just under Aboyne's bed." His page, English Will, as he was called, and Robert Gordon from Sutherland, slept in the same room. The laird of Rothiemay with some of his servants were in an upper chamber, immediately over that in which the Viscount slept; and in an apartment directly above the latter were laid George Chalmer of Noth, Captain Rollock, one of Frendraught's party, and George Gordon, servant to Aboyne.
About midnight, the whole tower almost instantaneously took fire, and so suddenly and furiously spread over and consumed the edifice, that of its inmates the Viscount, the Laird of Rothiemay, English Will, Colonel Ivat, a friend of Aboyne's and two other persons, perished.
Robert Gordon, who lay in the same room with the Viscount, made his escape, as did George Chalmer and Captain Rollock. As Robert Gordon saved his life, it is probable that Lord Aboyne might also have done so, had he not resisted advice to get away as fast as possible, instead of which he ran to the chamber of Rothiemay and awakened him to his danger. While performing this friendly action, the staircase took fire and cut them off from all means of retreat; they then appeared at a window looking to the court, calling for assistance, which in all probability it was impossible to afford them.
Spalding, without explaining what possible effort under such circumstances could have saved the inmates at the summit of the tower enveloped in flames, with its narrow staircase and surrounding wood work on fire, and filled with smoke, seems to reflect on the conduct of the family of Frendraught. He states "The laird and the lady with their servants all seeing and hearing this woeful crying, but made no help, nor manner of helping, which they perceiving, they cried oftentimes mercy at God's hands for their sins, syne clasped in other's arms, and cheirfully suffered this cruel martyrdome."