Source: “Rosslyn: The Story Behind Rosslyn Chapel” By Andrew Sinclair, 2005
A Loyal Downfall Faith And Penury.wav
This podcast details the complex and often tumultuous history of the Sinclair family of Rosslyn, highlighting their shifting fortunes due to religious and political conflicts in Scotland from the late 15th to the mid-17th century. It traces how the family's loyalty to the Catholic faith and the Stewart monarchy led to a gradual decline in their power and wealth, culminating in the devastation of Rosslyn Castle during the Civil War. The text also underscores the Sinclairs' long-standing role as hereditary protectors of the Scottish craft guilds, particularly the masons and hammermen, illustrating a connection that persisted even as religious allegiances changed.
Topic 1 The source details the history of the St Clair family, particularly focusing on the lineage descending from William, the third and last St Clair Earl of Orkney. His decision to make two marriages resulted in the division of his titles and estates among his sons. Henry, the son from his first marriage, inherited lands in Fife and the title Lord St Clair of Dysart and Ravensheugh. He continued the family's shipbuilding and Baltic trade enterprises, establishing a bloodline in Denmark and Norway. Henry's shield featured four ships within the St Clair Engrailed Cross, and his motto was 'Feight'. He was noted for maintaining his forebears' maritime businesses and had Sinclairs from his line fighting in Swedish wars, with one becoming a commander in Norway. His death was attributed to a gall-bladder stone. William, the son from Earl William's second marriage, received the estates in the Far North and the new title Earl of Caithness. The elder brother, Sir Oliver, inherited the Barony of Roslin, including the castle, park, woods, mills, the town as a burgh in barony, and the advocation of the College and Chapel of Roslin. This inheritance was granted through a Crown charter in 1476 but came at a significant cost to the wealthy family, requiring a payment of 5,000 pounds to the King. The lineage of the St Clairs of Rosslyn, starting with Sir Oliver's inheritance, becomes a central focus, tracing their continued role and influence.
Topic 2 A major theme is the steadfast loyalty of the St Clairs of Rosslyn to the Scottish Crown and the Catholic faith, particularly during the turbulent period of the Reformation. Sir William Sinclair of Roslin was a staunch supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots, serving her mother Mary of Guise and later the Queen herself. Mary of Guise recognized his special service, entering into a secret bond with him related to hidden treasures. Sir William was appointed Lord Justice General by Mary of Guise, empowering him to act against Protestant Lords and Border raiders, showing his close ties to the Crown's authority. He was among the Catholic lords, including the Earl of Caithness and Bishop John Sinclair of Brechin, who were true to the Old Faith during the wedding of Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley. Despite sitting in the Protestant parliament that condemned the Mass and abolished papal authority, Sir William's support for Mary led to his arrest after her abdication and flight, putting his estates at risk. He eventually received a royal pardon but resigned his Barony and lands to his son. The family's adherence to Catholicism persisted, with later Lords of Rosslyn remaining secret and devout Catholics, hiding priests in their castle and holding private Masses, even after public Catholic worship was prohibited.
Topic 3 The source extensively covers the Scottish Reformation and its profound impact, particularly highlighting the intense conflict between the burgeoning Protestant Kirk and the established Catholic Church and its supporters, including the St Clairs. Following England's move towards Protestantism under Henry VIII, a "rough wooing" campaign by England aimed to force Scotland into a union through military action, partly fueled by religious differences and Scotland's alliance with Catholic France. The Scottish Parliament's renewal of the Old Alliance and defense of Catholicism solidified the divide. The Reformation gained momentum in Scotland, leading to mob attacks and the systematic destruction of Catholic symbols and property. Protestant ministers and groups demanded the complete dismantling of the Catholic Church's patrimony and authority, asserting the Kirk's power as granted by God, with Christ as its only head, challenging the King's authority. Acts were passed by the Scottish Parliament instituting a Protestant confession of faith, abolishing the Pope's jurisdiction, and even threatening death for repeated celebration of the Mass. The pressure on Catholic figures was immense, as illustrated by Bishop Henry Sinclair, who feared for his life and property if he were to meet with the Papal Legate. This religious upheaval led to open conflict, civil war, and intense persecution of Catholics.
Topic 4 The English invasions, particularly during the "Rough Wooing" initiated by Henry VIII, are described as causing widespread destruction in Scotland. Lord Hertford, leading the English forces, was instructed to pursue a scorched-earth policy, burning and razing towns, including Edinburgh, Holyrood House, and Leith. Rosslyn Castle was also attacked and burned during Hertford's campaign in 1544. The following year, Hertford's forces continued their destruction, targeting monasteries, forts, market towns, and villages. Although royal tombs were desecrated and church treasures stolen from places like Holyrood, William Sinclair of Rosslyn was able to remove and safeguard many valuable items before the invaders could seize them. Despite the success of the English in causing physical destruction, they failed to capture all the religious regalia, partly due to the actions of loyal Scots like Sinclair. These invasions were a direct consequence of England's attempt to force Scotland into a union and abandon its alliance with France and its Catholic faith.
Topic 5 Rosslyn Chapel is presented not just as a family chapel but a significant site connected to the St Clairs' loyalty, faith, and role in safeguarding Catholic treasures. William, the third Earl of Orkney, was buried there. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, the chapel suffered defacement by Protestant iconoclasts, along with monuments like that of Sir Oliver St Clair. However, major carvings like the frieze of Darius's dream and a brass tombstone survived. The chapel was endowed with lands and revenues to support a provost, prebendaries, and singing boys. During the Reformation, despite immense pressure and demands for Catholic clergy to resign, the chapel remained a focus of contention due to its rich Catholic ornamentation and its association with the St Clairs' adherence to the Old Faith. Ministers and presbyteries considered it a "house and monument of idolatry." Orders were issued to demolish its altars and images. While forced compliance eventually led to some destruction of altars, the chapel was not entirely destroyed. Two reasons are suggested for its partial preservation: the St Clairs were hereditary Grand Masters of the Mason crafts, which revered the chapel, and the knowledge of a secret location below the altar, where Catholic religious treasures and relics, some from Holyrood Abbey and potentially from the Templars, were hidden and protected by the family.
Topic 6 Mary, Queen of Scots, played a significant role in the narrative, particularly concerning the loyalty of the St Clairs of Rosslyn. After the death of her mother, Mary of Guise, and her young husband, the King of France, Mary returned to Scotland in 1561 to take up her crown. She was described as a spirited woman, athletic and intelligent, though her choices in later husbands proved problematic. She attempted to conciliate the Protestant lords and ministers, but faced considerable opposition, notably from John Knox. Their exchanges highlighted Mary's unwavering defense of the Kirk of Rome as the true Church of God, directly challenging Knox's assertion of the Reformed Church's sole authority. Her marriage to Lord Darnley, who attended Protestant sermons despite having a Catholic mother, caused friction, especially when he refused the nuptial Mass conducted by Bishop John Sinclair of Brechin, a Catholic loyalist. The St Clairs of Rosslyn, including Sir William, were among those who remained true to the Old Faith and supported Mary. Her subsequent abdication and flight led to repercussions for her supporters, including the temporary arrest and jeopardy of estates for Sir William Sinclair of Roslin. Ultimately, Mary's struggle for the throne and her execution in England by Queen Elizabeth I are recounted, illustrating the high stakes of the religious and political conflicts of the era.
Topic 7 The reign of King James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England upon the death of Elizabeth I, marked a significant turning point with the Union of the Crowns in 1603. This event, though often seen as a peaceful transition, led to the "looting" of southern wealth by Scottish courtiers now in power in London. James aimed to pacify the volatile Border region, which had been plagued by incessant skirmishes and raids by reivers. Through a draconian regime involving gallows, banishment, deportation, and armed service abroad, the Borders were brought under control within seven years. Measures included prohibiting weapons, restricting horse ownership, using paid informers and tracker dogs, forfeiting lands of chief offenders like the Grahams of Esk, and executing or banishing hundreds. This harsh "Jeddart justice" effectively ended the era of Border raiding. James also sought to control the Kirk in Scotland, attempting to rein in militant Presbyterianism. He worked to create a vernacular Bible and navigated the conflicts between Catholic lords and Protestant mobs. His approach to the Kirk, asserting royal authority over it ("No bishop, no king"), contrasted with the Presbyterian claim of Christ as the sole head, setting the stage for future conflicts under his successor.
Topic 8 A detailed aspect of the source is the historical relationship between the St Clairs of Rosslyn and the Mason crafts and guilds in Scotland. The St Clairs were the hereditary Grand Masters of these organizations. This patronage was vital, especially during times of conflict, as it implied control over shipwrights and armourers – critical for providing armaments – which were essential for both the Crown and its loyal supporters like the St Clairs. The source mentions that travelling iron-workers, like the gypsies welcomed at Rosslyn Glen for their skills, behaved like medieval crafts putting on performances. Sir William Sinclair of Roslin was noted for saving a Romany from execution, leading to gypsies gathering yearly at Rosslyn to perform. Although the Reformation led many trade organizations to become Protestant, the Reformers struggled to take over the Catholic craft lodges. William Schaw, the King's Master of Works, confirmed the Sinclair Lords' authority over the deacons, masters, and freemen of the masons in Scotland through a Charter. This Charter declared that the Rosslyn Lords had "ever bene patrones and protectors" of the craft and its privileges, and that predecessors had obeyed and acknowledged them. While the office had fallen into disuse, the masons and craftsmen sought the St Clairs as arbiters. A second Charter in 1630 reaffirmed the Sinclairs' jurisdiction, signed by representatives from key ports and military bases. This charter cited the loss of previous writs in a fire at Rosslyn Castle. The ongoing conflict between Catholic and Protestant lodges, particularly over control of weapon production, underscored the importance of this patronage. Despite contests over this jurisdiction by the King's joint Masters of Works, the claim of the Sinclairs was repeatedly supported by the masons and hammermen.
Topic 9 The source extensively covers the Scottish Civil War and the preceding Bishops' Wars, which arose from religious and political conflicts between the Stewart monarchs (Charles I) and the Covenanters, who sought to defend and impose Presbyterianism. King Charles I's attempts to introduce the English Liturgy, seen as having Catholic overtones, sparked widespread unrest and led to riots in Edinburgh. The signing of the Covenant, based on the old anti-papal Negative Confession, solidified opposition to the King's policies. The Covenanters, supported by many in the English Parliament, prepared for conflict, importing arms and experienced commanders from the Thirty Years' War in Europe. The First and Second Bishops' Wars saw skirmishes, the capture of royal castles by the Covenanters, and ultimately inconclusive treaties. When the English Civil War broke out between Parliament and King Charles, the Covenanters allied with Parliament through the Solemn League and Covenant, sending an army south. However, differences arose over the extent of religious reform in England. The war saw key battles like Marston Moor, where Scottish pikemen played a crucial role despite the flight of their commander, and the rise of figures like James Graham, Earl of Montrose, who became a brilliant Royalist guerrilla general in Scotland, winning victories against Covenanter forces but ultimately suffering defeat and execution. The conflict also highlighted the brutality of warfare, with massacres occurring on both sides. After his defeat in England, King Charles I surrendered to the Scottish army, but was eventually sold to the English Parliament. The narrative concludes with the defeat of Montrose, Charles II's complex relationship with the Covenanters, and the final defeat of the Scottish army by Cromwell at Dunbar, leading to the occupation of Scotland and hardship for loyalist families like the St Clairs of Rosslyn.
Topic 10 The financial decline and eventual penury of the St Clairs of Rosslyn are noted throughout the narrative, contrasted with their earlier wealth and influence. The Crown charter granting Sir Oliver the Barony of Rosslyn required a significant payment of 5,000 pounds, highlighting the family's wealth but also the costs associated with maintaining their position. Despite being wealthy benefactors to the Church, contributing vast amounts of land and treasure to institutions like Holyrood Abbey, the St Clairs later found themselves in a reversed position. King James V had renewed their rights, acknowledging the family's service and the damage to their records by shipwreck and fire, indicating previous losses or expenses. Later, under Mary of Guise, Sir William Sinclair received an annual pension of 300 marks from the Crown for his service and secrecy, suggesting that the Crown was now paying the St Clairs of Rosslyn, rather than the other way around, hinting at their financial strain. The conflicts and their loyalty exacerbated their difficulties. Sir William Sinclair of Rosslyn's support for Queen Mary led to his estates being put in jeopardy and potentially incurring debt. His successor, Father Hay's "leud man," may have retreated to Ireland partly due to vexation from Presbyterians over his religion, but also perhaps due to financial troubles. The ultimate downfall is explicitly stated by the widower Lady Rosslyn in a petition to King James II, detailing how holding out Rosslyn Castle against Cromwell led to its battering and plundering. Her husband redeemed the Barony from creditors, incurring significant charges for repairs, but a large part of the castle and chapel remained in disrepair. The loyalty that had defined the family ultimately resulted in a state of penury, symbolizing a loyal downfall.