Author Topic: Clan Records Stolen by Cromwell  (Read 1236 times)

Offline castlebob

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Clan Records Stolen by Cromwell
« on: Thursday 24 August 17 19:19 BST (UK) »
I was told that in the mid-17th C,  Cromwell collected numerous clan records & planned to ship them back to England. The ship in question sank & the archives were lost. Is this true, &
can anyone recommend further reading re this?
Cheers,
Bob
Armstrongs of   Bedfordshire, England & Canonbie ,Scotland

Offline Skoosh

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Re: Clan Records Stolen by Cromwell
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 24 August 17 21:17 BST (UK) »
As far as I know, Cromwell had the Scottish Records shipped to London & when they were returned after the Restoration of Charles II the ship was wrecked. Nothing to do with "Clan Records" as such, they were probably kept in a box under the bed!  ;D

Skoosh.

Offline castlebob

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Re: Clan Records Stolen by Cromwell
« Reply #2 on: Friday 25 August 17 09:52 BST (UK) »
Thanks, Skoosh.
I was also told that certain clan chiefs who  had lost documents in the sinking had to apply to the governing power in order to retain their rights. Sadly, no-one seems to be able to offer refs re this!
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Offline Skoosh

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Re: Clan Records Stolen by Cromwell
« Reply #3 on: Friday 25 August 17 10:31 BST (UK) »
Don't know about that Bob, land records are at the Scottish National Archive but many clan chiefs had no charters anyhow & were tenants of the great magnates, Argyll, Huntly etc, this was the cause of much of the inter-clan strife. The last clan battle, at Mulroy 1688, was a rent gathering expedition by the Mackintosh into Lochaber, aided by Scottish Government troops, to put the squeeze on MacDonnel of Keppoch.

The Mackintosh had a charter to Brae Lochaber but the Cameron & MacDonnel tenants wouldn't cough up. Keppoch claimed that his charter was his broadsword! Mackintoshes own lands were owned by Huntly to whom he himself paid rent. The outcome was a victory for Keppoch who captured the Mackintosh & put the rest to flight. He had to be rescued by the MacPhersons, to his annoyance. Keppoch was outlawed but did he care?  ;D

Skoosh.


Offline castlebob

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Re: Clan Records Stolen by Cromwell
« Reply #4 on: Friday 25 August 17 11:56 BST (UK) »
True, Skoosh. However I have seen a number of deeds from the 17th C which show a family having rights to land etc. Sadly, anything lost in a flood/fire  etc would leave the deed-holder in a quandary. There was usually a neighbouring land-holder who would argue that there was nothing in writing & try & lay claim to the land. As you stated, a large claymore or lance would usually settle any arguments!
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Offline sancti

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