Clan MacDuff or Clan Duff is a Lowland Scottish clan.[5] The clan does not currently have a chief and is therefore considered an armigerous clan, which is registered with the Lyon Court.[5][6] The early chiefs of Clan MacDuff were the original Earls of Fife, although this title went to the Stewarts of Albany in the late fourteenth century. The title returned to the MacDuff chief when William Duff was made Earl Fife in 1759. His descendant Alexander Duff was made Duke of Fife in 1889.
In 1306 during the Wars of Scottish Independence, Duncan MacDuff, Earl of Fife, was as a minor, held by Edward I of England at the coronation of Robert the Bruce as his ward while Duncan's sister, Isabella MacDuff, placed the golden circlet upon King Robert's head.[5] As a result, when she fell into the hands of King Edward's army, she was imprisoned in a cage which was suspended from the walls of Berwick Castle.[5] Duncan MacDuff later married Mary, the niece of King Edward, and threw in his lot against the Bruce.[5] However, he was captured and imprisoned in Kildrummy Castle where he died in 1336.[5] The Earldom later fell into the hands of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, however, although the MacDuff family lost their rank, they continued to prosper.[5] In 1384, the earl of Fife was described as capitalis legis de Clenmcduffe, meaning 'chief of the law of Clan MacDuff'.[8] In 1404, David Duff received a charter from Robert III of Scotland for lands in Banffshire.[5]
Alexander Duff, 6th Earl Fife, married Louise, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of Edward VII.[5] Alexander was advanced to the rank of Duke of Fife in July 1889.[5]
20th and 21st centuriesEdit
With the death of the 1st Duke of Fife, the Clan MacDuff had its last Chief.
Law of Clan MacDuffEdit
Clan Macduff was the first Scottish clan to be recognized as a clan by the Scottish Parliament, by legislation dated November 1384.[10]
The Earl of Fife and the Abbot of Abernethy were both "Capitals of Law of the Clan MacDuff".[7] The law protected all murderers within ninth degree of kin to the Earl of Fife, as they could claim sanctuary at the Cross of MacDuff near Abernethy, and could find remission by paying compensation to the victim's family.[7]
The chiefs of the clan had the right to enthrone the King on the Stone of Scone.[7] When the Stone of Scone was taken to England by Edward I of England, Robert I of Scotland had himself crowned King of Scots a second time, in order to be crowned by a member of clan MacDuff, in that case the Earl of Fife's sister.[7]
There are several Clan MacDuff tartans. The most conventionally used is one recorded by the weavers William Wilson & Son of Bannockburn some time between c. 1780s and 1819[11] (two variants exist, with blue[12] or green[13] thin "tram track" over-check lines in place of the black ones.) A variant on this, with the larger black stripe replaced by dark green and the proportions altered, was recorded by the Highland Society of London, c. 1815–20.[14] All of these are very similar to the royal Stewart tartan, but without its thin yellow and white over-checks.[15] A third and rather different one appeared in 1842 in the Vestiarium Scoticum, and was probably invented by the "Sobieski Stuarts".[16] There are various other tartans with names like dress MacDuff and hunting MacDuff.[17]
The most conventional of the Clan MacDuff tartans (main Wilsons' pattern)
Highland Society version
"Clan Makduffe" tartan as published in the Vestiarium Scoticum
Clan CastlesEdit
Updated picture of Clan MacDuff Castle (2019)
Macduff's Castle in East Wemyss, Fife, is now a ruinous castle that was once held by the MacDuff Earls of Fife.[3] The property later went to the Clan Wemyss who built the present castle.[3]
Barnslee Castle near Markinch, Fife, was held by the Clan MacDuff.[3] One story is that a tunnel led from it to Maiden Castle (see below), that was about three miles away.[3]
Castle Hill in North Berwick in East Lothian was probably held by the MacDuff Earls of Fife who had a ferry from North Berwick to Earlsferry in Fife.[3]
Fernie Castle in Cupar, Fife, was once held by the MacDuff Earls of Fife.[3]
Maiden Castle near Methil, Fife, was once held by the Clan MacDuff.[3] One story is that a tunnel led from it to Barnslee Castle (see above), that was about three miles away.[3]
NotesEdit
^ abcClan MacDuff Profile scotclans.com. Retrieved on August 27, 2007
^ abThe Scottish clans and their tartans : with notes (1900?), Publisher: Edinburgh : W. & A.K. Johnston. Page 48.
^ abcdefghijklmCoventry, Martin. (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. pp. 368. ISBN978-1-899874-36-1
^Clan Septs and Dependents electricscotland.com. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqWay, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 419 - 420.
^Official Scottish Clans and Families electricscotland.com. Retrieved on August 27, 2007
clan, macduff, clan, duff, lowland, scottish, clan, clan, does, currently, have, chief, therefore, considered, armigerous, clan, which, registered, with, lyon, court, early, chiefs, were, original, earls, fife, although, this, title, went, stewarts, albany, la. Clan MacDuff or Clan Duff is a Lowland Scottish clan 5 The clan does not currently have a chief and is therefore considered an armigerous clan which is registered with the Lyon Court 5 6 The early chiefs of Clan MacDuff were the original Earls of Fife although this title went to the Stewarts of Albany in the late fourteenth century The title returned to the MacDuff chief when William Duff was made Earl Fife in 1759 His descendant Alexander Duff was made Duke of Fife in 1889 Clan MacDuffMacDhuibh 1 MottoDeus juvat Latin for God assists 1 ProfilePlant badgeRed whortleberry lingonberry 1 or boxwood 2 Pipe musicMacDuff s Lament 2 Clan MacDuff has no chief and is an armigerous clanHistoric seatMacduff s Castle 3 Last ChiefAlexander William George Duff of Braco 1st Duke of FifeDied29 January 1912Septs of Clan MacDuffDuff Fife Fyfe Clan Kilgour Kilgore Meek Spence Spens Wemyss 4 Contents 1 History 1 1 Origins of the clan 1 2 14th and 15th centuries 1 3 17th 18th and 19th centuries 1 4 20th and 21st centuries 2 Law of Clan MacDuff 3 Tartans 4 Clan Castles 5 Notes 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditOrigins of the clan Edit nbsp Macduff s Castle in Fife Scotland The site is associated with the MacDuff Earls of FifeThe Clan Duff claims descent from the original royal Scoto Pictish line of which Queen Gruoch of Scotland wife of Macbeth King of Scotland was the senior representative 5 After the death of MacBeth Malcolm III of Scotland seized the Crown and his son Aedh married the daughter of Queen Gruoch 5 Aedh was created Earl of Fife and abbot of Abernethy 5 The early chiefs of Clan MacDuff were the Earls of Fife Sir Iain Moncreiffe wrote that the Clan MacDuff was the premier clan among the Scottish Gaels 7 Today the Earls of Wemyss are thought to be the descendants in the male line of Gille Micheil Earl of Fife thought to be one of the first Clan MacDuff chiefs 7 Gille michael MacDuff was one of the witnesses to the great charter of David I of Scotland to Dunfermline Abbey 5 nbsp The round tower of Abernethy built for the Celtic abbey of which a branch of Clan MacDuff were hereditary Abbots 14th and 15th centuries Edit In 1306 during the Wars of Scottish Independence Duncan MacDuff Earl of Fife was as a minor held by Edward I of England at the coronation of Robert the Bruce as his ward while Duncan s sister Isabella MacDuff placed the golden circlet upon King Robert s head 5 As a result when she fell into the hands of King Edward s army she was imprisoned in a cage which was suspended from the walls of Berwick Castle 5 Duncan MacDuff later married Mary the niece of King Edward and threw in his lot against the Bruce 5 However he was captured and imprisoned in Kildrummy Castle where he died in 1336 5 The Earldom later fell into the hands of Robert Stewart Duke of Albany however although the MacDuff family lost their rank they continued to prosper 5 In 1384 the earl of Fife was described as capitalis legis de Clenmcduffe meaning chief of the law of Clan MacDuff 8 In 1404 David Duff received a charter from Robert III of Scotland for lands in Banffshire 5 17th 18th and 19th centuries Edit In 1626 John Duff sold the lands in Banffshire which his ancestor had acquired in 1404 5 The title of The Fife returned with William Duff 1st Earl Fife and Viscount Macduff in 1759 5 The 1st Earl Fife s cousin Captain Robert Duff of the Royal Navy supported the British Hanoverian Government during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and was involved in the Skirmish of Arisaig 9 James Duff 4th Earl Fife fought with distinction in the Peninsular War where he was wounded at the Battle of Talavera in 1809 and was later made a Knight of the Order of St Ferdinand of Spain 5 Alexander Duff 6th Earl Fife married Louise Princess Royal eldest daughter of Edward VII 5 Alexander was advanced to the rank of Duke of Fife in July 1889 5 20th and 21st centuries Edit With the death of the 1st Duke of Fife the Clan MacDuff had its last Chief Law of Clan MacDuff EditClan Macduff was the first Scottish clan to be recognized as a clan by the Scottish Parliament by legislation dated November 1384 10 The Earl of Fife and the Abbot of Abernethy were both Capitals of Law of the Clan MacDuff 7 The law protected all murderers within ninth degree of kin to the Earl of Fife as they could claim sanctuary at the Cross of MacDuff near Abernethy and could find remission by paying compensation to the victim s family 7 The chiefs of the clan had the right to enthrone the King on the Stone of Scone 7 When the Stone of Scone was taken to England by Edward I of England Robert I of Scotland had himself crowned King of Scots a second time in order to be crowned by a member of clan MacDuff in that case the Earl of Fife s sister 7 In 1425 the last Earl of Fife Murdoch Stewart Duke of Albany was beheaded The Clan MacDuff s hereditary right of bearing the Crown of Scotland then passed to the Lord Abernethy 7 The current Lord Abernethy who is consequently bearer of the Scottish Crown is Alexander Douglas Hamilton 16th Duke of Hamilton Tartans EditThere are several Clan MacDuff tartans The most conventionally used is one recorded by the weavers William Wilson amp Son of Bannockburn some time between c 1780s and 1819 11 two variants exist with blue 12 or green 13 thin tram track over check lines in place of the black ones A variant on this with the larger black stripe replaced by dark green and the proportions altered was recorded by the Highland Society of London c 1815 20 14 All of these are very similar to the royal Stewart tartan but without its thin yellow and white over checks 15 A third and rather different one appeared in 1842 in the Vestiarium Scoticum and was probably invented by the Sobieski Stuarts 16 There are various other tartans with names like dress MacDuff and hunting MacDuff 17 nbsp The most conventional of the Clan MacDuff tartans main Wilsons pattern nbsp Highland Society version nbsp Clan Makduffe tartan as published in the Vestiarium ScoticumClan Castles Edit nbsp Updated picture of Clan MacDuff Castle 2019 Macduff s Castle in East Wemyss Fife is now a ruinous castle that was once held by the MacDuff Earls of Fife 3 The property later went to the Clan Wemyss who built the present castle 3 Airdit House in Leuchers Fife was originally held by the MacDuffs but later went to the Clan Stewart who held it in 1425 when Murdoch Stewart Duke of Albany also then Earl and Duke of Fife was executed 3 Barnslee Castle near Markinch Fife was held by the Clan MacDuff 3 One story is that a tunnel led from it to Maiden Castle see below that was about three miles away 3 Castle Hill in North Berwick in East Lothian was probably held by the MacDuff Earls of Fife who had a ferry from North Berwick to Earlsferry in Fife 3 Cupar Castle in Cupar Fife was held by the Clan MacDuff 3 Falkland Palace in Falkland Fife There was a castle here that was held by the MacDuff Earls of Fife although it was destroyed by the English in 1337 3 It was re built in 1371 and passed to Robert Stewart Duke of Albany who was then also Earl of Fife 3 Fernie Castle in Cupar Fife was once held by the MacDuff Earls of Fife 3 Maiden Castle near Methil Fife was once held by the Clan MacDuff 3 One story is that a tunnel led from it to Barnslee Castle see above that was about three miles away 3 Notes Edit a b c Clan MacDuff Profile scotclans com Retrieved on August 27 2007 a b The Scottish clans and their tartans with notes 1900 Publisher Edinburgh W amp A K Johnston Page 48 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Coventry Martin 2008 Castles of the Clans The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans pp 368 ISBN 978 1 899874 36 1 Clan Septs and Dependents electricscotland com Retrieved 30 April 2013 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Way George and Squire Romily 1994 Collins Scottish Clan amp Family Encyclopedia Foreword by The Rt Hon The Earl of Elgin KT Convenor The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs pp 419 420 Official Scottish Clans and Families electricscotland com Retrieved on August 27 2007 a b c d e f g Moncreiffe of that Ilk p 135 136 Grant Alexander amp Stringer Keith J 1998 Medieval Scotland Crown Lordship and Community pp 21 22 ISBN 978 0 7486 1110 2 Duffy Christopher 2007 The 45 Bonnie Prince Charlie and Untold Story of the Jacobite Rising p 532 ISBN 978 0 7538 2262 3 The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 RPS rps ac uk Retrieved 30 April 2013 Tartan Details MacDuff 6 TartanRegister gov uk Scottish Register of Tartans 2009 Retrieved 13 August 2023 Tartan Details MacDuff 2 TartanRegister gov uk Scottish Register of Tartans 2009 Retrieved 13 August 2023 Tartan Details MacDuff 3 TartanRegister gov uk Scottish Register of Tartans 2009 Retrieved 13 August 2023 Tartan Details MacDuff TartanRegister gov uk Scottish Register of Tartans 2009 Retrieved 13 August 2023 Tartan Details MacDuff 5 TartanRegister gov uk Scottish Register of Tartans 2009 Retrieved 13 August 2023 Tartan Details MacDuff 4 TartanRegister gov uk Scottish Register of Tartans 2009 Retrieved 13 August 2023 Search results MacDuff TartanRegister gov uk Scottish Register of Tartans 2023 Retrieved 13 August 2023 See also EditEarl Fife Earl of Fife Duke of Fife Barony of MacDuffReferences EditMoncreiffe of that Ilk Sir Ian The Highland Clans New York City Clarkson N Potter Inc 1982 ISBN 0 517 54659 0 External links EditClan MacDuff Society of America The Scottish Studies Foundation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Clan MacDuff amp oldid 1177434171, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
