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Fifth Generation
7. Alexander
IRVINE *, 5th Laird of Drum1,7 was born about 1420 in Drum Castle,
Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He died in 1493 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
He was a 17th great grandfather of PLO.
Per Elson Irwin's files: While serving as Sheriff of County Aberdeen in 1471,
Alexander attacked the house of Sir Walter Lindsay of Bewfort with a large force
of men. For this, by judgement of the Lords of the Council, he was dismissed
from the office of sheriff and sent to prison. How much of a sentence was carried
out is not certain.
5th Laird of Drum, succeeded his grandfather in 1457
Served as Sheriff Deputy of Aberdeenshire until 1472 when he was politically
removed from office. Upon advice that his wife was guilty of fornication, attacked
his Chaplain, granted a remission for the act. Then resided with Nanny Menzeis
by whom he had 4 illegitimate children.
5th Laird of Drum Served as Sheriff Deputy of Aberdeenshire until 1472 when he
was politically removed from office. He married in 1453 Elizabeth Marion Forbes.
Upon advice that his wife was guilty of fornication, he attacked his Chaplain,
but was granted a remission for the act. Then resided with Nanny Menzeis by whom
he had 4 illegitimate children.
During his famous campaign against the English, Robert the Bruce often sought
help and refuge from his kinsmen, the Irvines of Bonshaw. He chose William de
Irwyn as one of his principle aides and companions. As the story goes, at one
point King Robert found himself put to flight by his enemies with only a few
of his aides around him. Exhausted by the chase, the King was compelled to sleep
under a holly tree while William stood guard over him. Holly leaves are now a
prominent feature in all seven family crests which represent the major branches
of the Irvine clan. William stood by King Robert again at famous battle of Bannockburn
in June of 1314 (one of the few battles where the Scots defeated the English)
and for his service was awarded the Royal Forest of Oaks in Aberdeenshire and
Drum Castle which guards it in 1323. From that point on Drum Castle was continually
occupied by the Irvines for over 650 years. This land had previously belonged
to John Comyn. Drum was made into a free barony in 1329. Sir William de Irvine
married a granddaughter of Bruce, who was the daughter of Robert Douglas, Earl
of Buchan. From this union was derived the two great families of Bonshaw and
Drum. For twelve generations, starting with the third Laird of Drum, there was
a successive line of Irvines all bearing the name Alexander.
Sir Alexander Irvine, Third Laird of Drum, who was the grandson of William de
Irvine, was one of the chief commanders of the King's army at the battle of Harlaw,
A.D. 1411. He was a valiant champion. Alexander lead the forces of Aberdeenshire
with his cousin the Earl of Mar to meet the invaders from the Hebrides. Before
the battle Alexander made his brother swear that should Alexander be killed,
Robert would assume his baronial right at Drum. During the battle Alexander encountered
the ferocious Chief of the MacLeans of Duart in Mull, known as Red Hector of
the Battles. After 'noble and notable single combat' the two of them lay dead
upon the field, killed by mortal blows struck upon each other. Many Irvines died
in the battle of of Harlaw. Younger brother Robert carried out his oath and changed
his name to Alexander and married his elder brother's fiancée, Elizabeth
de Keith. Sometime later he led the delegation which negotiated the release of
James I from the hands of the English, for which he was knighted. James V rewarded
the sixth Laird of Drum in 1547 for his peace making efforts. Many Irvines also
died at the battle of Flodden in Sept. 9, 1513.
1600 to 1850 Drum Castle was plundered three times during the Covenanting Rebellion
throughout which the royalist Irvine's supported Charles I. Sir Alexander, a
Royalist, was forced to conform to the Covenant and was appointed Sheriff of
Aberdeen in 1634. Alexander, 10th Laird of Drum, his brother Robert Federett
and his two sons were imprisoned at the Tolbooth in Edinburgh several times.
His son Robert died there in 1646. When Charles became King in 1660, he offered
Sir Alexander's son Alexander, tenth Laird of Drum, an earldom as reward for
his support, which was refused. The 14th Laird took part in the Jacobite rising
of 1715 and Alexander, the 17th Laird joined Prince Charles at Culloden in 1745.
He escaped imprisonment and forfeiture despite being charged twice with treason.
The offer of royal peerage was made to the eleventh Laird, but was turned down
because the king wouldn't pay to repair damage sustained to Drum Castle while
the family had supported the king. After the fourteenth Laird (a Jacobite) was
killed at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715, the estate passed to John Irvine
of Crimond. After this, the Irvines continued to fight for the Jacobite cause,
and because of this, the Laird spend 7 years in exile in France after the defeat
of Prince Charles at Culloden. [-Milton Willett]
Daughter of Lawrence ABERNATHY (daughter of Lawrence
ABERNATHY *, 1st Laird of Saltoun and Margaret (ABERNATHY)) was born about 1456.
Alexander IRVINE *, 5th Laird of Drum and Daughter of Lawrence ABERNATHY had
the following children:
Alexander IRVINE *, 5th Laird of Drum and
Elizabeth (Marion) FORBES * were married about 1436. Elizabeth
(Marion) FORBES *1 (daughter
of Alexander FORBES *, 1st Lord of Forbes and Elizabeth Mary DOUGLAS *) was born
about 1420 in Forbes, Aberdeen, Scotland. She was also known as Marion
Forbes. She was a 17th great grandmother of PLO. Alexander
IRVINE *, 5th Laird of Drum and Elizabeth (Marion) FORBES * had the following
children:
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