The Richards of Prenton Family History Website:Information about Thomas de Borthwick

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Thomas de Borthwick (b. 1303)

Thomas de Borthwick was born 1303 in Midlothian Scotland.

Notes for Thomas de Borthwick:
CLAN BORTHWICK:

Clan Borthwick
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Clan Borthwick is a Scottish clan and one of the most ancient families in Scotland. It has recently been suggested that the family may have come to Britain with Julius Caesar's legions

It is traditionally held that the first of the noble house was Andreas, who accompanied the Saxon Edgar Ætheling and his sister, Saint Margaret of Scotland, to Scotland in 1067. The family soon rose to prominence.

Around 1410 Sir William Borthwick obtained a charter confirming his possession of the lands around Borthwick and it was during the 15th Century that the family gained great wealth and influence, becoming Lords of the Parliament of Scotland.

The First Lord Borthwick was one of the nobles sent to England as substitute hostages for the ransom of James I of Scotland in 1425. He was responsible for the constructoin of what is now one of the most impressive fortified dwellings in Scotland.

The Borthwicks fought on the side of James IV of Scotland at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 and suffered badly in the defeat. William, Lord Borthwick, succeeded his father who fell during the battle and was honoured by being given command of Stirling Castle and charged with the safety of the infant James V of Scotland.

John, Lord Borthwick was an opponent of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland and a supporter of Mary of Guise. His adherence to the church, however, did not mean he was in favour with the church hierarchy and in 1547 he was excommunicated for contempt of the Ecclesiastical Court of the See of St Andrews. An officer of the court, William Langlands, was dispatched to deliver the letters of excommunication to the curate of Borthwick. Langlands was seized by Borthwick's men and thrown in the mill dam north of the castle. Later they made him eat the letters, having first soaked them in wine. He was sent back with the warning that any other letters would 'a gang the same gait'.

John's son, William, was a close friend and confidant of Mary I of Scotland. Mary took refuge with her husband, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, but was forced to flee when a force under James Stewart, Earl of Moray approached. She is said to have escaped dressed as a Page (servant)

In 1573, David Borthwick of Lochhill became the king's advocate, and may have been the first to bear the title Lord Advocate, though not the position.

During the English Civil War the Borthwicks sided with the royalists and were besieged following the Battle of Dunbar (1650). Oliver Cromwell offered Lord Borthwick honourable terms for surrender, which he accepted, thereby saving the castle from almost certain destruction. Lord Borthwick was allowed to leave with his family and goods. Thereafter the direct line falied and the title became dormant.

In 1762 Henry Borthwick of Neathorn was recognised as male heir first Lord by the House of Lords. He assumed the title but died without heirs ten years later. During the 18th Century and 19th Century various branches of the family disputed the line of succession until in 1986, Major John Borthwick of Crookston was recognised by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms as Borthwick of that Ilk, chief of the name and arms of Borthwick. He also became the 23rd Lord Borthwick in the Peerage of Scotland.

Children of Thomas de Borthwick are:

+William de Borthwick, b. 1329, Midlothian Scotland, d. 1414.