Clan Boyd

The only son of Robert, Robert Boyd, was one of the first nobility of Scotland, placed on the side of Robert Bruce, after the expulsion of William Wallace. In May 1307 he, along with other members of the clan took part in the Battle of Laudon-Hill, and in 1314 was one of the warlords in a battle with Bennokberne. As a reward for his bravery in action Robert Boyd has received extensive holdings in Kilmarnoke, land in Bondingtone and Hartchou (were confiscated from Ballioley) of land in Kilbrayde and Ardneli (were confiscated from Godfrey de Ros), and finally all the land formerly owned by De Morvilyam.

In July 1333, Robert Boyd fought under the leadership of Archibald Douglas, the battle of Halidon Hill. In this battle the English defeated the Scots, which resulted in a decade, King David II and his retinue, which were composed of members of the clan and were forced to emigrate to France and seek refuge at the court of Philip VI. Subsequently, returning to Scotland, David II granted to John Boyd, one of the younger offspring clan lands in Golistone.

Son of Robert and Thomas Boyd in October 1346 took part in the Battle of Neville Crosse. In this battle, he, along with King David II, who during the boom in the battle wounded person was taken prisoner by the British and sent to London. David II returned to Scotland after just 11 years after it paid a ransom of $ 100 thousand Scottish brands. Perhaps by that time or earlier, Thomas Boyd also received freedom.

At the beginning of the XV century Scottish prince and heir to the throne, the future king Jacob I, on the way to France, was caught by the British and held in captivity for 19 years. In 1424 he was released in exchange for a promise to pay a ransom of 40 000 pounds sterling. The King is back in Scotland, and several Scottish noblemen, among whom was Thomas, one of the sons of Thomas Boyd, became hostages of the British - the assurance that the redemption will be paid. Nevertheless, the money the British have not received, and in July 1425, Thomas Boyd was released (probably he had to buy themselves freedom).

Thomas Boyd died in 1432, leaving two sons - William, abbot Kilvinninga, and Thomas, as is well known that for a living, he enmity with Sir Alan Stewart, Lord Constable of the Scottish army in France. Upon his return, Stewart Renfrushir in their feud escalated and turned into a real war, which brought misery and harm to all those who lived in the territory of two warring clans. In 1439 Sir Thomas had killed Alan Stewart. Son, Alan, Alexander Stewart, on learning of the death of his father, began to prepare for revenge, and on the night of July 9, 1439 clans gave one another battle. During the fight, when Thomas entered into a duel with Alexander, one of the soldiers shot him daggers Stewart in the back. The same night, Thomas Boyd died. Family legend tells that his wife, Lady Isabel presentiment of death of the husband, as the eve of the battle saw her in a dream.