Clan Armstrong
| Clan Armstrong | |
|---|---|
 Crest: An arm from the shoulder, embowed Proper | |
| Motto | INVICTUS MANEO |
| Profile | |
| Region | Borders |
| District | Dumfries and Galloway |
 | |
| Clan Armstrong no longer has a chief, and is an armigerous clan | |
| Historic seat | Gilnockie Tower |
| Last Chief | Archibald Armstrong of Mangerton |
| Died | about 1610 |
Clan Armstrong is an Armigerous Clan whose origins lie in Cumberland, South of the frontier between Scotland and England that was officially established in 1237. The Clan is currently represented globally by the official Clan Armstrong Trust in the Scottish border region. The current Chairman of the Armstrong Clan Trust is Micheil Armstrong of Mungbyhurst. The Clan Trust has a museum in Langholm, Dumfriesshire, which holds the biggest archive of Armstrong history in the world. Clan meetings take place each September with a formal gathering every three years.
History
Origins
The Armstrong name has a legendary origin in traditional oral history and folklore, in that it is said their heroic progenitor, Fairbairn, the standard-bearer and squire to the King of Scotland, saved his master in battle, and not from a wild beast as is the case with another Border Clan - the Turnbulls. It is said that he lifted the King , who was dressed in full armour, onto his own horse with one arm after the King's horse had been killed under him in battle.[1][2] The family crest, an upraised and embowed arm with a grasping hand, records this act of heroism that was said to have been rewarded with a heritable title (Sir Strong Arm, Anglicised to Armstrong) and a grant of lands in the Borders region..
The first existing written reference listing them in the region is from a 1236 Carlisle court record of one Alan Armstrong being pardoned for killing a man. The first existing reference specifically locating them in Liddesdale in Roxburghshire, which would become their family seat, is in 1376. Liddesdale was also the seat of their unquestioned power in the region. That allowed them to expand into Annandale and Eskdale to accommodate their growing population. It is reputed that by 1528 they were able to put 3000 horsemen in the field.
16th century
The Armstrongs' relationship with subsequent Scottish kings was turbulent, to say the least. The most notorious event in this uneasy relationship occurred in 1530. John Armstrong, known in history as 'Gilnockie Johnie', was persuaded by a Royal writ of safe passage to attend a meeting at Caerlanrig with King James V who, unknown to Gilnockie, had the malicious intent to silence the rebellious Borderers. The ruse succeeded. Gilnockie and fifty of his followers were captured in direct violation of the safe conduct.
A Royal order to hang them was issued, again in violation of James' own writ of safety, and despite several pleas for the King to be lenient in exchange for obedience, it was carried out. Defiant to the last, Gilnockie said these words directly to King James V:
"I am but a fool to seek grace at a graceless face, but had I known you would have taken me this day, I would have lived in the Borders despite King Harry and you both." His defiance is commemorated and echoed in the soulful popular Border ballad, "Johnie Armstrong":
"Farewell! my bonny Gilnock Hall
Where on Esk side thou standest stout !
Gif I had lived but seven yeirs mair
I wad a gilt thee round about
John murdered was at Carlinrigg
And all his gallant companie;
But Scotland's heart was ne'er sae wae
To see sae mony brave men die."
This murderous act by James V inflamed the Borders region. Far from pacifying, it caused all the Border Clans to question their allegiance to a King who would not honor his own writ of safety. In 1542 at the Battle of Solway Moss, none of the Armstrongs or their allies came to assist James' forces. The Moss was the playground of the Armstrongs, and they knew every inch of it and used it as a safe retreat for themselves and their families for centuries. Those of James' forces who tried to use it so fell into the bogs and were drowned. The rest were cut to ribbons by the English.
In 1587 an act was passed by the Scottish parliament "for the quieting and keeping in obedience of the inhabitants of the Borders, Highland and Isles ..." That contained a roll of Chieftains and Clans that confirms the status of Border families as an important part of Clan history, and the Armstrongs as perhaps the most significant Border Clan. The entry began, "On the border were the Armstrongs, brave men, somewhat unruly, and ill to tame ..."
17th century
The Clan's authority resided intact at Mangerton in Liddesdale, a succession of Armstrongs retaining the title of the 'Laird of Mangerton', until 1610 when Archibald Armstrong was 'put to the horn' and hanged as a rebel. His son is reputed in local lore to have disappeared into English Cumbriashire, never having inherited his father's title. After this, the Armstrong lands passed into the hands of the Scotts.[3]
Following the death of the last chief of Clan Armstrong, members of the family dispersed in a diaspora. Some Armstrongs moved to Northern Ireland, some of whom became soldiers. Others moved across the border lands into Northern England. One branch even relocated to the Netherlands. Others subsequently moved to America and other British colonies.[citation needed]
At least one branch of the Armstrong family relocated from Scotland to Ireland and then to America. The Revolutionary War American General John Armstrong, who came to Pennsylvania as a surveyor for the Penn family, was a representative of this branch of the family. Armstrong descendants would subsequently scatter across many states of the Union.[citation needed]
20th century
On 20 July 1969, Clansman Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto the surface of the moon.[4]
Castles
Gilnockie Tower is a home of the Clan Armstrong line and houses information related to the Clan.
Gaelic Name
- MacGhillielàidir (Surname)
- Clann 'icGhillelàidir (Collective)
Motto
- Motto:
The Armstrong Family Motto appears in several forms, most commonly as Invictus maneo (I remain unvanquished) The complete motto is Vi et armis invictus maneo (Through/by the force of arms I remain unconquered)
Tartan
This tartan is from the Lowlands and is mentioned in Vestiarium Scoticum (1842).
Notable Clan Allies
References
- ^ "Fairbairn".
- ^ "Battle of the Standard (1138)".
- ^ http://www.scotclans.com/clans/Armstrong/history.html
- ^ Goddard, Jacqui (2009-07-20). 40 years on Armstrong recalls 'step for mankind'. The Scotsman (Edinburgh). Retrieved on 2009-07-20 from http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/40-years-on-Armstrong-recalls.5473710.jp.
External links
- http://www.armstrongclan.org.uk/ Clan Armstrong Trust
- http://www.armstrong.org/ The Armstrong Clan Society
