Clan Stirling
Clan Stirling is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands. History Origins of the clan The Scottish town of Stirling and Stirling Castle lie at the crossroads of Scotland and this could account for the derivation of the name which means place of strife. Appearing in a charter of David I of Scotland in around 1147 is Thoraldus who held the lands of Cadder. His descendant was Alexander de Strivelyn, fifth Laird of Cadder who died in 1304. Wars of Scottish Independence During the Wars of Scottish Independence Alexander's heir, Sir John de Strivelyn, was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. 15th and 16th centuries The grandson of Sir John de Strivelyn was Sir William who had two sons. The succession passed through his eldest son, also called William, for four generations. After this it passed to a grandson of the second son, Sir John de Strivelyn, third Laird of Cragernard. Sir John was the governor of the royal Dumbarton Castle and sheriff of Dumbartonshire. James I of Scotland appointed him as Comptroller of the Royal Household and armour bearer. He was knighted in 1430. His son, William, acquired from the Earl of Lennox the lands of