Clan Baillie
Clan Baillie (Baillie Tartan)
Crest: A boar’s head erased, Proper
Motto: Quid Clarius Astris (What is Brighter Than the Stars)
Origin of Tartan: The one most commonly worn was designed by Mr A W Geddes of Messrs William Anderson, Edinburgh, in 1937.
Origin of Name: French: ‘Baillie’ meaning ‘Bailiff’
Badge: A boar’s head erased, Proper
Lands: William de Bailli was also known as Baillie of Hoperig, acquired the lands of Lamington in Lanarkshire
Region: Earldom in Haddington and owned land by Lochness.
Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan
1. Clan Baillie History
The term "bailif," which in French refers to an officer in charge of managing estates, is probably where the surname Baillie originates. There is a widespread misconception that it is connected to the Bailliol surname, but because of its negative connotations surrounding the unpopular Balliol kings, this link disappeared following the independence wars.
The Baillies appear for the first time in 1311 when William de Baillie is a juror on an inquest concerning lands that have been forfeited. In 1357, William Baillie of Hoprig is granted a royal charter to the barony of Lamington and is knighted by David II.
The Baillie dynasty began there and extended to Carphin, Park, Jerviston, Dunrogal, Carnbroe, Castlecarry, Provand, and Dochfour.
In his role as Inverness Castle constable, Alexander Baillie keeps his guard up. In 1512, Cuthbert Bailllie of Carphin becomes James IV's Lord High Treasurer.
Afterwards, there is Sir William Ballie of Provand, who becomes 'Lord Provand' and serves as the Court of Session's Lord President from 1565 to 1595.
But during Mary, Queen of Scots' reign, their fate is twisted by allegiances, just like that of many other Scottish clans. Due to his involvement in the Battle of Langside, Sir William Baillie lost his estates, and his grandson was defeated by the Marquis of Montrose.
These Baillies are vocal and ardent Protestants. In 1684, Robert Baillie of Jerviswood and his family flee to Holland after he becomes embroiled in a plot to overthrow James VII and is executed.
The family estates are restored upon James VII's overthrow in 1688.
This family is related to the earldom of Haddington by marriage, and the Dochfour Baillies obtain large estates surrounding Loch Ness through marriage as well.
2. Clan Baillie Tartans
A particular tartan design connected to the Baillie family is referred to as Baillie Modern, Baillie of Polkemett, or Baillie Green.
Mr. A. W. Geddes of Messrs William Anderson, Edinburgh, created the most popular Baillie tartan in 1937. This tartan is derived from the MacKenzie tartan, but instead of a single stripe, three thin white lines have been added to the green. It was made especially for the Polkemett Baillies, who were the owners of the Barony of Polkemett. During that same period, Geddes also made a red sett tartan for the Baillies.
Baillie of Polkemett, Red
Baillie (Wilsons of Bannockburn)
Take a look at this set from the Bannockburn 1819 Key Pattern Book by William Wilson and Sons. It resembles the MacLeod of Skye tartan, but the red has been accompanied by a black guard.
The weavers Wilson's of Bannockburn had the inside track on tartans; they provided the MacLeods, MacKenzies, and Campbells with their own renditions of the famous "Black Watch" sett. Even a Baillie tartan is mentioned by Telford Dunbar in his 1962 "History of Highland Dress," noting that it can be found in William Wilson's 1800 stock list.
3. Clan Baillie Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Baillie Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A boar’s head erased, Proper
3.2 Clan Baillie Coat of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
A person is granted a coat of arms under Scottish heraldic law; civic or corporate arms are not granted. This law does not recognize the idea of a "family coat of arms." With the exceptions mentioned above, the arms pictured below belong to the person who received them. The only person with the legal authority to use these weapons is the one who has been granted them.
BAILLIE of Lamington
Azure, nine stars (mullets), three, three, two and one, Argent
4. Clan Baillie Places & People
4.1 Clan Baillie People
4.1.1 Charles Baillie (1542–1625)
Scottish-born Fleming Charles Baillie played a significant role in Mary, Queen of Scots' schemes, particularly following her husband's death.
Documents detailing a Spanish-backed strategy for Mary's cause in England's eastern counties were intercepted and delivered to Baillie in 1571. Despite being detained, he strangely discovered that he had fewer incriminating documents. Regretfully, a fellow prisoner who had turned spy was about to reveal the plan when he was apprehended.
Baillie was tortured on a rack while he was a prisoner in the Tower of London. Visitors can still see his handwritten inscription, "L. H. S. 1571 die 10 Aprilis," etched on the tower walls. Charles Bailly once said, "Wise men should see what they do, examine before they speak, prove before they take in hand, beware whose company they use, and, above all, to whom they trust."
After being set free in 1574, he died in 1625 and was buried in La Hulpe, close to Brussels.
4.1.2 Lady Grizel Baillie (1665–1746)
Born to the illustrious Sir Patrick Hume at Berwickshire's historic Redbraes Castle, Lady Baillie was a well-known Scottish songwriter.
She was imprisoned at the age of 12 after becoming involved in a conspiracy that was connected to Robert Baillie of Jerviswood. Grizzle bravely smuggled food to her father, who was forced into hiding in the crypt of Polwarth church, in order to support him.
Though they tried, Jerviswood was going to be executed. By a strange turn of events, Lady Grizel married George Baillie, his son, in 1692.
Of all of Lady Grizel's classic Scottish songs, "And werena my heart light I wad dee" is the most memorable. This famous song made its debut in William Thomson's 1725 edition of Orpheus Caledonius, a renowned collection of the best Scottish ballads.
Her influence is still felt outside of Scotland. On December 25, the 81st birthday of Lady Grizel, she was laid to rest at Mellerstain. She died in London on December 6, 1746.