Clan Blackadder
Clan Blackadder (Blackadder Tartan)
Crest: A dexter hand issuing from a Wreath grasping and brandishing aloft a sword, Proper
Motto: Courage Helps Fortune
Origin of Name: Territorial
Historic Seat: Old Tulliallan Castle, Fife
Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan
1. Clan Blackadder History
The Blackadder clan draws its name from the picturesque river and lands nestled in Berwickshire. Through the annals of history, notable figures bearing this proud name have left their mark on Scotland's tapestry.
Adam of Blackathir, for instance, played a crucial role in diplomatic affairs, escorting envoys to Edinburgh in 1477. Meanwhile, in 1486, Charles Blackater journeyed to England under the safeguard of protection.
Noteworthy individuals like Robert Blackadder adorned the ecclesiastical hierarchy as Bishop of Glasgow towards the end of the 15th century. The lineage extends to stalwarts such as Rolland Blaykatter, a tenant in the barony of Glasgow, possibly the same figure later known as sub-dean of Glasgow in 1524.
Thomas Blacater assumed the mantle of Bailie of the Commendator of Coldingham in 1557, showcasing the clan's multifaceted contributions.
During the 16th century, the Blackadder name flourished in Lanarkshire, while the Blacaters of Tulliallan in Perthshire, though dispossessed in 1632, represented an influential offshoot of the Border family.
Among them, John Blackadder of Tulliallan emerged as a luminary of the Church of Scotland. His unwavering commitment to the Covenanters' cause led to imprisonment on the formidable Bass Rock, where he eventually breathed his last in 1685, leaving behind a legacy of steadfast devotion.
Old Tulliallan Castle, located in Fife, came under the ownership of the Blackadder family through marriage during the latter part of the 15th century. The Blackadders resided at Tulliallan until 1662.
2. Clan Blackadder Tartans
While there isn't a registered Blackadder tartan, members of the clan can opt to wear the Tweedside District tartan, which represents the geographical area associated with the name.
Tweedside District
3. Clan Blackadder Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Blackadder Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A right hand emerging from a wreath, gripping and raising a sword, in its natural colors.
3.2 Clan Blackadder Coat of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
Under Scottish heraldic law, a coat of arms is granted to an individual (except for civic or corporate arms). There is no concept of a 'family coat of arms'. The arms depicted below are personal arms (with the mentioned exceptions). Only the individual to whom these arms are granted has the right to utilize them.
BLACKADDER of that Ilk
Azure, on a chevron, Argent, three roses, Gules
Seal of Robert Blackadder, the inaugural Archbishop of Glasgow. St. Kentigern, attired as a monk and holding a book, is depicted alongside the legendary salmon with the ring. Below them is a shield displaying the arms of Blackadder. It's worth noting that Blackadder had employed a distinct seal during his earlier tenure as bishop.
4. Clan Blackadder Places & People
4.1 Clan Blackadder Places
The Blackadder clan boasted prominence in the Borders region, their legacy intertwined with the annals of Scottish history. Under James II's reign (1437-1460), they witnessed a significant expansion of their estates.
However, fortune's wheel turned against them when the heiresses of the Blackadders of that Ilk, Robert Blackadder's daughters, were wedded off to the neighboring Home of Wedderburn family in 1518, leading to the loss of much of their lands.
Among their holdings stood a formidable castle, nestled near Allanton in Berwickshire. Yet, the tides of conflict swept over this stronghold, and it succumbed to the ravages of English forces in the early 16th century.
Rising from the ashes, Blackadder House, a grand edifice, graced the same grounds. Throughout the 1800s, it underwent numerous expansions, reflecting the family's enduring legacy.
The echoes of history resonate within Blackadder House, which served as a haven for soldiers during the tumult of the First World War. Sadly, the ravages of conflict spared neither stone nor timber, leaving the once-stately abode marred by vandalism.
Despite the valiant efforts to salvage its grandeur, the post-war government's reluctance to fund repairs sealed its fate. Gradually succumbing to neglect, Blackadder House met its demise, razed to the ground around 1925, its tales of glory fading into the mists of time.
4.2 Clan Blackadder People
4.2.1 John Blackadder (1622–1685)
Blackadder, a figure steeped in Scottish lore, entered the world around 1622. He hailed from a lineage intertwined with the storied Blackadder Baronetcy of Tulliallan, tracing his ancestry to Adam Blackadder of Blairhall.
Despite being the rightful heir to the baronetcy, Blackadder spurned the title. Delving into the realms of academia, he pursued Divinity at Glasgow University, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.
In matters of the heart, Blackadder found companionship with Janet Haining, with whom he embarked on the journey of parenthood, blessed with seven children.
His spiritual calling beckoned, and on 7 June 1653, he assumed the mantle of minister at Troqueer, nestled near Dumfries. However, the winds of political change wrought turmoil in his path.
As a fervent Covenanter, Blackadder faced expulsion in the wake of Charles II's restoration. Despite adversity, he persisted, preaching at clandestine gatherings in Glencairn. Yet, the authorities' scrutiny forced him into a nomadic existence, traversing the southern reaches of Scotland.
The landscape of his sermons evolved, mirroring the simmering tensions between congregants and government forces. Armed congregations stood vigil, warding off potential assaults.
The escalation culminated in Blackadder's outlaw status, with a bounty placed upon his head. Following the tumult of the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, he sought refuge in Rotterdam, only to return in 1681.
However, fate dealt a cruel hand as Edinburgh's clutches ensnared him. Found guilty, Blackadder languished in the grim confines of the Bass Rock, succumbing to illness in 1685.
His final resting place echoes with the whispers of history, nestled in North Berwick churchyard, a testament to his unwavering spirit amidst Scotland's turbulent times.
4.2.2 Dame Elizabeth Violet Blackadder (24 September 1931 - 23 August 2021)
Elizabeth Blackadder, a luminary in the realm of Scottish artistry, etches her legacy as a painter and printmaker.
Hailing from Falkirk, she emerged as a trailblazer, securing the distinction of being the first woman elected to both the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy.
Blackadder's journey into the realm of artistry was seeded in her formative years, shrouded in the poignant memory of her father's untimely passing when she was but a mere 10 years old.
As a solitary child, she found solace amidst the pages of books and the tender embrace of nature, cultivating a penchant for flower collection.
Her artistic odyssey burgeoned at College in Edinburgh, where she immersed herself in the realms of Fine Art, graduating with First Class Honours in 1954. Serendipity graced her path as she crossed trails with fellow artist John Houston, her future husband.
Embarking on a voyage of discovery, Blackadder traversed the landscapes of Yugoslavia, Greece, and Italy, imbibing the nuances of Byzantine art.
The allure of travel continued to beckon, intertwining with her fervor for still life painting, a domain in which she would ascend to eminence. Her accolades adorned her journey, with the OBE bestowed upon her in 1982, followed by the prestigious title of DBE (Dame) in 2003.
Her laurels extended to four honorary doctorates, culminating in the esteemed appointment as Her Majesty's Painter and Limner in Scotland in 2001.
The tapestry of Blackadder's artistry found resonance far beyond canvas, immortalized in the form of stamps and even adorning the official Christmas card of Scotland's First Minister in 2012.
As the final stroke upon her life's canvas, Elizabeth Blackadder transcended into eternity on the 23rd of August, 2021, leaving behind a legacy woven with the threads of creativity and resilience, a testament to the enduring spirit of Scottish artistry.
5. Associated Names
Blackadder shares kinship ties with Clan Douglas, forming an allied family bond deeply rooted in Scottish heritage. In William Anderson's seminal work, "The Scottish Nation" (published in 1877), compelling evidence surfaces, intertwining the lineage of Blackadder with our esteemed Douglas lineage.
According to Anderson, Andrew Blackadder, steward of the estate, united in matrimony with a daughter of the illustrious Johnston of Johnston, forebears of the earls of Annandale.
Blessed with progeny, he fathered two sons, Robert and Patrick. Robert, the elder scion, found his heart entwined with Alison Douglas, the fourth daughter of George, Master of Angus, and sibling to Archibald, the venerable earl of Angus.
Amidst the tumultuous fray of Flodden in 1513, Robert marched under the banner of the Douglases, meeting his fate alongside his father-in-law and a valiant retinue of two hundred Douglas gentlemen, immortalizing their valor on that fateful battlefield.
Left behind were his widow and two daughters, Beatrix and Margaret, mere fledglings at the time, destined to navigate the tempests of life's journey.
It is within the annals of Redpath's Border History that this poignant narrative finds its resonance, a testament to the indomitable spirit coursing through the veins of our Scottish lineage.
As we delve into the rich tapestry of Scottish history, the bond between Blackadder and Clan Douglas emerges as a testament to the enduring legacy of kinship and valor that permeates the very fabric of our ancestral heritage.
Sources:
Anderson, William. The Scottish Nation, Or, the Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours, &
Blackadder remains an esteemed branch within the storied lineage of Clan Home/Hume, embodying the noble ethos and enduring spirit of Scottish kinship.