Clan Campbell of Cawdor
Clan Campbell of Cawdor (Campbell of Cawdor Tartan)
Gaelic Name: Caimbeul
Crest: A swan, Proper, crowned, Or
Motto: Be Mindful
Origin of Name: Gaelic Caimbeul, from cam (wry) and beul (mouth)
Badge: Wild myrtle, Fir club moss
Lands: Cawdor, Highlands
Clan Chief: Colin Campbell, 7th Earl of Cawdor
1. Campbell of Cawdor History
In 1492, John, the 7th Thane of Cawdor, wedded Isabel Rose, the daughter of Kilravock. Sadly, John passed away in 1494 while Isabel was carrying their child. Kilravock, Isabel's father, determined that his granddaughter, upon her birth, should wed his own grandson, thus ensuring that her inheritance remained within the Kilravock family.
Cawdor Castle, near Nairn, was initially built in the 1400s by Clan Calder, but passed into the hands of the Campbells in the 16th century, and is now home to the step mother of the present Earl of Cawdor.
However, he faced pending theft charges at the time for crimes committed with MacKintosh on the lands of Urquhart of Cromarty.
The Justice-General at the time was Archibald, 2nd Earl of Argyll. By 1495, after navigating Kilravock's legal proceedings, he secured the wardship of Muriel, the infant heiress of Cawdor, from King James IV. Muriel was brought to Inveraray in 1499, but not before, according to legend, her mother marked her with the brand of a hot key and her nursemaid bit off half of her little finger, fearing the Campbells might try to replace her with a surrogate heiress.
In the autumn of that year, Campbell of Inverliver arrived in Inveraray with sixty men, claiming he was taking little Muriel to school in the South. He took her, but was pursued by her uncles Alexander and Hugh Calder, who confronted him at Daltulich, in Strathnairn. In the ensuing altercation, seven of Inverliver’s sons lost their lives.
When asked if the price was too high, especially considering the risk to the child's life, Inverliver famously replied, "The lassie can never die as long as there is a red-headed lass on the shores of Loch Awe."
In 1510, Muriel married Sir John Campbell, the third son of Argyll. They resided in Cawdor from 1524 until his passing in 1546. Muriel then passed her Thanedom to her grandson John before her death in 1573.
The first Lord Cawdor was John, the son of Pryce Campbell, a Member of Parliament, in 1796.
In 1797, 1200 French troops attempted what would become the final invasion of Britain. They landed at Fishguard, where Lord Cawdor, with only a handful of soldiers supported by local peasants, successfully captured the invaders.
His son John would later become the 1st Earl of Cawdor.
2. Campbell of Cawdor Tartans
Campbell of Cawdor Modern
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Campbell of Cawdor Ancient
3. Campbell of Cawdor Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Campbell of Cawdor Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A swan, Proper, crowned, Or
3.2 Clan Campbell of Cawdor Coat of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
Under Scottish heraldic law, a coat of arms is granted to an individual, with the exception of civic or corporate arms. There is no concept of a "family coat of arms." The arms depicted below are personal and can only be used by the individual to whom they were granted.
EARL CAWDOR
Quarterly, first Or a hart's head cabossed Sable attired Gules; second Gyronny of eight Or and Sable; third Argent a galley Sable; fourth parted per fess Azure and Gules a cross Or. These arms were granted as part of the second matriculation in 1722.
4. Campbell of Cawdor Places & People
4.1 Campbell of Cawdor Places
Cawdor Castle, situated near Nairn, traces its origins back to the 15th century, with the earliest documentation dating to 1454 when William Calder, the 6th Thane of Cawdor, received a 'licence to fortify' the castle. However, indications suggest that certain sections of the fortress might date back to the late 1300s.
Through marriage, the castle came into the possession of the Campbells when Muriel Calder, the heiress of the Calder family, wed Sir John Campbell in 1510. Since then, it has remained within the Campbell lineage.
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The ancestral abode stood as a mighty castle encompassing a petite yet whole island nestled within the waters of Loch Awe, known as Innis Chonnell. Silhouetted against its backdrop are the towering peaks of Cruachan Beann, the very hills that echoed with the war chants of the Campbells.
Amongst the verdant canopy of trees on Innis Chonnell, the remnants of the castle still stand, bearing witness to its illustrious past. Once the domain of Sir Colin Campbell – who met his fate at the Battle of Red Ford – it served as the earliest bastion of the Campbell clan until its abandonment during the 15th century.
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The inaugural Earl of Argyll acquired Glowm in Clackmannanshire (subsequently known as Castle Campbell), establishing it as the Campbell’s residence in the Lowlands from the 15th to the 19th century. The strategic location of Glown (Castle Campbell) served the Earl well in his courtly endeavors.
Furthermore, the 1st Earl of Argyll played a pivotal role in undermining the dominance of his longstanding adversaries, the MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles.
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For centuries, a castle has stood proudly on these grounds at Inveraray, dating back to at least the 15th century, when it welcomed a visit from King James V in 1533.
The current Inveraray Castle replaced its predecessor, with construction taking place between 1743 and 1746. This architectural masterpiece boasts a stunning Gothic Revival style, making it one of the earliest examples of its kind globally.
Since the 18th century, Inveraray Castle has served as the seat of the Campbell Dukes of Argyll, and today, it remains the residence of the current chief, the 13th Duke of Argyll, Torquhil Campbell.
4.2 Clan Campbell People
4.2.1 Sir Henry Campbell–Bannerman (1836-1908)
The Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1905-1908 hailed from Glasgow, born to a future Lord Provost. In a bid to inherit the fortune of a deceased uncle, he combined his father’s Campbell surname with his mother’s name, Bannerman.
After his schooling in Glasgow and Cambridge, he embarked on a political journey that saw him become the liberal MP for Stirling for the entirety of his career. Along the way, he assumed various ministerial roles and was knighted in 1895.
Known for his unwavering support for the suffragette movement and advocating for self-government for the Boers, he was hailed as a tenacious fighter.
During his tenure as Prime Minister, he surrounded himself with notable figures like Winston Churchill, Lloyd George, and Henry Herbert Asquith. However, his health took a toll, leading to his resignation from politics, and tragically, he passed away within a fortnight.
4.2.2 Sir Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde (1792-1863)
Legend has it that Colin MacIver embraced his mother’s family name after a nod from the Duke of York, who deemed Campbell a fitting moniker for a soldier.
Thus, Colin Campbell, the son of a Glasgow carpenter, embarked on a remarkable journey within the British Army, ultimately attaining the rank of Field Marshal in 1862.
His military exploits took him far and wide, from the battlefields of China and the West Indies to the rugged terrains of India and the Crimea. Notably, he led the Highland Brigade to victory at the Battle of Alma and bravely defended the infamous ‘Thin Red Line’ at Balaclava against the Russian Cavalry.
Today, his final resting place is in Westminster Abbey, a testament to his legacy as a military luminary of the British Empire during the mid-19th century.
4.2.3 Sir Malcolm Brown Campbell (1848-1935)
The mastermind behind the renowned Malcolm Campbell grocery empire boasts a classic rags-to-riches tale. Born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, he started off by running errands for a local greengrocer in Glasgow.
Over time, he revolutionized fruit and vegetable sales by introducing a variety of global produce to the local market. Notably, he was instrumental in making bananas accessible across Scotland.
His savvy business strategy included setting up kiosks at railway stations, capitalizing on high foot traffic. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was knighted in 1922, cementing his legacy in Scottish commerce.
4.2.4 Angus Campbell (1903-82)
Hailing from the quaint town of Ness on the Isle of Lewis, Angus Campbell, also known as Am Puilean, delved deep into his life's trials and tribulations for inspiration in his poetry and writings.
His poignant verses were heavily influenced by his upbringing and his time spent as a prisoner of war in Poland during the tumultuous era of the Second World War.
In 1972, his remarkable collection of Gaelic poetry, titled 'Chaff & Wheat,' was published, followed by the release of his autobiography 'Touching Many Headlands' the subsequent year.
5. Associated names
The following names are regarded as septs or affiliated names of Clan Campbell of Cawdor: Cadall, Caddel, Caddell, Cadder, Cadell, Cadella, Caldaile, Caldell, Calder, Caldor, Cambal, Cambale, Cambel, Cambele, Cambell, Cambelle, Camble, Cammell, Campbele, Campbell, Campbill, Campble, Cattal, Cattall, Cattell, Cattle, Cauder, Caudle, Caulder, Cawdale, Cawdor, Chambelle, Cowdale, Kambail, Kambaile, Kambayl, Kumpel, O’Docharty, Torie, Torrie, and Torry