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==Life==
==Life==
Oliver Sinclair was captured by the English at the [[Battle of Solway Moss]]. [[George Douglas of Pittendreich]] sent a report to [[Henry VIII of England]] stating that Sinclair was commander. However, reports by the English commanders fail to mention any commanding role. George Douglas is also the source of the story that James V died in a feverih delirium [[Falkland Palace]] still lamenting the loss of his standard and the capture of his favourite Oliver at Solway.

A prisoner after the [[Battle of Pinkie]], Oliver was released by exchange with the son of the Laird of Cleisburn as hostage in his stead. On 14 February 1548, the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] ordered [[Thomas Wharton, 1st Baron Wharton|Thomas Wharton]] to free the 'pledge' but asked him to protract the process, if possible, to increase Cleisburn's devotion to England. Oliver Sinclair was given a reward of £50 from [[Edward VI of England]] on 17 February 1548.<ref>John Roche Dasent, ed., ''Acts of the Privy Council'', vol. 2, HMSO (1890), 171, 543</ref>
A prisoner after the [[Battle of Pinkie]], Oliver was released by exchange with the son of the Laird of Cleisburn as hostage in his stead. On 14 February 1548, the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] ordered [[Thomas Wharton, 1st Baron Wharton|Thomas Wharton]] to free the 'pledge' but asked him to protract the process, if possible, to increase Cleisburn's devotion to England. Oliver Sinclair was given a reward of £50 from [[Edward VI of England]] on 17 February 1548.<ref>John Roche Dasent, ed., ''Acts of the Privy Council'', vol. 2, HMSO (1890), 171, 543</ref>

[[David Hume of Godscroft]] writing around 1600 gives the usual story of Oliver deserted by the nobility of Scotland at Solway (Solemne-Mosse), but gives an epilogue to his career. [[Regent Morton]], in the 1570s, had a servant, George Auchinleck of Balmanno, who controlled access to his master and thereby justice. One day Sinclair came to Edinburgh Tollbooth and caught Auchinleck's attention, and when he came over and asked his business, all the old man said was, "I am Oliver Sinclair", then slipped away. Hume of Godscroft explains that Sinclair meant that Auchinleck would all too soon become insignificant, and the incident was much discussed at the time.<ref>Reid, David, ed., ''David Hume of Godscroft, History of the House of Angus'', vol. 1 STS, (2005), 104, 231.</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* Cameron, Jamie, ''James V'', Tuckwell, (1998), (see pp. 273-275, 293-294, 316-321)
* Sinclair, G. A., 'The Scots at Solway Moss, ''Scottish Historical Review'', vol. 2 (1905), pp. 357-377.





Revision as of 20:26, 4 May 2011

Oliver Sinclair de Pitcairnis, (or St Clair), was a favourite courtier of James V of Scotland. A contemporary story tells that James V gave him the battle standard and command at the Battle of Solway Moss. Another story tells how at the end his life he shamed the haughty servant of Regent Morton by showing him how his own prosperity had faded.

Life

Oliver Sinclair was captured by the English at the Battle of Solway Moss. George Douglas of Pittendreich sent a report to Henry VIII of England stating that Sinclair was commander. However, reports by the English commanders fail to mention any commanding role. George Douglas is also the source of the story that James V died in a feverih delirium Falkland Palace still lamenting the loss of his standard and the capture of his favourite Oliver at Solway.

A prisoner after the Battle of Pinkie, Oliver was released by exchange with the son of the Laird of Cleisburn as hostage in his stead. On 14 February 1548, the Privy Council ordered Thomas Wharton to free the 'pledge' but asked him to protract the process, if possible, to increase Cleisburn's devotion to England. Oliver Sinclair was given a reward of £50 from Edward VI of England on 17 February 1548.[1]

David Hume of Godscroft writing around 1600 gives the usual story of Oliver deserted by the nobility of Scotland at Solway (Solemne-Mosse), but gives an epilogue to his career. Regent Morton, in the 1570s, had a servant, George Auchinleck of Balmanno, who controlled access to his master and thereby justice. One day Sinclair came to Edinburgh Tollbooth and caught Auchinleck's attention, and when he came over and asked his business, all the old man said was, "I am Oliver Sinclair", then slipped away. Hume of Godscroft explains that Sinclair meant that Auchinleck would all too soon become insignificant, and the incident was much discussed at the time.[2]

References

  1. ^ John Roche Dasent, ed., Acts of the Privy Council, vol. 2, HMSO (1890), 171, 543
  2. ^ Reid, David, ed., David Hume of Godscroft, History of the House of Angus, vol. 1 STS, (2005), 104, 231.

Sources

  • Cameron, Jamie, James V, Tuckwell, (1998), (see pp. 273-275, 293-294, 316-321)
  • Sinclair, G. A., 'The Scots at Solway Moss, Scottish Historical Review, vol. 2 (1905), pp. 357-377.