Sometimes in your genealogical research you get the feeling that you are getting closer to understanding a truth.

Obviously the time when the Caldwell family was closest to the Royal House of Scotland was from about the time of Wallace through to the early Stewart Kings.

One little tidbit that I have known for some time was that:

Patrick or Peter Caldwell (m Isabel) Reign of Robert III (1390-1406)
"Petrus ver (Patricus) Caldwell
Carta Petri Caldwell de tenus de Colgreve 1412/Carta from Sir Adam Fullarton of Crosbie in his favour of Lands of Scottishaw (now called Gaylis) dated Irvine 1391"

I have this from the late Mrs Lesley Gordon's notes

Gaylis is probably the same place ars the modern Gailes.

It is located on the Western side of Dundonald along the coast.

Gailes was a Caldwell farm right down to modern times (not necessariy owned by the family though)

Scottishaw means "Wood of the Scots" (I presume) as it is next to the then residence of Robert II and Robert III at Dundonald Castle it is possible that Scottishaw might even be equivalent to "King's Wood". I have seen Gaylis referred to as Gai Lys or Beautiful Lilly and read about a legend about the property being awarded after a success in a tournament. (Another unsubstantiated Caldwell Legend!)

This Carta was not long after Otterburn and the ransom monies received by the Scots King was supposedly only second in value after the ransoms raised after Bannockburn. A Montgomery was supposed to have built Polnoon Castle (near Eaglesham) from his share of the ransom of Percy "Hotspur".

Perhaps Sir Adam Fullarton who held the lands from Crosbie through to Irvine was the conduit for some of this largesse, but more likely it was just another commercial transaction of the time.

It does show that the Caldwell's were in Kyle Stewart at least by that time and that they were located very close to the king's then royal residence.

"de tenus de Colgreve" - I don't understand. Unless it had something to do with coal grieve. A coal-grieve is an underground mine manager or foreman.

Another snippet from my current "read": Scotland - a new history by Michael Lynch at p 141

"Robert III had two last cards to play. From Rothsay Castle, where he lived in semi-exile in Bute, he began to re-fashion the traditinal Stewart lands in Renfrew, Cunningham, Kyle and Carrick into an extensive private regality for the young prince (future James I). And in 1406 he made arrangements to send James to France, ostensibly for his education, but more probably for his safety."

Note also: "James I on his great seal had the banners of Cadwallader (azure a cross patte fitche or) and King Edgar (azure, a cross patonce between four marletts or)"

[A complete Guide to Heraldry by AC Fox-Davies]

The cross of Cadwallader is the same cross that is on an English Caldwell crest and was described as the "Cross de Maltha Caldwell". .... and also by the way it is also the crest of the Scaldwell family of Crowlands!

Cadwallader is of course an early king from North Wales and possibly a descendent of the Votodini relocated from Manau Goddodin by the Romans.

So - a whole lot of unrelated miscellaneous clues that seem to indicate that James I had the cross of Cadwallader on his great seal for some reason and that was also connected to the English Caldwell family who in turn relate it to Malta which has a crusader link to the Knights of St John (not the Templars). Gai Lys becomes Gaylis and there is a grant of territory right next to the king's residence a that time.

The Stewart connection I think is very strong and perhaps enough for us to consider whether it is our tartan At least we should not have too much trouble finding plenty of the correct tartanry to deck ourselves out with

Rozanne, the two David's, anyone? Help! I think there is something there but I personally don't have enough material myself to connect it all up for sure.

James I spent a lot of time in English captivity and married the daughter of John of Gaunt - Joan Beaufort.

Arrgh - don't tell me! Car or Caer = Fort and Beau = good or well - you have to keep a sense of humour here or you just go mad!

Tom